"To
"GENERAL Z. TAYLOR,
"Commanding the Forces of the United States.
"God and Liberty!

"You are surrounded by 20,000 men, and cannot, in any human
probability, avoid suffering a route, and being cut to pieces
with your troops; but as you deserve consideration and particular
esteem, I wish to save you from a catastrophe, and for that
purpose give you this notice, in order that you may surrender at
discretion, under the assurance that you will be treated with the
consideration belonging to the Mexican character, to which end
you will be granted an hour's time to make up your mind, to
commence from the moment when my flag of truce arrives in your
camp.

"With this view, I assure you of my particular consideration,

"Antonio LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA."

To this summons I immediately replied in these terms: (p. 339)

"Headquarters, Army Of Occupation,
"Near Buena Vista, February 22, 1847.

"SENOR GENERAL DON ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA,
"Commander-in-Chief, La Encantada.

"Sir: In reply to your note of this date, summoning me to
surrender my forces at discretion, I beg leave to say that I
decline acceding to your request.

"With high respect, I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
"Z. TAYLOR,
"_Major-General United States Army_, _commanding_."

The enemy still forbore his attack, evidently waiting for the
arrival of his rear columns, which could be distinctly seen by
our look-outs as they approached the field. A demonstration made
on his left caused me to detach the 2d Kentucky regiment and a
section of artillery to our right, in which position they
bivouacked for the night. In the mean time the Mexican light
troops had engaged ours on the extreme left (composed of parts of
the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry dismounted, and a rifle
battalion from the Indiana brigade, under Major Gorman, the whole
commanded by Colonel Marshall), and kept up a sharp fire,
climbing the mountain side, and apparently endeavoring to gain
our flank. Three pieces of Captain Washington's battery had been
detached to the left, and were supported by the 2d Indiana
regiment. An occasional