Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/96

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
92
BATTLES OF MEXICO

San Angel, till the morning of the 13th, and also to support our general depot at Miscoaque. The stratagem against the south was admirably executed throughout the 12th, and down to the afternoon of the 13th, when it was too late for the enemy to recover from the effects of his delusion.

The first step in the new movement was to carry the Castle of Chapultepec. Besides a numerous garrison, here was the military college of the Republic with a large number of sub-lieutenants and other students. Those works were within direct gun-shot of the village of Tucubaya, and until carried, we could not approach the city on the west without making a circuit too wide and too hazardous.

During the same night (that of the 11th) heavy batteries were established. No. 1, on the right, under the command of Capt. Drum, 4th artillery (relieved late next day, for some hours, by Lieut. Andrews of the 3d), and No. 2, commanded by Lieut. Huger, ordnance—both supported by Quitman's division. Nos. 3 and 4, on the opposite side, supported by Pillow's division, were commanded, the former by Capt. Brooks and Lieut. S. S. Anderson, 2d artillery, alternately, and the latter by Lieut. Stone, ordnance.

The bombardment and cannonade, under the direction of Capt. Huger, were commenced early in the morning of the 12th, and before night a good impression had been made on the castle and its outworks.

Pillow and Quitman had been in position since early in the night of the 11th. In the morning, Worth was ordered to hold his division in reserve, near the foundry, to support Pillow; and Brigadier General Smith, of Twiggs' division, had just arrived with his brigade, from Piedad,