Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-10-28
G.. w. K.
CRY OF MEXICO, Sept. IA, l847.

Another victory, glorious in its results and
which has thrown additional lustre upon the
American arms, has been achieved to day by
the army under General Scott-the proud cap
ital of Mexico has fallen into the power of a
mere handful Of men compared with the i'm
mense odds arrayed against them, and Santa
Anna, instead of shedding his blood as he had
promised, is wandering with the remnant of
his army no one knows whittier.
The apparently impregnable works on Cha
pultepec, after desperate struggle, were tn
umphantly carried-Gens. Bravo and Mou-
terde, besides host Of officers of different
grades, taken prisoners; over 1000 non-com-
missioned officers and prlvates, all their can
non and ammunition are in our hands the fu-
gitives were soon in full flight towards the diff
ferent works which command the entrances TO
the city land our men were atonce IN hotpursuit.
Gen. Quitman, supported bv Gen. Smiths
brigade, took the road by the Chapuliepec a.
queduct towards the Belen gate and the Gin.
dadela; Gen. Worth, supported by Gen. Cad
walader's brigade, advanced by the San Cos
me aqueduct towards the garita of tina, name.
Both routes were cut up by bitches and defend
ed by breastworks, and strong works Of every
description known TO military science; yet the
daring and impetuoslty of our men overeame
one defence after another, and by nighuall eve
nv work to the city's e6ge was carried. Gen.
! Quitman's command, after the rout at Cha
putepec, was the first 10 encounter the enc
my in force. Midway between the former and
the Belen gate, Santa Anna had constructed
strong work but this was at once vigorous
" assaulted by Gen. Quitman, and aided by a
flank fire from two of Duncan's guns, which
Gen. Worth had ordered to approach as near
/ -, ronl tho opa
my was again routed and in full flight. They
again made stand from their Notifications at
and near the Belen garta, opening tremen-
dous fire not only Of round shot, grape and
Shell, but Of musketry yet boldly Gen. Quit.
man advanced, stormed and carried the works,
although with great loss, and then every point
on this side the city was in our possession. In
this onslaught two of our bravest officers were
killed-Capt. Drum and Lieut. Benjamin.
Meanwhile Gen. Worth was rapidly advan,
cling upon San Cosme. Atthe English bury
ing ground the enemy had constructed a
strong work. 1t was defended by infantry fol
q short time but could moi resist the assault oil
our men-the afirighted Mexcans soon fled &c
another line Of works nearer the city, and thus
Gen. Worth was in possession Of the entrance
10 San Cosme. As his men advanced towards
the gariia, the enemy opened heavy fire o.
musketry from the house tops, as well as can
isier, grape and shell fron their batteries, thus
sweeping the streets completely. At this june
ture the old Monterey game, ofburrowng anc
digging through the houses, was adopted
On the right, as our men faced the enemy. tht
aqueduct afforded partial shelter; on the lief
the houses afforded some protection but still
many were killed or wounded by the crap,
which swept every part, as well as by theshelh
, which Were continually bursting in every di
rection. About 8 O'Clock the work ofthe pick
{ axe and the crow bar, under the direction o
Lieut.. G.. w. Smith, Of the Sappers and mi
: ners, had fairly commenced, and every min
ute was bringing our men nearer the enemy
| last strong hold. In the mean time, two noun
: tain howllzers were fairly lifted 10 the top o
one Of the houses and into the cupola Of thu
church, from which they opened a plunglns
and most effective fire, while one OF Duncan'
guns, in charge of Lieut. Hunt, was run VI
= under calling fire TO a deserted breastwork
) and at once opened upon the garta. In TIN
= latter daring feat four men out Of eight wer
either killed or wounded, bur still the piece
) was most effectively served. The work ofth,
: Miners was still going on. la one hous,
, which they had entered. by the pick-axe,
favorte aid of Santa Annals was found -
!, The great man had just fled, but had left hi
friend and his supper! Both were well car
! ed lor-the latter was devoured by our hun
+ CRY officers; the former. after doing the homo
Of the table, was made close prisoner. Jus
as dark was setting in, our men had du;
f and mined their way almost up TO the YER
guns ofthe enemy, and now after shortsrug
: gle. they were completely routed and driver
= with the loss of every thing. The command 0
the city by the San Cosne route was attained
During the night, Gen. Qultman commen
ced the work Of throwing up breastworks an'
erecting batteries. with the intention Of open
, ing heavy cannonade upon the Cuidade
with the first light this morning. At II
O'Clock at night Gen. Worth ordered Captain
Huger to bring up "a FOUNDER and 10 incl
mortar TO the garita or gate Of San Cosme, aud