336

THE CITY OF MEXICO TAKEN.

Before daylight on the 20th, Smith and Riley carried the works amid a fire from twenty-two large cannon; and General Twiggs, arriving soon after, commenced a pursuit of the enemy, which was continued to the gates of the capital. About the same time, General Worth captured San Antonio, and soon afterward the last strong hold of the enemy, Churubusco. In this place every public edifice was scaffolded for infantry, who also lined the windows, roofs and battlements.

The strength of the enemy at these battles was about fifteen thousand men, all fresh troops, and intrenched with works of uncommon strength. Opposed to them were about six thousand Americans, jaded by marches and countermarches. The aggregate loss of the former in killed and wounded, was four thousand men, including five ex-presidents and thirteen generals; that of the latter, eleven hundred. General Scott was slightly

wounded in the knee.

On the 21st, the offer of an armistice was made to the Mexicans by General Scott, and gladly accepted. The terms were, that neither army should be reinforced, not erect any fortifications, while it lasted—which depended upon the pleasure of each commander-and that full privilege should be given to merchants and dealers in provisions, to pass to and from each camp. Meanwhile negotiations for a permanent treaty were commenced by Mr. Trist, the American plenipotentiary, and Mexican commissioners appointed by Santa Anna. These, however, could not agree upon the boundary line of Texas, and closed their conference.

On the 6th of September, General Scott accused Santa Anna of violating the terms of the armistice, by repeatedly preventing the transportation of supplies to the American army, and threatened a recommencement of hostilities at noon of the following day, unless satisfaction were given. The Mexican General replied by lay

What was done before daylight of the 20th 1-by General Worth at the same time?-How was Churubusco defended?-Describe the comparative strength of the two armies in these battles.-When was an armistice offered ?-What were its terms -What was the result of the subsequent negotiations ?-What took place September 6th ?

STORMING OF MOLINA DEL REY.

337

ing a similar charge to the Americans, and accordingly the truce was declared at an end.

On the morning of the 8th, Worth's division assisted by the brigade of General Cadwalader, was detached against some buildings near the Molina del Rey, where the Mexicans were engaged in casting cannon balls. shells, &c. The buildings called Casa Mata, are situated west of Chapultepec, and within six-pound range of the fort. West of these, and the breastworks around them, is a large open plain, gradually descending to the position occupied by the Americans, and surrounded by a deep ravine, which runs to within about two hundred yards of the building upon which rested the enemy's right flank. Two twenty-four pounders belonging to Captain Huger's siege train were placed in a position o batter down the breastworks and buildings, should hey be found occupied by a large force. About the same time General Worth advanced his infantry down the plain, and attacked the enemy's works in the front and centre. A galling fire was now opened from the Mexican centre and flanks, which swept away the American columns by whole companies. Officers and men were piled upon each other in bleeding heaps, and for awhile the troops paused.

At this moment, a body of four thousand lancers came dashing down from the enemy's right, so as to charge the infantry while in confusion. But Colonel Duncan and Captain Drum, rapidly brought their batteries into action, and Major Sumner with two squadrons of dragoons assisted by Captain Ruff's company of mounted rifles, passed down under fire from the works, charged the head of the column, and put it to rout. They rallied twice, but were as often repulsed by the Americans with great loss.

After this signal victory, the cavalry and infantry charged the works, carried the buildings and fortifications, driving back the enemy, and capturing seven pieces of artillery, a large quantity of ammunition and

What took place on the 8th ?-Describe the Casa Mata-the arrangements for attack.-Describe the battle.-What facts show the destructiveness of the Mexican fire?-Describe the charge of cavalry-the final assault.-What were the trophies of this victory ?

338

MARCH TO CHAPULTEPEC.

small arms, together with six hundred prisoners. The artillery was turned upon the enemy during their flight, and did considerable execution. Some of the buildings were blown up, and after bringing off the killed and wounded the Americans evacuated the place. In this assault nothing was more conspicuous than the skill and intrepidity of the engineers. In the performance of their laborious and dangerous duties, they encoun tered and overcome difficulties of the most appalling magnitude. During the reconnoissance preparatory to attack they were frequently exposed to the most galling cross fires of the enemy; and throughout the whole struggle, bore the heaviest weight of battle.

