PRICE'S OPERATIONS.

629

but owing to the nature of the road, and the lateness of the hour of starting, they could not come up with the flying foe.

The Americans, at nine o'clock P. M., of March 7, took posses sion of Chihuahua. On the following morning, General Price selected about two hundred and fifty men, mostly mounted, and pursued the retreating Mexicans. At sunrise of the 9th, he reached the town of Santa Cruz de Rosales, sixty miles of Chihuahua, where the enemy had strongly fortified themselves. Here the general halted his troops and commenced a careful reconnoissance of his opponent's numbers and position. Notwithstanding the great superiority of the enemy in men, ammunition, and stores, he determined to attack their works by storm. Preparatory to this, he dismounted the commands of Rall and Walker, to act as infantry, and posting Beall's dragoons in reserve, to intercept the enemy's flight, in case of success, he chose the west side of the town for Rall's assault, and the south-east angle for Walker's. He then despatched Lieutenant Prince, with a flag of truce, to demand an unconditional surrender of the town and public property.

On receiving this summons General Trias, the Mexican leader, requested an interview with the American commander. His reasons for this request were the same as those for which he had previously protested against the march to Chihuahua-that official notice had arrived from the Mexican government of a treaty of peace having been signed by commissioners on behalf of both powers. General Trias solemnly affirmed that he himself had no doubt as to the truth of this statement, which, as he believed, would be confirmed in a few days by a courier express. On the credit of these assurances, General Price was willing to withdraw his forces for a few days, taking the precaution to besiege the town, and send for reinforcements.

IEUTENANT-COLONEL LANE,

with the expected reinforcements arrived about daylight of the 16th. They consisted of three companies of Missouri horse, under Lane, and Love's battery of artillery. With this accession to his numbers, General Price determined to risk an assault in order to end a siege which had become peculiarly trying to his soldiers. Careful re

connoissances convinced him that the enemy had expected this event

the small town of Carrizal, dis situated as to command all th command had orders to reco munication by establishing st: obtain information .espectin enemy.

On the night of March 6th, a small party of the advance but was unable to capture it. on the following morning, th with all haste, until he arrive mento. Here he was met by a ing the Mexican forces, who: huahua, on the ground that Mexican government, suspe: been concluded and signed by ments. Although this asse Price did not consider the would not receive the protes that two American officers 11 order to arrange terms of sented, naming Captain Mcl negotiators.

Fearful, however, of treacl moved his command rapidly march, he was met by some informed him that on the m hastily retreated, taking with

General Price had anticipat the day before, Beall's dragoc march over the mountains, t and possibly encounter the MThese troops executed their mi

E remaining military operations of the war may be
Summed up in a few words. General Lane left the

pital on the 17th of February, 1848, and after an unsuccessful attempt to capture General Paredes, at a hacienda called San Christoval, he subsequently endefeated a party commanded by Padre Jarauta, and capital on the 1st of March.

we attempts of Mr. Trist to establish peace, immediately les of Contreras and Churubusco, did not terminate his negotiator with the Mexican republic. Efforts were himself and General Scott, from time to time, for the inging about so desirable a result. These were at length success. In January, the general-in-chief laid before authorities the basis of a treaty, similar in its general e one formerly rejected. They appointed Luis G. do Conto, and Miguel Atristain as commissioners.

to take place on that part of the town which fronted the American camp, and had there prepared for it. To take advantage of this opinion, General Price determined on changing his original plan, and by moving rapidly to some weaker point, assault and carry it before the garrison could recover themselves.

Accordingly, at seven o'clock, A. M., he broke up his camp, and with his whole force, except Beall's dragoons, and a company of Missouri horse, marched to the western side of the town. Here Lieutenant-Colonel Lane, with two companies of the Missouri regiment, was ordered to support Love's battery, which had taken position within five hundred yards of the town, on the road leading to Chihuahua, and commanding the principal plaza and church, around and in which the enemy were strongly posted. Walker's battalion was placed towards the south; while between these two commands were four companies of Rall's troops, conducted by the general in person.

At half past ten, the American batteries opened. For nearly an hour a heavy fire was poured into the town, destroying houses, and other buildings, and gradually driving the enemy from their positions. It was answered by heavy guns and wall pieces, which produced, however, little or no effect upon the assailants. Shortly after sundown, the garrison surrendered. General Trias and forty-two of his principal officers were made prisoners; while eleven pieces of artillery, nine wall pieces, and five hundred and seventy-seven stand of arms fell into the hands of the Americans. The loss of the assailants was one lieutenant, two corporals, and one private killed; and nineteen men wounded; that of the enemy is stated by General Price to have been several hundred. On the 21st, General Armijo, ex-governor of New Mexico, surrendered himself to the victors.

This battle closed the military events of the war in California and New Mexico.

T

HE remaining military operations of the war may be summed up in a few words. General Lane left the capital on the 17th of February, 1848, and after an unsuccessful attempt to capture General Paredes, at a hacienda called San Christoval, he subsequently encountered and defeated a party commanded by Padre Jarauta, and returned to the capital on the 1st of March.

The abortive attempts of Mr. Trist to establish peace, immediately after the battles of Contreras and Churubusco, did not terminate his mission as a negotiator with the Mexican republic. Efforts were made both by himself and General Scott, from time to time, for the purpose of bringing about so desirable a result. These were at length crowned with success. In January, the general-in-chief laid before the Mexican authorities the basis of a treaty, similar in its general features to the one formerly rejected. They appointed Luis G. Cuevas, Bernardo Conto, and Miguel Atristain as commissioners.