This Week's Story
click here to play audio1840's: Can Mexico and the U.S. settle their differences without war?
This Week’s Story relives American history and the Bible through brief inspiring stories presented on mp3 audio recordings and text for reading.
You Do Not Own Me! part four
President Polk reached for his pen, and then stopped. I do not want a war with Mexico. If I ask General Taylor to take American soldiers and set up a camp along the Mexican border, will that start war between us?
Mexico has stopped diplomatic relations with us, since Texas was accepted into the United States as a state December 29, 1845.
How do we settle our arguments about our shared borders, debts, and Texas not being in Mexico? Can we negotiate with Mexico for territory?
Mexico’s Minister of Relations Bocanegra wrote that if Texas became a part of the United States, it would be considered a declaration of war. The U.S. must be prepared to defend its new citizens.
President Polk wrote to Brigadier General Zachary Taylor. “Travel without delay across the Sabine River into Texas. Take position at Corpus Christi on the Nueces River. Stay there until the Republic of Texas accepts annexation. Then, move immediately to the Rio Grande. Protect the American citizens living there.
Newspapers in Mexico were stirring people up for war and rejection of their President Herrera. He was a moderate and removed from office by Mexican General Mariano Paredes y Arrillaga, who had 7,000 troops with him. The new leader’s first act was to declare, “I will defend Texas as Mexican Territory all the way to the Sabine River.”
President Polk’s instructions were clear to General Taylor. Do not fire the first shot. If fired upon, return fire. General Taylor’s soldiers began their trip into southern Texas. There were 3,550 men. 1,490 were foreign-born-Irish, German, English, and Scotch. It was desert travel—ten miles a day for 20 days. Wind blowing dry, caking dust! Chaparral bushes with thousands of tiny needles! Old Rough and Ready, as General Taylor’s men called him, was with his men eating the same food, caring for his men. They respected his experience, humor, and courage.
They reached the Rio Grande and set up camp across from the Mexican garrison town of Matamoros. The general sent a representative with a white flag to the Mexican commandant, General Francisco Mejia, as a sign of peace. General Mejia refused to meet with him.
Three thousand Mexican soldiers arrived at the Mexican garrison. The Americans were outnumbered two to one. They received a message from the Mexican garrison general. “Return to Nueces River in 24 hours or there will be war.”
General Taylor sent word, “I am unable to come.”
The Mexican president ordered General Aarista, “Command the Mexican forces at Matamoros and begin hostilities!”
One thousand six hundred Mexican horsemen went upriver. General Taylor sent a recon patrol of 63 horsemen. The Americans were hugely outnumbered and surrounded. Sixteen were killed or wounded, and the rest captured.
May 13, 1846 the U.S. Congress declared war against Mexico.
Texas Rangers joined General Taylor. He said, “On the day of battle I am glad to have Texas soldiers with me, for they are brave and gallant; but I never want to see them before or after.”
Next week we conclude our Texas series. Please join us at thisweeksstory.com.
Today Todd Warren and Barbara Steiner have the pleasure of being with you.
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