CHAPTER VII.
BUENA VISTA.
General Scott ordered to Mexico — Expedition to Vera Cruz — Withdrawal of Troops from the Army under General Taylor — Surprise of Arkansas and Kentucky Cavalry at Encarnacion — Advance of Santa Anna from San Luis Potosi — The Pass of Angostura — Buena Vista — Position of the American Troops — Approach of the Enemy — The Battle — Bravery of the Volunteers — Skirmish near Saltillo — Disastrous retreat of the Mexican Army — Attack on the Wagon Trains — Pursuit of Urrea.
On the 1st day of January, 1847, and within the short space of eight months from the commencement of hostilities, the provinces of New Mexico, California, Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila, New Leon, and Tamaulipas, embracing more than one half of the geographical area of the Mexican Republic, were either virtually conquered, or in the actual possession of the American forces. The different military operations thus far conducted, had been executed with unexampled skill and ability, and attended with the most satisfactory results. The territory occupied by the army under General Taylor, could not, indeed, have been regarded of much value as a permanent acquisition, if conquest had been the object of the war; but in a military point of view, the campaign on the Rio Grande was as important as it was successful. Every thing had been achieved which was to be desired. On three separate occasions the armies of Mexico had been defeated.
