The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-11


We give below an interesting letter from Lieut.. VIM
s Walker of the voltgeurs, describing some of tn e
scenesn TIE storming of Chapultepec, his unce the
Secretary of the Treasury Lieut. Walker has been in
many of the battles in Mexico and by the brave
commander of his regiment, Col Andrews,) in his Off
cial report to the government, is mentioned as having
greatly distinguished himself for the most dauntless cour
age as well for the greatest zeal and activity in the
sormng OF Chapultepec. of which such thrilling nara
tive is given in his letter published The letter
was not intended for publication but, during the illness
of his uncle of the friends of the young lieutenant
has handed il to us This is hssame Lieutenant Walker
who with three four others, not long since was deem
ed worthy of receiving medal in commemoraton OF his
humanity and gaantry in rescung several seamen from
drowning by following them into the breakers, in two
successive trips at the imminent hazard Of his own life,
during hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.
CoIIEGo DE MINERA,
City of Mexico, Oct II, 1871
My DEAR UNCLE, had intended TO send you by this
mail connected of the share we took IN the BAL
lies In the valley of Mexico There some facts how
ever connected with the s,orming of Chapultepec, to
which, rival claims have been set up in other Quarter
Ing an account of all the by the early de-
parture of the train Tbe siofaias OF Cbapuapec
as picauet near The quarters of Gen. Pillow In CONVEX
saon with o'clock he said must % &C., s0ar nMa
ac our or 10 o'clock the next morning the attack
was opened by our little howitzers upon force OF sk
variousy estimated which occupied the celebr
ders received by our regiment depoy skirmish
ers clear the woods and stop at the bottom Of ne ascent OF
a s ls and follow in Alter an effective from the how
tiers of about twenty minutes received orders to adj
vionsy divided into two parties-one under Col Andrews
and Maj Caldwell, and the other under Lieut. Col Joseph
ed the woods rapidly Owing having better ground
some OF the of my company arrived first at the foot OF
the hill, and opened their fire the enemy We We're
,uallp ~ q
fire about five minutes, holly sustained on both Sides
the infantry charged on the right division OF the reg
ment As soon as saw the movement pointed it out 10
Mai Caldwell, who at side, and solicited the com
no ah in accordsnce with the orders received asked
him second time, when he gave the command, and
The p sdes Of the u.s.
measure, from their fire, and we steadily advanced
e Go na hand Of men, and but one ladder This officer 1t
have been Seden) calamity mounted the ladder and
ws shot ho e e m he aSe sen shot down in
way and we were compelled to wait Tor more lad
dered them was shot behind me- while waving his sword
and calling, 6 On with the ladders! Atthis moment
the flag regiment his hand and planted at the
foot of the wall, The color bearer OF the company
His captain took it, and advanced for short distance, when
he wounded His lieutenant snatched it from him, and
and the first one orer This know to be fact, as was
position observe it. Ii was whine ssed by many officers
in the ing pary-by the sick and wounded Tacu
baya and by Mexican officers taken prisoners AS as
the ladders arrived there was general rush to mount
them. soldier of the voitgeurs the first
Captain Howard, Captain Bidde, and myself followed
closely. We met opposion the enemy retreattng as
dark passage expecting every receive their
fire. In small, dark room, found fifteen or twenty Mex,
Some half dozen OF American soldiers strongly in
cned shoot them and had their already leveled
Howard and myself in,erered, commanding our TO
put their guns spoke enough Spanish to demand 'e
reaed as nroners The swords of the officers were
rendered to me, and several muskets The poor devils
chung my hand and neck for safety As afterwards as
the officers who gave up ms sword 70 me- meerm ntnpo