of the
American states.

Perhaps some of my readers may think that this story has much more to do
with the history of Mexico than that of the United States. But the
taking of Texas as a state was United States history, and so was what
followed. You know how one thing leads to another. Mexico did not feel
like giving up Texas so easily, and her rulers said that the United
States had no right to take it. It was not long before the soldiers of
the two countries met on the border lands and blood was shed. There was
a sharp fight at a place called Palo Alto, and a sharper one at a place
called Resaca de la Palma. In both of them the Mexicans were defeated.

Congress then declared war against Mexico, and very soon there was hard
fighting going on elsewhere. General Zachary Taylor, a brave officer,
who had fought the Seminole Indians in Florida, led the American troops
across the Rio Grande River into Mexico, and some time afterwards
marched to a place called Buena Vista. He had only five thousand men,
while Santa Anna was marching against him with twenty thousand--four to
one. General Taylor's army was in great danger. Santa Anna sent him a
message, asking him to surrender if he did not want his army cut to
pieces; but Rough and Ready, as Taylor's men called him, sent word back
that he was there to fight, not to surrender.

The battle that followed was a desperate one. It took place on February
23, 1847. The Mexican lancers rode bravely against the American lines
and were driven back at the cannon's mouth. For ten long hours the
fighting went on. The Mexicans gained the high ground above the pass and
put the American troops in danger. Charge after charge was made, but
like bulldogs the Yankee soldiers held their ground. On came the dashing
Mexican lancers, shouting their war-cry of "God and Liberty," and
charging a battery commanded by Captain Bragg. The lancers captured some
of the guns and drove the soldiers back. Captain Bragg sent a messenger
in haste to General Taylor, saying that he must have more men or he
could not hold his ground.

"I have no more men to send you," said Rough and Ready. "Give them a
little more grape, Captain Bragg."

The cannon were loaded with grape-shot and fired into the ranks of the
enemy, cutting great gaps through them. Again and again they were loaded
and fired, and then the fine Mexican cavalry turned and fled. They could
not stand any more of Captain Bragg's grape.

That night both