Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/170

132 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS moras, made a threatening demand that Gen. Tay lor should withdraw his troops beyond the Nueces, to which he replied that his position had been taken by order of his government, and would be main tained. Having completed the intrenchment, and being short of supplies, he left a garrison to hold it, and marched with an aggregate force of 2,288 men to obtain additional supplies from Point Isa bel, about thirty miles distant. Gen. Arista, the new Mexican commander, avail ing himself of the opportunity to interpose, crossed the river below Fort Brown with a force estimated at 6,000 regular troops, 10 pieces of artillery, and a considerable amount of auxiliaries. In the after noon of the second day s march from Point Isabel these were reported by Gen. Taylor s cavalry to be in his front, and he halted to allow the com mand to rest and for the needful dispositions for battle. In the evening a request was made that a council of war should be held, to which Gen. Taylor assented. The prevalent opinion was in favor of falling back to Point Isabel, there to intrench and wait for re-enforcements. After lis tening to a full expression of views, the general an nounced: "I shall go to Fort Brown or stay in my shoes," a western expression equivalent to "or die in the attempt." He then notified the officers to prepare to attack the enemy at dawn of day. In the morning of May 8 the advance was made