The Mexicans, though beaten so often, did not lose their spirits. Their great general, Santa Anna, soon collected an army of more than twenty thousand men, and advanced towards Monterey. Now General Taylor’s army was much reduced in numbers, and the most of his troops were volunteers, who had never been in battle. But he resolved to await the attack of the great Mexican army at a place called Buena Vista. On the 22d of February, Santa Anna appeared and attacked the Americans; but was repulsed. The great battle was fought on the next day. It commenced early in the morning, and continued until night put an end to the work of death. The Mexicans almost overwhelmed the little army under General Taylor; but each man fought like a hero, and every attack of the enemy was repulsed. Captain Bragg gave them plenty of grape-shot. Three times during the day, was the American army saved by the skill and effect with which the artillery was managed. At length night came, and the exhausted troops sank down on the field. The next morning, the Mexican army had retreated and could not be found. General Taylor had therefore gained a victory over an army more than four times as large as his own. [Illustration: BRAGG, ASKING SUCCOR.] [Illustration: DONIPHAN CROSSING THE DESERT OF DEATH.] DONIPHAN’S MARCH. The Americans, under the command of General Kearney, having taken possession of New Mexico, Colonel Doniphan with a regiment of mounted riflemen, was ordered to march to Chihuahua, and join General Wool. The country between Santa Fe and Chihuahua was very little known, and therefore when Colonel Doniphan set out he did not expect to encounter the toils and dangers he afterwards met. A vast and dreary desert was to be traversed, and a hostile people to be dealt with. Colonel Doniphan began his march on the 17th of December, 1846, and soon after reached the tract of country called by the Mexicans the “desert of death,” where the bones of murdered men and famished animals were strewn along the road, and where not a drop of water nor a blade of grass met the eyes of the traveller. After passing through this desert, the troops reached Bracito, where they repulsed an attack made by the Mexicans. Doniphan was reinforced soon after, and marched for Chihuahua. Near that place he again defeated the enemy. He remained six weeks at Chihuahua, and seeing nothing of General Wool, marched to meet General Taylor. [Illustration: GENERAL PRICE AT TAOS.] CAPTURE OF TAOS.