The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-12-05

gveat that they had not planned for
the Sierra Gorda range of mountains,
directly in the path of General Wool's
| march.
When Wool saw the peaks looming
up 1000 feet into the air ahead Of
him he decided not to cross them. He
started south toward Saltillo.
On Oct. 20 Wool took Monclova and
proceeded on to Saltillo. He abandon
ed the idea of attacking Chihuahua.
In December he reached Saltillo and
| Joined forces with General Taylor.
Tampco was taken by Commodore
Perry's fleet and garrisoned by Tay-
lor's troops.
Meanwhile Santa Anna, who was
under General Sam Houston, had been
permitted to return to Mexico in the
belief he would be friendly to Amer
lean interests and help bring the war
| to n close.
He landed at Vera Cruz, became
chief magistrate of Mexico and imme-
diately began reorganizing the de-
fenses. Leaving the government in
the hands of Gomez Farias, the vice
president. he gathered his troops to-
gether and set out to check the ad-
vance of General Taylor.
He met the American forces under
Taylor at Buena Vista, just south of
Saltillo, and one of the bloodiest bat
ties of the war ensued. Santa Annals
forces numbered 10000. Taylor had
barely $500.
Finally, after 800 Americans had
! been killed or wounded and 1000 Mex
| leans killed, Santa Anna was forced
J back. He returned to San Luis Poto-
81. From there he was called to the
City of Mexico to cneck growing in
| surrection against Gomez Farias.
Capital Now the Goal.
In the early part of 1917, nearly
year after the opening of the war, the
campaign of the Rio Grande was prac-
tically at close. The only advantage
/ the United States had gained was the
assurance that the territory east of
the Rio Grande was lost forever to
Mexico.
| II
port an army by sea to Vera Cruz and
march directly against the City of
Mexico. General Scott was directed to
lead this army
BY March % Scott's investment of
the positions about Vera Cruz was
complete. The place had population
of 1000 and was strongly fortified, but
four days after the bombardment COM
menced the city and the Castle of San
Juan de Ulloa, harbor fortification.
surrendered together. Scott took pos
session of Vera Cruz March 81.
Delayed at Vera Cruz waiting for
supplies, it was late in April when the
army started for the capital. On the
way Scott took Jalapa and Puebla,
halting at Puebla again for supplies
and re-enforcements. Aug 7 he set out
on his eventful march to the capital.
Three Battles Won by Scott.
Aug. 10 Scott met the Mexican
forces and defeated them overwhelm-
ingly in three battles that really We're
part of one general engagement-Con
treras, Churubusco and San Antonio.
| Meanwhile the United States had
been doing all possible to end the war
by diplomatic adjustment. An
arimistice was declared. to begin Aug.
%. The negotiations fell through, how.
ever, and the armistice ended Sept. 7.
Scouting parties sent out that day by
Scott discovered the army of Santa
Anna was intrenched, with its right
wing resting on the Notifications of
| Casa Mata and its left on those of
Molino del Rey.
Sept. 8 the Mexican positions were
stormed and carried. Scott's army
was at the doors of the City of Mexico.
But before the capital could be en-
tered Scott thought it necessary to
take Chapultepec, strongly fortified
nil towering above the city and be-
tween it and the American army.
The Mexicans made desperate, but
unavailing defense.
The Americans pushed on fighting
against desperate resistance until they
were in the suburbs of the city outside
the Belen gate.
! A deputation asked General Scott
for terms Of capitulation. His terms
We're refused Thereupon Scott order
ed the divisions. of Generals Worth
and Quitman to enter the city.
Flag Over the Palace.
( The American colors were raised
over the National palace shortly after
Z O'Clock in the morning of Sept. IA,
1S47. By Sept. 16 our forces We're
completely in possession Of the Mexi-
can capital, Feb. 2, 1S4S, five months