Anonymous

“ The Mexicans opened a heavy fire, and it was returned with more effect by Captain Weightman’s artillery. Then the troops were ordered to storm the works. A gallant charge was made, amid a tremendous fire, and, after a three hour’s fight, the enemy were completely defeated. The Mexicans lost about three hundred men, ten pieces of artillery, and a large quantity of ammunition. This battle was justly considered one of the most brilliant that was fought during the war. It raised the fame of Colonel Doniphan and his brave band of warriors to a very high point in public esteem. ”

“ At this critical moment, General Van Rensselaer crossed the river to bring a reinforcement for his gallant little band, and found that the militia would not obey his orders. Colonel Christie maintained the fight on the opposite shore, against overwhelming numbers, until seeing no hope of relief, he surrendered the remnant of his force. The Americans lost one thousand men in all, in this battle. The loss of the enemy was somewhat less, but their noble commander, the gallant Brock, was slain. ”

“ The events of the second war with Great Britain finished what the first had begun, and set the seal on our Independence. From the period of its conclusion, [Pg 4] our flag was respected by Britain and all other nations. Our naval prowess was recognized as a fixed fact.
The recent war with Mexico has taught the world another lesson. It has shown that with a standing army of very few men, and a good militia system, the republic is capable of raising large and efficient armies, and conquering a military republic, of immense population, wealth, and resources, possessing a powerful standing army ”

“ By the capture of Contreras, the Mexicans were forced to concentrate at Churubusco, which was still more strongly fortified than Contreras. General Scott brought his whole army to the attack upon Churubusco, and never did men behave with more valor and heroism. The fire of the Mexicans was tremendous, and the Americans suffered much from it. But post after post was carried, and the enemy found that their superior numbers could not withstand the onset. ”

“ There was great difference in the strength of the two armies, but General Taylor was a very determined man, and he said he would go and relieve Fort Polk, and fight whoever opposed him. He started on the morning of the 7th of May, and about two o’clock the next day, encountered the Mexicans at Palo Alto. A dreadful battle was then fought. The Mexicans were much more numerous than the Americans, but the Americans were braver soldiers, and they had some fine guns, which could be quickly moved to any part of the field. ”

“ The Mexicans, though beaten so often, did not lose their spirits. Their great general, Santa Anna, soon collected an army of more than twenty thousand men, and advanced towards Monterey. Now General Taylor’s army was much reduced in numbers, and the most of his troops were volunteers, who had never been in battle. But he resolved to await the attack of the great Mexican army at a place called Buena Vista. On the 22d of February, Santa Anna appeared and attacked the Americans ”

“ General Van Rensselaer resolved to make an attack on the British position at Queenstown, eight miles below Niagara Falls. At daybreak on the 13th of October, the troops began to embark to cross the river. The British opened a fire upon them, which was returned by the American batteries. Colonel Van Rensselaer, with about one hundred men, reached the shore, and stormed the fort [Pg 12] of the British, though not without severe loss. The Americans drove the enemy from the field, and the victory was supposed to be gained, when another reinforcement arrived, and the conflict was renewed. ”

“ A land and naval attack upon the city of Vera Cruz and the Castle of San Juan Ulloa was fixed upon as the first object. The fleet, under Commodore Conner, transported the army to a landing place selected by General Scott, and the landing was effected on the 9th of March, 1847. Four thousand five hundred men were thrown upon the shore at once, the Mexicans making no resistance. Very soon the rest of the army was landed, and then they formed a great line around the city. Then the great guns were brought ashore and a brisk fire opened by the besiegers. ”

“ The battle was chiefly fought with the artillery. But at one time, about one thousand Mexican lancers moved forward to attack the Americans. This splendid looking body of cavalry, however, was driven back by the dreadful fire from the American guns, and the whole Mexican army retreated. General Taylor and his brave soldiers slept upon the field of battle. ”

“ The American batteries soon succeeded in rendering the fort untenable. The British, retiring from the banks of the river, re-entered the fort, fired a few shot, set fire to the magazine, and then moved off in different directions. Of the British regular troops, ninety were killed, one hundred and sixty wounded, and one hundred captured. The Americans lost seventeen killed, and sixty wounded. ”

“ He took command of a reinforcement of twenty-four hundred men, at Vera Cruz, shortly after the battle of Cerro Gordo, and set out to join General Scott, who was waiting at the city of Puebla for more troops. At the National Bridge, he was attacked by a large body of Mexicans, and narrowly escaped being killed, a ball passing through his hat. He succeeded, however, in defeating the enemy, and inflicting upon them a heavy loss in men. ”

“ The wars which teach these lessons are worthy the attention of the youth of our country; and we have endeavored to render these stories of the wars sufficiently attractive to win that degree of attention and interest which will insure a future study of American history. ”

“ To retaliate for the capture of York, Sir George Prevost, the British general-in-chief, determined to make a descent on Sackett’s Harbor, the chief American depot for stores, on the lakes. Accordingly, on the 27th of May, 1813, Prevost, with nearly a thousand men, embarked in small boats, and proceeded, under convoy of the British fleet. The fleet being seen on the lake, preparations were made for the defence of the post. General Brown, with six hundred militia, came to the aid of the few regular troops, and made wise disposition for the reception [Pg 36] of the enemy. ”

“ Against this church, Colonel Price brought his guns to play, but could not reduce it. An assault was repulsed. [Pg 107] But ladders being planted, the troops cut small holes with their axes and threw fire into the church. A breach was then made in its walls, and a storming party plunged through it to attack the enemy, who then fled. The Americans pursued and killed all they overtook. About one hundred and fifty Mexicans were killed. ”