CHAPTER XVI.
OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH BUENA VISTA.
JULY 1846 MARCH 1847.
Expeditions against New Mexico and California — Doniphan's March to Chihuahua — Battle of Sacramento — Operations of the Gulf Squadron — Taylor's Plans — He Advances to Saltillo — Tampico Evacuated by the Mexicans — Taylor Occupies Victoria and Abandons It — Scott Takes Command — Withdrawal of American Troops — Mexican Preparations — Santa Anna at San Luis Potosí — His March to Agua Nueva — Taylor Takes up a Position at La Angostura — Description of the Pass — Dispositions of the Two Armies — Battle of Buena Vista — The Final Charge Repulsed — Santa Anna Retreats
In anticipation of war with Mexico, the government of the United States had issued orders to the naval commanders in the Pacific to take possession of the California ports immediately upon receiving news of the commencement of hostilities, without waiting for further instructions. The neglect with which Mexico had long treated that province had rendered its inhabitants lukewarm. Not that they were wanting in patriotism; but their frequent appeals to the government never having been answered, there had been engendered a corresponding indifference with regard to their continuing in the Mexican republic. This indifference was, moreover, fostered by the agents of the United States government; and when in July the American admiral, having received information that hostilities had broken out on the Rio Grande, proceeded to carry out his instructions, he met with no active resistance, and the United States flag was
