The troops, except a mere guard, did not enter the city on that night. The mission of Reguena was ascertained to be a mere ruse to gain time, Arista during the parley having been busy in concealing and carrying away arms, munitions, &c. On the evening of the 18th Arista began his retreat, carrying with him four thousand men and two light field-pieces, and leaving behind him his sick and wounded. This act evinces either that the Mexican fully appreciated the chivalry of the American army, or proves him one of the most heartless villains that ever lived.

The passage of the American army was achieved without difficulty, except that Lieutenant George Stephens, second dragoons, was swept by the current from his horse, and drowned. On the 19th, formal possession was taken of Matamoras, of which Colonel Twiggs was appointed governor.

General Taylor, after taking possession of his conquest, sought at once to ascertain the position of his enemy, and for that purpose detached Ker's and May's squadrons, and Walker's handful of Texans, under Colonel Garland, to follow on their traces. After an absence of three days, during which he penetrated sixty miles, Colonel Garland returned to Matamoras with twenty-two prisoners and an ammunition wagon captured from a rear-guard of the enemy. Arista was about twenty-four hours in advance of the cavalry. At one of the ranchos a Mexican asked whither the American troops were going, and when told in pursuit of the enemy, exhibited the greatest surprise, having heard from Ampudia that the American army was routed. The capture of Matamoras and expedition of Garland terminated the campaign for a time. The Mexican army of the north was annihilated; and General Taylor, for

want of troops and supplies, was forced to remain for a long time inactive.

We have now passed a great crisis in General Taylor's life. We have watched him a subaltern in the war of 1812, winning for himself fame and promotion. In the Black Hawk war his merit was conspicuous; and in Florida he commanded in an action which contributed more to the termination of the war than any other which occurred. He was assigned to the command of the army in Texas when public opinion was entirely unformed in relation to him; fought two of the best battles which have taken place on the continent; terminated a campaign in twelve days, and made his name historical. So brilliant had been the merit he exhibited, that even censure was disarmed; and though a nation praised him, no one dared to find fault. His name became at once the property of all; and the sobriquet given him by his soldiers, in their hours of relaxation, was adopted by the world. He was become a great man, and in his subsequent eventful career has done nothing to forfeit it.

CHAPTER X.

TAYLOR (Continued.)

Volunteers hasten to the seat of war-Arista's pronunciamento -Mier and other posts taken-Advance to Seralvo-The American army encamps at the Walnut Springs--Appearance of the city of Monterey-Worth's operations-Twiggs's operations--General Butler-Articles of capitulation--Loss of the Americans.

VOLUNTEERS began to hurry to the seat of war from all parts of the country, and the most distinguished men of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, hastened to the scene of strife. In the beginning of June, General Taylor was in command of about nine thousand men, seven hundred and fifty of whom were stationed at Barita, and five hundred at Point Isabel. It is to be regretted that at this time General Taylor was unable to march on Monterey, which doubtless would have surrendered without resistance. Had this been the case, the subsequent stand made by Santa Anna at Buena Vista must have taken place beyond San Luis, and the defeat of that general would have placed the metropolis of the republic in the hands of the invader.

The Mexican people, however, nerved themselves for another stand, and collected a large body of troops at Monterey, which doubtless would have been far more formidable had not the whole nation been distracted by a revolution or pronunciamento of Arista, against the actual president. An election took place on the 16th of June, by virtue of which Paredes became president VOL. II.

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and General Bravo the vice-president of the republic. Under the new administration General Arevalo was assigned to Monterey, against which it was obvious General Taylor would march, and which was strengthened and fortified with all the resources of the republic.

During the month of June men were collected from all parts of the Union. The transportaton, however, was not supplied until late in August, when, with six thousand men, General Worth advanced to Seralvo, where the head of his column arrived early in the month of September.

In the meantime McCulloch's Texan rangers had seized Mier, Camargo, Reynosa, and other posts, without resistance. The people of Tamaulipas were absolutely conquered, and acquiesced in the commands of the invaders. The whole country was gradually occupied.

On the 5th of September General Taylor was informed by General Worth that Ampudia, with three thousand men, had occupied Monterey, the whole force within the walls of which was more than four thousand strong, without counting the large armed population of the city, and the hordes of rancheros that would for defence, &c., hurry to it. On the 7th of September, General Taylor advanced towards Seralvo, leaving General Patterson in command of the commissariat depots and the few troops stationed at Matamoras. From Seralvo General Taylor moved towards Monterey with six thousand men.

As the army advanced it became more obvious that another battle was to be anticipated, and more than once the eclaireurs of our army and the outlying Mexican posts came in contact.

On the 19th of September, the American army en