This was on the 27th of May, 1846.

Four days later General Scott was notified that he need not go to Mexico.
General Gaines was next in rank, but he was too old and feeble to take the field.

Colonel Zachary Taylor--a brigadier-general by brevet--was therefore left in command.

He, too, was a Whig, but was not supposed to entertain any political ambitions; nor did he; but after the fall of Monterey, his third battle and third complete victory, the Whig papers at home began to speak of him as the candidate of their party for the Presidency.

Something had to be done to neutralize his growing popularity.