slave-holding country; and I frankly avow my unwillingness to do anything which shall extend the slavery of the African race on this continent, or add another slave-holding State to the Union." "The South," said the legislature of Mississippi, speaking of slavery, "does not possess a blessing with which the affections of her people are so closely entwined, and whose value is more highly appreciated. By the annexation of Texas, an equipoise of influence in the halls of Congress will be secured, which will furnish us a permanent guarantee of protection." 8. It was the battle-ground on which all the recent great battles of American political history have been fought. It ended, as such battles at that time usually did, in Southern victory. In March, 1845, Texas was received into the Union. The slave-power gained new votes in Congress, and room for a vast extension of the slave-system.-History of the United States. Polk's Administration.—War with Mexico.-Tyler's successor in office was James K. Polk, who was inaugurated on the 4th of March, 1845. His administration continued during only one term, but it was an eventful one. On the 4th of July, 1845, the Legislature of Texas approved the "Annexation Bill" passed by the United States Congress, and, by this act of approval, Texas became one of the United States. Capture of Thornton's Party.-For the protection of the new State, General Taylor proceeded, by order of President Polk, to the Rio Grande (rē'o grahn'dā) opposite Mat-a-mo'ras, where he erected a fort, which was afterward named Fort Brown. Learning that the Mexicans were assembling troops at a point higher up the river, Taylor sent Captain Thornton, with sixtythree dragoons, to reconnoitre. This little force was attacked (April 26th, 1846), and, after a loss of sixteen men, was compelled to surrender. Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma.-The Mexicans, in large force, having crossed the Rio Grande, for the purpose, as was supposed, of moving against Point Isabel, where the Americans had established a depot of supplies, Taylor marched to the relief of that place. After putting the Point in a good state of defense, he set out on his return to the river. His progress was disputed at Palo Alto (pah'ló ahl'tō) and Resaca de la Palma (rā sah'kah dā lah-pahl'mah)* by General Arista (ah-rees' tah); but in both battles the Mexicans were defeated with severe loss. In the first (May 8th), the Mexi cans numbered six thousand men, while the Americans consisted of but twentythree hundred. The loss of the former exceeded five hundred. That of the latter was scarcely fifty, but among their mortally wounded was the brave Major Ring'gold. The battle of Resaca de la Palma took place on the following day (May 9th). The action was commenced on both sides by the artillery; but the Mexican guns, well-aimed and rapidly discharged, were holding the Americans in check, when Captain May was ordered to silence them. At the head of his dragoons he charged with great fury, killed or dispersed the gunners, and captured General La Vega (lah vā'gah). Battle of Resaca de la Palma.-R. S. Ripley. 1. GENERAL ARISTA had been re-enforced during the morning. by nearly two thousand infantry and a strong body of cavalry. His infantry occupied the northern crest of Resaca de la Palma, which ravine is crossed by the mainroad from Point Isabel to Matamoras, at a point some four miles from the latter place. The general outline of the ravine is an irregular curve, of which the convexity is given to the south. The road running toward the south crosses the ravine about the centre of its length. Three guns on the northern crest defended the point of passage, and two on each side of the road south of the ravine supported the first battery with a flank and cross fire. 2. Along the southern crest was posted a second line of infantry; and the cavalry, which were necessarily unable to act, was in strong masses to the rear. The position and disposition of the Mexican forces were exceedingly strong against an enemy advancing by the road; and the thick growth of chaparral rendered such an advance the one most probable, if not absolutely necessary. But the same cause rendered a complete view of the operations impracticable, and made any action at the point one of detail on both sides, with the advantage, however, of a knowledge of locality on the part of the Mexicans, not possessed by their enemy. 3. McCall's and Smith's skirmishers pressed forward on the left and right, driving the Mexican troops of the first line from their positions at the northern extremities of the ravine. Ridgely's guns were planted at a point on the right of the path, within three hundred yards of the Mexican artillery, and thence opened a lively fire; it was briskly returned from the Mexican advanced battery; but the chaparral prevented accurate aim, and the consequent full effect of artillery on either side. 4. The fifth regiment and the left wing of the fourth, deployed' as skirmishers, were sent into action on the left; while the third, with the right wing, displayed on the right, and supported the advanced parties; these troops pressed on through the thicket, and the action became general. The nature of the ground prevented the use of any other artillery than Ridgely's battery; there was no position in which a line could be arrayed, nor was it attempted. 