The Delta independent., 1913-02-28
U. s. WON EVERY BATTLE
IN MEXICAN WAR OF 1e4s

ism and military ardor and stirred the
Imagination of the northern soldier
to deeds of daring and endurance, but
it resulted in fearful loss OF life, un-
speakable hardships. horrors and
starvation. American merchants had
been imprisoned, vessels siezed, Amerl-
can properties valued at S6,OOO,OOO
cans, and border skirmishes and fos-
tered hatred between Mexico and the
United States.
Excitement was at fever heat all
throughout the states; the honor OF
the American flag must be vindicated
and life and property protected. The
annexation of Texas caused an imme-
date rupture with Mexico and Presi-
dent Polk in July. 1s45, ordered Cen
eral Zachary Taylor to go to Texas
to take position near the Rio Grande
to protect the western border, in COM
mand of a force of l,500 strong, known
as the army of occupation.
Open hostilities begun when Cen
eral Arista. with Mexican force of
$500 men, clashed in a five-hour bat
tie with American troops on the field
OF Palo Alto. and night fell with the
Americans victorious. The battle OF
Resaca de la Palma, to which field the
Mexicans had retreated. was one OF
the most celebrated American victor
les of the war Taylor fought with
such genius and indomitable courage
that he was acclaimed the hero OF
America and two years later made the
president
War was officially declared May IL.
1876. and congress authorized the
president to raise 10000 volunteers
and appropriated slOOO0.OOO TO carry
on the war
Early in 1S47. Santa Ana, the Mexi-
can president and commander-in-chief.
led a force Of 10000 men against Tay-
lor. who had but a fourth of that num-
Der. The forces clashed at Buena
Vista. in the mountains. and after
days battle the MeXicans retreated.
bPutTdl a. iOl NlOSS'b Allf NV vi
and drove the Mexican troops from
Mantamoras and took possession of
the town. Then with more than 5000
troops he moved on to Montery. de-
Tended by General Ampudia with 5000
troops. and a three days siege ended
in the capture by the Americans of
the town.
In the meanwhile. after a desert
march of 900 miles. accomplished in
less than fifty days. 1.65s volunteer
Missourians under command of Colon
ei Alexander Donipan entered Sants
Fe, took possession of the capital and
hoisted the American flag without the
loss of single life. An American
fleet with the help of Colonel Ere
mont had conquered California.
Colonel Donipan was then sent by
General Kearney with 1000 men 10
Join General Wool in reducing Chihua-
hua. The greta battle of Brazito. upon
which rested FL Paso's fate. was be-
gun at 3 O'Clock Christmas afternoon
and within sixty minutes the MeNi-
cans had fled Donipan pushed on
ward to take possession of the capi-
tai OF chihuahua in triumph. After
six weeks he joined General Wool at
/ Saltillo and returned to New Orleans,
having made perilous march from
the Mississippi of 5000 miles.
The conquest of Northern Mexico
was complete General Scott had
landed at Vera Cruz March 9 and
started on his victorious march to the
city OF Mexico. He took possession of
Vera Cruz. of Cerro Gordo. noun
tain pass, and of the castle of Porte,
the strongest fortress in Mexico. The
whole region below the lofay Cordil-
leras became one great battlefield.
Churubusco was taken and Santa Ana
fled towards the capital. A Mexican
army. 10000 strong. had been broken
size Fully 1000 Mexicans were killed
5000 made prisoners and 81 pieces of
canon captured on that memorable.
day. The Americans lost l.l00 inkilled
and wounded
Scott advanced upon the city of Mex
leo with 1000 men. and mat Santa
Ana with his l,i00 at Molino del Rey,
The Mexicans left 1.0Oo dead upon the
field; the Americans lost 500. The
lofty battlemented hill OF Chipultapec
was doomed. II was the last place to
be defended and on September IL,
the American flag wavered over its
shattered castle. The Mexicans had
fled. In the conquering army was a
young lieutenant from Ohio. Ulysses