The National Road

Once the travelers passed into Ohio, they proceeded to the National Road. The National Road was one of the main overland throughfares at the time. The party reached Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), on January 13. Once again, Santa Anna drew visitors, some of whom noted his courtesy.

At Wheeling, the party split, due to Santa Anna’s health. Almonte and Bee proceeded toward Washington, traveling by day and night, while Santa Anna, Hockley, and Patton only traveled by day.

At Frederick, Maryland, around 50 miles from Washington, one of the more interesting, and perhaps false, stories of the journey took place.

At that time, General Winfield Scott, one of the top officers in the United States Army, faced court martial. According to the story, Santa Anna and Scott met, and spent an hour conversing. A decade later, the two men would meet again, this time at the head of armies. In 1847, Scott led the U.S. invasion of Mexico, while Santa Anna led the Mexican force resisting. Scott’s forces routed Santa Anna’s at Cerro Gordo, opening the road to Mexico City and victory.

Is the story of the meeting in Frederick true? Santa Anna's and Scott's most recent biographers believe not, and no primary source documentation exists. Yet it adds some extra irony to this journey.

Niles’ Weekly Register reported on Santa Anna's departure from Lexington and the the party's movement toward Washington.

In Wheeling, Virginia, the local newspaper reported that some hotels had received fake registrations for Santa Anna, and locals were on the lookout for him.

Niles’ Weekly Register reported on Santa Anna’s arrival at Frederick, stating that he met with General Edmund P. Gaines. It contains no mention of a meeting between Santa Anna and Winfield Scott.