5. The enemy's shot fell thick and fast from his positions on the crest of the ravine, and each captain and subaltern' led his command as an independent body. All was apparently in confusion; but, confident in the courage and discipline of those around them, there was a general harmony in the attack: none thought of retreat; and, with loud shouts, each small party of the American troops pressed vigorously forward, and the fire of small-arms was incessant. 6. While the action continued in this manner, the Mexican artillery continued its fire upon the advancing American troops, although that of the advanced battery had slackened under the quick discharges of Ridgely's guns. To finish the action as soon as possible, by its capture, General Taylor sent Captain May's squadron of dragoons directly against it. May started down the road at a gallop, in obedience to his order, and pulling up for a moment, as he passed Ridgely's position, the latter poured in a discharge of canister", which drew the Mexican fire in reply. 7. May continued his course, and, though his command was in confusion, rode over the whole battery. The Mexican infantry, however, from the second line, drove him, and the six men whom he was able to rally from his whole squadron, back under a severe fire; but he carried with him General de la Vega, who had been entangled in the mêlée' and taken prisoner. Ridgely had, meanwhile, followed at a gallop, and unlimbered▾ on the northern crest, ready to defend the position without infantry support; but, although much exposed, the fear of injuring the dragoons prevented his firing. 8. When the action had fairly commenced, Gen. Taylor had sent orders to Lieutenant-colonel Belknap to advance one regiment from the guard of the train, and at this time he led, the eighth infantry into action. Moving down the road in column at a charging pace, the eighth, joined by a portion of the fifth, which had beat through to the ravine on the left of the road, crossed the ravine, secured the guns, and, pushing into the chaparral, after a severe struggle drove the enemy from the vicinity. 9. The battle was won; but still, in small parties, the Mexicans disputed the American advance, until their last gun, which had been in position to their left, was captured, and their camp entered by the fourth infantry, and then the rout began. Kerr's squadron of dragoons, Duncan's and Ridgely's batteries, the artillery battalion, and the light companies under Captain C. F. Smith, were sent on the track of the fugitives. 10. Following closely in pursuit, they dispersed the routed Mexican army, driving its broken masses into the chaparral and beyond the Rio Grande. As the advance of the pursuing forces came in sight of the Mexican batteries at Matamoras, these opened fire. The American guns of Fort Brown also commenced firing on the upper ferry, at which the fugitives were crossing; but night coming on, rendered it impossible to distinguish friend and foe, and the cannonade ceased on both sides. The pursuing forces occupied the former American camp on the banks of the Rio Grande, but for the night the main army remained on the field of battle.- War with Mexico. Taking of Matamoras and Monterey. - During the most of Taylor's absence from the fo. t on the Rio Grande, a period of nearly eight days, it had been subjected to a bombardment from the enemy's batteries at Matamoras. The garrison made a successful defense, though their heroic commander, Major Brown, was mortally wounded by the bursting of a shell. On the 18th of May, Taylor took possession of Matamoras, and in August he marched to attack Monterey (mon-tā-ra'), a city strong in its natural defenses, and then gar risoned by ten thousand troops under Gen. Ampudia (am-poo'dē-ah). After a series of assaults, in which Generals Worth and Quitman rendered brilliant service, Monterey capitulated (Sept. 24th), and Taylor agreed to an armistice. The Martyr of Monterey.-Rev. J. G. Lyons. ["While I was stationed with our left wing in one of the forts, I saw a Mexican woman busily engaged in carrying bread and water to the wounded men of both armies. I saw the ministering angel raise the head of a wounded man, give him water and food, and then bind up his ghastly wound with a handkerchief she took from her own head. After having exhausted her supplies, she went back to her house, to get more bread and water for others. As she was returning on her mission of mercy, to comfort other wounded persons, I heard the report of a gun, and saw the poor innocent creature fall dead. I think it was an accidental shot that struck her. I would not be willing to believe otherwise. It made me sick at heart; and, turning from the scene, I involuntarily raised my eyes toward heaven, and thought, Great God! is this war? Passing the spot the next day, I saw her body still lying there, with the bread by her side, and the broken gourd, with a few drops of water in it,-emblems of her errand. We buried her; and while we were digging her grave, cannon-balls flew around us like hail."—Letter to the "Louisville Courier," dated Monterey, October 17, 1847.] THE strife was stern at Monterey, When those high towers were lost and won; Yet, heedless of its deadly rain, She stood, in toil and danger first, She found a pale and stricken foe, She wet his parch'd and fever'd lips; They laid her in her narrow bed The foemen of her land and race; Ay! glory's crimson worshippers Subdue the heart and eyes of all. |