The loss of the Americans in killed and wounded was very heavy, including some of the best officers of the army. In charging the column of lancers, the cavalry passed within range of the fort, and though not more than ten seconds under its fire, they had six officers wounded, thirty-two privates killed and wounded, and a loss of one hundred and five horses. But two horses escaped uninjured. The total loss of our army was about eight hundred; that of the Mexicans was trifling, until they became exposed to the artillery in

retreat.

The two following days were occupied by the army in removing the wounded to a place of safety, reconnoitring the approaches to the city, and preparing for an attack upon Chapultepec. These duties were actively performed by Generals Pillow, Quitman and Twiggs, without any annoyance from the enemy. The artillery and cavalry had some skirmishes with the Mexicans who continued to make demonstrations on different points. On the 11th, a small reconnoitring party under Captain Hardee, was attacked by a large body of cavalry, which it repulsed, with the loss of six killed and several wounded.

About sundown General Twiggs arrived at Piedad, and General Pillow moved with his division to the south of Tacubaya, taking a position on the west side

What is said of the engineers ?-Give the loss on each side. How were the two following days occupied ?-What skirmishes took place 1

STORMING OF CHAPULTEPEC.

339

of Chapultepec. General Worth remained at Tacubaya, while General Quitman with his division occupied the road leading from that place to the city of Mexico. During the night heavy batteries were planted at different stations around Chapultepec, and every arrangement completed for an early attack on the following morning. At daylight on the 12th, the batteries opened, and in a very little time began to take effect on the works. The fire was returned from the Castle with earnestness, and the assault raged with great fury throughout the day. On the ensuing morning Pillow's division assisted by General Worth's, was ordered to storm the works. They advanced over rocks, and through dense woods, driving the enemy out before them, until they came within range of the works, bristling with bayonets and artillery. The troops then swept on in the face of a murderous fire, and reached the outer fort. A soldier leaped forward with a stan dard, and accompanied by a few others planted some ladders against the works and rushed over the walls. The whole army followed with loud shouts, sweeping all before them like a whirlwind, and turning the guns upon their former owners.

A large number of prisoners was taken in the fort, among whom was General Bravo. The interior presented a melancholy spectacle. A great quantity of the works were a mass of ruins, among which the dead and dying were strewed in all directions; the large building occupied as a military school, was completely riddled; while the well selected and valuable library, together with furniture, and ornaments, was in utter confusion. Meanwhile, General Quitman had attacked the enemy on the south and west, where they had posted themselves by the aqueduct, and thrown defences across the road. All their works were carried; and after leaving a small garrison in Chapultepec, the army marched toward the capital, General Quitman moving

How were the American Generals stationed?-Describe the operations of the 12th.-What divisions stormed Chapultepec 1Describe their march-the attack.-The appearance of the fort.What was done by Quitman ?--Whither did the Americans advance?

340

THE CITY OF MEXICO TAKEN.

by the Tacubaya road, and General Worth by the San Cosme. The Mexicans resisted at every step, having erected works across the road at different places, from which they harassed every part of the American columns. One station after another was carried, till at night the enemy had been driven within the gates of Mexico. On arriving at the Tacubaya gate, Quitman came in range of the citadel, from which a shower of iron hail was incessantly poured upon his ranks. The struggle at this place was tremendous, and ended only with the close of day.

At midnight, commissioners from the city, bearing a flag of truce, visited General Scott, stating that Santa Anna had evacuated it with his army, and that it was now at his disposal. On the following morning, (September 14th,) Generals Quitman and Smith entered the National Plaza; and at 8 o'clock, were followed by General Scott and staff in full uniform. The stars and stripes were hoisted over the Halls of Montezuma, and the long wild cheers of the army announced that the anxiously desired goal had been reached.

Before leaving the city Santa Anna had liberated all the criminals of the different prisons, and armed them for the purpose of murdering the Americans as they entered. Accordingly when the heads of columns approached the centre of the city, they were fired upon from windows, scaffolds and the tops of houses, and showers of stones discharged upon them. The artillery and rifle companies were detached against them, with considerable effect; yet the firing continued not only all day, but was renewed next morning. General Scott then informed the civil authorities that unless they would interfere, to prevent such outrages, he would blow up all houses from which guns had been fired. This had the desired effect, and toward evening every thing was quiet.

Soon after this the stores and churches were opened, and the city once more assumed a cheerful appear

Did the Mexicans oppose their progress ?-What took place at midnight?-When was the Capital entered ?-By what Generals?What had been done by Santa Anna ?--How were the Americans annoyed -How was quietness restored?