The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Vera Cruz to Mexico City (1847-1848)

Major-General Winfield Scott, at Vera Cruz, Mexico,
to William L. Marcy,
Secretary of War, at Washington, D.C.

Dispatch communicating the capitulation of Vera Cruz.
Head-Quarters of the Army,
Vera Cruz, March 29, 1847.

Winfield Scott

Sir: - The flag of the United States of America floats triumphantly over the walls of this city and the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa.

Our troops have garrisoned both since ten o'clock; it is now noon. Brigadier-General Worth is in command of the two places.

Articles of capitulation were signed and exchanged at a late hour night before last. I enclose a copy of the document.

I have heretofore reported the principal incidents of the siege up to the 25th instant. Nothing of striking interest occurred till early in the morning of the next day, when I received overtures from General Landero, on whom General Morales had devolved the principal command. A terrible storm of wind and sand made it difficult to communicate with the city, and impossible to refer to Commodore Perry. I was obliged to entertain the proposition alone, or continue the fire upon a place that had shown a disposition to surrender; for the loss of a day, perhaps several, could not be permitted. The accompanying papers will show the proceedings and results.

The landing at Vera Cruz. (Library of Congress)

Yesterday, after the norther had abated, and the commissioners appointed by me early the morning before had again met those appointed by General Landero, Commodore Perry sent ashore his second in command, Captain Aulick, as a commissioner on the part of the navy. Although not included in my specific arrangement made with the Mexican commander, I did not hesitate, with proper courtesy, to desire that Captain Aulick might be duly introduced and allowed to participate in the discussions and acts of the commissioners who had been reciprocally accredited. Hence the preamble to his signature. The original American commissioners were Brevet Brigadier-General Worth, Brigadier-General Pillow, and Colonel Totten. Four more able or judicious officers could not have been desired.

I have to add but little more. The remaining details of the siege - the able co-operation of the United States squadron, successively under the command of Commodores Conner and Perry - the admirable conduct of the whole army, regulars and volunteers - I should be happy to dwell upon as they deserve; but the steamer Princeton, with Commodore Conner on board, is under way, and I have commenced organizing an advance into the interior. This may be delayed a few days, waiting the arrival of additional means of transportation. In the mean time, a joint operation, by land and water, will be made upon Alvarado. No lateral expedition, however, shall interfere with the grand movement towards the capital.

In consideration of the great services of Colonel Totten, in the siege that has just terminated most successfully, and the importance of his presence at Washington, as the head of the engineer bureau, I intrust this despatch to his personal care, and beg to commend him to the very favourable consideration of the department.

I have the honor to remain sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant,

WINFIELD SCOTT.

Along the road to Mexico city, Scott encountered no further significant resistance. Santa Ana however was relying on the powerful fortification of the city to defeat Scott. President Polk wanted one last chance to reach a peace agreement with the Mexicans, but his overture was turned down. Santa Ana however claimed that if he received $10,000 now and $1,000,000 after the surrender he would do so. He was given the $10,000, but that was the last heard from him on the subject.

The way to Mexico City was through a group of causeways through marches to the east of the city. Santa Ana had heavily fortified these approaches. Once again Captain Lee’s reconnaissance was invaluable. He found an unguarded way through the marches which was partially under water, and the American army made its way through there. The Americans thus moved closer to the city. Santa Ana shorter lines of communication allowed Santa Ana to move men to block the American advance. General Valencia without orders from Santa Ana decided not to wait for the Americans and instead moved out with a force of 4,000 men to outflank the American forces. American forces then moved up on Valencia forces once again on a path discovered by Lee. The American engaged Valencia forces who fought fiercely. Santa Ana then appeared with 9,000 men. The Americans feared they would be attacked on two sides, but a sudden downpour convinced Santa Ana to withdraw. That night the American forces made their way towards Valencia’s lines at Conreras. In the morning they had reached the rear of his lines and assaulted there.

