Page:Harris Dickson--The unpopular history of the United States.djvu/134

The Unpopular History of the United States and by dark the Americans were masters of the field. The following day Taylor routed the Mexicans at Resaca de la Palma and drove them across the Rio Grande. Now, here's the point. Instead of having 8,000 men, General Taylor's force numbered 173 officers and 2,049 men, of whom 1,700 were engaged. His loss was 10 per cent — 170 killed and wounded. The enemy's force was estimated at 6,000 with a loss of 1,000. Reënforcements reached the Americans three days too late for salvation, if General Taylor had been overwhelmed.

In response to Taylor's call the veteran General Gaines at New Orleans promptly set to work organizing and equipping an army on his own responsibility. So rapidly did he proceed, calling on the Governors of Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri, that he sent 8,000 troops to General Taylor before he could be relieved of command and stopped.

And thereby hangs another distressing tale; 5,389 men were sent from Louisiana to General Taylor after the emergency had [116]