taking position on the right to threaten the Molino and cut off support from Chapultepec. Clarke's brigade under McIntosh with three light pieces faced the Mexican right, which rested on the Casa Mata; still farther to the left a troop of cavalry was stationed to observe Álvarez, while Cadwalader's division stood in reserve behind the centre. This force amounting to three thousand five hundred men advanced during the night and took position along the clear and gently sloping ground in front of Molino del Rey, where they waited for the coming day. With its first faint gleam the artillery opens fire on the mill, and the whistling of balls and the crashing of masonry follow speedily. Not a shot comes from the Mexican lines, and the Americans begin to believe that the place is deserted. Wright's storming-party forms and rushes towards the point, where the central battery was supposed to be. Its position has been changed, however, and as they come within range it opens upon them with round shot and grape. The assailants pause, but only for an instant, and then rush upon it with the cry of "Forward!" Once more comes a shower of shot that mows a fearful swath, disabling, of officers alone, eleven out of seventeen. But there is no further halt. The remnant gains the batteries. There is a brief struggle, hand-to-hand, and the guns are seized, ready to be turned against the Mexicans.
It is now daylight. Colonel Echeagaraz of the third light infantry observes the danger; the garrison discharges a well-aimed volley on the storming-party, and then rallying hurls back the assailants in disorder and reoccupies the battery. Worth is equally prompt. He orders forward three companies of the light battalion and a part of the reserve to support and rally the shattered column. Garland moves from under the plunging fire of Chapultepec upon the Mexican flank, while his battery pushes forward to enfilade the recaptured point. Once more the Americans charge simultaneously from centre and right, under
