The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-10-23
division greatly distinguished itself and his command in


S de ponone OF Pillows regiments capturing all the
American dessrters-6o in number-and carried OF the
aap from this strong work General Pillows brilliant
in these actions induced General Scott to select
him after the armsce broken, 10 storm Chapuepec
the Gibraltar of the valley of Mexico, This work is
situated on the Identical spot upon which stood the palace
of the once opulent and renowned Montezuma II Is
mon beautiful eminence, steep and very dficut OF as
cent except on side south ofwest of the capital and
BY its position, commanding with It's artillery the vaey'
the gara fortihcaon, and the citadel the strongest o
tfcaon inside the capitaas also the strong paitery on
The San Cosne road. This strong work seemed con
scious of its strength. 1t looked proudly upon every
thing around as did the lordly monarch VINO had
rod its prncely heights the pamy days Oh ms
and glory In every direction for one and half mles II
annoyed troops by its terrible fire. mad az Tue pasG
of the HILL enclosing about forty acres OF ground WAL
Of stone about twenty feet high and four feet thick Inc
inside of this wall filled with troops, who lay oeina
breastwoks and large cypress trees IRON eW ssod
twenty feet in diameter-the same trees when $1,000
there in the days of the far famed Montezuma himself
Again, half way up the heights was strong redan en-
crclng the whole front OF he hill which was also neu
with troops. The front of this hill below the reaah WI
filled with mines charged with powder ana hilea WIN
stones to be ignted the moment our troops shoun ven
ture upon it. Above this redan was an inner wal COW
erng the crest of the HILL with wide and deep dcn ahd
counter scap. Inside this wall was the nam cl.aaei
filled with troops with eleven pieces of artillery some OF
them of the largest calbe, which swept Inc summit o.
the hill and the approaches upon all sides. "a
This strong and giant work held our army in check
and cramped our operations in all practicable approaches
to the city :u., r..
Worth lost in killed and wounded, on the stu instant
sl4 men, 49,, AZ
At length became manifest to General Scott and the
whole army that could proceed no further until TINS
work carried, and II was resolved upon as last
desperate effort upon which the very fate OF our army
depended o sent S anS saS
he had selected him to do the work, and asked en-
phaically if he could take it. General PILLOW replied
that che would carry it, or be LETT dead upon the ped
What noble sentlment-how glorious the result!
AT daylight the morning OF the 18th Pillow made
his first movement by sieging the Moline del hey.
He held this place that day under heavy hIe from
Chapultepec, and with an immense body OF the enc
mys ancers his left flank and rear During this day
he thoroughly reconnotred the enemys works, the APP
poaches and ground, to Chapulepec and, at 10 o'clock
p m, reported 10 Gen. Scott that ne was ready ana
would assault the work early the next morning,
At O'Clock on the morning of the 9th, having com
pleed his dispositions and gwen ms orders IN person ne
mand do their duty. They entered the outer wall wa
through two narrow gateways, entering INTO the mills
and one small breach which was protected 6y strong
sandbag breastwork under concentrated lire into these
apertures from long line of the entrenched enemy
They dashed noby forward breastworks, through
bitches and marshes to the foot OF Chapultepecdrove
the enemy SO rapidly up the heights, that he could not
fire his minesdrove them from the redan, and into the
very citadel, and scaled the inner walls upon ladders
and captured the principal Notwithstanding 500 pris
oners among whom was Major General Bravo who was
in command Brgadier Generals Monude, Arrega, Dora
mentes, and Sadana, and killed two other brgadler gen,
eras-cap,ured IL pieces OF artillery and killed ana
wounded 200 of the enemy. In storming this work.
(ieneml Pillow was, with his advancing forces, noby
and gallany leading the assault when he was cut down
by grape shot, which crushed his leg bone just above
the ankle Joint but he made his carry him forward
in order witness the consummation OF the most go
GUS victory that has been achieved by the American
arms and he the ''sars and stripes planted upon
the citadel which had so long bid defiance to With
Chapultepec fell two batteries at Its base, on the side
next the city, and Immediately afterwards the city itself
was ours ''Hail Columbia"
The effect of these brilliant successes in three
sive battles has been to place General Pillow in high
position in the profession OF arms, and among the FIRST
generals of our country He has shown himself to be
possessed of military talents of the first ORDER while he
has established reputation for inrepidy and daring
which fears no danger Though cut down at the very
der terrible fire. and entered the work which he had
noby and CALAMITY stormed just as the star spanged
banner of his beloved country reared and foaed
gracefully to the breeze the walls of the castle
In biancy this achievement unsurpassed by that OF
this any other army was myself an eyewitness to
the common sentiments of the army. When Gen. Scott
up to where Gen. Pillow lay upon wall OF the cit
adel with his leg badly crushed by large grape shot,
he exclaimed, "My dear General, thank God for your
glorious Your country will cover you all over
with honor and will pour out its heart in gratitude for
your distinguished gaantry this day.
He is devoted to his division, and his division is devot
ed TO hm and many have heard express their regret
that they not attached to the command OF this brave
and meritorous officer, whom further honors await
Truly yours, VERITAS.
tg gives us pleasure to state, for the qualification OF
the numerous friends of General Pillow, that his wound
is rapidly recovering, and that he INDUCES the hope Of
soon resuming his proper command)
Extract of letter from an otcer>fn the army TO his
friend in Washington, dated