General Lee marched from
Puebla (Mexico) in October, 1847, to attack the
Mexican General Rea, of
Santa Ana's army, at
Atlixco, 30 miles from that place.
Lane's cavalry first encountered
Rea's advanced guard, and skirmished until the arrival of his infantry, when the Mexicans fell back towards
Atlixco, keeping up a running fight.
Less than 2 miles from that place their main body was discovered (Oct. 18, 1847).
Lane's cavalry dashed in among them and drove them into a thick chaparral, which the horses could not enter.
The cavalry dismounted, entered the thicket, and there a long and fierce hand-to-hand encounter ensued.
The rest of the
Americans coming up, the Mexicans were forced into the town, when
Lane's artillery, posted on a hill, cannonaded the place most severely by the light of the moon.
The
Mexicans were driven away with much loss.
At
Atlixco Santa Ana's troops finally deserted him, and he fled alone towards the coast.
So ended the active hostilities of the
Mexican War.