Anna, with whom a skirmish ensued, in the plains of Amasoca. After losing a few men, the enemy retreated, and were driven into the streets of Puebla, where they separated and escaped.

The city of Puebla is among the largest in Mexico, containing a population of eighty thousand souls. It is celebrated for its splendid cathedral-probably the most costly building in America-its numerous churches and priests, the beauty of its public buildings, the general good appearance of its streets and houses, its numerous places of amusement, and the richness of the surrounding scenery.

Thus in less than two months, General Scott and his army had captured three large cities, two castles, ten thousand men, more than seven hundred cannon, mostly new, and an immense quantity of shells, shot, and small arms. For rapidity of execution, these achievements have scarcely a parallel, except in Napoleon's first Italian campaign.

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FTER the fall of Vera Cruz, the Mexican government authorized the organization of small bands of citizens and villagers, armed and mounted. They were termed "guerrilla parties," and being composed mostly of outlaws and robbers-the dregs of the population-they entered upon the campaign with the avowed determination to extend no quarter to any who might fall into their hands, but to rob and murder as often as occasion offered. Spreading themselves over the country through which the route of the Americans extended, they seized the mountain fastnesses and strong passes, attacked scouting parties, intercepted communications, and even entered garrisoned cities at night, and murdered all American stragglers within their reach. Some of their attempts were so daring and serious, as to be deserving of particular record.

Early in May, a party of infantry were attacked near the National Bridge, and obliged to fall back upon their wagon train. Here they rallied, and charged on the guerrillas, who were dispersed with con(493)

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siderable loss. One American was killed. On the same day, 10 less than twenty-one bodies were found on the road, of those who had been murdered by the rancheros. Not long after, some unknown persons of General Taylor's army entered a rancho near Seralvo, and hung nearly forty Mexicans. Generals Taylor and Wool made the most strenuous exertion." discover the perpetrators of this outrage, but without success. On receiving news of the murder, General Canales issued a proclamation declaring the whole eastern country under martial law, and that no quarter should be extended to any American.

On the 22d of May, Colonel Sowers reached Vera Cruz with despatches from General Scott, then approaching Puebla. On the same day, with an escort of five men and Lieutenant McDonnell, he set out for Santa Fe, hoping to find Captain Wheat there, from whom he expected further reinforcements. Being disappointed, he set out with two additional men, but was attacked on the road by the guerrillas, and himself and six men murdered. The survivor escaped to carry the sad news to Vera Cruz. About the same time, Captain Walker, with eight hundred men, while escorting a wagon train, was attacked by two hundred rancheros, whom he charged, capturing six, killing ten, and pursuing the remainder as far as the darkness of night would admit. The 2d dragoons, who accompanied Walker, had six killed