But we return to the Mexican War :-Though the Mexicans had been defeated in the field, and many of their provinces occupied, their spirit was unbroken, and the Americans found that they must strike at the capital, if they wished to conquer a peace.

There, Santa Anna, after outwitting them, was now preparing all the resources of the republic for the ultimate struggle of the war.

The Government of the United States now formed a new plan of operations, the first step in which was to attack and occupy Vera Cruz, the chief Mexican port on the Gulf, and from that point move upon Mexico itself. The plan was arduous and surrounded with difficulties. Vera Cruz was defended by the strong fortress of San Juan de Ulua, which had defied the French arms. The road from that port to Mexico was a gradual ascent, abounding in narrow mountain-passes, where a small force could hold an army at bay.

Preparations were, however, made to carry out this plan of campaign. General Scott was directed to raise a new army, drawing such forces as he could safely from General Taylor. This army he was to lead in person. After making all necessary arrangements at Washington, he proceeded to Texas late in the year, to form his troops for service as they arrived. In March, 1847, he concentrated all his troops at Lobos Island, about a hundred and twenty-five miles north of Vera Cruz, and on the 7th embarked from that point for Vera Cruz, on a squadron commanded by Commodore Connor. Two days later he appeared before that city with an army of thirteen thousand

men.

Santa Anna, who felt that he could depend on a vigorous if not successful resistance to the Americans, when they should appear before Vera Cruz, had resolved to act with vigor against Taylor, whose army

was much weakened. By unparalleled exertions he assembled an army of twenty-two thousand men, and at the opening of the year lay with these at San Luis Potosi, waiting his opportunity to strike an effective blow. At last he resolved to hurl his whole force on Taylor and crush him, before he marched to check Scott's advance.

In February, Taylor, with gloomy forebodings, heard of Santa Anna's approach, and, calling in his various divisions, effected a junction with Wool at Agua Nueva. Then he fell back to a position of remarkable strength near Buena Vista, eleven miles from Saltillo, and there drew up his force, about six thousand strong, with his left on a high mountain, and his right and front so covered by a series of ravines as to be impracticable even for infantry.

Santa Anna, who believed the American general to be flying before him, pushed on with his whole force, well equipped, but suffering sadly for want of provisions. About noon on the 22d of February, Santa Anna was within two miles of the American lines, and, assuring Taylor that he was surrounded so that escape was impossible, called on him to surrender.

A stern refusal showed Santa Anna that he must attack the American general in his strong position. Skirmishing began that day. Santa Anna, finding the American left the only feasible point, detached General Ampudia with light troops to occupy the mountain. These were attacked by the American left, under Colonel Marshall, and an active skirmishing was kept up till night closed on the scene. At the same time a detachment of Mexican cavalry, under General Miñon, was operating against General Taylor's rear. In the morning, Santa Anna again attacked Taylor's extreme left, and then threw himself on the centre. Repulsed here, he accumulated his forces, under

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Generals Lombardini and Pacheco, to force the left, then held by Lane. The charge was a terrible one. In vain O'Brien's artillery hurled its shot and shell into the advancing corps of Mexicans. It swept steadily on. An Indiana regiment fled in confusion: the left wing gave way. General Wool, in command in front, called in the light troops on the mountain, and drew in his left. Santa Anna endeavored to follow up his advantage; but Taylor, hurrying up from the rear, threw fresh troops on the left. The battle was renewed with fury. Again and again Santa Anna swept down with foot and horse to break the line, but always with increasing loss. One of his detachments, reaching the American rear, attacked the trains and baggage at Buena Vista, but were checked and cut off from their main body by Colonels Marshall and Yell.

Then Santa Anna, calling on his left and all his reserves, led the last attack in person, sustained by General Perez and Pacheco. Again the well-handled batteries of O'Brien and Bragg poured death into the advancing columns; but Santa Anna pushed on, and made a fearful charge. The level portion between the ravines became the scene of furious encounter, of alternate attack and defense. The American troops fought with desperate courage, conscious that retreat was impossible that they must conquer or perish. However, the Kentucky and Illinois regiments, after losing Colonels Clay, Hardin of the First Illinois, and McKee, were driven back.

Once more Santa Anna endeavored to follow up the slight advantage gained so dearly, but the terrible American artillery and the difficulties of the ground checked him. He finally drew back; and when night closed over the fearful day's battle, the two armies lay as they had at daybreak.

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In the morning, General Taylor prepared to renew the battle, but he soon found that the work was done. The Mexicans had retreated during the night, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. Such was the eventful battle of Buena Vista, in which an American army of five thousand men sustained for a whole day the repeated attacks of an army four times its number. Taylor's loss was about three hundred killed, and five hundred wounded, while Santa Anna's loss was estimated at two thousand.

This glorious victory confirmed the American supremacy, and overthrew the Mexican power in that portion of the country. General Taylor centered his army at Monterey, and soon after returned to the United States in consequence of difficulties with the War Department. General Wool then assumed command of the army at Monterey.

Taylor's campaign had been most creditable to him as a commander. There was nothing to dim the lustre of his army but occasional lawless acts by some of the volunteers, among whom it was not easy to enforce strict discipline.

His campaign from Palo Alto to Buena Vista had been a school where many officers were trained, who at a later day fought against each other in the terrible civil war. Here Mansfield distinguished himself as an engineer; Bragg, with his artillery; Halleck, Lowe, Wallace, Richardson, and many others, in both the regular and volunteer service.

COLONEL JOHN W. LOWE, O. V.

KILLED AT CARNIFEX FERRY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1861.

JOHN WILLIAMSON LOWE, son of James B. Lowe and Katherine Keenon, was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on the 15th of November, 1809. They were a Scotch family, and were at one time in comfortable circumstances; but financial disasters, and long-continued ill health, reduced them to poverty. In 1817, they removed to Rahway, where John began the labors of life in the woollen factory of a Mr. Cohue. Three years after they removed to New York, and the next year his father died, leaving a widow-for he had married a second time-and five children with no earthly support. Mrs. Lowe struggled with her heavy charge, finding her greatest resource in her stepson, who resolutely went to work, saying,-"Mother, I will work for you and these children as long as I can stand. We are not beggars yet."

He found employment in the printing-office of the Bible House, and for some years he worked hard learning his trade, and studying diligently at night by the light of their solitary candle, watching over the other children, and filling, as well as he could, his dead father's place to them. He took care of them until they were able to take care of them