Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-07-17
SANTA ANNA'S COACH.



There are in Washington many inter
esting characters, some Of whom,
though they may net have held high
positions, still have lived and done
service with persons whose names are
historic. When once in n talaative
mood such persons as this can give very
entertaining accounts of incidents that
are now almost forgotten. Just such
character as this is Sergt. John Wal
tiers, now one of the watclmen at the
state, war and navy department build
ing under Capt. Tyson, of Arctic fame.
Sergt. Walters served under Capt. (af-
terward Gen. Sedgwick in the Mexi-
can war, and was for many years the
orderly at the headquarters of the
army under Gen. Winfield Scott and
was with him in Mexico. Sergt. Wal
tiers was born May 5, 1921, or. as he
states. upon the very day that great
soldier, Napoleon Bonaparte, left this
world came into it," Sergt. Walters
entered the army by enlisting in the
Second regiment Of artillery, then COM
manded by Col. Bankhead. Jan. 81,
1s45, and with that regiment went to
Mexico.
Before the siege of Vera Cruz he was
detailed as an orderly at the headquar.
ters of Gen. Scott. When the siege
commenced he reioined his company
and was in charge of three mortars
planted about mile from the city. The
landing was made in March, from the
9th TO the 1lth. and the little band of
12,500 men opened trenches threw up
breastworSs and planted the mortars.
Upon the city's refusal TO surrender fire
was opened. and On the goth the garri-
son surrendered and the American
troops entered the walls. According
TO Sergt. Walters, Gen. Scott seemed
disappointed that the force promised
him, 25. 900 men, had not been sent,
but neverthele,s on April IL he started
out for the City of Mexico.
At the battle of Cerro Gordo, April
II, Ssrgt, Walters says that his COM
pany-Comrany II, Second artillery
were on the point of thanking the Mexi-
cans when they spied the coach Of
Santa Anna in gulch not far of.
The coach had been left behind and
the Mexican chief and some half dozen
of his suite were seen nearly mile dis
tant riding rapidly on American horses
Duncan's battery opened fire on them,
but the Mexicans made good their es
cape The coach was what would now
be regarded as an old fashioned hack,
and the harness that was still fastened
to 1t showed that the mules or horses
had been cut loose in hurry. In the
carriage was found the wooden leg of
Santa Anna and a number Of boxes OF
gold and silver coin. This capture,
says Sergt. Walters, was the founda-
ton of the Soldiers home. This money
was very considerable, but he does not
know just how much there was.
There was some controversy at the
time as to whether the capture should
be paid into the treasury. but Gen.
Scott claimed that 1t belonged to the
army. Consequently he turned II over
to the quarterinaster's department to
be spent in providing home in which
old and wounded soldiers could spend
the latter part Of their days. To this
sum was added the amount levied on
the inhabitants Of the City of Mexico
on its surrender
Mr. Walters says that when Gen.
Scott returned to this city he sent for
Gen. Wool and the two went out to
the present location Of the home and
were shown over the place 10y Mr..
Riggs. IL was not, however. until they
had sampled the iron water in the
spring that they concluded that the
location was the proper one, although
they had already admired the views
from the various sections of the
grounds. "As far as know" said the
old sergeant II am the only man alive
who participated in the capture of that
coach. There may be Others who were
In the battle, but of company II, Sec
ond artillery, | do not know o single
survivor. Washington Star