The Americans routed the Mexicans. Those who were not killed or wounded withdrew quickly. The American followed the Mexicans to the next fortress- Churubusco, which they attacked without proper reconnaissance. The American forces made three costly and unsuccessful assaults on the fortress. Finally, American reinforcements arrived, and in a final assault managed to carry to fortifications. American forces followed the Mexican withdrawal to the wall of Mexico City itself. In two days of fighting Americans lost 139 dead and 876 wounded. The Mexican lost 4,000 killed and wounded plus 3,000 captured.

Map of Battle of Molino del Rey by Lieutenant Hardcastle. (National Archives)

There were two more Mexican fortresses, The first Molino del Rey and it was quickly taken. The final fortress was Chapultepec. It was a well defended castle with outlying fortifications. The Americans made an all out assault on the fortress. Despite heavy losses the Americans carried the fortress. The next day the city surrendered.

In his classic two-volume work, The War With Mexico (Macmillan Co., NY. 1911), Justin Smith, perhaps the pre-eminent historian on the Mexican War, wrote:

"When the first thin streak of dawn glimmered forth behind the gray volcanoes, and our cannon at Belén garita were on the point of opening fire, a white flag and an invitation to enter the capital reached Quitman. First making sure there was no deception, he advanced; and after stopping about half an hour at the citadel he moved forward under a splendid sun to the grand plaza, which fronted the palace and the cathedral, with [Persifor] Smith's Brigade, the Marines, the New York volunteers and Steptoe's battery.

As a triumphal procession the command looked rather strange. Quitman and Smith marched at its head on foot -- the former with only one shoe; and behind them came troops decorated with mud, the red stains of battle and rough bandages, carrying arms at quite haphazard angles.

Capture of the tete de pont at Churubusco. (National Archives)

No less astonishing looked the city, for sidewalks, windows, balconies and housetops were crowded with people. Except for the silence, the countless white handkerchiefs and the foreign flags, it might have been thought a holiday. Before the palace, which filled the east side of the plaza, the troops formed in line of battle. Officers took their places at the front, and when Captain Roberts hoisted a battle-scarred American flag on the staff of the palace at seven o'clock, arms were presented and the officers saluted.

Soon, loud cheering was heard. A few squares away the commander-in-chief, escorted by cavalry with drawn swords, had reached Worth's command, which had stopped at six o'clock by orders opposite the high ash trees of the Alameda. A clatter of galloping hoofs followed; and in another moment, amidst the involuntary applause of the Mexicans, General Scott, dressed in full uniform and mounted on a tall, heavy bay charger, dashed with his staff and Harney's dragoons into the grand plaza -- his noble figure, gold epaulets and snowy plumes, resplendent under the brilliant sun, fitly typifying the invisible glory of his unkempt and limbering army. . .

Scott's entry into Mexico City. (Library of Congress)

In stentorian tones the commander-in-chief appointed Quitman Governor of the city . . ."

In the coming weeks, when the Aztec Club was formed in the City of Mexico, Gen. John A. Quitman became its first president.

Additional Sources:

www.dmwv.org
www.aztecclub.com
www.rose-hulman.edu
www.humanities-interactive.org
www.pbs.org
www.army.mil
www.mcu.usmc.mil
www.multied.com

The United States Marines raised the American flag over Mexico City -- the Halls of Montezuma -- on September 14, 1847, thus ending one of the nation's most successful and controversial wars.

The blood stripe worn on the dress blue trousers of officers and non-commissioned officers is in memory of the battle of Chapultepec, during the Mexican-American war. During that battle, 90% of the Marine Officers and NCO's died taking the Mexican stronghold. The battle is further commemorated in the Marines' Hymn in the line "From the Halls of Montezuma".

Today's classic warship, USS Lawrence (DD-8)

Lawrence class destroyer
Displacement. 430 t.
Lenght. 246'3"
Beam. 22'3"
Draft. 6'8"
Speed. 30 k.
Complement. 72
Armament. 2 3", 5 6 pdr., 2 18" tt.

The USS Lawrence was laid down 10 April 1899 by Fore River Ship & Engine Co., Weymouth, Mass.; launched 7 November 1900; sponsored by Miss Ruth Lawrence, great niece of Capt. James Lawrence; and commissioned 7 April 1903, Lt. Andre M. Proctor in command.

