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396 Battle of Buena Vista. Occupation of Mexico. [i847 he was overtaken by a messenger from Washington. He then returned to California where he aided the American settlers in their revolt against the Governor, encouraged them to proclaim California an inde- pendent republic, and assisted Commodore Stockton in his conquest of the country. General Taylor had meantime remained at Matamoras, preparing to march against Monterey, the capital of the State of New Leon, and a strongly fortified city. In September all was in readiness ; and, leaving Matamoras, Taylor laid siege to Monterey. He stormed the walls, and forced Ampudia to surrender the town, but allowed him to withdraw with his troops. Taylor then began preparations for a vigorous winter cam- paign, and was engaged in concentrating his forces for that purpose, when General Winfield Scott arrived at the Rio Grande and drew from him so many officers and men that he was obliged to abandon the campaign and stand on the defensive. Santa Anna, who in December, 1846, had been elected Provisional President of Mexico, now gathered a force of some 20,000 men, and in February, 1847, set out for Saltillo, where a part of the American army was stationed under General Wool. Apprised of this intention, Taylor hastened to join Wool, and then, advancing toward Santa Anna, took up his position in a narrow defile in the mountains directly facing the hacienda of Buena Vista. There, on the morning of February 23, 1847, Santa Anna, with an army five times as numerous as that of the American General, opened the attack. All day long the battle raged; but, when night came, the Mexicans had been defeated, and under cover of darkness retired. General Scott was then on his way with land and sea forces to capture the city of Vera Cruz and the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa. Both of these surrendered on March 27, 1847 ; and on April 8 the American army began its memorable march along the national highway towards the city of Mexico. The American army at the outset numbered less than 9000 men ; the Mexican army was often over 20,000 strong. At every step the ranks of Scott grew thinner, and those of Santa Anna fuller. Hundreds of Americans perished in battle ; hundreds more died on the way of disease. Yet neither sickness nor heat nor fatigue could turn Scott back ; and victory succeeded victory with astonishing rapidity. On April 18 the heights of Cerro Gordo were carried by storm, the Mexican army was utterly routed, and Santa Anna was forced to leap from his carriage and flee away upon a mule. On April 19 the army entered Jalapa ; on the 22nd Perote fell ; and on May 15 the city of Puebla surrendered. There Scott rested till August 7, when the march was once more resumed. On the 17th the spires of the City of Mexico came into view. The victories of Contreras, Churubusco, and Molino del Rey followed; the fortress of Chapultepec was stormed; and on September 15 the City of Mexico was occupied. Mexico was now at the feet of her conqueror. United States troops