Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-11-04

4 Holding ii pound shot, he replied, thai
! he had the genlleman's card, and he ex
pected the cavalry would carry back his
I compliments TO the fort. 81
$ About shutdown, Gen. Twiggs, with the
balance Of his division, arrived at Piedad
and Gen. Pillow moved with his division
: to the south Of Tacubaya, and took po-
; sition on the west side of Chapultcpec,
and Gen. Qulman, with his division, oc-
, cupied the road from Tacubaya to the
city of Mexico, Gen Worlhs division re-
naming in Tacubaya.
In the course of the night three heavy
batteries were planted in front ofthe cas-
tie of Chapultepec: No. commanded by
Capt Drum; No. 2 by Lieut.. Gagner, No,
3 by Lieut.. Stone--aIl under the general
command and superintendent of Capt.
Anger, Chief of,he Ordinance. Also du-
ring the night Gen. Twigg's division plant
ed Capt. Steptoe's IN front Of the for,if-
cations an the San Antonio Road, it be-
ing intended that Gen Twiggs ahould
make felnt for the purpose of drawing
out the enemy in that direction.
AT daylight on the morning Of the l2Ih,
all the batteries opened-the first made by
Gen. Twiggs' division succeeded admirn-
bly,. AS soon as Capt. Steptoe opened his
guns the enemy marched out several heavy
columns, and in reaching the fort passed
within range of Steptoe's guns, when he
turned heavy and destructive fire upon
them. AS soon as they reached the work
he turned his attention to the fort, and in
the course of an hours cannonading drove
them out of it, and silenced all the guns.
Capt. Steptoe's fire throughout was one
Of the most effective and well directed
tina, has been witnessed during the war,
while his position was such that The enc
my's sho, had little or no effect upon him.
The siege batteries continued an unin-
terrup,ed fire upon the Castle of ChapuI-
tepec throughout the day, which was an
swered by eleven guns in the work. Our
guns proved very destructive. as we found
after the work was taken 500 dead men
unburied, but thrown in bitches. The
building was also completely rldded.
1t was determined on the morning Of
the 18th 10 storm the Castle of Chapullc-
pee and the works connected with it.
The General in Chief, knowing the
strength Of the Notifications and the strong
force with which i, was garrisoned, con-
cludcd to assault it with old and well tried
troops-not that he did not possess con-
idence in the divisions os Generals Pillow
and Quitman-but in carrying point
which was the key TO all future operations
it would not do to make mistake or omit
to take every advantage. Therefore, the
slorming parties from the divisions OF Gen
Worth and Gen Twiggs, which had so
Frequently been under severe FIRE, were
selected. The heavy batteries continued
their fire upon the fort, and about 7 O.
clock, when the brigade of Gen Smith ar
rived supporting force to the division of
Gen Qullman--as soon as Gen Smiths
brigade reached its posi'ion-the division
of Gen Pillow passed Molno del Rey and
ascendsd the hill on the west side, the
T Vol,igeur egiment, which had been ad-
vanced into the timber to clear it of the
enemy's skrmishes, became the assault
ing force, supported by the balance OF the
division.
Gen Worth was situated to the north,
and on the left Of Gen. Pillow. A part Of
Gen. Quiman's force ascended the hill
on the south and to the right of Gen. Pill
low, and portion of Gen. Quitman's as.
cended and carried the Castle in most gal
liant style, the balance of General Quit
mans force and the brigade of General
Smith, swept the works on tie road the
whole OF the commands moving harmoni
ously and simultaneously together, much
to the honor and credit of their respective
commanders struck the enemy in differ
emf positions at one and The same time
fatal blow.
The hill, where Gen. Pillows command
assembled, had been mined for the purpose
Of blowing up our troops when they arriv-
ed at certain point, but the rapid move
menls of the Volligeur Regiment, and the
deadly effect of the fire of their rifles, as
they followed up the enemy from the frs,
position, prevented their carrying out their
views and intentions.
Just as the command of Gen. Pillow
rose the hill, and while in the act OF as
saulling the work, he fell wounded, and
Col. Ransom was killed; but so lucidIy
had Gen. Pillow explained his objects and
intentions in carrying the work, aud aided
by an active and efficient staff, that his
command moved on and carried the work
without even being brought TO stand,
AS Gen. Qultman's division was charging
on the work in the road, Brig. Gen.
Shields received a severe wound in the
arm, and as soon as the works were cur
ried he returned and had il dressed, and
again mounted his horse, which was short
" afterwards killed under him, but he con.
timed TO command his brigade. which was
actively engaged throughout the day, and
the name of Shields will long be remem-
bered in connection with the laurels won
by the Palmetto of The South and the EN-
pre of the North. ''
Gen. Pillow being disabled by his wound,
Gen. Worth took the command Of both his
own division and that of Gen. Pillow, and
advanced along the aqueduct leading to
the gates Of San Cosme. Gen. Qultman,
with his own command and Gen. Smiths