“ Brigadier-general Marshall made a forced march for Rinconada to reinforce our troops there; but he was too late to participate in the action.
In the battle of Buena Vista, we had two hundred and sixty-seven killed, four hundred and fifty-six wounded, and twenty-three missing. The enemy must have lost two thousand. There were five hundred of their dead left upon the field. We had twenty-eight officers killed and forty-one wounded.
What an awful responsibility rests upon somebody for ushering so many innocent persons into the presence of their judge! ”

“ Mexicans now established in territories previously belonging to Mexico, and which remain for the future, within the limits of the United States, as defined by the present Treaty, shall be free to continue where they now reside, or to remove, at any time, to the Mexican Republic, retaining the property which they possess in the said territories, or disposing thereof, and removing the proceeds wherever they please, without their being subjected, on this account to any contribution, or tax whatever. ”

“ That the Mexican flag, when struck at the citadel, may be saluted by its own battery.
Our troops were commanded during the imposing ceremony by Colonel P. F. Smith. When the Mexican flag was lowered, they fired a salute of eight guns. When our flag was raised twenty-eight guns were fired from the Bishop's Palace. Our troops marched into the city to the tune of Yankee Doodle. Thus ended one of the severest battles ever fought on the continent. The Mexicans, in all of the battles with us have fought more desperately, from the fact that our forces were so very few, compared with theirs. ”

“ As soon as our piece was fired the balls of the enemy came down the street like a shower af hickory nuts.
General Taylor was in town entirely regardless of his person in the midst of danger. This was very imprudent and wrong. He even crossed the street where so many balls were continually passing, and crossed in a walk. A commanding officer ought to look out for himself and army better than that. Taylor was brave to the back bone, but imprudent. Capt Henry reminded him that he ought to retire to a safer position ”

“ The United States of America and the United Mexican States, animated by a sincere desire to put an end to the calamities of the war which unhappily exists between the two Republics, and to establish on a solid basis relations of peace and friendship, which shall confer reciprocal benefits on the citizens of both, and assure the concord, harmony and mutual confidence wherein the two people should live as good neighbors, have, for that purpose, appointed their respective Plenipotentiaries ”

“ Many interesting incidents and some spirited battles have occurred at this military post, between the Mexicans and Texans, in which Santa Anna acted a prominent part; but we must not tarry to describe them here. The army now was no longer called "army of observation;" but the "army of occupation." In August the aspect of affairs began to be menacing, and it was expected that Mexico would soon declare war. General Arista, was at Monterey with a considerable Mexican force, and there was another at Matamoras. In the mean time new companies from the United States occasionally arrived. ”

“ A front attack, which the enemy expected on account of our bravery, must have been fatal to us. General Scott outwitted the One Leg and had a road cut to the right, so as to escape the front fire, and turn his position on the left flank. A deserter from our camp made this known to the enemy, and they sent General La Vega with a large force to aid the left flank.
General Scott, on the 17th of April, to cover his flank movements, sent General Twiggs against the fort on the steep ascent in front, and a little to the left of the Sierra. ”

“ On the contrary, the state of war is precisely that for which it is provided, and during which, its stipulations are to be as sacredly observed as the most acknowledged obligations under the law of nature or Natiions. ”

“ They were ashamed to be beaten by such an inferior force. We have believed from the first that an army of fifty thousand men could have marched to the capital of Mexico without shedding a drop of blood. ”

“ O'Brien was obliged to retire leaving one of his pieces, at which every man and horse was either killed or wounded. The cowardly Indiana regiment could not be rallied, though Major Dix, Paymaster U. S. Army, induced a few to return and join, together with their Colonel Bowles, the Mississippi regiment. They were very useful during the remainder of the day. Our left giving way, encouraged the enemy and large masses of them pressed forward and forced our light troops on the side of the mountain, to retire, and many of them could not be rallied until they reached the depot at Buena Vista. ”

“ It seems that some lancers came out of the city and endeavored to draw our men within reach of the shot. When our advance halted the enemy opened upon us in earnest. The third shot went directly over General Taylor's staff, coming very near him. Our troops encamped three miles from the city. The city seemed to be well fortified and it was feared that our small guns would not be effectual against the large ones of the enemy. It was concluded that our men must take the big guns of the enemy and turn them against themselves. ”

