Leaving Washington

Josiah Tattnall, commander of the U.S.S. Pioneer.

Santa Anna and Almonte left Washington for Baltimore, then took a steamboat to the large U.S. Navy base at Norfolk, Virginia. They departed Norfolk for Mexico in the U.S.S. Pioneer on January 31, 1837. A year before, they had been on the march to Texas.

Josiah Tattnall, a career U.S. Navy officer, commanded the Pioneer. He later became famous for his role in the U.S. Civil War, as the Confederate Navy's commander of the C.S.S. Virginia, one of the first ironclads.

The group arrived at Vera Cruz, Mexico’s major port, on February 21, Santa Anna's 43rd birthday.