CHAPTER XI.

Attack on Molino del Rey-Taking of Chapultepec-The American army enters the city of Mexico-List of killed and wounded-Scott's general orders-Santa Anna's proclamation-Conclusion.

GENERAL SCOTT having finally ascertained that the Mexican army had begun palpably to violate the terms of the armistice, and that the consequences of their operations at Molino del Rey might be important to the safety of his army, he directed General Worth, on September 8th, at the head of his own division and Cadwalader's brigade, to destroy the place. This work, known by the Mexicans as Casas Matas, and celebrated in Mexican history, is west of Chapultepec, an old palace of Montezuma, on the site of which have subsequently been erected a military school and fortress. The mill was within six-pounder range of this post, and yet beyond them in the same direction is a gentle slope, with a ravine which extends to within two hundred yards of the enemy's right. Here was stationed a heavy battery, commanded by Captain Huger, of the ordnance, to operate upon the buildings and defences.

Before, however, this was done, Worth, at the head of his men, advanced to storm the position in the centre of its curtain or front. The heavy Mexican fire destroyed many men and officers, and the ranks would manifestly have been unable to advance, had not Cadwalader arrived. At this crisis a strong body of Mexican lancers, estimated at five thousand, dashed up to the charge, but were met by the light artillery of Dun

can and the guns of Captain Drum. The Mexican cavalry, during the whole war, never appears to have fulfilled the expectations formed of it, and halted (when cavalry halt in a charge they are defeated.) Major Sumner, of the 2d dragoons, with a squadron of his own, a squadron of the 1st, and a troop of rifles, charged in headlong style, which completely routed the horse. Two unsuccessful attempts to rally their men were made by the Mexican officers. The infantry then advanced, and in a short time succeeded in carrying the buildings and breastworks which the enemy held, and compelled them to retreat, capturing seven pieces of artillery, a large quantity of ammunition, small arms, &c., and about six hundred prisoners. As soon as they were driven from the buildings, Captain Drum and Colonel Duncan advanced their light batteries, and Lieutenant Stone brought forward one of the twenty-fourpounders, the whole of which opened a most destructive fire upon them, as they retreated across a low plain to the rear of the position they at first occupied.

The American loss was very severe, the Mexicans being under cover, and fighting unusually well. While the cavalry were passing in front of the enemy, in order to charge the column of lancers, they were not under fire more than ten seconds, and during that time they sustained a loss of six officers wounded, thirty-two privates killed and wounded, and a loss of one hundred and five horses. There were but two officers that did not have their horses shot under them. Nothing will better exemplify the admirable discipline of Major Sumner's command, than the fact that during the charge, horses, the riders of which had been shot, wheeled, formed fours, and went through every change of position and gait with the strictest accuracy.

Colonel Riley was now thrown forward from San Angel to La Piedad, to control the entrance to Mexico by the San Antonio road. General Pillow was now advanced within supporting distance, and so the army remained until the 11th. During that time the officers of engineers were busily engaged in reconnoissances, and distinguished themselves in the greatest degree. On the 11th, a large force of cavalry was thrown out from the Mexican posts to make a demonstration, probably against a battery of the 1st artillery, commanded by Captain. Magruder, and which, posted at eight hundred yards distance, gave them much annoyance. A few rounds drove them back, though the guns of the fort immediately opened on the American battery.

During that day, General Twiggs, with the rest of his division, arrived at Piedad, and General Pillow moved with his division to the south of Tacubaya, and took a position on the west side of Chapultepec. General Quitman, with his division, occupied the road from Tacubaya to the city of Mexico, General Worth's division remaining in Tacubaya.

During that night three batteries were planted in front of Chapultepec, or "hill of the grasshopper," one of the holy spots of the old Aztec race. In the course of the night three heavy batteries were planted in front of the castle of Chapultepec: No. 1, commanded by Captain Drum; No. 2, by Lieutenant Hagner, of the ordnance corps; No. 3, by Lieutenant Stone-all under the general command and superintendence of Captain Auger, chief of the ordnance. Also, during the night, General Twiggs's division planted Captain Steptoe's battery in front of the fortifications on the San Antonio road, it being intended that General Twiggs should make a feint for the purpose of drawing out the enemy in that direction.

At daylight on the morning of the 12th, all the batteries opened the first, made by General Twiggs's division, succeeded admirably. As soon as Captain Steptoe opened his guns, the enemy made a demonstration with several heavy columns, which, by an admirable and rapid fire, this most meritorious young officer routed. The service of this battery is said to have been one of the best pieces of practice exhibited during the war.

On the morning of the 13th it was determined to storın Chapultepec. General Scott, who had made himself perfectly acquainted with its strength, determined to use well tried troops in its assault, and for the storming parties, went for men to the divisions of those officers who know no such word as fail, Twiggs and Worth. The American heavy guns maintained their fire on the works, and General Quitman, supported by General P. F. Smith, advanced to the attack. General Pillow, with the voltigeurs at the head of his division, passed Molino del Rey, and ascended the left side of the hill. General Worth occupied the right of Pillow, and between him and that general was a portion of Quitman's division. Pillow, Quitman, and Worth, advanced simultaneously, and swept the enemy from the work. The voltigeurs advanced with great rapidity, and were enabled, by the deadly fire of their rifles, to prevent the enemy from exploding a mine, which would have annihilated Pillow's command. Just as this division advanced to the crest of the hill, Captain Ransom fell dead, and BrigadierGeneral Shields, Quitman's second, was wounded. This work was commanded by old Bravo, who, with his second, was made prisoner.

At the time Colonel Ransom was killed, General Pillow was wounded, and General Worth united his division. to his own, and advanced towards the gate, of St. Cosme

by the aqueduct of Chapultepec. General Quitman advanced along the aqueduct of La Piedad, which the citadel of Mexico controlled. The Mexicans opposed each of these columns with great courage, so that General Worth, weakened by the hard fighting of the day, was repulsed at first, and could not make a permanent lodgment until nearly sunset, when the howitzer battery and several siege guns were sent to his assistance. General Quitman met with a resistance as stubborn; and a gallant reconnoissance having been made by Lieutenants Beauregard, of the engineers; Lovel, of General Quitman's staff; and Van Doren, of General Smith's staff; the Rifles, supported by a small force of infantry, were advanced for the purpose of picking off the artillerists, which they did, being partially covered by the aqueduct, with great success and accuracy.

The Mexican artillery was then about to be withdrawn, when a charge was ordered, and the main work, with two guns, captured, and turned on the retreating enemy. Three times the enemy attempted to retake the position, but were regularly beaten back by the rifles and grape. They sought to find a cover for advance under the arches of the aqueduct, but again were beaten off. During the whole evening, the citadel and other Mexican positions kept up a continuous fire on the gate. At this point, Captain Drum was mortally wounded. No one had been more distinguished than he, who, it will be remembered, had retaken the American guns captured at Buena Vista, and had used them with such fearful accuracy at Molino del Rey on the 8th. This last battle in the streets of Mexico is known as La Garrita.

During the night, General Quitman threw up a breastwork, on which he mounted two eighteens, a sixty-eight howitzer, and a twenty-four howitzer. Worth also got