Chapter XXVII.

Unhappily the conduct of Colonel Gates was sanctioned by high authority. The Commander-in-Chief, seated in the conquered Capital of .the Repubhc, issued an order on the 12th December, 1847, which adds no honor to his character as a man or a soldier. The baggage trains of the army had often been attacked by guerillas, in the long- route between Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico, and the General now attempted to keep open his communication with Yera Cruz, from which place alone he could receive ammunition, &c., by a system of severity towards those who had scarcely any other method left of annoying the invaders. The preamble to his order betrays not only his object, but his consciousness that some apology was REVIEW OF THE iMEXICAN WAR. 207 needed for his sanguinaiy decree. " The highways used, or about to be used by the American troops, being still infested in many parts by those atrocious bands called guerillas and rancheros who, under instructions from the late Mexltan authorities, continue to violate every rule of warfare observed by civilized nations, it has become neces- sary to announce to all, the view^s and instructions of General Head Quarters on the subject." We are then informed, " No quarter will be given to known murderers or robbers, Whether guerillas or rancheros, and whether serving under Mexican commissions or not." Offenders of this character " accidentally falling into the hands of Ame- rican troops, will be momentarily held as prisoners, that is, not put to death without due solemnity." This due solemnit}^ is to be the sentence of three or more officers who are to sentence to death or lashes, on proof that the prisoner belonged to any gang of murderers or robbers, or had mui'dered or robbed any one belonging to or fol- lowing the American army. By murder, is here obviously meant, killing any of the guard accompanying a baggage train, and by robbery, carrying away any property belong- to the enemies of Mexico.