Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/323

Rh was published on the 24th that the federation and the most ample liberty were now restored. The celebration of Santa Anna's return and of the restoration of the federal system took place at the capital on the 14th of September with much magnificence. Both authorities and people were full of hope. Santa Anna had come back under favorable auspices; parties, setting aside old bickerings, grouped themselves under the national standard that Santa Anna was to raise and carry in a succession of victories throughout the campaign against the foreign invader. He seemed to understand his position, and in the retirement of Tacubaya affected unwillingness to meddle with government affairs, and devoted his attention to organizing the expedition he intended to lead to the north. He urged the government to forward troops to the frontier without delay, and a force of 3,000 men was accordingly started from the capital on the 28th of September, with Santa Anna at its head, for San Luis Potosí.The force consisted of the 2d, 4th, and 5th hussars, and the light squadron of Puebla; Ist and 11th light infantry, and the 2d activo de Méjico; besides foot and light artillery. These were the remnants of the troops that had been stationed at the capital. It may be said that the organization of the Mexican army differed but very little from the European, namely, light and heavy infantry, light cavalry and dragoons, engineers, and field and siege artillery, with the corresponding staff, including the medical, pay, commissary, and other necessary departments. Besides the regular army, the republic had active and reserve militia, and a number of companies intended specially for guarding against Indian raids. At the time the differences with the U. S. assumed a warlike aspect, Mexico had in service the forces in the north under Paredes and Arista, and those under Inclan stationed in Jalapa and Vera Cruz. Several bodies were also in Texas. According to an official letter, dated Dec. 2, 1845, from Minister of war Anaya, the existing force consisted of 14,770 foot, 7,050 cavalry, including 35 presidial companies and 12 active companies of militia of the same class, and 1,731 artillerymen. He demanded a large increase to place the army on a war footing, and also called for the organization of the national guard to serve as an auxiliary force for defending coasts and preserving order in the interior. The total force required for active war according to that report would be 65,087 men. The cost was computed at $1,172,539 monthly, besides pensions, extra allowances, rations, and other unavoidable expenses. Peña y Peña, Comunicacion, 36-40. The Mexican officers and men thought themselves invincible; that opinion being not merely the result of national pride, but also of the supposition that they