The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-08-19
lust FORTY YEARS AGO.
How We Went to War With Mexico and how
We Came Out,
80 T,,,g, f9Ibs D,Bnrr1f

rebellion, and alter ABOUT null year
fighting achieved their independence.
General Samuel Houston, the most con-
spicuoua Texan soldier, became President
Of the new Republic in September, 1896.
Siy months later the United States ac'
knowledved the independence Of Texas,
Mexico did not Telinquish It's claim to
Texas, although making no further Tor
nal attempt to subjugate It, Then, as
now. The Sabine river formed the Eastern
boundary Of the Texas Republic, and the
Rio Grande the western, Alter soliCita.
tion on the part OF Texas 1t was annexed
TO the United States in 1915, the act Of
Congress which brought 1t about being
eipned br President Tyler on March LIST oil
that year, three days before the expira'
tion Of his term Of office. This led to the
war between the United States and
james X. Polk, who succeeded Taylor
as President, had been nominated and
elected because OF his advocacy OF annex
alton. One Of his first official acts was to
send General Zachary Taylor, with a force
nj abont four thousand men 10 occupy tue
territory between the NeuCes river and
the Rio (iraude, In Texas. The United
states commended that tho latter river
formed Texas western boundary, while
Mexico insisted that the former, about
one hundred miles to the eastward, con.
stitutcd tho westerly line. Taylor reached
the Rio Grande, opposite MatamOrae, on
March %, 1916, aud erected Fort Brown,
The Mexicaus also began iOrtIlying their
side OF the river. General Ampndia, the
Mexican commander, ordered Taylor to
retire beyond the Eeuces, saying that
noncompliance would be regarded by
Mexico as q declaration OF war. Taylor
refused TO fall back, and said that II Mex.
| leo insisted on conflict the United States
would not avoid 1t, A collision occurring,
in which the MexiCans were the agressors,
President Polk asked Congress for men
and money to carry on the war forced
upon the country by Mexico, Congress
al once appropriated $l0.0OO0O0, which
was deemed largo sum for any such
purpose in those days, and empowered
| The President to call for 90 900 volunte re.
This force was quickly raised, but before
they we're placed in the field hostilitles
had actually begun.
General ArislR, whoeuCCeeded Ampudia
So commander OF tho Mexican army on
the Rio Grande, crossed that river into
Texas on May s, 1916, with 5000 soldiers,
md attacked Taylor who had only $500
men. Tho MeXiCans were defeated with
great loss This was the battle OF PalO
Alto, tho frat regular engagement OF the
Mexican war. Ampudis retired to Resaca
dc Ia Palma, where he was attacked the
next day by Taylor and driven across the
river into Mexico. Taylor, who was then
promoted to the rank Of major general,
Invaded Mexico and occupied Matamoras.
Receiving reinforCementp, he began his
march into the interior OF Mexico in Sep.
tembsr, and on the 24.h OF that month,
after desperate fighting, which continued
for several days, he captured Monterey.
The American force in that battle vas
G25, nearlyall volunteers, while tie Mex.
leans consisted OF l0, COO regulars. Part Of
bis army was then sent to reinforce Gen,
Scott, who entered Mexico from Vera
Cruz. On February %, 1917, Taylor, with
1900 men, defeated u 900 Mexican vete.
rams under Santa Anna ut BuenN Vista,
This WAS the Last battle in Tayors cam.
paign, the MexiCans not attempting to In.
IerierO with the Americana In that por-
ton OF Mexico during the remainder oil
the war.
In August, 1876, Gen. Stephen Kearney
matched from Fort LeavenwOrth and
wTe5ted New Mexico from the mother
country. He then went to California,
which had also been portion Of Mexico
up 10 this time, and found that Col. John
q. Fremont and Commodore Stockton had
conquered that province in the name Of
the United States. The victorious career
Of the Americans was continued by 1000
Missouri volunteers under command Of
Col. Doniphan, mOkingG descent on the
city Of Chihuahua and capturing 1t.
Fifteen days after the battle Of BuenR
Vista General Scott, with $1,000 men,
invested Vera Cruz, the principal seaport
Of Mexico, defended by Its strongest fort.
ress, which was soon captured. Then be-
gan another series OF American victories
40 brilliant and conspicuous as those won
by General Taylor five hundred miles
TO the northwest few months before.
That at Cerro Gordo took place on April
IS, followed by the capture Of Jalepa on
the 10th, Perote on tho 22d, and Peubla
on May 10. Being reinforced he storLned
and captured Oontreras and Oherubusco
on August 20. An armistice ending with
out result. Chepultepec was taken by
assault on September -, and the follow
ing day the American army entered the
City Of Mexico, tho capital Of the Coun.
try, and hung the stars and stripes 10 the
breeze from tho top OF the national
palace. This ended hostilities.
The Americans, whether under Taylor
or Scott, had been successful in every bat
Ito fought, although confronted with
superior numbers, In country which in
terposed great natural obstacles to the
march OF an invading army. Considering
the results attained and the difficulties
surmounled with the means at command,
those campaigns should rank with the
most conspicuous military exploits record
cd in the annals OF war, and deserve a
place In history beside Alexander's sub.
uGalion of Asia, Caesars conquest OF
Gaul, Bonaparte's overthrow Of Prussia,
Nathaniel Green's campaign against Corn.
wallis and Sherman's march ~ the sea.
On February 2, 1913, about i've mouths
alter Scott entered the Mexican capital,
tho treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo was
negotiated, and q few weeks later Mexico
was evacuated by the American troops.
Mexico III this treaty conceded tho Rio
GrandU ns the westerly boundary oiTexap,
and gave New Mexico and California to
the United States, our country paying
Mexico Sl5, 100000 and assuming Mexico's
debts 10 American Citizong, providing
those debts bhould not exceed $500, 600.
Thus ended the third and last war waged
by the United States against q foreign
power.
Tho principal Of the public debt was
SO. 55O,902 on July l, 1915, which had
grown 10 $47,0i4, S62 on July l, lS4S, an
Increase Of $3l ,40l 600, nearly all Of which
growth waD CauDod by the war.
Mr.. Lnnphcrc's BOX of Peaches.
Diiroil FO'L
A. D. Lanpherc, OF Coldwater, found a