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     Santa Anna's Notice
During the U.S. War with Mexico in 1846, Santa Anna,commander of the Mexican forces, attempted to entice American soldiers to desert by offering them cash and land. Few Americans accepted his officer, but enough did to create a battalion-size unit.  Many of its members were executed after recapture by American forces.

                       Antonio Lopez de Santa-Anna 

                                 Headquarters

    KNOW ALL MEN:

That Antonio Lopez de Santa-Anna, President of the United States of Mexico and Commander in chief of the mexican armies has been duly authorized to make the following conceressions to all and every one of the persons now in the American army who will present themselves before me or any of the commanding officers of the mexican forces, viz:

     1st.  Every soldier in the American army who appears before me or any of the commanding officers of the Mexican armies is to receive immediately ten dollars cash, if coming without arms, and a larger amount if he is armed, in order to cover the cost of the arms he may bring.

     2nd. Every person who deserts the American army followed by 100 men is entitled to receive as soon as he presents himself with his men, $500 cash, besides the $10 to which everyone of the soldiers is entitled, as well as the extra allowance in case they be armed.

     3rd. He who deserts with 200 men has right to claim and shall be paid immediately $1000 cash, and so on at the rate of $500, for every hundred men; or the proportional amount if the number be under on hundred; without including the $10 allowed to every soldier, nor the cost of arms and ammunitions, all of which will invariably be paid besides.

     4th. All and every one of the soldiers in the American army who will desert and appear before me or any of the Commanding officers of the Mexican forces, as aforesaid, besides the abovementioned gratifications in cash, are hereby entitled to claim and will immediately receive from propriety of a grant of land consisting of 200 square acres will be ensured to them as well as to their famlies or heirs. The division of such grants will be made as soon as the present war is over.

     5th. The Officers in the American army are not only entitled to the aforesaid document or bond but the number of acres in addition to the 200 allowed to the soldiers, will computed in proportion to the respective grades they hold.

     6th. Those who desert the American army and enter the Mexican service are to continue in it during the present campaign, and those of immediate command of their own officers, who will continue in the same grades they held in the American army.

       7th. All those persons who come over to the Mexican armies shall be considered, rewarded and promoted in the same way as the Mexicans and according to their services in the present campaign.

      The preceeding articles shall be duly published in order that the Mexican Authorities may act in conformity thereto.

      Head Qurterts. Orizava the April 1847

                                                       Antonio Lopez de Santa-Anna

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