at cerro gordo, a week later, scott overtook the enemy under general santa anna, and made such a fierce attack that the mexicans were completely routed. santa anna left his leg on the field of battle and rode away on a pet mule named charlotte corday. the leg was preserved and taken to the smithsonian institute. it is made of second-growth hickory, and has a brass ferrule and a rubber eraser on the end. general taylor afterwards taunted him with this incident, and, though greatly irritated, santa anna said there was no use trying to kick.