ZACATEPEC MOUNTAIN. Zacatepec Mountain (sometimes referred to as Zacatepec Hill) was a prominent terrain feature southwest of Mexico City (q.v.) on the western side of the pedregal (q.v.) lava field. It was used by Mexican guerrillas (q.v.) for a concealed location from which to attack American forces crossing the pedregal. Gen. Winfield Scott (q.v.) and some of his staff, including Capt. Robert E. Lee (q.v.), also used it to observe the movement of Mexican forces at Padierna (q.v.) and to make tactical plans before the battle there on August 20, 1847.
ZEILIN, JACOB. First Lt. Jacob Zeilin, the ranking marine officer on the Pacific Squadron’s (q.v.) frigate Congress (q.v.) in 1846 and 1847, participated in the defense of Monterey (q.v.), the capture of Los Angeles (q.v.), the action at La Mesa (q.v.), the San Gabriel River (q.v.) crossing, the bombardment of Guaymas (q.v.), the fight at St. Joseph’s (q.v.), and the occupation of Mazatlán (q.v.). He was promoted to captain in September 1847 and was brevetted to major for San Gabriel and La Mesa. Zeilin became the commandant of the Marine Corps in June 1864 and served in that capacity until March 1867.
ZUNI. The Zuñi was one of a number of Indian tribes that had been harassing settlements in the Rio Grande (q.v.) Valley and along the headwaters of the river before the arrival of Brig. Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny’s (q.v.) army in New Mexico (q.v.). Col. Alexander Doniphan (q.v.) and his subordinates, acting on orders from Kearny, arranged peace treaties with many of these tribes, including the Zuñi, in the fall of 1846.