Santa Anna saved the capital from immediate assault after the battle of Churubusco, by procuring an armistice for peace negotiations. His real object was to gain time to prepare munitions of war and strengthen the defences of the city. General Scott discovered this, and put an end to the armistice. He then resolved to attempt the capture of Molino del Rey, a strongly fortified and garrisoned foundry. General Worth, with three thousand one hundred and fifty men, was detached for this service. General Worth was ignorant of the great strength of the works, but he made skilful disposition and was determined to succeed. There were three assaulting columns. The first was to assail Molino del Rey, covered by the fire of some heavy artillery. The centre was to consist of five hundred picked men, commanded by Major Wright. The third column was commanded by Colonel M’Intosh, and consisted of the second brigade, supported by Duncan’s artillery. A strong body of troops were held in reserve. On the morning of the 8th of September, the columns advanced to the assault, a tremendous fire from the batteries having shaken the walls of the enemy’s works. The central position was carried after a bloody struggle, in which Major Wright and one half his force were either killed or wounded. The Mexicans had masked batteries, which the Americans could not see till they were within range of them. On the right of the field, the assailants were completely successful, carrying the works, and slaughtering the enemy without mercy. On the left Duncan kept up a heavy fire upon the stone foundry, called Casa Mata. The assault was here repulsed; but Duncan’s artillery restored the fortune of the contest, and compelled the Mexicans to evacuate the foundry, even while they were playing triumphant music for victory. Thus General Worth was victorious in every part of the field, and the enemy were in flight. But the victory was purchased by the loss of one half of the division. The loss of the Mexicans in killed, wounded and prisoners was immense.
DUNCAN, AT MOLINO DEL REY.
CANNONADE AND BOMBARDMENT OF CHAPULTEPEC.
STORMING OF CHAPULTEPEC.
By the capture of Molino del Rey, and the adjacent works, the castle of Chapultepec was exposed to attack upon two sides, and General Scott hastened to form his plan for the storming of it and the gates of the capital. On the 12th of September, the batteries opened upon the castle, and with such effect that Santa Anna was prevented from throwing reinforcements into it. The Mexicans returned the fire, but as they were not equal to the Americans in gunnery, they did very little damage. On the 13th, the assault was made. General Quitman, with one division, advanced upon the northeast side, while General Pillow, with another division, assailed the height on the west. The castle was garrisoned by picked troops, well supplied with artillery, and commanded by the veteran, General Bravo. A determined defence was therefore expected, and the Americans nerved themselves for it. Pillow’s troops dashed up the rocky height amid a heavy and destructive fire from the enemy, and so rapid was the assault that the Mexicans were driven from post to post, until they had no chance to fire their mines. General Pillow fell, severely wounded, and General Cadwalader assumed the command of his division. Ladders were prepared, the walls of the castle mounted, and the American flag planted upon them. In the meantime, General Quitman advanced upon the opposite side, defeated a large detachment of the enemy, and forced his way up the height, with a rapidity and valor equal to that of the other division. A portion of his troops arrived in time to storm the walls, and enter side by side with Pillow’s troops. The Mexicans fought bravely, even after the Americans had entered the fort. Few of them asked for quarter, and fewer obtained it; as the victors were exasperated at the cruelties of the Mexicans at Molino del Rey. A great many prisoners were taken, and among others, General Bravo. Thus this fine castle, which the Mexicans had looked upon as impregnable, fell into the hands of the troops, whose progress no obstacle could check.
