action of a single officer, turned the scale. About 130 yards to the rear of the fort was a tanyard,[1] within which stood a building with a flat roof, surrounded by a strong wall about two feet high, affording an excellent breastwork for sharp-shooters. In the confusion of Garland's attack, Captain Backus of the 1st infantry, with a portion of his own and other companies, had gained the shelter of this tannery, and had already driven the enemy from their defences on the roof of a neighboring distillery, when he received the order to retire. Backus was actually withdrawing his men, when the firing in front of the fort, caused by the attack of the 4th infantry companies, made him decide to hold his position. The roof of the tannery completely commanded the open gorge of the enemy's battery, and thence he began to pour upon the garrison a murderous fire, which swept down the gunners. Under this hot salute the garrison began to abandon the work.[2]
During this time Quitman, though his men were falling fast, had kept steadily advancing, and the fire from the battery having slackened, when within one hundred yards of the work the volunteers rushed for ward with a loud shout, surmounted the parapet, and gained the lunette. Galled by Backus' fire in the rear, the Mexicans gave way before the assault, and abandoning their guns, fled to Fort Diablo. The distillery in the rear was immediately afterward carried by the Americans, and thirty prisoners were captured.[3]
- ↑ Hence the name of the fort, tenería or tannery.
- ↑ The authors of Méx., Apunt. Hist. Guerra, 60, attribute the demoralization of the garrison to the cowardly conduct of the lieut-col of the 3d light infantry, which had been sent into the fort as a reënforcement. He had been ordered to make a sally against the Americans advancing in front, but when the word to fix bayonets was given, he rushed through the gorge of the work, and, taking to flight, escaped by plunging into the river. The writer conceals this officer's name, remarking, 'con cuyo nombre no hemos querido manchar estos renglones.'
- ↑ Five pieces of artillery and a considerable supply of ammunition fell into the hands of the Americans. Taylor's report, in U.S. Govt Doc., Cong. 29, Ses. 2, H. Ex. 4, p. 85. In Méx., Apunt. Hist. Guerra, 60, it is stated that there were only four pieces, and that not a single cartridge for cannon remained when the Mexicans abandoned the work.
Hist. Mex., Vol. V. 25