“ Mejia said that he would neither receive General Worth or General Taylor's communication. Mejia sent General La Vega and Worth crossed the river and the interview took place on the Mexican side. La Vega said that the Mexicans considered us as invaders. Nothing of importance was accomplished by the interview. A flag was soon raised by our army on the banks of the Rio Grande. It was thought that the Mexican force, at this post was fifteen hundred. March 26th it was feared that our forces would be attacked at night and they were ordered to sleep upon their arms. ”

“ The American army shall not, by violence, obstruct me passage from the open country into the city of Mexico, of the ordinary supplies of food necessary to the consumption of its inhabitants, or the Mexican army within the city; nor shall the Mexican authorities, civil or military, do any act to obstruct the passage of supplies from the city or country, needed by the American army. ”

“ And if an officer so breaking his parole or any common soldier so escaping from the limits assigned him, shall afterward be found in arms, previously to his being regularly exchanged, the person so offending shall be dealt with according to the established laws of war. The officers shall be duly furnished by the party in whose power they are, with as many rations, and of the same articles, as are allowed, ether in kind or by commutation, to officers of equal rank in its own army; and all others shall he daily furnished with such ration as is allowed to a common soldier in its own service ”

“ In nearly every street were works of defence. Barricades overlapped each other, and ditches were dug in front, and every house seemed to be a fortification. On the eastern part of the city there were barricades defending each other, and it is surprising that Worth's division who operated there, were not all cut to pieces. The Bishop's Palace has two or three heavy guns mounted, in Barbette, pointing towards the city. There were many fortifications around the-city, Making it a perfect Gibraltar. ”

“ On the 19th, Jalapa, and on the 22d, Perote, were taken without opposition.
Nothing prevented our men from being utterly destroyed but the steepness of the ascent under which they could shelter. But they sought no shelter, and onward rushed against a hailstorm of balls and musket-shot, led by the gallant Harney, whose noble bearing elicited the applause of the whole army. ”

“ The administration of justice between Mexicans, according to the general and state constitutions and laws, by the local authorities of the towns and places occupied by the American forces, shall not be obstructed in any manner.
12. Persons and property shall be respected in the towns and places occupied by the American forces. No person shall be molested in the exercise of his profession: nor shall the services of any one be required without his consent. In all cases where services are voluntarily rendered, a just price shall be paid, and trade remain unmolested. ”

“ O'Brien at Buena Vista; seven hundred of the enemy were killed and many more wounded.
General Scott now sent General Worth to attack San Antonio, while he with a force would go in its rear. The soldiers passed over the battle-field of the previous day, and the scene which was presented was enough to make the hardy soldier shudder and feel sick in view of the horrors of war. Hundreds lay covered with blood, stiff and cold in death, while others were uttering piteous groans and begged for water. The streams actually run with human blood. ”

“ Many of the enemy were kept from entering the castle again, as our men rushed in through every opening, and drove the enemy before them. Lieutenant Ayers was the first to enter, pull down the Mexican flag, and raise the star spangled banner.
After the castle was taken, General Worth moved down his forces from the hill and the amunition train the ranch of the Saltillo road and remained in the castle during the night of Sept. 22nd. He, however, ordered the 5th Infantry and Blanchard's company to return to the redoubt on the hill where were stationed the 7th Infantry. ”

“ While bestowing this just tribute to the good conduct of the troops, the general deeply regrets to say that there were not a few exceptions. He trusts that those who fled ingloriously to Buena Vista, and even to Saltillo, will seek an opportunity to retrieve their reputation and to emulate the bravery of their comrades who bore the brunt of the battle, and sustained, against fearful odds, the honor of the flag.
III. The exhultation of success is checked by the heavy sacrifice of life which it has cost, embracing many officers of high rank and rare merit. ”

“ General Worth moved forward toward the left to aid Twiggs. Twiggs had steep and ough ground to pass over, was constantly exposed to the fire of the enemy in front and to the cross-fire of the forts and batteries.
The fight was tremendous for a short time, and finally the enemy gave way on all sides. Three thousand men with field and other officers surrendered. A large amount of small arms, ordnance and batteries were taken. Six thousand of the enemy gained the rear of our army on the Jalapa road and were pursued. ”

“ Thus Taylor was deprived of almost all of his regulars, which blasted all of his hopes in reference to advancing upon San Luis Potosi.
Upon parting with his old veteran soldiers. General Taylor said: "It is with deep sensibility that the commanding general finds himself separated from the troops he so long commanded. To those corps, regular and volunteer, who have shared with him the active services of the field, he feels the attachment due such associations; while to those making their first campaign, he must express his regret that he can not participate with them in its eventful scenes. ”

