Soldiers of Conquest

by F. M. Parker

  The Bella Union had been acquired on that first day of occupation when shots had been fired from it and a squad of Americans had charged in and killed some of the snipers and routed the remainder. The Americans quickly recognized the possibilities of the Bella Union, a wide, three-story building with the first floor a restaurant and dance floor, the second a card parlor with more than two dozen tables, and the third the realm of a bevy of pretty whores. The Americans took possession of the building instead of destroying it as was their right because of shots having been fired from it.

  The rollicking, rowdy nature of the Bella Union came from the fact that an army of occupation was an entirely different animal from a fighting one. Much of the energy and daring that had won battles was now turned to gambling of various kinds; horseracing, cards, spinning wheels of chance, and whoring. Gambling was an epidemic and running rampant in the army from the generals down to the lowest private. Drink, women, and cards made a volatile mix. Men fought over cheating at cards, over a woman, or from simply being mean drunk. The fighting was always by fists for General Scott didn’t allow dueling with weapons.

  Some Americans had turned to robbery and murder of the native people; the town banks were frequent targets. Some thirty Americans caught committing crimes, had been lashed in the public plaza, five had been hung on the gibbet that Scott had had built there. Nearly four hundred Mexicans had received punishment in the same place and manner and before a large throng. Any Mexican caught carrying a weapon was given twenty lashes on the bare back. When an American was punished, Scott often ordered the one-third of soldiers on standby duty to witness it. He wanted a peaceful city and meant to have it.

  For officers who didn’t like Bella Union because of the gambling and the presence of whores, a higher class of women could be found at the dances in the gentlemanly Aztec Club. For enlisted men of the same bent, a dance partner was available at the dances held every Sunday at the former convent on Belemnites Street.

  Lee’s luck at cards was running the wrong direction and he had lost several dollars. Longstreet was the big winner.

  “We need to break Longstreet’s winning streak,” Sumner said.

  “Another player or two just might do that,” Lee said.

  “One of our new captains just came in,” Picket said and nodding toward the entryway to the second floor. “I’ve seen him playing cards.”

  The other three men looked in the direction of the entryway where Grant stood checking the room.

  “It’s about time Garland and Worth promoted him,” said Longstreet as he observed the smallish, slouched shouldered man. “I saw him at Churubusco. He was the fastest of any man there to get to where the fighting was the hottest.”

  “He doesn’t look much like a fighter, but he was in the thick of it at Humantla,” Sumner said.

  “He can join my brigade any time he wants to,” Longstreet said.

  Lee climbed to his feet and called out. “Grant, we need another player over here. Are you game?”

  Grant knew he had come to the right place when he stepped thought the door of the Bella Union and the music and the noisy camaraderie of the soldiers struck him with a pleasant physical force. He bought a drink at the bar, took a sip, and watched the whirling dancers for a minute before climbing to the second floor and the card games.

  He was surprised when Lee called out to him. He raised his drink in acknowledgement of the invitation, and wound a way through the tables with the sound of the clink of coins, the call of bets, and the shuffle of cards all around him. He felt self-conscious with the new captain’s straps on his shoulders as he came toward the table of the four older men, all colonels. Looking at the situation another way, he had fought in as many battles as any of them, and twice as many as Scott’s favorite officer, Lee. He felt better after that comparison.

  Grant stopped at the table. “What’s the game?” he asked as he took a seat.

  “A friendly game of five card draw,” Longstreet said.

  “I hope you brought plenty of money for Longstreet’s on a roll.” Lee said.

  “Let’s play,” Longstreet said and began to shuffle the cards.

  The cards were dealt and the playing began with each man measuring and challenging his fellow officers’ luck and skill.

  “How‘re the negotiations for the treaty going?” Sumner asked Lee.

  “Nowhere as far as I know,” Lee replied. “At the rate we’re moving, I don’t know when we’ll have a treaty.” He could say nothing more for he had been ordered not to discuss Nicholas Trist’s decision. Scott, Thornton, and President Pena had for the past several days been urging Trist to remain in Mexico and continue the negotiations on a treaty even though he had no authority to do so. Scott had made the argument that if a treaty was agreed upon and it conformed to Trist’s original instructions, that Polk and the congress would accept it. Lee thought the same. Trist had finally made his decision, and that was to stay in the Mexican capital and meet with the commissioners and try to reach an agreement until the president had responded to his letter requesting a delay in leaving for Washington. He had insisted the meetings would be unofficial and must be held in secrecy. Scott had promised Trist his full support in the event Polk or anybody else should accuse him of a traitorous act.

  “I believe by the laws of conquest that we have the right to dictate the terms of the peace,” Longstreet said.

  “And take as much of their land and wealth as we want,” Pickett said.

  “I agree, though we did bully Mexico into war and she was the weaker nation,” Grant said. “However now that we’re here I’d set a time limit and if the Mexican government didn’t come to terms on a treaty, then we should march across the country up to the boundary of Texuantepec or Osaqualco or whatever southern line Polk or the congress should think proper for the U. S. I’d think the Mexicans would then waste no time in making a treaty. I might make a rough diplomat, but a tolerably quick one.”

