Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-04-28
FIRST WAR WITH MEXICO
Some Extracts from History Written
by President Wilson.

In Woodrow Wilson's textbook, "Di-
vision and Reunion" written In 1877,
when he was president Of Princeton
University, he describes the war OF
1916 to 184S with Mexico. What the
historian and scholar had to say then
has Il peculiar interest in view Of the
authors attitude now. He tells how
Taylor took Montery, now the scene
Of battle between Mexican factions,
and of the capture Of the city Of Mex
leo. The Mexicans he describes as
race full Of courage, spirit and subtle
ty." An extract from the book fol-
lows:
Congress accepted the assertion
that Mexico had begun the war. as
convenient, whether true or not, and
provided for the expenses OF the con-
fllct as for any necessity. A formal
declaration Of war was resolved upon
on May 13, 1S46, before the news OF
Palo Alto and Resaca de Ia Palma had
reached Washington and the president
unteers for one year. September 19,
to 23, the Americans by slow and stub
born fighting, took the strongly placed
and heavily fortified city Of Monterey,
some ninety miles south of the Rio
Grande. February % and %, 1S4I,
Santa Ana, with a force probably
numbering at least $4,000 men, at
tackled Taylor's force, which then
numbered 5000 on the broken plain of
Buena Vista, but, failing to gain any
advantage, Withdrew to the defense of
his capital, the city Of Mexico. He
had thought to destroy Taylor, while
he was weak; for in November, 1S46,
General Winfield Scott had been ap-
pointed to the chief command in Mex
leo, to which his military rank entitled
him, and January had brought call
for the greater part Of Taylor's troops
to- ssist the commander-in-chief In
an invasion Of Mexico from Vera Cruz,
on the coast. The operations In the
north ended with the battle Of Buena
Vista.
General Scott began his operations
with force Of about $4,000. He had
chosen q hard road to the Mexican
capital, but the dogged valor and alert
sagacity Of his men made everything
possible. The fleet which carried his
troops came to anchor near Vera Cruz
on March I, 1S47, and on the 9th of
the same month Vera Cruz had sur
rendered, having been taken without
great difficulty. In the middle OF April
began the march Of 2UJ miles north
westward to the city Of Mexico. On
the 18th, Scott forced the rough noun
tain pass Of Cerro Gordo. On August
10th, after a delay caused by fruit
less negotiations for peace, the city
of Mexico was in sight from the
heights Of the Rio Frio mountains.
Selecting the weaker side Of the city,
which lay amid a network Of defences
and surrounded on all sides by marshy
ground, which could be crossed only
on causeways, the Americans slowly,
by dint of heroic courage and patience,
drove the Mexicans from one posi-
ton to another until finally the great
fortress of Chapultepec was taken by
storm (September 13th). and the city
captured The occupation was COM
plete by the 18th, and there was no
further resistance anywhere by the
Mexicans. At every point the Ameri-
can troops fought against heavy odds.
They were, most of them, only volun-
teers, and they had fought against a
race full Of courage, spirit and subtle
ty. Their success was due to their
moral qualities-to their steady pluck
and self confidence their cool intelli-
gence, their indomitable purpose.
their equal endowments Of patience
dash New York Tribune.