EL MOLINOS DEL NEY. 375 honored. "The army," says Scott in his dispatches, P'T IV "are willing to leave to this republic something on P'D III. which to rest her pride,-and they cheerfully sacrifice cн. шL to patriotism the eclat that would have followed an entrance, sword in hand, into a great capital." : Armis. cluded. 2. Tacubaya now became the headquarters of the Aug. 21. American army. The general-in-chief occupied the archbishop's palace, with its beautiful gardens. Here 24th he negotiated with Mexican commissioners an armis- tice con tice, as a step preparatory to a final peace. But the Mexicans would not agree to the terms proposed Violated and they violating the armistice by strengthening their defences, General Scott declared it at an end. The cans. Mexicans then called on the provinces to come to their aid in mass; and by fire-or poison,-by any weapon, in any manner, to injure and destroy the invader. Mexi. position to Mexico dolences. 3. From Tacubaya, Mexico was full in view-northeast, and distant three miles. North-bearing a little east-distant a mile-rose, in beautiful prospect, the fortified hill of Chapultepec; its porphyritic rocks Scott's abruptly descending on its southern and eastern in respect sides,-while to the west, the hill fell gradually, with and its a gentle, wooded slope, till it met the fortified building of stone, called El Molinos del Rey, or the King's Mills. A quarter of a mile west of the fortified mills stood another stone fortress called Casa Mata. These were the obstacles which now barred the way of the Americans to the capital; and they constituted the supporting points of the Mexican army, ranged behind them, headed by Santa Anna, and amounting to fourteen thousand. 4. The generals, Scott and Worth, went forth in person to reconnoitre, and they sent out their skilful engineers. Scott then gave the order for an assault on Molinos del Rey, committing its execution to 2. What efforts were now made for peace, and how did they result? What call was made upon all Mexican citizens?3. What was the position of the city, regarded from the American headquarters ?-4. Give an account of the battle of Molinos del Rey? 3 2 2 الی 376 Sept. 8. DEL Mexican CHAPULTEPEC. P'T IV. Worth A terrible battle was fought, and an impor- 14,000. severe, but known. 52 offi- Am. loss, 665, in 49 offi- . 66 k. 116, w. 5. It was at the beautiful hill of Chapultepec, where cluding once arose the veritable Halls of the Montezumas." Here was now the military school of Mexico, and the last exterior defence of the successors of Cortez, to that capital which he had so iniquitously taken, shedding seas of blood, because "the Spaniards had a disease of the heart, which nothing could assuage but Prescott's gold." The God of battles, who had so signally of Mex- made the American armies the means of chastising († See Conquest ico.) the Spanish Mexicans, for national cruelties early be Four bat erected. gun, and long continued, again led them to victory. 6. On the night of the 11th of September, General Scott caused to be erected, from the cannon taken in Sept. 11. former victories, four heavy batteries, bearing on teries Chapultepec. Before night, on the 12th, the outworks of that fortress, skilfully assailed by a cannonade directed by the American engineers, began to CHAPUL. give way. On the 13th was the battle. The officers TEPEC. and men, were all promptly in the places assigned them, by eight o'clock in the morning. 13th. 7. The roar of the American cannon ceases for a moment. It is the signal for the assault. In an The for-instant the assailants are in rapid motion. General stormed. Quitman hastens from the south, General Percifer Smith from the southeast, and General Pillow, with tress 5. Where were the "Halls of the Montezumas?-6. Rs ate the operations previous to the assault ou Chapultepec. Col. Clark, from the wooded slope on the west. The PT IV. batteries throw shells into the fort over the heads of P'D III their friends, as they begin the furious attack. The CB. XIII. garrison, though they fight with desperation, are 7 overpowered. Some yield, and others attempt to re treat. 1847. Battles of M. force more than Am. 8. Meantime the supporting force under Santa An- Sept. 18. na, in the rear of Chapultepec, is attacked and de- MEXICO. feated by Gen. Worth. Directed by the commander, he pursues the enemy as he flies to the city, prossing 20,000. forward to enter, by a circuitous route, the San Cosme 7,180. gate on the northwest. Gen. Quitman, in the mean M. loss, time, follows the flying foe to the city, by a route di- whole rect from Chapultepec; he being instructed to make except a feint of storming the southwestern or Belen gate, 6,000, k., near to the formidable citadel within,-in order to deserted. make a diversion from the real point of attack at San Cosme. the army, about w., or Am. loss, Sept. 12-14, k. 130 10 offi cers; w. officers. 