dad, San Angel, San Antonio, and the Paseo de la
Viga.* The approach in that direction was ren-
dered extremely hazardous, and General Scott de-
termined to attack the city from some other direc-
of the attack, and the reason for the modification is to be found in the dif-
ferent view which Worth entertained of the matter from that of General
Scott. He believed that he was going to fight a battle, and he wished
something tangible as the fruit of it. He believed the castle of Chapulte-
pec was of great importance, and as it lay near the proposed field of battle
he wished to extend operations to include its capture. His order was ac-
cordingly issued to the effect, that the commanders should make disposi-
tions for the assault so soon as the enemy had been routed from the posi-
tions of his line at Molino del Rey."
" General Cadwalader and Colonel Duncan came down from Worth's
headquarters to confer with him upon the subject; but as to the assault
on Chapultepec, Scott was inflexible. He permitted the change in the
time, but he directed the two officers to return to General Worth, and give
him his positive orders that he should on no account advance beyond Mo-
lino del Rey ; that he should effect the capture of that point, break up the
machinery, and at once retire into Tacubaya. And Worth modified his
order accordingly."
" Worth, however, was in the spirit for battle, and seeing the arrival
of fresh troops, the thought of seizing Chapultepec while the enemy was
broken and dispirited, recurred to him. Riding up to Pillow, he requested
him to move down to Molino del Rey, to pass through and take position
in the grove, in preparation to assault and carry the castle. Under the
positive orders of the General-in-chief to the contrary, Pillow refused to
comply. " — Ripley's History of the Mexican War, Vol. 2, p. 363-4, 380.
* Report of General Scott to the War Department, September 18th,
1847.
248 II I S T E Y OF THE
tion. On the lltli of September Quitman's divi-
sion was ordered to join Pillow by daylight, south
of the city; and by night those two commanders
with their division- were directed to join General
Scott at Tacnl »aya. The first step in the plan i >.f
operations was to carry Chapnltepec, which was
absolutely necessary before the city could be at-
tacked from the west. Heavy 1 catteries were planted
bearing upon Chapnltepec, and the bombardment
and cannonade were commenced on the morning of
the 12th, and it was resolved to make the assault
on the morning of the 13th, the moment being in-
dicated by the cessation of the discharges from the
heavy batteries, and the columns of Pillow and
Quitman advanced to the attack. The route se-
lected for Pillow's division was through a grove.
While leading his men with great gallantry, Pillow
was wounded, and the command devolved upon
Cadwalader. About half way up the ascent was
a formidable redoubt ; this was soon carried by the
gallantry of a company under the command of
Capt. Chase. The troops continued to advance with
impetuosity, which tremendous discharges of
artillery and musketry could not check. No oppor-
tunity was given the enemy to fire the mines which
were laid along the ascent, without involving friends
as well as foes in one common ruin. The Avail
of the main work was at length scaled, and the for-
midable castle of Chapnltepec was in the possession
of the Americans. While Pillow's division was
advancing from the west, Quitman's approached
along tic causeway leading to the southeast. That
POLK ADMINISTKATION. 249
part of the Mexican defences were protected by
strong works, which rendered it exceedingly diffi-
cult to approach Chapultepec from that direction.
Several batteries were stormed and the division was
gradually nearing the castle ; while Shields' brigade
and the second Pennsylvania volunteers crossed the
fields under a tremendous fire, and carried the first
wall which inclosed Chapultepec as Pillow's divi-
sion stormed the heights. From the north an ad-
vance was made by the 11th and 14th infantry un-
der Colonel Trousdale, who not only sustained their
positions against superior numbers, but gallantly
carried a battery which had been planted in the
road. Among the officers who fell at the head of
the troops was Colonel Ransom of the 9th, who
was shot dead while heroically leading his regiment
up the ascent from the west. Many other gallant
officers were killed and wounded. It had been de-
termined to follow up the attack upon Chapultepec
by the capture of the city itself. There were two
roads leading from the castle to the city ; the one
on the right passing through Piedad and entering
the Belen gate, and the other called the San Cosme
road, terminating in the gate of that name. These
roads were both elevated causeways, wide enough
for a double track. Upon both sides of these
roads were erected formidable breastworks, which
rendered the approach to the city extremely dan-
gerous. The division under Worth advanced in
the direction of the San Cosme gate, while that
under Quitman was proceeding along the Belen
road, and the operations of each were overlooked
250 HISTOKY OF THE
by the Connnander-in-chief, who occupied a posi-
tion upon Chapultepec. Clarke's and Gadwala-
der's brigades were ordered to reinforce Worth's
division, while that under Pierce was directed to
support Genera] Quitman. Before 6 o'clock in the
evening Worth's division had forced the San Cosine
gate, and turned upon the disordered Mexicans their
own artillery, while one of his brigades was quar-
tered within the city, and the pickets and patrols
were advanced half way from the San Cosine gate
to the Allameda. At 8 o'clock a mortar and twen-
ty-tour pounder were planted, and soon poured de-
structive missiles into the grand plaza, which had
the effect of bringing to the headquarters of Gene-
ral Worth a deputation from the city authorities, a
little past midnight, and who were by him dis-
patched in charge of an officer to General Scott.