“ War with England had been declared, and Tecumsch, with his Indian warriors, was resolved to exterminate the whites. Taylor had only 50 men in the fort, and half of them disabled by fever. September 4th, 1812, the Indians attacked the fort about midnight. The sentinels were driven in, the block-house of the fort was on fire, and destruction seemed to be their inevitable lot. Taylor ordered a part of his men to extinguish the flames, and the remainder to return the fire. For seven hours the conflict was severe, and the savage yells terrific; but the Indians were obliged to retire. ”

“ Two of the enemy were wounded, and the Capt. lost one horse. Reports seemed to be confirmed that the enemy were preparing for a hard battle at Monterey. It was expected that we should have a fight at Marin, where the enemy under General Torrejon were seen, just before our army entered the town. When we arrived the enemy had left. At this place the mountains at the foot of which Monterey stands, were distinctly visible, about twenty-five miles distant.
Sept. 17th General Taylor was addressed by the Spanish Consul at Monterey inquiring whether the property of foreigners would be respected. ”

“ There shall be a firm and universal peace between the United States of America and the Mexican Republic, and between their respective countries, territories, cities, towns and people, without exception of places or persons. ”

“ On arriving at the gates of the city, the authorities delivered up the keys; and on entering, they discovered a white flag, at the window of every house, and found the entire population assembled to witness their entry, with apparent satisfaction. ”

“ Absolute protection is solemnly guaranteed to persons in the city, and property, and it is clearly understood that no private building or property is to be taken or used by the forces of the United States, without previous arrangement with the owners, and for a fair equivalent. ”

“ Just beyond San Pedro, on the way to San Luis Potosi, when our men were passing through a defile with high mountains each side, a mine was sprung and showers of stones thrown down among us while we were fired upon from the other side. ”

“ The air was shaken by the heavy explosions, while houses and even strong fortifications were shattered to pieces and fell in thundering ruins, beneath the showers of shot and shells. Almost all of the streets were swept by bullets and large bombs which burst in the air, and hurled slugs, shot and fragments among our ranks, making sad havoc. ”

“ It was found that the Mexican army precipitately left the city and the authorities invited General Taylor to take possession. The battlefield of Resaca de la Palma presented a sad spectacle—such vast numbers of the slain and now the hospitals were filled with the wounded! Near one poor wounded man, sat a beautiful girl of seventeen keeping off the flies. She was his wife. There the mother and her children were seated by the wounded father. Colonel Twiggs was appointed to the chief command of the city.
Colonel Garland was sent out with two companies on the 19th to follow the enemy. ”

“ Benton sailed for Tampico, from Brasos, with six companies of artillery, about the same time. Santa Anna destroyed the water tanks between Monterey and Tampico. Seven Texans had been taken prisoners at China, before our army reached Monterey. General Taylor demanded their release. Santa Anna complied. They reported that Santa Anna had about 27,000 men at San Luis Potosi. The Mexicans caused some of our men mostly English and Germans, to desert, by giving them $60 each, citizens clothes, a horse, guide to the army, and 50 cents to drink the health of Santa Anna. ”

“ March 28th, the army moved towards Matamoras, which is on the Rio Grande, arriving opposite the city about 11 A. M. Two of our advanced guard were taken prisoners by the Mexicans, and the horse of a boy who was a bugler; which excited our men considerably. About two hundred Mexicans were to be seen and their colours flying in various places. General Worth was ordered to answer the deputation which visited Gen. Taylor at Point Isabel. The Mexicans for some time would not send a boat across the river: but at last one came with an officer. ”

“ Our army moved on with firmness to meet the enemy, and when within 700 yards the enemy opened their fire from a battery on the right. The right wing of our army was composed of the fifth Infantry on the right, Ringgold's Artillery, the 3rd Infantry, Churchill's eighteen pound battery and 4th Infantry and commanded oy CoL Twiggs. The left wing composed of Duncan's Artillery and the 8th Infantry was commanded Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Belknap. Ringgold's and Duncan's batteries advanced and commenced firing. The enemy fired continually but not with much precision. ”

“ It shall not be lawful, under any pretext whatever, for any inhabitant of the United States to purchase or acquire any Mexican, or any foreigner residing in Mexico, who may have been captured by Indians inhabiting the territory of either of the two republics, not to purchase or acquire horses, mules, cattle, or property of any kind, stolen within the Mexican territory, by such Indians ”