Sketches of the campaign in northern Mexico : in eighteen hundred forty-six and seven / by an officer of the First Regiment of Ohio volunteers.

16 f'THE WAR RECOGNISED.
and capturing some officers and small detachments of our
army. Encouraged by the good fortune attending these skirmishes, and the comparatively small number of the opposing
camp, General Arista, on the 1st of May, passed his army to
the Texan bank of the Rio Grande, and displayed there, for
the last time, the banner of his arrogant and vain-glorious
country. Learning the hostile attitude of the Mexican general, the American commander immediately called upon the
States of Louisiana and Texas for troops. In the meantime7
hle determined to keep open the communication between his
lepio"t at Point Isabel and his camp opposite Matamoros, both
)f which were now seriously menaced,-Arista having taken
mn intermediate position, at Palo Alto, with the design of
obrcing a battle. Notwithstanding the disparity of numbers,
laylor did not decline the combat; but in a characteristic
lespatch from Point Isabel, May 7th, he informed his governnent that he should march that day for Matamoros, and adds,
if the enemy oppose my march, in whatever force, I shall
ight him."
The Federal government, meanwhile, informed of the critcal position of its army, was seized with apprehension for.s safety and success; and, on the 11th of May, the President
sent a message to Congress communicating the startling intelligence that war existed with Mexico, and this almost before the -announcement that annexation was a " bloodless
itchievement"9 had ceased to echo through the halls of the
-apitol. On the following day, a bill was passed, by large
majorities in both branches of the National Legislature, rec)gnizing the war; appropriating ten millions of dollars, and