General Scott believing that the San Cosme
route was the most vulnerable point of attack, in-
tended Quitman only to manoeuvre in the direction
of the Helen gate, for the purpose of facilitating the
principal assault under Worth. But overcome with
ardor, and gallantly supported by his officers and
men, Quitman continued an onward movement in
the face of front and flank fires, which produced
greal havoc among his troops. They continued
steadily to advance, until they were within the city
irates, where they rested for the night.
At I o'clock the next morning, September 14th,
the deputation from the city waited upon the Com-
mander-in-chief, with the information that the Go-
vernment and the army had fled, leaving the city
POLK ADMINISTBATIO'N. 251
to its fate. The deputation demanded terms of ca-
pitulation, which were refused by General Scott,
who gave orders to Worth and Quitman at daylight
to move into the heart of the city. Quitman's di-
vision proceeded first into the great plaza by the
especial directions of the Commander-in-chief, al-
though he might have been anticipated in that
pleasure by General Worth, if the motions of nei-
ther had been controlled. Soon afterwards a fire
was commenced upon the American troops by
about 2,000 liberated convicts, and a similar num-
ber of Mexican troops, and it was 24 hours before
the outbreak could be suppressed.
Great forbearance had characterized the conduct
of General Scott ever since his entrance into the
Mexican territory. After the decisive victories of
the 19th and 20th of August, he had tendered an
offer of negotiation to the vancpiished, instead of
following them at once into the city. And after
the American arms had triumphed again and again
over greatly superior numbers, and the impossibil-
ity of defending the city had been demonstrated,
the entrance of the American forces had been or-
derly and soldierlike, and it was only when dis-
banded soldiers and liberated convicts commenced
a cowardly assault from windows and the roofs of
houses, that the horrors ensued which must follow a
combat of that description, and for which the Mex-
icans and not the Americans should be blamed.
The city of Mexico was now in the possession
of the American army, and the stars and stripes
waved in triumph on the national palace. This
252 HISTORY OF THE
brilliant achievement had not been obtained with-
out great loss. At the battles of Contreras and
Churubusco, the loss of the Americans was 137
killed and 877 wounded; at Molino del Rev, in
killed and wounded and missing, 789 ; at the storm-
ing of Chapultepec, and the capture of the city,
130 were killed and 703 wounded. The loss of offi-
cers in these engagements was 33 killed and 170
wounded. Although the slaughter was great, yet
the triumph of so small an army, who succeeded in
driving a greatly superior force from one intrench -
ment to another, and that, too, in the very heart of
the enemy's country, was certainly unsurpassed in
the annals of military warfare. After he had gar-
risoned Chapultepec, the force with which General
Scott advanced against the city was less than 0,000
men, while the army under Santa Anna before the
battle of Contreras, was more than 30,000. In-
trenched behind formidable defences, which were
protected by powerful trains of artillery, and fight-
ing under the eyes of the people of Mexico, with
the capital of the country as the prize for which
they contended, the success of the American arms
seems almost miraculous. That the Mexicans fought
with greal desperation is proved by the immense
loss which they sustained, amounting in killed and
wounded to more than 7,000. 3,73<> prisoners were
taken, among the number being 13 generals. With
the loss of the city was destroyed the morale of
the Mexicans, who gave up the Btruggle in despair,
and disbanded, leaving their capital and their
country in the possession of the conquerors.
