The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1886-08-20
JUST FORTY YEARS AGO.
How We Went to War With Mexi-
co and How we Came Out.

st. Louis GiObe-DemOcrat
In 1885 the people of Texas, most
ly cOlOniStS from the United States,
finding the depotism of Mexico, OF
which country Texas formed Il part,
iDtOlerable, rose in rebellion, and
after about half years fighting
achieved their Independence. Gen.
Samuel Houston, the most conspic-
uOus Texan soldier, became Presi.
dent OF the new republic in Septem-
Der, 1886. Six months later the
United States acknowledged the
Independence of Texas. Mexico
did not relinquish its claim to Tex
AS, although making no further
attempt to subjugate it. Then as
now the Sabine river formed the
eastern boundary OF the Texan re-
public and the Rio Grande the wes-
tern. After solicitation OH the part
of Texas it was annexed TO the
United States in IS45, the act of
Congress which brought iG about
being signed by President Tyler, on
March LIST of that year, three days
before the expiration of his term of
Office. This led to the war between
the United States aud Mexico.
james *. Polk, who succeeded
Tyler as President, had been nomi-
mated and elected because of his
advocacy of annexation. One of
his first official acts was to send
Gen. Zachary Taylor, with force
of 4, 900 men, to occupy the territory
between the Neuees river aud the
Rio Grande IN Texas. The United
States cOntended that the latter
river formed Texas westerly bOun-
Diary, while Mexico insisted that the
former, about 100 miles to the east
ward, constituted the westerly line.
Taylor reached the Rio Grande,
opposite MatamOras on March %,
1916, and erected Fort Brown. The |
Mexicans also began fortifying
their side of the river. Gen. Ampu-
dia, the Mexican commander, order. |
ed Gen. Taylor to retire beyond the |
Nueces, saying that Noncompliance
would be regarded by Mexico as a
declaration of war. Taylor refused
to fall back, aud said that if Mexi-
co insisted on a conflict the United
States would not avoid it. A col
lisiOn occurring in which the Mexi-
caus were aggressors, President
Polk asked Congress for men aud
money to carry on the war forced
upon the country by Mexico. Con.
gress at once appropriated $4,000,
600, which was deemed large sun
for any such purpose IN those days,
and empowered the President to
call for $4,000 volunteers. This
force was quickly raised, but before
they we're placed in the field hostil-
titles had actually begun.
Gen. Arsta, who succeeded Am
pudla as commander of the Mexican
army on the Rio Grande, crossed
that river into Texas on May s,
1S46, with 5000 soldiers, and at
tackled Taylor, who had only $500
men. The Mexicans were defeated ]
with great loss. THIS was the battle [
of Palo Alto, the first regular
in the Mexican war.
retired ty Resaca de la
Palma, where he was attacked the
next day By Taylor and driven
across the river into Mexico. Tay-
lor was then promoted to the rank
Of major general, invaded Mexico
aud occupied Matamoros. Receiv-
ing reinforcemeuts, he began his
march into the interior Of Mexico
In September, aud on the Gath Of
that month, after desperate fight
ing, which continued several days,
be captured Monterey. The Amer.
can force in that battle was 6,625,
nearly all volunteers, while the