The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-15


road, in suburb outside of the gate of San Cosme
Each OF these routes ian elevated oauseway) presents
double roadway on The sides q an aqaeaac, q srops
for attack and defence The sideways Of both aqueducts
the gates and before reaching them As we hid expect
ed we found the four tracks unusually dry and solid for
the ssason
treating enemy-he former by the San Cosme aqueduct,
and the latter along that of Belea. Each had now adj
vanced some hundred yards
Deeninf it all inIo 10 profit by our successes, and
the consequent dsmay OF the enemy which could not be
otherwise than general fastened to despatch, from
Chapultepec-frst Clarkes brigade and then Cadwaa,
des, to the support of WORTH and gave orders that the
necessary heavy guns should follow. Piece's brigade
was, at the time sent to ultan and III the course
Of the aitetfoon caused some additional siege pieces to
re added to his train Then, after designating the 18th
infantry under Lieut. Col. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the colo
mel, had been disabled by wound at Churubusco-as
the garrison of Chapuepec and giving directions Tor the
of the prisoners of the captured ORDNANCE and
ordnance stores proceeded TO oin the advance OF on
within the suburbs and beyond the turn at the junction OF
the adueduet with the great highway from the west TO
the gate of San Cosme,
At this junction Of roads, we first passed one OF those
for@idabc systems OF city deiences spoken OF aboye,an
il had not gun IA strong proof That the enemy
had expected fail in the attack upon Chapuepec
even if meant anything more thar q ient q That
in either case, we dasgned in his belief, TO return and
double forces against the southern gatesa delusion
kept up by the active demonstrations of Twggs and the
forces posted that side and That advancing rapidly
from the reduction of Chapuepec, the enemy had not
time TO shift guns-our previous captures had lett him.
comparatively, but few--from the southern gates.
Within those disgarnished works found our troops
engaged in street fight against the enemy posted in gar
dens at windows and on house ops-all flat, with para
pets Worth ordered forward the mountain howItzers OF
Cadwaladers brigade preceded by skirmishers and po-
neers, with piok-oxee and Gov bars to force windows
and doors or burrow through walls, The assaiants
were soon in equality of position fatal TO the enemy
By o'clock in the evening, Worth had carried two bat
eries in this suburb According my instructions, he
here
under shelter for the night There was but one more OBJ
staclethe San Cosn,c gate Custom house, between him
and he great square in front of the cathedral and palace
the heart OF the cty and that barrier, it was known
could not, by daylight, resist our siege guns thirty
minutes. ~
had gone back ID tie loot OF Chapuepec the point
from which the aqueducts begin TO diverge some
hours earlier order to be that new depot, and in
easy communication with Quitman and Twiggs as well as
with Worth.
From this point | ordered all detachnidnts and srag
gers to their Spec've corps, then IN advances sent TO
eninan additional siege guns, ammunition, entrenching
tools directed Twiggs remaining brigade Qsileys) from
Pedad TO support Worth, and Captain Sepoes field bat
terry, also at Piedad, to rejon Quitman's division.
had been from the FIRST well aware that the western,
or San Cosme the less difficult route to the centre
and conquest OF the capal and therefore, intended that
Quman should only manGuvre and threaten the 3een or
southwestern gate in order to favor the main attack by
Notwithstanding that the strong defences at the Belen
directly under the guns of the much stronger for
ress. called the csadel, just within Both of these de-
fences of the enemy were also within easy supporting
distance from the San Angel (or Nao Perddo) and San
Antonio gates Hence the greater support IN numbers
given to Worths movement as the nam attack
These views repeatedly, in the course of the day.
communicated to Maj Gen. Qutman; but, being IN hot
pursuit-gallant himself, and ably supported by Brig
Generals Shields and Slnh-Shields badly wounded
before Chapuepec and refusing 10 rereas well as by
all the officers and men cf the coluninQultman con-
tnued TO press forward, Under flank and direct fires -
carried intermediate battery of two guns and then the
gate before two o'clock in the afternoon but not without
poportonate loss, increased BY his steady maintenance
Of that position.
'of b,tt
and Lieut. Benjamin were MORALLY wounded and Lieut.
Porter, its third in rank, slightly The loss Of those two
most distinguished Officers VIZ TIE army long mourn urn
dina volunteers, also OF high merit fell on the same
casion-besdes many OF our braves non commissioned
officers and menmrticularly in Capt Drums veteran
company. | cannot, in this place. give names num-
bers but full returns of the killed and wounded of all
corps, in their recent operations, will accompany this
port
Quiuian, within the ety--alng several new delehces
TO the position he had won, and shelteng his corps
well as practicabe--now awaited the return OF daylight
under the guns OF the formidable citadel, yet be sub
dued
AT about o'clock next morning, (Sept l4,) deputa-
ton OF the dyunamento (city counciD waited upon me
Mexico had fled from the capital three hours be-
lore and to demand terms of captuaon in favor of the
church, the citizens and the municipal authorities
promptly replied, that would sign capulaton that
The CITY hal been virtually in possession from the
lime of the Judgements effected by Worth and Qlitman
the day before; that regretted the silent escape Of the
Mexican army; that shoid levy upon the city mode
rate contribution, Tor special purposes and that the
American army should under no terms not sef-im-
posed-such only as its honor the dignity of the
United States, and the spirit OF the age, should, in my
opinion, imperiously demand and impose.
For the terms, Imposed, refer the department to
subsequent General ORDERS Nos 2S7 and $780, paragraphs
s and g, OF the atter copies of which are herewith
enclosed
AT the termination of the interview with the city depu
taion communicated, about daylight orders to Worth
and Quitman to advance slowly and cautiously ito guard
against teachery) towards the heart Of the city, and to
ecupy its stronger and more commanding points Quit
man proceeded to the great plaza square, planted
guards and hoisted the coors of the United States on the
national Understanding the halls of Congress and ey
ecuive apartments of federal Mexico In this grateful
service, Quitman might have been anticipated bv Worth
OF the 4laaeda Ga park) within three squares of
that goal OF general ambition The capital however, was
not taken by any or two corps but by the talent the
science the galanty, the prowess of this entire army
In the glorious conquest all had conrbuled-early and
powerful -he killed, the wounded, and the I'll for
duty-at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Coneras, San An
tonic Churubusco, (hree bales,) the Nonos del Rev
and Chapultepec-as much those who fought al the
gates of Belen and San Cosme.
Soon after had entered, and were in the act of oc
cupying the city, fire opened upon from the fiat
roofs of the houses from windows and corners of streets
by 1900 convcts liberated the night before by the
flying government-joned BY, perhaps as many Mexican
soldiers, who had disbanled themselves and thrown off
their uniforms. This unlawful lasted more than
twenty -four hours, spite of the exertons of the NUM-
cipal authorities, and not put down till we had lost
and had punished the miscreants. Their objects were
to crafty national hatred and in the general alarm and
confusion TO plumber the wealthy NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
arly the deserted houses But families are now generally