Assigned to the 2d Torpedo Flotilla, Lawrence operated along the Atlantic coast, taking part in the fleet search problem off the New England coast during the summer of 1903. The torpedo boat departed Norfolk 17 December, and sailed to Key West for winter exercises.

During 1904 she performed Midshipmen cruises and acted as a torpedo practice ship, perfecting the quality of officers and increasing the Navy's effectiveness. She continued exercises in the Caribbean and along the Atlantic coast until she decommissioned at Philadelphia 14 November 1906.

Lawrence recommissioned 23 July 1907 and resumed training operations out of Norfolk. Departing Hampton Roads 2 December, she sailed with the torpedo flotilla for winter maneuvers in the Caribbean and oft South America. She arrived San Diego 28 April 1908 and stood out San Francisco 8 days later as the "Great White Fleet" steamed into San Francisco Bay. During the next 4 years she operated in the Pacific with the 3d Torpedo Flotilla patrolling the coast from Canada to Panama and engaged in exercises with the fleet. From 1 June 1912 to 23 April 1914 Lawrence was in commission in reserve.

Returned to full commission status, she departed San Francisco 25 April to patrol the Mexican coast and protect American and foreign nationals during the Mexican revolution Returning to Mare Island 12 September, the destroyer was once again placed in reserve status.

After America's entry into World War I, Lawrence was placed in full commission 13 June 1917 to Join coastal defense units. Arriving Balboa 29 July, she guarded the ocean approaches to the Canal Zone until 30 May 1918 when she steamed toward Key West. Upon her arrival there she operated as coastal escort and patrol ship. After the Armistice ending World War I, Lawrence steamed to Philadelphia, arriving there 1 February 1919. She decommissioned 20 June and was sold to Joseph G. Hitner of Philadelphia 3 January 1920.

USS Lawrence was named in honor of Captain James Lawrence (1781-1813), who lost his life while commanding the frigate Chesapeake in battle with HMS Shannon on 1 June 1813. His famous last words are still an inspiration today. "Don't give up the ship!"

.......FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!