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 253
The spectacle which was presented on the morn-
ing of the 14th to the citizens of Mexico, by the
entrance of the American troops, must have been
startlingly grand and imposing. They saw for the
first time those terrible legions, who, upon the many
bloody fields which signalized this war, had estab-
lished a character for invincibility. The slow and
measured tread, and the calm, stern countenance,
marked the progress of Worth's regulars ; while the
gallant bearing, youthful appearance, and enthusi-
astic movements of Quitman's division, designated
them as the volunteers. They were no holiday sol-
diers, decked with waving plumes, and gilt trap-
pings, but the resolute and invincible soldiers,
whose prowess had conquered an empire.
The Americans who composed the army of in-
vasion, were certainly remarkable for their skill
and gallantry. The regulars had seen service upon
many sanguinary fields, and their high state of dis-
cipline, and steady bravery in the hour of battle,
rendered their movements always irresistible, while
the volunteers, who had left their homes to obtain
renown in the face of the enemy, were celebrated
for their reckless impetuosity.
The officers by whom they were commanded,
were composed of some of the brightest ornaments
in the service. Their movements were directed by
the vast experience and unrivalled military skill of
General Scott, who was surrounded by the scientific
and brilliant Worth, the experienced and impetuous
Twiggs, the energetic and gallant Pillow, the brave
and daring Quitman, the cool and skilful Cadwal-
25 I HISTORY OF THE
ader, the fiery and reckless Shields, the calm and
resolute Pierce, the profound and able Smith, and
the dashing and sagacious Duncan; besides an array
of distinguished officers who would have rivalled
the splendid array of Napoleon's Marshals.
When we take into consideration the numbers
of the invading army, and the obstacles to be over-
come before the city of Mexico could be taken at
the month of the cannon, we can come to no other
conclusion, than that the second conquest of Mexico
was won under far more threatening dangers, than
Lay in the path of Fernando Cortez.
Soldiers and volunteers from all portions of the
Union composed the army of invasion, and were
equally distinguished for gallantry and good con-
duct. The New Englander fought by the side of
the Southerner — the citizen from the Atlantic coast,
and from the far West, mingled together where free-
men were contending for the honor of their native
land. Kmnlation and rivalry prompted each to
seek that spot where fame was to be acquired.
Commanders and subordinates exhibited a reckless
disregard of danger, and all united in upholding
the honor of the country amid the horrors of battle,
and assisted to cover with immortal renown those
terrible legions who bore aloft the banner of the
Union, until it floated in triumph over the ''Halls
of the Mbntezumas."
Defeated at all points, and driven from the ca-
pital, Santa Anna resigned the presidency, and de-
termined to attack the American garrison stationed
at Puebla. Thai city was defended by 500 effective,
POLK ADMINIS TEAT ION. 255
and 1,800 disabled men, who were attacked on the
18th of September by a party of Mexicans. Santa
Anna reached Puebla on the 2 2d of September,
and on the 25th summoned Colonel Childs to sur-
render, which was peremptorily refused. An attack
was commenced on the 27th, without, however, mak-
ing any impression. Finding himself foiled in that
quarter, Santa Anna left Puebla on the 1st of Oc-
tober, with a column of about 4,000 men, for the
purpose of cutting off a detachment of Americans,
who were on their way from Vera Cruz to the
headquarters of General Scott. The blockade of
the Americans in Puebla was continued until the
12 th of October, when it was raised by a party of
American troops, who had arrived from the coast.
In the mean time, it was determined by the Cabinet
in Washingtou, to dispatch a portion of the army
of the north, under General Lane, as a reinforce-
ment to the army of invasion. Before they arrived,
however, about 1,000 recruits for the regular army
left that city under the command of Major Lally,
who encountered and defeated the Guerilleros at
Paso de Ovega, Puente Nacional, and at Cerro
Gordo. The reason Lally and his command was
forced to fight their way to Jalapa, was the belief
entertained by the Mexicans that he had in his train
a large amount of money.
