line broke and gave way, pursued by Taylor's troops for some distance. General Taylor's loss was about one hundred and fifty, while the Mexicans are said to have lost a thousand in killed, wounded and missing.

The news of these two victories was trumpeted round the land, rousing the martial valor of the people to a high enthusiasm. "On to the halls of the Montezumas," was the war cry now. The opposition to the war was overwhelmed in the tumult of the war excitement. Congress authorized the president to accept fifty thousand volunteers. Brigadier-General Taylor was promoted to the rank of major-general by brevet. He became a hero at once. Congress and several state legislatures passed resolutions of compliment. The papers lauded him. The people talked about him. The title his soldiers sometimes called him by, "Old Rough and Ready," sounded euphonious to the people who were hungering for a military hero. The parties interested in the war and the extension of territory it was meant to secure, had an easy time in kindling a flame of patriotic enthusiasm over the glory of American arms.

On the eighteenth of May, a few days after the two battles, having obtained pontoon bridges, General Taylor crossed the Rio Grande, unopposed, and took possession of the city. He was now on Mexican territory, and in possession of a Mexican city, by common consent. War was declared by his action. The thing so long desired and planned for-war with Mexicowas now a reality. That part of the country which favored it was ablaze, and the light of that blaze was pretty much all there was to be seen.

President Polk hastened to write to him, in transmitting his title of major-general:

"It gives me sincere pleasure, immediately upon the receipt of official intelligence from the scene of your achievements, to confer upon you, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, this testimonial of the estimate which your government places upon your skill and gallantry.

"To yourself, and the brave officers and soldiers under your command, the gratitude of the country is justly due. Our army

have fully sustained their deservedly high reputation, and added another bright page to the history of American valor and patriotism. They have won new laurels for themselves and their country."

But while the government and people were in this frenzy of delight, General Taylor was anxious and restless. He had now Fort Brown, Point Isabel and Matamoras, all in his possession, and must hold them. General Arista had proposed a cessation of hostilities, till the two governments could settle the question of boundary, and he had refused it. He was in the enemy's country, with hardly men enough to hold his position, while the country expected him to go on to the capital. And yet he must wait here for reinforcements. And he did wait three months.

Late in July the reinforcements, supplies, and sixteen hundred mules, to carry the luggage, came and made it possible to move forward. His plan was to go to Monterey and take that. Of course the long delay had given the Mexicans ample time to prepare to meet him.

It was generally supposed that the Mexicans would not attempt a strong opposition at Monterey, but would tempt the Americans farther into the heart of the country, and General Taylor was of this opinion. But as they neared the city the people told them of the opposition they would meet. As they approached the city they found it a military garrison. The houses were of stone and flat roofed, and the soldiers were posted on the roofs. Every street was barricaded, and every preparation which Mexican ingenuity could invent was used to defend the city. After viewing the situation, so as to understand it, General Worth was sent with a strong force around to the opposite side of the city to begin the attack. The city was defended by ten thousand men, about two thirds of them regular troops. General Taylor had six thousand two hundred and twenty men.

The attack was begun by General Worth on the twenty-first of September. General Taylor opened upon the city from his side. By evening both parts of the army had gained a foothold in the city. The next day the Mexicans had withdrawn

from before Taylor, and not much was done by his division. Worth pressed forward and attacked and carried the Bishop's Palace, which was one of the most strongly fortified positions. On the twenty-third both divisions pressed the attack with great force. The next morning, the twenty-fourth, preparations for capitulation were made, and before night Monterey, with its munitions of war, was in the hands of General Taylor. General Ampudia, with his Mexican force, was allowed to retire. The loss of the Americans was one hundred and twenty killed and three hundred and sixty-eight wounded. The Mexican loss is not known. Here was another victory for General Taylor, which was sounded through the country with the greatest enthusiasm. Those who had instigated the war did not fail to make the most of their new opportunity to carry the popular thought from the cause and purpose of the war to the glory of the national arms. The battle no doubt was a fierce one, and was conducted with great skill and courage.

After this battle, General Taylor took possession of the smaller places about Monterey, and the country in the vicinity.

