Tell what you remember about— Jackson’s going to West Point. His life at West Point. The cadet who stole his musket. The important maxim. His age and rank when he left West Point. The war which was going on at that time.
CHAPTER III.
A Major of Artillery.
On the 9th day of March, 1847, thirteen thousand five hundred troops were landed in one day from the American fleet upon the sea-shore near Vera Cruz (Vā-rä Kroos).
This fine army, with its waving flags and bright guns, presented a scene of splendor which Lieutenant Jackson never forgot.
General Scott’s plan was to take the city of Vera Cruz by storm, and then march over the hills and valleys and lofty mountains to the City of Mexico.
This was a hard task, and cost many lives, as I will show you.
On the 13th of March, General Scott had placed his men all around the city of Vera Cruz and was ready for battle. On the 29th of March, after a fierce battle, the city was taken by the Americans. This was the first battle in which our hero took part, and it is said that he fought bravely.
Bird’s-Eye View of City of Mexico.
From Vera Cruz, the army marched on until it came to a mountain, on the crest of which was the strong fort of Cerro Gordo (Sĕr′-rō Gôr′-dō). Here, our troops were led by Captain Robert E. Lee, of the engineers, over a rough road planned by him, to the rear of the Mexicans. The Americans being in front of the Mexicans and also behind them, the latter were soon put to flight, leaving many men and guns on the battlefield.