On the 20th of September, General Lane took
up his line of march with about 2,500 soldiers, and
arrived at Jalapa, and effected a junction with the
command under Lally. The confined forces moved
on in the direction of Puebla. Information was < >1 >-
2f>6 HISTORY OF Til E
tained by General Lane that the Mexican troops
under Santa Anna were stationed, at Huamantla,
several miles from the high road. On the 9th. the
Americans attacked the troops under his command,
and having dispersed them, Lane continued his
march to Puebla, where he arrived on the 12th of
OctolxT.
After the resignation of Santa Anna, the execu-
tive power passed under the control of Pena y
Pena, who attempted to organize a government at
Toluca, on the 27th of September, 1847. The seat
of government was soon after removed to Queretaro.
A great desire was now felt by the administration
as \\ I'll as by our troops in Mexico, that the Mexi-
can Government should be able to sustain itself in
the attempt to negotiate a peace. General Afiaya
was elected President, to serve until January, 1848.
I 'en a y Pena and Rosa were appointed cabinet offi-
cers. They were in favor of negotiation; while
Bustamente, who was opposed to that policy, was
appointed Commander-in-chief of the army, for the
purpose of conciliating him. Communications passed
between Rosa and the American Commissioner;
and to prove that the Mexican Government were
now seriously disposed to terminate the war, they
appointed commissioners in November, to conclude
a treaty of peace.
On the 1st of September another and still more
positive intimation was given from the War De-
partment to General Scott, to force contributions
from the Mexican^ and this in view of the posses-
POLK ADMINISTKATION. 257
sion of the city of Mexico by the troops under his
command.*
The propositions which the Mexicans made
during the armistice which preceded the battle
of Molino del Key, and the offer of Mr. Trist to
refer the question of title to the country lying be-
tween the Rio Grande and Nueces to the Govern-
ment at Washington, produced a letter from Mr.
Buchanan, on the 6th of October, 1847, in which
Mr. Trist was ordered to return home. This com-
mand was reiterated, and on the 6th of October,
* " The obstinate persistence of the Mexicans in refusing to treat,
their utter disregard of the rules of civilized warfare, and the large ex-
penditures which we are compelled to make, has impressed on the Pre-
sident the firm conviction that those rights of exacting contributions from
the enemy, which are conferred on a belligerent by the acknowledged
law of nations, should be exercised. Your remarks in your dispatch, No.
28, dated at Jalapa, May 20th, 1847, have been carefully observed. Your
circumstances are since materially changed ; and if, as we doubt not,
you have triumphantly entered the city of Mexico, the President directs
me again to call your attention to the dispatch to this Department of the
3d of April last, a copy of which is here inclosed. The property-holders
of Mexico have no claim to find in the market afforded by sales to our
army, an actual pecuniary benefit resulting from the war. They must be
made to feel its evils, and it is earnestly hoped and expected that you will
not find, in your present circumstances, a necessity to adhere to your
opinion, expressed in your dispatch referred to, that a resort to forced con-
tributions will exasperate and ruin the inhabitants, and starve the army.
Contributions' may be exacted from cities, or states, or wealthy indi-
viduals, and payment made for provisions and other supplies brought to
the camp, or collected in kind. It is not improbable that men of wealth
and means may profess to belong mainly to the peace party ; and it may
be apprehended that they will be driven from their pacific position by
coercive proceedings. But however such an effect may be apprehended,
it is more probable that their exertions to promote a termination of the
war will be made more serious and efficient when they feel the oppressive
evils of the state of war." — Letter from John Y. Mason, Acting Secre-
tary of War, to General Scott, September 1st, 1847.
17
258 HISTOEY OF TIIE
the Secretary of War addressed a letter to General
Scott, informing him that the powers vested in Mr.
Trist had been revoked, and directing him to in-
form the Mexican Government of that fact.* In
the same communication, the Commander-in-chief
was directed to forward any propositions the Mexi-
cans might make to the Government at Washing-
ton, hut not to relax his exertions in the prosecu-
tion of hostilities.*]' r -^ ne designs of the adminis-
tration were thus fully communicated to the Com-
mander-in-chief, and Mr. Trist. It was determined
to transfer the negotiations from Mexico to Wash-
ington, and for this purpose the powers which had
hitherto been invested in Mr. Trist were annulled.
