The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1847-10-23

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destructive, as We found after the work was
taken 500 dead men unburied but tbroTh ID
the bitches. The building also was complete
llyriddled.
It was determined on the morning Of the 18th
to storm the Castle Of Chepultepec; and all
works connected with it. The General-in.
chief,knowing the strength of the Notifications
aud the strong force with which il was garri-
soned, concluded to assault it with old and
well tried troops-not that e'did not possess
confidence in the divisions Of Gen'Is. Pillow
and Quitman-but in carrying the point which
was a key to all our future operations, it
would not do to make Q mistake or omit to take
every advantage. Therefore the stoming
parties, from the divisions of Gen. Worth and
Twiggs, which hnd been so frequently under
severe fire, were selected. The heavy bates
ries continued their fire upon the fort, and a.
bout O'Clock, when the brigade Of Gen. Smith
arrived as a supporting force to the divisions
Of Gen. Quitman-as soon as Gen. Smiths bril-
gade reached its position-the division Of Gen.
Pillow passed Moline del Rey and assembled
the hill on the west side, the Voltigour regi-
ment, which had been advanced in the timber
to clear off the enemy's skirmishes, became the
assaulting force supported by the balance Of the
division. Gen. Worth was situated to the
north and left Of Gen. Pillow. A part OF Gen.
Quitman's force assembled the hill on the south
and tothe right Of Gen. Pillow. AZ the diyis-
ions Of Gen. Pillow, and a portion Of Gen.
Quitman's assembled and carried the Castle in
most splendid style, the balance Of Gen. Quit
mans force and the brigade Of Gen. Smith
swept the works on the road, the whole Of the
command, moving tremendously and simulta-
neously together, much 10 the honor and credit
Of their respectiveCommanders, struck the en-
envy in their different positions ut one and the
same time a fatal blow. The hill, where Gen.
Pillows command assembled, had been mined
for the purpose of blowing up our troops when
they arrived at this point, but the rapid move
ments Of the Voltigeur Regiment, and the dead
ly effect of the fire Of their rifles, as they follow
ed up the enemy from the first position, pre-
vented their carrying ont their views and in
%tentions Just as the command ofGen. Pillow
rose the hill, and while in the act of assaultinp
the work he fell wounded, and Col. Ransom
was killed. AsGen. Quitman's division was
charging on the work on the road, Brig. Gen
Shields received a severe wound in the aim,
and as soon as the works were carried he re-
turned and had it dressed, and again noun
! ted his horse, which was shortly afterwards
killed under him, but he continued to com.
mand his brigade, which was actively engaged
throughout the day, and the name of Shields
will long remembered in connection with the
l%aurels won by the Palmetto of the South and
the Empire Ofthe 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 into the city at The
gate Piedad, which is commanded by the Cita-
adel. On each of the routes the two columns
met with a decided and stubborn and
after the advance Of Gen. Worth's command
had reached the gate of San Cosme, the fire was
SO hot that they were compelled temporarily to
abandon it--and didno make permanent lodg-
ment until towards evening, when a portion Of
the seige train battery was brought into action
as also a piece or two Of The mountain howitz-
ers, which hurled the shot and she'll about the
ears OF the enemy a little hotter than thew de-
sired. Gen. Quitman's column with the rifles
at their head, continued steadily and cautious
y on, taking position and breastwork as they
came in contact with them until they arrived
near the gates Of the city. Here the firing was
so heavy, both from small arm and artillery,
that 1t was deemed prudent to carefully recon
noitre il before attacking. Accordingly Its.
Beauregard, Of the Engineers; Lowell, of Gen,
{ Quitman's staff, and Doren, of Gen. Smiths
staff, went forward to ascertain the position Of
affairs; they returned, and upon their report, the
Q rifles, supported by a small force Of infantry,
e was advanced forward for the purpose Of pick
: ing off the arttillirists, which they did-being
partially covered by the aqueduct-with the
Z same success and accuracy as one of our
southern or western men would shoot SOUR
rels. This rendered the situation Of the Mexi
can artillerists SO uncomfortable that they wer,
unable to stand to their gnns long enough ia
load them, and they commenced moving thei
= guus which was perceived by Gen, Quitman
9 and he ordered a charge, which was carried il
n execution as soon as commanded.--Lieu
= ~ .E FR 40 - ~ - |L.
6 Stewart of the Rifles leading the way. 1t cap
tured the main work, with two pieces Of artil
d lery, which Capt Dunn turned on the r%etreatinl
enemy. Gen. Quitman was himself among III,
first to mount the breast work and plant til,
e standard thereon, at O'Clock the enemy thel
I formed and three times attempted to charge u
2 and retake the position, but the u~nerring an,
deadly fire Of the rifles, together with a wolfe,
Of grape from Captain Dunn, SO cut them /
pieces that they would not upproach nearer tba.