  “General Scott feels the same way,” Lee said. “And to force the Mexican hand, I’m to start tomorrow to guide army detachments to occupy Cuernavaca, Toluca, Pachuca, and Orizaba where they’ll collect taxes. And other towns later if the first four don’t bring the negotiations to an end.” Scott’s army had grown to 15,000 strong and large enough to occupy outlying towns. This increase in size had occurred within the past three weeks when General Patterson, one of Lee’s favorite officers, had returned to Mexico with a division of 3,000 men. Then General William Butler had arrived with 4,000, and Colonel Joseph Johnson with 1,500.

  “I’ve been to Toluca and nearly to Cuernavaca on foraging trips and have maps of the roads in those directions that you’re welcome to use,” Grant said.

  “I know the road to Toluca for I’ve been there,” Lee said. “I’ll be going to Cuernavaca first and would like to see your map

  “I’ll bring it by your quarters after we’re finished playing cards.”

  “I’ve a better idea. Why not come with me and be the guide?

  “My duties are caught up and I’m sure I can get permission to do that.”

  “Then I’ll plan on it,” Lee said

  “Back to the game, fellows, for I want to at least break even before we stop,” Sumner said.

  *

  Grant and Lee halted their horses on the summit of the mountains rimming the southern boundary of the valley that held the Mexican capital. As the mounts caught their wind after the steep climb, the men rolled and lit cigarettes and surveyed the land about them. In the bright mid-day sun the valleys and the forested mountains stood out in sharp relief. On the winding road behind and before them, people on foot, donkeys pulling carts, horses and oxen drawing wagons, and men on horseback were seen coming and going.

  “No country was ever more blessed by nature than Mexico,” Lee said and indicating the land with a broad sweep of his hand. “Every fruit and grain and vegetable grows on the rich volcanic soil. And there’s grazing land for hundreds of thousands of cattle, sheep, and g
oats. Yet most of the people are poor with the wealth concentrated in the hands of the Creoles, the Catholic Church, and the army generals. What’s needed is a stable and fair government so that the ordinary people can get what’s due them.”

  “I agree,” Grant said. “I’ve heard that many influential people in the States are pushing a plan for us to take all of Mexico and annex it, and then give the 300,000 immigrants pouring into our country from Europe each year land here in Mexico. They say that Mexico with democracy would bloom.”

  “I don’t agree with taking all of Mexico.”

  “I don’t think we should either, but we are an army of conquest,” Grant said. “I see one benefit from us being here. We may have headed off some other strong nation, most likely France or England from eventually taking Mexico over entirely. The question is, how much of Mexico will President Polk settle for, and how much will he pay for what he takes.”

  “Best we be on our way,” Lee said. He knew the terms of Polk’s proposal but it wasn’t his place to disclose them.

  Lee sent his horse off along the road. Grant reined his horse in beside the colonel. They rode at a trot down the road that would lead them past Popocatepatl with its snow capped peak and onward to Cuernavaca.

  Both men were armed with a pair of pistols, a carbine, and their sabers, still Grant would have preferred a few Dragoons to be with them. Guerillas were frequently striking groups of Americans caught on the highways. The colonel hadn’t mentioned taking along an escort, and for a mere captain to suggest it would seem to say the colonel didn’t know what he was doing.

  *

  When Cuernavaca came into view two miles ahead, Lee and Grant examined it for a few minutes and then turned back along the road on their return journey to Mexico City. They had added features to Grant’s map, plotting the cross roads, the streams, and campgrounds suitable for the detachment of American soldiers that would soon come marching this way. A copy of the completed map was made for Lee

  They had gone a short ways and were drawing near dense woods that the road cut through, when six riders came out from hiding among the trees. At a word from the leader, a spindly man with a hatchet sharp face and bulging black eyes, and mounted on a cream colored horse, the riders divided with three on each side of the road. Holding their lariats coiled with the nooses open and positioned for quick throwing, they sat their horses and waited as the Americans came closer. Long endured hate showed in the leader’s black eyes. Now too there was a look of anticipation of inflicting punishment upon the Yankees.

  “They want us to run and then they’ll lasso and drag us,” Grant said as he and Lee stopped their mounts back some 100 feet from the Mexicans. He had seen the battered corpses of Americans that had been roped around the neck and dragged behind a running horse until dead.

  “Well I don’t feel like playing the hound and hare game with them. Or riding around them either.” Lee’s voice betrayed no emotion.

  “Neither do I,” Grant said and felt his urge to fight come afire.

  “Captain Grant,” Lee said being very formal, “I’ve heard that you’re an excellent pistol shot, is that so?”

  “Colonel Lee, I usually hit what I aim at.” Grant wasn’t going to be out done in formality.

  With a deliberate motion, Lee pointed a finger at the horseman who had given the order to the others, and was on Grant’s side of the road. With a sharp, commanding voice, he said, ”Captain, kill that man if one of them moves to throw his lariat, or to pull a gun.”

