Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/94

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BATTLES OF MEXICO


BATTLE OF MEXICO.

Sept. 7th, General Scott began to reconnoitre the different approaches to the city within his reach. In the afternoon, a large body of the enemy were seen around the Molinos del Rey (Mills), about a mile and a third from Tucubaya, the head-quarters of our army. These mills were repositories of ammunition, and there was a foundry there for casting cannon. There was a formidable castle in the hands of the enemy on the heights of Chapultepec, between the mills and the gates of the capital. There were eight city gates strongly fortified. It was impossible to stop communication between the mills and the capital, without first taking the castle. Preparatory to storming it, it was thought best to capture the mills. Accordingly, on the 8th, General Worth's division, re-enforced by Cadwallader's brigade. Pillow's division, three squadrons of dragoons under Major Sumner, and some heavy guns of the siege train under Capt. Huger of the ordnance, and Capt. Drum of the 7th artillery, undertook the enterprise. They moved towards the enemy and soon met them. There was much energy manifested on both sides. The enemy several times were re-enforced, and the action becoming much more general than was expected. General Scott called to our aid from the distance of three miles, Gen. Pillow, with his remaining brigade (Pierce's), and then Riley's brigade of Twiggs' division. These forces approached with great rapidity; but the victory was won just as General Pierce reached the ground and placed his command between Worth's division and the retreating enemy. Thus again were our