The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-10-30

lnc batteries Opencu-lle llrSl lnnue ny Itll'
Twiggs's division succeeded admirably. As
soon us Captain Steptoe opened his guns,the
enemy marched out several heavy column,
& in reaching the fort, passed within range
of Steptoe's guns, when he, turned II heavy
and destructive fire upon them. AS soon ms
they reached the work he turned his attention
to the fort,and in the course of an hours can
nonading, drove them OUT Of 1t, and silenced
all the guns. Capt Stcptoe's fire through
out was one of the most effective aud well
directed, that has been Witnessed during the
war, while his position was such that the en-
emy's shot had little or no effect upon him.
The siege batteries continued an uninter-
rupted fire upon the Castle of Chapultepec
throughout the day, which was answered by
eleven guns 1T the work, Our guns proved
to bo very destructive, as we found, after the
work was taken, five hundred dead men I'M
buried but thrown in bitches. The building
was also completely ridded.
1t was determined on the morning of the
18th to storm the Castle of Chapultepec and
the works connected with it, The General
in Chief knowing The strength of the fortIll-
cations, and the strong force with which 1t
was garrisoned, concluded 10 assault it with
old aud we'll tried troops--not that he did
not possess confidence in the divisions oil
Generals Pillow and Quitman--but III carry
ing point which was the key TO all our iu-
ture operations, it would not do TO make u
mistake, or omit to take every advantage.
! Therefore, the stornng parties from me dl-
visions Of General Worth and Gen. IWiggs,
which had so frequently been under severe
! fire were selected The heavy batteries con-
| tinued their fire upon the tort,nnd about sew
en- O'Clock, when the brigade of General
Smith arrived, MS supporting force TO the
division of General Quitman-as soon us
! General Smiths brigade, reached it's position
the division OF Gen. Pillow passed, Molno
del Rey and assembled the hill on the west
side, the Noltigeur Regiment, which had been
advanced into the timber to clear it OF the
enemy's s<rmishers, became the assauitng
force, supported by the balance ofthe dvl-
sion.
Gen. Worth was situated to the north and
on the left of Gen. Pillow. A part of Gen.
Quirman's force assembled the hill on the
south and TO the right of Gen. Pillow. As
the division of Gen. Pillow, and portion of
( Gen. Qutman'S assembled and carried the
Castle in most gallant style, the balance of
/ Gen. Qutrnan's force aud the brigade OF
Gen. Smith, swept the works on the read,
the whole of the commands moving harmo-
niously and simultaneously together, much
to the honor and credit Of their respective
commanders, struck the enemy in different
positions, at one and the same time, fatal
nand assembled, had been mined for the pur-
pose of blowing up our troops, when they AZ
rived ut II certain point: but the rapid move
ments of the Noliigeur Regiment, and the
deadly effect of the fire of their rifles, they
followed up the enemy from the first posi-
lonpreventcd their carrying ont their views
and intentions.
JUST the command ofGen. Pillow rose
the hill, and while in the act of assaulting the
baf all md
killed; but so lucidly had Gen. Pillow explain
ed his objects and intentions in carrying tho
work, and aided by an active and efficient
staff,tha his command moved OH and carried
the work, without even being brought 10 1
stand. As Gen. Qutman's division was
charging OH the work in the road, Brig
Gen. Shields received Il severe wound in the
arm, and as soon as the works were carried
he returned and had it dressed, and agar
mounted his horse, which was shortly after.
wards killed under hIm, but he continued tC
command his brigade, which was actively
engaged throughout the day, and the name
of Shields " i'll long be remembered in con
necton with the luurels won by the PaImet
to OF the South aud the Empire of the North
Gen. Pillow GeinE disabled by his wound
Gen. Worth took ,he co2Ii2and of both his
own division and that ofGen. Pillow, and ad
vanced along the aqueduct leading IL tie gate
VI san COSIiIC. NIGIl. NSullIiiull, VIII MS CIV "
command and Gen. Smiths brigade, also adj
vanced towards the city by the aqueduc. lead
ing into the city at the gate of Pedad, which
is commanded by the Citadel. On each of
the routes the two columns met with de-
cided and stubborn resistance, and after the
advance of Gen. Worih's command had
reached the gate of San Cosmc the fire was
SO hot that they were compelled temporarily
to abandon it-and did not make II perma-
nent lodgment until towards evening, when
portion of the siege train battery was
brought into action, as also piece or two
of the mountain howtzcrs, which hurried
the shot and shell about the ears of the enc
my little hotter than they desired.
Gen. Qultman's column, with the Rifles 1T
their head, continued steadily and cautiously
on, taking position and breastwork as they
came in contact with them, until they arriv-
ed near the gate of the city, Here the firing
was so heavy, both from small arms and ar
tillery, that it was deemed prudent to care
fully reconnoitre it before attacking. Accor-
dinghy Licuts. Beauregard, of the engineers,
Lowell, of Gen. 0uitmun's staff, and Van Do
rem, ofGen. Smiths staff, went forward to
ascertain the position of affairs; they return
ed, and upon their report the Rifles, supper
ted by small force ofinfantry, was advarc-
ed forward for the purpose of picking off the
artillerists, which they did-being partially
covered by the aqueduct-wth the same sue
cess and accuracy as one Of our Southern or
Western men would shoot squirrels.
This rendered the situation Of the MCXi-
can artlllerists so uncomfortable, that they
were unable to stand to their guns long e.
nough to load them, and they commenced
moving their guns, which was perceived by
Gen. Quitlnan; and he ordered charge
which was carried into execution as soon us
comnIanded--Iieut,S Stewart, of the Rifles