Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/314



SCOTT AT CERRO GORDO.

ith sickness and famine stalking, like giant spectres, in his rear, Santa Anna returned to San Luis Potosi, followed by the remnant of the proud army so signally routed and repulsed, by an inferior force, on the field of Buena Vista. During his absence the city of Mexico had been the scene of continued tumult and confusion, and he now hurried to the capital, with a portion of his soldiers, to put an end to these disorders. The election of Gomez Farias to the Vice Presidency, as has been mentioned, was extremely unpopular. He appears to have been zealous and patriotic; but these were qualities which many of his countrymen could not, or did not appreciate. He attempted to enforce contributions from the church, for the support of the army and the prosecution of the war, which at once called down upon his head the denunciations of the clergy. The embers of discord were soon fanned into a flame; for several days the rival factions, unmindful of the prostrate condition of their country, fought like infuriated madmen, in the streets of Mexico; and the