(between Jalapa and Vera Cruz). Early in March, 1848, a post was established at Ojo de Agua between Puebla and Perote. The purpose of the posts was to defend the line against the guerillas and furnish escorts for trains, couriers, etc. Jalapa and Puebla were held somewhat strongly. At the former there were on January 8, 1848, three infantry companies and a rifle company from the District of Columbia, two infantry companies, a rifle company and a battery (six guns) from Baltimore, four New Jersey infantry companies, a Pennsylvania infantry company and a mounted company. Sickness and other causes reduced the effectives, however, to 556 (69Hughes to H. L. Scott, Jan. 8, 1848). Puebla was held, Feb. 22, by some 2500 men: the Fourth Indiana, Fourth Ohio, Fourth Artillery, Fifth Ohio (five companies), Second Artillery (two companies), and two Florida companies (Perry, Indiana, 287). Pachuca was occupied Dec. 29 by the Ninth Infantry (178Davis, diary). Cadwalader marched for Toluca Jan. 6 (Ho. 60; 30, 1, p. 1062). Jan. 29 Col. Clarke set out for Cuernavaca with a brigade (66Lee to Totten, Feb. 1). His approach compelled Alvarez to break up the small force he had been holding at that point and hastily retire.
Ripley (War with Mexico, ii, 524) says that Scott neglected "the proper military measures of occupation" in order to favor peace negotiations contrary to the "policy" of his government; but the most fundamental policy of that government was to bring about a satisfactory peace; Scott had not sufficient forces to carry out a military occupation of the country until late in December; and by that time peace was within reach.
25. Twiggs to H. L. Scott, Jan. 16, 1848; to adj. gen., Jan. 17; to Bankhead, Feb. 3. 69Id. to Marcy, Feb. 19. 61Scott to Twiggs, Dec. 26, 1847. 61Hughes to [Wilson], Sept. 13, 1847. Brackett, Lane's Brigade, 241-2. Free American, Jan. 14, 1848. 152Claiborne, mems. Velasco, Geografía, i, 176. Leclercq, Voyage, 386. Moreno, Cantón, 380. 88Córdoba ayunt., proceedings, Feb. 16. Picayune, Web. 27.
There was a convenient road from Orizaba to Paso de Ovejas on the national highway about thirty miles from Vera Cruz. The recently captured goods had been in charge of Lieut. Col. Miles (note 7). Bankhead arrived at Córdoba Feb. 13 and left for Orizaba Feb. 17. The Michigan volunteers remained there. Other reasons for this expedition will be mentioned in chap. xxxiii.
26. Remarks of Gov. J. D. Porter of Tenn. to the author (vanity, ignorance of war). Ill. State Hist. Soc. Trans., 1906, p. 178 (unfit to serve as corporal). 180Pillow to wife, Dec. 8, 1846 (re Taylor). Sen. 52; 30, 1, p. 252 (Trist's opinion). 307 B. S. Roberts, diary, Nov. 26, 1847 ("ass by nature"). 335Trist, notes for letter to Ho. of Repres. ("Lie"; lack of probity; Scott's confidence, etc.). 252Mackall, Sept. 18, 1847 (no vainer peacock or greater ass; gave no aid in the final battles). 292Pillow to wife, Dec. 12, 1847 (eye to Presidency). 335Paper prepared by Trist (re Polk's brother). 277Pillow to Maj. — (beautifully illustrates "wriggling"). Scott, Mems., ii, 416. Lawton, Artill. Officer, 338 (vanity). 297Pillow to Polk, May 30, 1844 ("fatal blow"). M'Sherry Puchero, 179 (not considered a general). Chap. xxiii, note 29 (generalship). (Recommendations) 180Pillow to wife, Dec. 8, 1846. (Confidence) 335Trist, notes, supra. Pillow's letters generally.
For uncomplimentary opinions regarding Pillow see chap. xxvi, note 8. It should be remembered, however, that later he became a political issue in Tennessee, and many things said of him then were colored by partisan-