9. Gen. Scott meantime advanced with Worth into the suburb of San Cosme, where opposing batteries 703-68 were taken; but he returned at night to Chapultepec, to look with a father's care to the condition of all, the living, the wounded, and the dead. Worth, as instructed, remained in the suburb until morning. But Gen. Quitman, accompanied by Shields and Smith, rested that night within the city; having changed the feint which the commander ordered, into a real attack, by which they entered (though with considerable loss) the Belen gate. They had not yet passed the formidable citadel. MEXICO 10. At four o'clock on the morning of the 14th, Sept. 14. Gen. Scott having returned to San Cosme, the Mexi- TAKEN. can authorities sent him a deputation, desiring of him terms of capitulation; their army having fled a (The little after midnight. Gen. Scott replied, that the Americans would come under no terms, but such as were self-imposed, and demanded by honor,-by the 7. Describe the assault-the defeat and flight of the enemy. -8. The pursuit by Worth-by Quitman ?-9. What was now the conduct of Gen. Scott? The position of Worth? of Quitman?-10. Whaf negotiations now took place? Am. colors wero hoisted at 7 A. M.) 2 2 2 378 MEXICO TAKEN. Pr IV. spirit of the age, and the dignity of the American Quitman to the Grand Plaza, where the victorious army reared above the National Palace of Mexico, the 1847.stars and stripes of the Republic of America. Gen. entrance. 11. Three hours before noon, Gen. Scott made his 10A. M. entrance, with escort of cavalry, and flourish of trumScott's pets-into the conquered city of the Aztecs; and as he approached the grand plaza-his towering figure conspicuous as his fame-loudly and warmly was he cheered, by shouts which arose from the hearts of his companions in arms... The troops for twenty-four hours. now suffered from the anarchy of Mexico, more than kill and her prowess had been able to inflict. Two thousand destroy. convicts, let loose from the prisons, attacked them 2 Convicts joins and from the house-tops; at the same time, entering houses and committing robberies. The Mexicans assisting, these felons were quelled by the morning of the 15th. 12. Gen. Scott gave to his army, on the day of their entrance into Mexico, memorable orders concerning their discipline and behavior. After directing that companies and regiments be kept together, he Scot en- says, "Let there be no disorders, no straggling, no order, drunkenness. Marauders shall be punished by courts obriety, martial. All the rules so honorably observed by this mercy. glorious army in Puebla, must be observed here. The honor of the army, the honor of our country, call for the best behavior from all. The valiant must, to win the approbation of God and their country, be sober, orderly, and merciful.-His noble brethren in arms, will not be deaf to this hasty appeal from their commander and friend." 2 13. On the 16th, he called on the army to return public and private thanks to God for victory. On the 19th, for the better preservation of order, and suppres 10. How did the two parties enter the city?-11. What is said of Gen. Scott's entrance? How did the troops now suffor?-12. What were now the orders of Gen. Scott?-13. What was done on the 16th of September? on the 19th? HUAMANTI.A. 379 P'T IV. sion of crime, he proclaimed martial law. Thus pro- 2 Puebla.-Huamantla.-Atlixco.-Treaty of Peace.-Conclusion. 1. NOTHING was now asked of Mexico, conquered as she was, but to negotiate a treaty of peace, in which America stood ready to be generous. To bring forward a Mexican government, with whom peace could be made, became, at this period, the difficult task of the well-meaning of both nations. Santa Pueblu. 2. Santa Anna, after leaving Mexico on the night of the 13th of September, was not heard of for some days. In the mean time, Col. Childs, commander at Puebla, whose effective force amounted to only 247 1847 men, and having 1,800 sick in the hospitals, had been Sept. 23. closely besieged by the enemy, since the same date. An at On the 22d, the besiegers were encouraged by the appearance of Santa Anna, with some thousands of A the remnant of his army. Col. Childs and his gallant part left band, though worn with watching, and wasted by fa- Cruz, tigue, still refused the summons to surrender, and part unbravely continued their defence. But Santa Anna Lally left had heard of the approach of 3,000 recruits under earlier.) General Lane,t on their march from Vera Cruz to reinforce Gen. Scott; and he left Puebla on the 30th, to go to Pinal, where they were daily expected. Gen. Lane, on his part, heard of the Mexican army, CHAPTER XIV.-1. What was now the desire and the difficult task of the well-meaning of both nations?-2. What wa the condition of the American troops at Puebla ? What wore Santa Anna's movemonts? Vera Oct. 1, a der Maj. Oct. 9. Hua mantla. M. loss. 15t.. Am. k. '8, w. 1. 2 |