contended by others, that before the successful reconnoisance of Colonel Duncan, General Scott had determined to advance with the main portion of his army, by Mexicalcingo, and that the orders for that purpose, which he had issued, were only countermanded after Duncan had proved the feasibility of passing along the southern shore of Lake Chalco.* It is quite probable that the inquiring mind of General Scott had ascertained the fact, that there was a route around Lake Chalco. This is very far from being an improbable supposition, when we recollect that the Commander-in-chief brought all the resources of his great experience, and a profound knowledge of his profession, into action during this campaign. Penetrating into the heart of the enemy's country, with comparatively a small body of men, and surrounded on all sides, by a nation of foes, no one will doubt, who is acquainted with the character of General Scott, that he availed him

by passing around, south of Lake Chalco and Jochimilco, at the foot of the hills and mountains, so as to reach this point, and hence to manœuvre on hard ground, though much broken, to the south and southwest of the capital, which has been more or less under our view since the 10th instant."-Report of General Scott to the Secretary of War, August 19,

1847.

"In the mean time, no reconnoisance had been made over the southern route, by American officers, and it is highly probable that none would have ever been made, had not Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan, who was intimate at Worth's headquarters, and whose views in relation to the proposed operations fully coincided with those of that General, volunteered to make a reconnoisance on the following day." "With a letter from Worth, inclosing his written report, and recommending the change, Duncan proceeded on the evening of the 14th to Ayotla, and the effect of his information was, that the orders issued in the morning were countermanded."-Ripley's History of the War with Mexico, vol. 2, pp. 191 and 201.

self of every opportunity to acquire information as to the vulnerable point in the fortifications that defended the city. That General Scott may not have been acquainted with the absolute feasibility of turning Lake Chalco, until after the reconnoisance under Colonel Duncan, is very likely, and he may have held the army in readiness to march by Mexicalcingo. The great error General Scott committed, was in not giving to Colonel Duncan the credit which was due him for that reconnoisance, which enabled the army to reach the city without either storming El Peñon, or passing beneath its guns.

While the Mexicans were expecting to repulse the American army under the walls of El Peñon, their confidence was somewhat shaken when they ascertained that Worth's division, followed by the whole army, was advancing upon Contreras. This movement was commenced on the 15th, and General Twiggs, with the rear guard, left Ayotla on the 16th, having delayed his march until that time to induce the Mexicans to believe that he intended to attack El Peñon, or fall upon Mexicalcingo.* The town of Contreras is situated upon a wide and convenient thoroughfare leading to the city of Mexico; here was stationed the flower of the Mexican army under General Valencia, one of the most desperately brave of the Mexican chieftains, who was determined to dispute the advance of the Americans at all hazards. The position which he had taken did not meet the approbation of Santa Anna,

*

1849.

Report of General Scott to the Secretary of War, April 19th,

who ordered him to retreat to Coyoacan and Churubusco, which command he refused to obey, and the Mexican General-in-chief left him to his fate.*

* "On the 18th, General Santa Anna ordered Valencia, that early in the next day he should march with his force to Coyoacan, and send forward his artillery to Churubusco. This disposition arose from the opinion he had that on the 19th the enemy would attack the fortification of San Antonio.

"In answer to him, General Valencia, notwithstanding what he had expressed in his first note, was inconsistent by refusing to abandon the point which before had been pronounced indefensible.

"General Santa Anna, then, not opposing further than to note the discrepancy between the first and second communications of General Valencia, agreed that he should remain in the position occupied, and only declaring, as he said afterward, that he would leave Valencia to act on his own responsibility.

"The advices which, from the beginning of the action, he had sent to General Perez and Santa Anna, he now repeated in view of the imminent danger which menaced us.

"The beat for the return of General Perez, was struck three times, and General Santa Anna remained immovable with his division, whose presence had made the enemy to hesitate, and General Scott to fear for the issue of the battle. But Santa Anna did nothing to pass by the road when it was possible, and the belief was universal that he wished to surround with his division and ours the enemy's forces, and accomplish in this manner their defeat.

“During all the time of this inexplicable immobility of the forces of Santa Anna, the firing was going on in various directions.

“In fact, after this firing, General Santa Anna descended from the Olviar, and his company in chorus threw, what his presence gave license to, the blame of the defeat upon the insubordinate Valencia. The troops that were with General Santa Anna withdrew by his order, leaving Valencia surrounded on all sides, and going to lodge at San Angel."-Mexican History of the War with Mexico, d. 272–5–6–7.

CHAPTER IX.

Battle of Contreras. Worth's division storms San Antonio.-Victory of Churubusco-Armistice granted.-Negotiations broken off.-Sanguinary battle of Molino del Rey.-Storming of Chapultepec.-Surrender of the city. Santa Anna resigns the Presidency.-Attacks Colonel Childs at Puebla.-Major Lally forces his way from Vera Cruz to Jalapa.-He is joined by General Lane with 2,500 men.-Battle of Huamantla.-Powers invested in Mr. Trist revoked.-Contributions exacted.-Treaty concluded by Mr. Trist.-General Scott recalled.-General Butler appointed to the command of the army.-Treaty of Gaudaloupe Hidalgo.-Americans evacuate Mexico.-The army of the United States.-Territory acquired from Mexico.-Its value.

PILLOW's division was ordered to make a practicable road for heavy artillery, and Twiggs' division was ordered to cover that operation. By three o'clock on the 19th, the men engaged in making the new road, came under the fire of a very heavy park of artillery, which was advantageously posted to check their operations. This battery was supported by large bodies of infantry and cavalry. The divisions of Pillow and Twiggs advanced for the purpose of storming this formidable battery. This movement was met by a terrible fire from the enemy's intrenchments. Not only did the heavy artillery, which lined the hills, send its iron hail into the ranks of the Americans, but the heavy columns of infantry with great gallantry defended that position. For three hours the battle raged furiously, and when night set in the Americans had

made no impression upon the Mexican lines. Nothing could surpass the obstinacy with which the Mexicans held to their position, and not all the gallantry of the Americans could drive them from it. General Scott, discovering that large bodies of troops were advancing from the city, ordered the 15th regiment, under Colonel Morgan, to occupy Contreras. Colonel Riley was at the time on the enemy's left, while the brigade under the command of General Shields was ordered to support Colonel Morgan.

It was now dark, and the cold and chilling rain fell in torrents. Without fires and with no tents to protect them from the tempest, many of the regi ments without food, the officers wandering about in search of each other, the obstinate fury with which the battle had been disputed, all had a tendency to cast a temporary gloom over the army. But the glorious results of the next day proved that the confidence of the troops in their invincibility was not shaken. The morning of the 20th of August found the brigades of Shields, Smith, Cadwalader, Riley, and Morgan's regiment around the hacienda of Contreras. Worth was ordered to march with one of his brigades to mask San Antonio, and with the other to advance upon Contreras. Similar orders were given to General Quitman, and the combined forces were to be concentrated upon the battle field. The plan of the attack, which resulted in the defeat of the enemy, was arranged by General Smith.. At three o'clock in the morning, the movement commenced, Riley being in the ad