"What did I miss?" America questioned, on his return to Taylor. It had taken awhile to locate the man, unable to make use of government informational sources on the off chance they might tell Polk he'd been MIA for the past several months. But he had finally reached him, though his sentiment on the war had changed little since his departure.
"We've secured the Northern parts of Mexico, as you've probably heard. They've sent Mr. Scott down to take on Mexico City, and I hear he's nearing it by the day. A good deal of my men are with him." Taylor explained, a smile on his face. "It shouldn't be too long now before this whole mess is over with. How was your trip?"
"Good," America answered, sighing to himself. "It didn't changed my opinion on the war much."
"Why is it so troubling to you all of a sudden?" Taylor inquired, curious. "If you don't mind me asking, that is."
"No, it's just…" America hesitated, mentally gauging how Taylor would react. "You know how I'm America? Mexico is…Mexico is a girl. And it doesn't feel right to be fighting a woman. It's not something any good man should do."
Taylor looked off to the side for a moment, contemplating this new information. "Well," he began once his thoughts were in order. "For a girl, she's put up a hell of a fight, if you'll excuse my language. She sure can handle herself."
"Yeah," America agreed with a wry smile. "That's true, isn't it?" But his voice lacked enthusiasm.
"It's war, kid," Taylor clapped him on the shoulder comfortingly. "Sometimes, it doesn't turn out fair. But I fight for my country, to keep all the women and children safe. And I utilize my men to the best of my ability to keep as many safe as I can. You've just got to do the best you can in circumstances."
America thought for a moment, before a genuine grin came to his face. "Thanks, Mr. Taylor. That really means a lot."
"Don't mention it, Mr. America," Taylor replied, jokingly. "I thought I asked you to call me Zack."
The smile on the young Nation's face widened. "If you'll call me Alfred."
"Alfred?" Taylor replied, confused.
"That's my…human name," he responded after awhile, his content expression hardly faltering with the pause. "Thanks for the advice. I'm going to head down to Mexico City, and see what I can do. I don't want to fight…but there has to be some way I can help."
"Good luck!" Taylor shook the young Nation's hand once more, before he gathered together some basic supplies, and set off again. This time, into the heart of the fray.
Upon arrival, America found himself caught up in the skirmishes around the city. The Americans seemed to be winning, as usual, but there were still causalities on both sides, corpses scattered here and there. He'd decided to try and find Mexico, and see if he couldn't settle something with her. From what he'd heard, the constant battles were starting to take their toll on her troops and government.
Not much later, a lull came over the fighting, both sides retreating to refuge, dragging their injured with them. America tried not to look at all the Mexicans, lying face down in the soil. So many more than their own…and the prisoners being carried away.
Scott caught sight of him, as the young Nation was wandering aimlessly through the field, and grabbed his wrist to catch his attention. Startled, America jumped and nearly smacked the man in the face, thinking him an enemy.
"Watch it," was Scott's reply, expression remaining composed as he updated America on the ongoing events. "We've nearly gotten them now, but they just won't surrender. President Polk sent over a negotiator…he's back at the camp if you'd like to talk to him. He's to try and make a treaty with the Mexicans as soon as this city falls."
America was confused by the hint of distaste he detected in the man's voice at the mention of the commissioner. "I'd like to see him, if that's all right with you. I'd like to be of some help in the negotiations, so it would be good to get to know him."
"Suit yourself," was all Scott said, in a well-mannered tone, leading America to the man with stiffly polite small talk, none of which America paid much attention to.
"There you go," he said, when they finally reached the tent that seemed to be serving as the center of command. Scott ducked his head inside, after allowing America in first, conveying a brief synopsis of the current state of battle affairs, before moving off quickly, as if pleased to be out of there.
Trist was a decent man, pleasant enough. America could not figure out why Scott seemed to dislike him. After explaining to him how matters had progressed thus far—a series of events the blond was now beginning to be familiar with—he had asked him a few questions, about his experiences with Taylor the past few months. America answered him vaguely, drawing on the smatterings of knowledge he'd been told on the period of his absence.
Much to his surprise, it had satisfied the man, who eventually excused himself on account of feeling ill. America, at Trist's suggestion, also decided to rest awhile. The war might be almost over, but he had a feeling the final steps wouldn't be so easy to accomplish.
Historical Notes: Fearing Taylor's growing popularity, Polk placed General Winfield Scott in charge of the campaign against Mexico City, what would be the most difficult part of the war. Polk tried to get Congress to make Thomas Hart Benton a lieutenant general, merely to have a Democrat in a level of control, but the Senate was smart enough to decline this proposal. There was no doubt of Scott's competence, but he was probably more of a threat to the Democrats than Taylor, because he had political ambitions as well as military ability. Nearly 6 ½ feet tall, he had a commanding presence, intelligent, even-tempered, and cultivated, if somewhat pompous. He was responsible for most of the army's improvements since the War of 1812.
Scott landed his army south of Veracruz, Mexico. On March 9, 1847, he laid siege to the city, and obtained it's surrender in less than three weeks losing only a few of his 10,000 men. He proceeded Westward, maintaining effective discipline. When he was blocked at Cerro Gordo by a large army and well-placed artillery, he outflanked the Mexican position and stormed it, capturing more than 3,000 prisoners and much equipment. By mid-May, he had reached Puebla, only 80 miles southeast of Mexico City.
After delaying until August for reinforcements, he pressed on, winning two hard-fought victories at the outskirts of the capital, and on September 14, he hammered his way into the city. In every battle, the American troops were outnumbered, but they always came away with far less damage than the Mexicans. In the fighting on the edge of Mexico City, for example, the Americans lost about 1000. The Mexicans put up a valiant fight, 4,000 being hurt or killed, and another 3,000 taken prisoner.
As soon as the news of the capture of Veracruz reached Washington, Polk sent Nicholas P. Trist, chief clerk of the State Department, to accompany Scott's army and to act as peace commissioner after the fall of Mexico City. Trist was a Democrat, the husband of Thomas Jefferson's granddaughter, and secretary to Andrew Jackson for awhile. A long period as United States diplomat at Havana had given him excellent Spanish speaking skills.
He joined Scott at Veracruz in May. The two disliked each other right off. Scott considered it a "personal dishonor" to be asked to defer to what he considered a "State Department flunky" and his feelings weren't improved when Trist sent him an officious 30-page letter discussing the nature of his assignment. Scott was eager to end the war, however, and realized quarreling with the president's emissary would not help him do so. When Trist fell ill, Scott sent him a far of guava marmalade, and after that they became good friends. Interesting little fun fact there.
Taylor was on good terms with his men. They called him "Old Rough and Ready" and even "Zack", short for Zachary.
Next chapter should finish up with this war and the treaty, and possibly move on to a little past the matter. I have a test later this week, that I have to do good on (since I botched the last one) so we'll see when the next update comes. Hope this one came out all right ^^ Don't have a chance to proofread it.
just another fma fan: I'm glad you think Mexico has fit well ^^ that's what I was going for. And you checked out my other story, too! Glad you like those two. Thank you very much for the review.