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Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing) 22 0 Browse Search
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Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Arista, Mariano, 1802- (search)
Arista, Mariano, 1802- A Mexican military officer; born at San Luis Potosi, July 26, 1802. Receiving a military education, he served in the Spanish army until June, 1821, when he joined the Mexican revolutionists. He rose rapidly to the rank of brigadier-general; and in June, 1833, he was made, by Santa Ana (q. v.), second in command of the Mexican army. Joining another leader in an unsuccessful revolt, he was expelled from Mexico, and came to the United States. In 1835 he returned, and was restored to his rank in the army, and made Judge of the Supreme Tribunal of War. He was taken prisoner by the French at Vera Cruz (Dec. 5, 1838), but was soon released on parole. In 1839 he became general-in-chief of the northern division of the army, and received the Cross of honor for defeating insurgents. Though only a military commander, he was for some time the real ruler of Mexico when Herrera was President in 1844. Commanding at the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca De La Palma (q.
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Brown, Fort, (search)
four hours, as he claimed the territory around Fort Brown belonged to the Department of Tamaulipas. a part of Mexico. Taylor refused to do so: and when he had gone hack to Point Isabel with a part of his forces, leaving Major Brown in command. Arista crossed the river with some troops to attack the fort. His army was hourly increasing in strength. On the night of May 4 the Mexicans erected a battery behind the fort. and early the next morning opened a heavy fire from it upon the fortificatred upon the fort on the 3d, hurled shot and shell, but with little effect, for Brown had erected bomb-proof shelter. Almost at the beginning of the bombardment, the gallant commander was killed. The bombardment continued thirty-six hours, when Arista demanded a surrender of the fort. It was refused, and towards evening (April 6) a heavy tempest of shot and shell fell upon the fort. The fort withstood the attack until relieved by approaching troops under General Taylor. See Mexico, War with
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Mexico, War with (search)
eral Taylor, April 12, the withdrawal of his troops within twenty-four hours. Taylor refused, and continued to strengthen Fort Brown. Ampudia hesitated, when General Arista was put in his place as commander-in-chief of the Northern Division of the Army of Mexico. He was strongly reinforced, and the position of the Army of Occupaof the 7th, with a little more than 2,000 men, having been reinforced by Texan volunteers and marines from the fleet. At noon the next day he fought and defeated Arista, with 6,000 troops, at Palo Alto (q. v.). At 2 A. M. the next day his wearied army was summoned to renew its march, and, towards evening, fought a more sanguinary battle with the same Mexicans, at Resaca De La Palma (q. v.). Again the Americans were victorious. The Mexican army in Texas was now completely broken up. Arista saved himself by solitary flight General Taylor's attack on Monterey. across the Rio Grande. The garrison at Fort Brown was relieved. In the mean while, Congress ha
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Palo Alto, battle of (search)
Palo Alto, battle of On a part of a prairie in Texas, about 8 miles northeast of Matamoras, Mexico, flanked by ponds and beautified by tall trees (which gave it its name), General Taylor, marching with less than 2,300 men from Point Isabel towards Fort Brown, encountered about 6,000 Mexicans, led by General Arista, in 1846. At a little past noon a furious battle was begun with artillery by the Mexicans and a cavalry attack with the lance. The Mexicans were forced back, and, after a contest of about five hours, they retreated to Resaca de la Palma and encamped. They fled in great disorder, having lost in the engagement 100 men killed and wounded. The Americans lost fifty-three men. During the engagement Major Ringgold, commander of the American Flying Artillery, which did terrible work in the ranks of the Mexicans, was mortally wounded by a small cannonball that passed through both thighs and through his horse. Rider and horse both fell to the ground. The latter was dead; th
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Paredes y Arrillaga, Mariano 1797- (search)
Paredes y Arrillaga, Mariano 1797- Military officer; born in Mexico City in 1797; became an active participant in the political events in Mexico in 1820. When, upon the annexation of Texas to the United States (1845), President Herrera endeavored to gain the acquiescence of the Mexicans to the measure, Paredes assisted him, and with 25,000 men defeated Santa Ana, who was banished. Afterwards Paredes, with the assistance of Arista, defeated Herrera, and was installed President of Mexico June 12, 1845. The next day he took command of the army, leaving civil affairs in the hands of Vice-President Bravo. He was at the head of the government on the breaking-out of war with the United States (May, 1846). When Santa Ana reappeared in Mexico, Paredes was seized and confined, but escaped to Havana. Going to Europe, lie sought to place a Spanish or French prince at the head of the Mexicans. He afterwards returned to Mexico City, where he died on Sept. 11, 1849.
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Polk, James Knox 1795-1849 (search)
was necessarily confided to the judgment of the general in command. The Mexican forces at Matamoras assumed a belligerent attitude, and on April 12 General Ampudia, then in command, notified General Taylor to break up his camp within twenty-four hours, and to retire beyond the Nueces River, and in the event of his failure to comply with these demands announced that arms, and arms alone, must decide the question. But no open act of hostility was committed until April 24. On that day General Arista, who had succeeded to the command of the Mexican forces, communicated to General Taylor that he considered hostilities commenced, and should prosecute them. A party of dragoons of sixty-three men and officers were on the same day despatched from the American camp up the Rio del Norte, on its left bank, to ascertain whether the Mexican troops had crossed or were preparing to cross the river, became engaged with a large body of these troops, and after a short affair, in which some sixtee
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Resaca de la Palma, battle of (search)
merican lines. The battle grew fiercer every moment. The chaparral, an almost impenetrable thicket near, was swarming with Mexicans and blazing with the fire of their muskets. Finally, after a fearful struggle, the camp and headquarters of General Arista were captured and the Mexicans completely routed. Arista fled, a solitary fugitive, and escaped across the Rio Grande. So sudden had been his discomfiture that his plate and correspondence, with arms, equipments, and ammunition for severalArista fled, a solitary fugitive, and escaped across the Rio Grande. So sudden had been his discomfiture that his plate and correspondence, with arms, equipments, and ammunition for several thousand men, besides 2,000 horses, fell into the hands of the victors. La Vega and some other captive officers were sent to New Orleans on parole. The Mexicans having been reinforced during the night of the 8th, it was estimated that they had 7,000 men on the battle-field; the Americans less than 2,000. The former lost, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, about 1,000; the latter, 110. The Mexican army was broken up. See Mexico, War with.