Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-30

armies und1Sc1pl1ned, war nampereu
md entangled by mesh of politics,
cross purposes. plumbers and cOnspir-
acy. a war that won for the United
States 522.56S square miles of terri
tory.
When Sam Houston freed Texas and
made II a republic several great ma
lions recognized the former provinces
independence. But Mexico did not.
When Houston, In 1915. Induced the
United States to annex Texas Mexico
declared that we were wrongfully SELF
Ing Mexican territory. A boundary
dispute. too. arose. The United States
In anneying Texas claimed all land
along Its borders westward to the Rio
Grande. Mexico. on the other hand. de-
clared that Texas western limits had
extended no farther than the Neuces
river. about hundred miles east Of
the Rio Grande. TO back up this
claim Santa Anna. dictator Of Mexico.
sent an army into the disputed terri
tory and planned to invade Texas.
General Zachary Taylor. with 1000
United States troops. WAS sent into the
disputed strip" to protect American
rights there. AS soon as Taylor had
crossed the Neuces river Mexico an.
nounced that his advance was an act
of invasion and sent an army to drive
him back.
With his petty force Of 1000 Taylor
marched forward through the debata
BILE territory. realizing how inadequate
that force must prove against the
armies Mexico could send to crush II.
but none the less pushing on as though
he had 100000 men at bis back.
Reaching the Rio Grande. he built IL
fort there OH the bank opposite the
Mexican town of Matamoras. Then.
leaving part of his force to guard the
new fort. he marched on with the rest
to get provisions. AS soon as Taylor'S
back was turned 5000 AeXicans cross
ed the river and attacked the fort.
News of the bombardment reaching
Taylor OH his march. he turned back
short of supplies as he was. and on
May s. 1876. met the stronger enemy
in battle. For two days the fight ragged
at Pulo Alto aud Resacu de In Palma.
But before the second evening he had
won Il notable victory.
Not content with driving Santa An
mas army out of the debatable ground
and protecting the frontier. Taylor
pushed onward into the heart Of the
hostile Mexican country. Reinforce
ments had ioired him. and he now had
G.i25 men under his command. With
these he attacked on Sept 10 the for
tilted town Of Monterey. which was
defended by 10000 native troops. On
the third day Monterey surrendered.
Taylor's name and the fame Of his
soldiers struck terror to the enemy.
The Americans might perhaps have
continued Indefinitely their victorious
progress into the very center of Mex
leo. but at this point an unexpected
blow wrecked Taylor's high hopes.
Polk was president Of the United
States ut the time. He or congress had
hitherto kept General Winfield Scott,
commander IN chief Of the army, In
Washington under pretense Of needing
his advice. But now that Taylor had
blazed the way for him the old COM
nmnder In chief was at last permitted
to go to the front. Polk was Demo-
crut. Scott Wing. 1t was charged
that Polk kept the latter so long at
home In order that he might not win
popularity which would make him a
formidable candidate for the presl-
dency. As soon as he could leave
Washington Scott hurried to Mexico