The Good or Evil Side: Matamoros 1846 by Dan Gooder Richard

Author:Dan Gooder Richard
Format: epub

AMPUDIA’S HEADQUARTERS

PALACIO DE ARMAS/MATAMOROS

14 APRIL 1846

AMPUDIA WAITED three days for reinforcements of three thousand men to arrive in Matamoros under the command of General Torrejón. All the while he secretly made preparations to attack the Americans the day after arrival of the reinforcing troops. In the interim the new Mexican commander busied himself with tweaking the American General. Ampudia’s first broadside demanded General Taylor and his army withdraw within twenty-four hours.

Ampudia wrote:

“To Don Z. Taylor…I require you in all form – and at the latest in the preemptory term of twenty-four hours – to break up your camp and return to the east bank of the Nueces River while our governments are regulating the pending question in relation to Texas. If you insist on remaining upon the soil of the Department of Tamaulipas it will certainly result that arms – and arms alone – must decide the question; and in that case I advise you that we accept the war to which – with so much injustice on your part – you provoke us.…”

Taylor responded. Polite but without doubt of his resolve:

“I regret the alternative which you offer; but at the same time wish it understood that I shall by no means avoid such alternative. If it should come to war let it be known that it will not be the United States that fires the first shot.”

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