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Birthdates which occurred on June 01:
1563 Robert Cecil Earl of Salisbury, English chief minister (1598-1625)
1801 Brigham Young religious leader (Mormon church)/polygamist
1804 Mikhail Glinka Novosspaskoye Russia, composer (Jota Aragonesa)
1814 Philip Kearney Civil War general (Union)
1825 John Hunt Morgan Brig General (Confederate cavalry commander)
1831 John B Hood confederate general (lost Atlanta)
1878 John Masefield England, 15th poet laureate (Salt-Water Ballads)
1890 Frank Morgan NYC, actor (Affairs of Cellini, Annie Get Your Gun)
1898 Curtis Stevens US, 2 man bobsled (Olympic-gold-1932)
1898 Edgar "Cookie" Fairchild NYC, bandleader (Jerry Colonna Show)
1898 Molly Picon actress (Milk & Honey, Fiddler on the Roof)
1899 Werner Janssen NYC, conductor/composer (New Years Eve in NY)
19-- Anthony Ponzini Bkln NY, actor (Flatbush, Rituals)
19-- Kathi Norris Newark Ohio, TV hostess (Spin the Picture)
1901 John W Van Duren playwright (I Remember Mama)
1907 Frank Whittle inventor (jet engine)
1921 Nelson Riddle Oradell NJ, musical conductor (Batman, Frank Sinatra)
1922 Abdul Rashid Pakistan, field hockey player (Olympic-gold-1960)
1922 Joan Caulfield East Orange NJ, actress (Liz-My Favorite Husband)
1925 Richard Erdman Enid Ok, actor (Stalag 17, Anything Goes)
1926 Andy Griffith Mount Airy NC, actor (Andy Griffith Show, Matlock)
1926 Marilyn Monroe [Norma Jean Baker], actress (Some Like It Hot)
1928 Bob Monkhouse Kent England, comedian (Bonkers)
1928 Georgi T Dobrovolsky Odessa, cosmonaut (Soyuz 11)
1930 Edward Woodward England, actor (Breaker Morant, Wickerman)
1930 Ty Hardin Ill, actor (Berserk, PT 109)
1933 Alan (the Horse) Ameche Wisc, NFL fullback (Baltimore Colts)
1934 Pat Boone Florida, singer/actor (April Love, Cross & Switchblade)
1934 Peter Masterson Texas, actor (Ambush Bay)
1935 James George US, weightlifter (Olympic-silver-1960/bronze-1956)
1935 Reverend Ike SC, evangelist minister
1937 Morgan Freeman actor (Driving Mrs Daisy)
1939 Cleavon Little Chickasha Okla, actor (Blazing Saddles, Toy Soldiers)
1940 Ren‚ Auberjonois NYC, actor (Clayton-Benson, McCabe & Mrs Miller)
1941 Edo de Waart Amsterdam Holland, conductor (Houston Opera-1976)
1943 Richard Goode Bronx, concert pianist (1980 Avery Fisher Award)
1944 Robert Powell England, actor (Jigsaw Man, Shaka Zulu, Secrets)
1945 Frederica Von Stade Somerville NJ, mezzo-soprano (Die Zauberfl”te)
1945 Linda Scott singer (Hey Look at Me Now)
1946 Carol Neblett Modesto California, soprano (NYC Opera)
1947 Ron Wood rock guitarist (Faces, Jeff Beck Group, Rolling Stones)
1948 Tom Sneva US auto racer (Indianapolis 500-1983)
1953 Diana Canova West Palm Beach Fla, actress (Corrine-Soap)
1955 Chiyonofuji sumo wrestler
1956 Lisa Hartman Houston Tx, singer/actress (Tabitha, Knots Landing)
1956 Robin Mattson actress (Gina-Santa Barbara, Bonnie's Kids, Wolf Lake)
1959 Alan "Wild"er rocker (Depeche Mode-Just Can't Get Enough)
1961 Paul Coffey NHL forward (Edmonton Oilers, Pitts Penguins)
1963 Mike Joyce rocker (The Smiths-Ask, Panic, London)
1965 India Allen Portsmouth Va, playmate of the year (Dec, 1987)
1968 Jason Donovan rocker/actor (Neighbors)

Deaths which occurred on June 01:
1823 Louis Nicholas Davout French field marshall, dies at 53
1864 Solomon George Washington Dill poor white ally of blacks,
assassinated in his home by white terrorists in SC
1960 Lester Patrick NHL coach/star, dies at 76
1968 Helen Keller blind & deaf, dies at 87
1985 Richard Greene actor (Adv of Robin Hood), dies at 67
1987 Errol W Barrow PM of Barbados (1961-76), dies at 67
1987 Rashid Karami Lebanon, 10 time PM of Lebanon, dies at 65

Reported: MISSING in ACTION

1965 CROSBY FREDERICK P. ORLANDO FL.
[GROUND FIRE CRASH EXPLODE]
1966 BORLING JOHN L. CHICAGO IL.
[02/12/73 RELEASED BY DRV, ALIVE IN 98]
1966 MYERS ARMAND J. MEDFORD OR.
[02/12/73 RELEASED BY DRV, ALIVE AND WELL 98
1971 ANDRADE FATHER FRANCE
[FRENCH PRIEST RELEASED]
1971 MAGERS PAUL G. SIDNEY NE.
1971 WANN DONALD L. SHAWNEE OK.
1975 MC DONALD HERMAN
[08/76 LEFT SAIGON]

POW / MIA Data & Bios supplied by
the P.O.W. NETWORK. Skidmore, MO. USA.

