armies went to sleep on the field of battle. But when
the next day dawned the Mexicans were gone. Santa Anna had led them
away during the night and General Taylor had won the greatest victory of
the war. He received a noble reward for it, for the following year he
was elected President of the United States.

The next thing done in this war was an attempt to capture the city of
Mexico, the capital of the country. The easiest way to get there was by
sea, for it was a long journey by land, so a fleet was got ready and an
army sent south on the Gulf of Mexico. This army was led by General
Winfield Scott, who had fought against the British in the War of 1812.

Onward they sailed till they came before the seaport city of Vera Cruz.
This had a strong fort, which was battered for four days by the American
cannon, when its walls were so shattered that the Mexicans gave it up.
In this way a good starting-point was gained.

But I would have you all know that the Americans had no easy road before
them. The city of Mexico lies in the center of the country on land that
is as high as many mountains, and the way to it from the coast goes
steadily upward, and has many difficult passes and rough places, where a
small force might stop an army.

[Illustration: THE STORMING OF CHAPULTEPEC.]

If the Mexicans had known their business and had possessed good generals
I am afraid the Americans might never have gotten up this rugged
road. The Mexicans had men enough but they wanted able leaders. At one
of the passes, named Cerro Gordo, Santa Anna waited with 15,000 men. The
Americans had only 9,000. It looked as if they might have to turn back.

What did they do? Why, they managed to drag a battery to the top of a
steep hill that overlooked the pass. And while these guns poured their
shot down on the astonished Mexicans the army attacked them in front. In
a few hours they were in full flight. Five generals, and 3,000 men were
taken prisoners, and Santa Anna himself came so near being taken that he
left his cork leg behind. Do you not think a general ought to have two
good legs when he has to run as often as Santa Anna had?

Onward they marched until not very far away lay the beautiful city of
Mexico. But here and there along the road were strong forts, and Santa
Anna had collected a large army, three times as large as that of the
Americans. You may see that General Scott had a very hard task before
him. But there is one way to get past fort