  “Yes, sir.” Grant had drawn both of his pistols and eared back the hammers. Now he raised the guns above his horse’s head where the Mexicans could plainly see them. He wished he had a couple of the five-shooters of the Rangers for then he could have killed all six of the Mexicans. He focused on the man at whom Lee had pointed, and the two nearest him. He saw the leader’s face lose the look of anticipation and take on one of much uncertainty.

  Lee drew his pair of pistols and cocked them. “Forward, captain, and we’ll see if they really want to use their ropes, or go for their pistols.”

  They touched their mounts with spurs and walked them down the road. They came within forty feet of the waiting Mexicans, thirty, then less and were within reaching distance of the lariats.

  Grant pointed his right hand pistol at the center of the leader’s face, giving him a good look down the open bore of the gun. He saw the man’s eyes waver as his will to fight crumpled. The man called out and Grant understood the words, “Do nothing. Let them pass.”

  The Mexicans parted, backing their horses off the road.

  Lee and Grant rode on, and turning in the saddle so as to always have the Mexicans in view and under their guns. They moved on until past their foes.

  “At a trot, captain,” Lee said.

  Still looking to the rear, the officers rolled spurs gently across the flanks of their steeds and raised them to a slow trot. The Mexicans remained motionless and staring after them. They fell from sight as the road curved away through the woods.

  “They didn’t want to fight with guns, captain,” Lee said.

  “No, sir, just throw their lariats that’s all,” Grant said. The colonel was all right.

  *

  “Captain, I’ll part company with you here,” Lee said. He and Grant had arrived on the outskirts of Mexico City after three days of hard riding and now he wanted food, a warm bath, and a night’s sleep on a soft bed.

  “Yes, sir,” Grant said.

  Lee rode on along the Belen Road toward the capital. In the morning he would leave to scout the road to Orizaba, and then when that was completed the road to Pachuca. The days ahead would be busy ones.

  Grant turned left on the road to Tacubaya and his brigade headquarters to announce his return to Garland, who had been promoted to brigadier general for his stalwart action at Churubusco.

  CHAPTER 49

  The four men dipped their pens in the inkwells and signed the duplicate copies of the three-page peace treaty as they were passed to them. Nicholas Trist and the Mexicans were meeting in secrecy as they had since President Polk had stripped Trist of his authority to negotiate. They had chosen Guadalupe Hidalgo the location of Mexico’s most venerated shrine for today’s meeting because what they were doing was an event of memorable importance to both nations.

  Lee was once again accompanying Trist during his discussions and acting as guard and General Scott’s military representative. The Mexicans had been tenacious and difficult bargainers and found fault with every one of Trist’s offer of terms for a treaty. Still Trist had finally brought the commissioners, with President Pena approval, to the signing of the treaty.

  Reaching this point had been very difficult. The date was February 2, 1848 and four months had passed since Trist had placed himself in jeopardy of Polk’s anger by continuing with the negotiations. Just three days past, Trist had made his final offer of $15,000,000 for the land Polk had instructed him to acquire. The Mexicans had immediately demanded $30,000,000. At that Trist lost his patience with the intransigent commissioners and declared the negotiations at an end and he was returning to Washington. In the strongest language he told then that by their refusal to accept the reality that the Americans controlled their country that they were in the greatest danger of losing all of it to the Yankee President. With that said, he and Lee had left to report to Scott.

  British Minister Doyle upon hearing of Trist breaking off negotiations came with Thornton to Scott’s headquarters. He explained to Trist and Scott that President Pena feared a revolution against him and that was the reason he and the commissioners wouldn’t come to an agreement. To that Scott had spoken with much heat. “Then tell Pena that I will protect him against any revolution should a treaty be signed. But if not signed promptly, then I will dislodge his government myself and hunt him like a deer through the mountains.” Upon being told this by the Britishers, Pena quickly responded by asking Trist to meet with the commissioners.

  The last signature, Trist’s
, was attached to the treaty and the scratching pen laid down. Trist picked up one copy and gently folded it.

  “We have what President Polk wanted,” he said in English to Lee and radiating relief and satisfaction.

  “You did it, Nicholas,” Lee said. Trist was a brave man and Lee was glad his huge gamble paid off. However there were yet obstacles to overcome; Polk had to give his blessing to the treaty and then the American Congress must ratify it. Following that, the Mexican Congress had to be persuaded to approve it.

  Trist and Lee solemnly shook hands with the Mexicans and left by the rear door of the private residence loaned to them for the meeting. Waiting for them in the rear yard were Dominguez and three other men of the Mexican Spy Company. All were well armed. They were here to protect Trist and the Mexican negotiators from being assassinated for there were powerful men who did not want a treaty that gave land to the Americans.

  Lee and Trist mounted and followed the Mexican riders through the gate in the wall and into an alley. As they came out onto the main street, three more of Dominguez’s men fell in behind them. Lee felt safe with the men of the Spy Company for they had proved their dependability time and again.

  *

  “Let me see the document,” General Scott said, his broad face wreathed in a smile of anticipation.

  Trist unfolded the pages of the treaty and in a slow, almost teasing way, and handed them to Scott. Present also in the general’s office were Lee and Captain Scott.