But that individual, witli a strange and unaccount-
able pertinacity, still determined to act as the
Commissioner of the United States, and positively
refused to obey the injunctions of the Secretary of
State. In the meantime volunteers and regulars,
under the command of Generals Butler and Patter-
son, continued pouring into the valley of Mexico,
and by the 20th of December, the American troops
* " The views of the Government in relation to propositions and
negotiations for concluding a peace, are disclosed in a dispatch from the
Department of State to Mr. Trist, a copy of which accompanies this
communication. By it you will perceive that he is recalled. You will
embrace a proper occasion to notify the Mexican authorities of this fact."
— Letter of Mr. Marcy to General Scott, October 6lh, 1847.
f •• Should they offer, through you, terms of accommodation, or propose
to enter on negotiations, the President directs that such propositions be
forwarded without delay to him ; but it is not expected that your move-
nt- measures for carrying on hostilities will thereby be relaxed or
in any wise changed." — Secretary of War to General Scott, Septeynber
1st, 1817.
POLK ADMINISTEATION. 259
in the vicinity of the capital amounted to 15,000
men.
Detachments from this force were sent in differ-
ent directions from the capital ; contributions were
levied and enforced, and the whole power of the
army was brought to bear for the purpose of forcing
the Mexicans to agree to terms.
On the 2d of February, 1848, the labors of Mr.
Trist, which were conducted upon his own responsi-
bility, produced a paper, signed at Guadalupe Hi-
dalgo, which was transmitted by the order of Gen-
eral Scott to the Government at Washington* The
course pursued by the Commander-in-chief towards
Mr. Trist was somewhat remarkable. In the letter
of the Secretary of War, of September 1st, he was
distinctly informed that Mr. Trist was recalled, and
that all communications which the Mexicans there-
after made, relative to the establishment of a treaty
of peace, should be transmitted to Washington.
After he had received those instructions, General
Scott knew that no one in Mexico was empowered
to conclude a treaty, and that the course pursued
by Mr. Trist was an unauthorized assumption of
power. Still he forwarded the result of the illegal
acts of Mr. Trist to Washington, and instead of
* " I write in haste, by the express who carries the project of a treaty
that Mr. Trist has, at the moment, signed with the Mexican Commis-
sioners.
" In about forty days I may receive an acknowledgment of this re-
port. By that time, if the treaty be not accepted, I hope to be sufficiently
reinforced to open the commercial line between Zacatecas and Tampico."
— Letter of General Scott to the Secretary of War, February 2d, 1848.
Volume 7, Executive Documents, 1st session 30th Congress.
260 HISTORY OF THE
prosecuting the war vigorously, he awaited the
answer to his report of February 2d, 1848.
It was undoubtedly the duty of General Scott
to obey the orders that were issued from the War
1 â–ºepartment, and thus set an example to the whole
army of subordination to superior officers.
The difficulties which had occurred between the
Commander-in-chief and several of the distinguished
officers of the army, induced the President on the
loth of January, 1848, to grant the desire which
General Scott had expressed on the 4th of June,
1847, for his recall,* and the command of the army
devolved upon General Butler.
The charges whic-li General Scott made against
Pillow and Duncan had to be investigated. It was
due to all parties that it should be clone ; and as the
war in effect had been terminated by the possession
of the enemy's country, there was no more appro-
priate time for an examination of the charges made
by General Scott, than that which was selected.
* " Sir ; In view of the present state of things in the army under
your immediate command, and in compliance with the assurance contained
in my reply to your letter of the 4th of June, wherein you ask to be re-
called, the President has determined to relieve you from further duty as
commanding general in Mexico."
" Desirous to secure a full examination into all the matters embraced
in the several charges which you have presented against Major General
Pillow and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, as well as the charges or
grounds of complaint presented against you by Brevet Major General
Worth, and deeming your presence before the court of inquiry which has
been organized to investigate these matters, indispensably necessary for
tin- purpose, you are directed by the President to attend the said court of
inquiry wherever it may hold its Bitthlgs," &c. &c. — Letter of the Secre-
tary of War to General Scott, January 13th, 1848. Executive Documents,
1st session 30lh Congress, vol. 7.
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 261
Besides, the Commander-in-chief, several months
before, had expressed a wish to be relieved from the
command of the army,* and he had received assur-
ances that his desire would be complied with when
the public service would justify it.f This request
of the General-in-chief created some surprise at