On this day...
1495 1st written record of Scotch Whiskey appears in Exchequer Rolls
of Scotland. Friar John Cor is the distiller
1638 1st earthquake recorded in US, at Plymouth, Mass
1774 British govt orders Port of Boston closed
1789 1st US congressional act becomes law (on administering oaths)
1792 Kentucky admitted as 15th US state
1796 Tennessee admitted as 16th US state
1808 1st US land-grant university founded-Ohio Univ, Athens, Ohio
1809 Allardyce Barclay begins a bet of walking 1 mile every hour for
1,000 hours. Each hour he walked a « mile round trip from his home
1813 Capt John Lawrence utters Navy motto "Don't give up the ship"
1835 6th national black convention (Phila)
1843 It snows in Buffalo & Rochester NY & Cleveland Ohio
1843 Sojourner Truth leaves NY to begin her career as antislavery activist
1845 Homing pigeon completes 11,000 km trip (Namibia-London) in 55 days
1855 US adventurer Wm Walker conquers Nicaragua, reestablishes slavery
1861 1st skirmish in the Civil War, Fairfax Court House, Va
1861 US & Confederacy simultaneously stop mail interchange
1862 Gen Lee assumes command after Joe Johnston is injured at 7 Pines
1864 Battle of Cold Harbour, VA
1866 Renegade Irish Fenians invade Fort Erie Ontario from US
1868 Texas constitutional convention meets in Austin
1869 Voting Machine patented by Thomas Edison
1877 US troops authorized to pursue bandits into Mexico
1888 California gets its 1st seismograph
1893 The opera "Falstaff" is produced (Berlin)
1898 Trans-Mississippi International Exposition opens in Omaha
1905 Lewis & Clark Centennial Exposition opens in Portland, Oregon
1907 -27ø F (-33ø C), Sarmiento, Argentina (South American record)
1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition opens in Seattle
1911 1st US group insurance policy written, Passaic, NJ
1915 1st Zeppelin air raid over England
1918 Yanks turn triple-play, beat Tigers 5-4
1921 Race riot in Tusla Okla (21 whites & 60 blacks killed)
1923 NY Giants beat Phillies, 22-5
1925 Lou Gehrig replaces Wally Pipp (1st of record 2130 consec games)
1933 Century of Progress world's fair opens in Chicago
1935 Yanks set solo HR record with 6 beat Boston 7-2
1936 King Victor Emmanual III of Italy, becomes Emperor of Ethiopia
1937 Chic White Sox Bill Dietrich no-hits St Louis Browns, 8-0
1938 Superman Comics launched
1939 1st night game at Phil's Shribe Park (Pirates 5, Phillies 2)
1939 1st televised heavyweight boxing match-Max Baer vs Lou Nova
1939 British sub "Thetis" sinks in Liverpool Bay with all 99 aboard
1941 31.98 cm (12.59") rainfall, Burlington, Kansas (state 24-hr record)
1941 Germany bans all Catholic publications
1945 WLB-AM in Minneapolis Minn changes call letters to KUOM
1946 Assault wins Belmont Stakes & Triple Crown
1947 The OPA, which issued WW II rationing coupons, disbands
1949 1st magazine on microfilm offered to subscribers (Newsweek)
1951 1st self-contained titanium plant opened Henderson Nevada
1951 S Arend discovers asteroids #1592 Mathieu & #1593 Fagnes
1957 1st US runner breaks 4 minute mile (Don Bowden) [see 05051956]
1958 Charles de Gaulle becomes premier of France
1959 Constitution of Tunisia promulgated (National Day)
1962 Oscar 2 (ham radio satellite) launched into Earth orbit
1962 USAF Maj Robert M White takes X-15 to 40,420 m
1965 A Penzias & R Wilson detect 3ø K primordial background radiation
1965 Explosion at Fukuoka, Japan kills 237 coal miners
1966 2,400 persons attend White House Conference on Civil Rights
1966 George Harrison is impressed by Ravi Shankar's concert in London
1966 Shortwave station Radio NY Worldwide changes calls from WRUL to WNYW
1967 Beatles release Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in US & goes gold
1967 Mayor-council form of government instituted for Washington, DC
1968 Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs Robinson" hits #1
1969 Tobacco advertising is banned on Canadian radio & TV
1970 Soyuz 9 launched into Earth orbit for 18 days
1971 Ed Sullivan's final TV show
1971 Perth Observatory discovers asteroid #2167 Erin
1973 Paul McCartney & Wings release "Live & Let Die"
1974 Bundy victim Brenda Ball disappears from Burien, Wash
1975 Calif Angel Nolan Ryan 4th no-hitter beats Balt Orioles, 1-0
1975 Ron Woods replaces Mick Taylor as Rolling Stone guitarist
1979 Supersonics beat Bullets for NBA championship, 4 games to 1
1979 Wings release "Old Siam, Sir"
1980 Barbra Striesand appears at an ACLU Benefit in Calif
1980 H Debehogne discovers asteroids #2543 Machado & #3411
1980 Ted Turner's Cable News Network begins broadcasting
1984 KWK-AM in St Louis MO changes call letters to KGLD
1984 Weightlifter Alexander Gunyashev of USSR snatches a record 211 kg
1990 Detroit Pistons beat Trailblazers in Portland for 1st time since 1974
1990 Dow Jones Avg hits a record high of 2,900.97
1990 The Cowboy Channel on cable TV begins transmitting
1991 Mount Pinatubo (Phillipines) erupts for 1st time in 600 years

Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

China PR, Mongolia : Children's Festival Day
Kentucky-1792, Tennessee-1796 : Statehood Day
Kenya : Madaraka Day, a day to enjoy freedom
Philadelphia : Elfreth's Alley Day-celebrates oldest US street
Samoa : Independence Day
Thailand : Visakha Puja
Tunisia : Victory Day/Constitution Day (1959)
Western Samoa : National Day
Massachusetts : Teachers' Day - - - - - ( Sunday )
Ireland : Bank Day - - - - - ( Monday )
Bahamas : Labour Day - - - - - ( Friday )
New Zealand : Queen's Birthday - - - - - ( Monday )
Western Australia : Foundation Day (1838) - - - - - ( Monday )

Religious Observances
Eastern Orthodox : All Saint's Day
Moslem-Uganda : Supreme Council Day
RC : Commemoration of the BVM, Mediatrix of All Graces
Ang, Luth : Commemoration of Justin, martyr at Rome

Religious History
1793 Birth of Henry Francis Lyte, Scottish clergyman who wrote the hymns 'Abide with Me' and 'Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken.'
1922 Birth of Ray Knighton, who in 1954 founded the Medical Assistance Program (MAP International) in Chicago.
1930 Missionary-linguist Frank C. Laubach wrote in a letter: 'I must talk about God, or I cannot keep Him in my mind. I must give Him away in order to have Him.'
1953 The Christian Aid Mission (CIM) was chartered in Washington, DC by founder Bob Finley.
1978 The Evangelical Free Baptist Church was incorporated in DuPage County, Illinois, having withdrawn from the Southern Baptist Convention following a doctrinal dispute.

Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.

Thought for the day :
" Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius. "

:)

Really interesting choice today, SAM! And I love all the great pictures. That war was an incredible training ground for those who would be fighting the Civil War, wasn't it? No wonder the foreign observors of the Civil War were so impressed with the men on both sides.

Good morning SAM, snippy, everyone.

Hope you have a great day!

Thank you feather, you too!

That's the strangest looking Destroyer I've ever seen. They've sure come a long way since 1899.

Good Morning Snippy

1968 Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs Robinson" hits #1 <>Always did like "The Graduate", had some great music.

Good Morning SAM

Yeah, a lot of the junior leaders were to become famous later in the War between the States

Good morning Feather

General Orders—No. 284
Headquarters of the Army, Mexico, September 14, 1847
The University of Texas at Arlington Library - Special Collections

*************

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Mexico, Sept. 14, 1847

GENERAL ORDERS--NO. 284.

1. Under the favor of God, the valor of this army, after many glorious victories, has hoisted the colors of our country in the capital of Mexico and on the palace of its government.

2. But the war is not ended. The Mexican army and government have fled, only to watch an opportunity to return upon us in vengeance. We must then be upon our guard.

3. Companies and Regiments will be kept together, and all stand on the alert. Our safety is in military discipline.

4. Let there be no drunkenness, no disorders and no straggling. Stragglers will be in great danger of assassination, and marauders shall be punished by courts martial.

5. All the rules so honorably observed by this glorious army, in Puebla, must be observed.