Santa Anna had by this time been recalled to the presidency of Mexico, and Parades deposed. Santa Anna was made commander-in-chief of the Mexican forces, with the power of dictator. He at once set about raising all the forces and using all the power of Mexico to resist the invader. Before December, he had gathered an army of twenty thousand men, at San Luis Potosi, which he fortified according to his best skill, and provided with ample military stores.

In the meantime, General Taylor had been superseded in the general command, by General Winfield Scott.

General Scott fixed his attention on Vera Cruz as the point of chief importance, and withdrew some of General Taylor's experienced soldiers. As early as February, recruits were obtained to fill the places of those taken away, and General Taylor resolved to move toward Santa Anna. On the twentieth he reached Agua Nueva, some thirty miles from Monterey. Here he learned that Santa Anna was approaching with a force of twenty thousand men, some thirty miles away. He at once

resolved to choose his battle-ground and wait for his adversary. On the twenty-first, he moved to his chosen position, a little in front of the hacienda of Buena Vista, seven miles south of Saltillo. Before arrangements could be completed on the morning of the twenty-second, the advance line of Santa Anna was in sight. At eleven o'clock Santa Anna sent a summons to surrender at discretion. He received for answer that General Taylor did not surrender. Very soon after, skirmishing began, but no general fighting. The next morning, the twenty-third, the battle became general, which lasted with varying fortunes for more than two days. On the twenty-sixth, Santa Anna withdrew; and on the twenty-seventh General Taylor returned to his former camp at Agua Nueva.

The strength of the Mexican army was stated by Santa Anna, in his summons, to be twenty thousand men. The American army engaged was three hundred and thirty-four officers and four thousand four hundred and twenty-five men. The American loss was two hundred and sixty-seven killed, four hundred and fifty-six wounded, and twenty-three missing. The Mexicanloss in killed, wounded and missing was supposed to be over one thousand five hundred. In its results, the victory was more decided than any gained before, and gave greater enthusiasm to the country. As a consequence, the glory of conquest filled many minds, and General Taylor grew into a military genius.

This closed General Taylor's military career. It had been one of uniform success. Whatever foe he had met, he had conquered. He had mastered every position he had occupied. He had not left Mexico, before he began to be talked of for president.

PRESIDENT TAYLOR.

As soon as General Taylor could close up the affairs of his command he returned to his plantation in Mississippi, receiving the congratulations of the people on the way. It became evident very soon that he would not be allowed to rest. The papers and the talk of the people were full of the exploits of the hero of four Mexican fields.

In June, 1848, the national convention of whigs met in Philadelphia. The name of General Taylor was presented as a candidate and urged with great zeal. The success of a military candidate in General Harrison had not been forgotten. The need of a hero to carry the masses, and the certainty that General Taylor was the hero of a vast multitude of voters, were too important matters to be overlooked. No matter if he knew nothing about politics; no matter if he were not a statesman; no matter if he had not voted for forty years, he could get the votes to elect; and that was the principal thing, the party managers would see to the rest. So on the third vote he was made the nominee of the convention, with Millard Fillmore, of New York, as the candidate for vice-president.

General Taylor did not seek, but rather dreaded the promotion which the majority of the party desired to give him. He knew little of statesmanship and was satisfied to serve his country as a soldier. "The canvass was an exciting one," and resulted in making General Zachary Taylor twelfth president of the United States. On the fourth of March, 1849, he was inaugurated, with Millard Fillmore as vice-president.

In Congress the democrats had a majority. The question of slavery was the principal one that disturbed the country. California applied for admission into the Union. The southern democracy opposed it. Texas claimed a portion of New Mexico, and threatened to take forcible possession, but the question of the prohibition of slavery was in the way. Neither the north or the south could do as it desired, because of this slavery question. The whole question was discussed under Clay's compromise

measures.

An attempt was made from some southern ports to revolutionize the island of Cuba. President Taylor issued a vigorous proclamation against it, which was generally approved. On the fourth of July, 1850, President Taylor attended the laying of the corner-stone of the national monument to Washington. The heat of the day, it is believed, brought on a sickness of which he died on the ninth. His last words were: "I am not afraid to die; I am ready; I have endeavored to do my duty."