The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-06

Dursng ~ cooonuencos tuioWs who at the hacienda
beooming fearful that Worth might not be- able to
sustain himself against such overW odds and
knowing that he commanded the nearest American
troops, which even then were three miles from the
field started without order with Pierces and Rileys
brigades, for the soene Of action. His rapid an
proach, seen from the Castle of Chapultepec could
have had none other than dspiriting effect upon
the gave w:y before hs, the
mont reached the ground. Pillows movement was
approved by General Scott, who had sent an order
to that effect some time before the battle was deci-
ded, which was not received until the command was
near the village of Tacubaya, on its route.
General Pillow not seriously engaged on this
day, although his troops hold the field while
Worths retiring under General SCOTS orders;
and when the dead and wounded had been removed,
Pillow too was ordered to withdraw, and the battle
field of Moline del Rey, so calamity and so dearly
won by the blood of $50 of the flower of the army,
was given up TO the enemy, if he chose to occupy it.
The information given to General Scott on the pre-,
vious evening, had been verified, The foundry had
existence, and the result in so far as related to
advantages gained for tho final assault on the Mex
lean capital, were comparatively nothing.
On the morning Of the 9th of September, strong
body of ancers having threatened Colonel Riley's
position at Nalvate, Gen. Pillow changed his head
quarters to Pedad in advance of Nalvaite, which
village he occupied with Pierce and Riley sbrgades,
bringing Cadwalladers forward from Mixcoac to
Riley's former position His piquets were thrown
forward to the angle of the road OF FL Nno Perdido,
to within close observing distance Of tho enemy,
who was found to be busily engaged in constructing
Notifications along tho southern front. 1t was at
perceived that the time for attack at that point
was the immediate moment, and information was
sent to General Scott of the state of affairs and the
unfinished condition of the Notifications but the
General-in-chief did not contemplate an immediate
assault, and gave strict order that advance
should be made from Piedad, although General Pill
low was ordered to maintain his ground in case he
attacked, and in order to do so, authorized
to call up Twggs' and Quitmans corps from San
Angel and Cayacan. The Mexicans, however, made
no attack, and throughout the 9Th, 10th, and 18th
of September, continued at work on their fOrtifca
tons, which on the morning of the 18th were nearly
completed. On that day, the General-n chief came
to Piedad, and at meeting OF general officers de-
cided upon his plan of action, which was to assault
by the western front, the Castle of Chaputepec,
being the first great point to be seized. Twiggs
division being left to make demonstration on the
lines of the south front on the night of the 18th,
Generals Pillow and Qutman marched their divisions
silently into Tacubaya, and took position, prepara-
tory to seizng covering points of the batteries
about to be erected against the castle. Quitman
was to take post on the south of Chapultepec, and
Pillow on the west on the plains and in Moline del
Rey.
General Pillow moved ont to the plains while yet
dark, and at the first dawn of light sent picked
corps down to MolinO del Rey, which the enemy had
no time to occupy. Having seized these points, his
duty that of covering the batteries and through
out the 18th his troops renamed IN observation OF
Chapultepee. and a cloud of Mexican cavalry which
had taken post on his left flank. The effect Of the
batteries not being sufficiently great to tho
fall of the castle, it became evident that it must be
stormed and the night OF the 18th the orders for
the assault were issued.
On the morning of the 18th of September, the
American batteries reopened heavily upon the castle
the MeXicans promptly replied and both parties
were busily engaged in preparing for the struggle.
Quitman's approach lay along the TScubaya road,
and over strong batteries at the base of the rock
upon which the castle is situated, exterior
wall, and up the decliyity to the work Pillows
through Moline del Rey, across an open field, over a
line Of bitches and entertainments, through the
cypress grove to the base of the rock redeau
half way up the declivty, which being passed, the
troops would be in close vicinity to the object of
attack, the castle of Chapultepec. The arrange
ments for this attack, which were made by General
Pillow. were to attack the lines of entertainments
with one battalion of voltgeurs while another pro-
ceeded outside the walls of the enclosure, which
surrounded the rock and fields of the position,
against an adobe bastion covering cut
in the wall, which being gained, the assaulting
troops were in rear of the line of entertainments. II
the line Of entertainments first carried, then the
bastion would be taken in reverse by the troops
which had been successful in that quarter. The first
of these battalons to be supported by the Ninth
and Fifteenth regiments; the second, by storming
party of veteran troops from Worth's division, by
which Pillow had been reinforced After the troops
had entered the woods, it intended that they
should beat through the base of the rock, the volt
geurs being in advance to that point. There they
were to halt and reform while the stormers passed
to the 'front.' and, with the support of the three reg
ments, to ascend and storm the castle To prevent
the introduction of endorsements by the road north
Of Chapultepec, well to watch the strong corps
of Mexican cavalry on the left, Colonel Trousdale
stationed with the 18th and 18th regiments
at the angle of the Molino del Rey.
Soon after o'clock, the American batteries ceased
their fire, and the assault commenced. Having
dered forward the party which was to advance out
side the wall, Pillow proceeded through Moline del
I'll IL.
field. and against the entertainments. The enemy
had got the range of the gate from Chaputepec,
and kept up heavy fire of shot and she'll upon it;
but while the yotigeurs We're pushing across the
open field, the General stood watching their progress
until they reached the line Of entertainments when
he quickly ordered forward the Ninth and Fifteenth
regiments. As, with a shout Of enthusiasm, these
corps rushed through the marrow way, Pillow mount
ed and, with his staff, passing rapidly to the front,
took the advance The Mexican troops fought well
in the woods, AID the guns of the castle sent show
ers of grape and canister upon the assailants.
knowing the vital importance of success, and the
necessity of the crisis, still in advance, the General
of Division pressed on, his gallant troops fol-
lowed. and beat back the enemy to the base of
the hill. Just before reaching it, Pillow fell
severely and painfully wounded But seeing
the necessity for immediate attack, although
the stormers, delayed by the difficulties of the
ground and not having been able in their close for
nation to keep pace with the light troops, had not
yet taken the advance, he ordered the immediate
assault or the enemy were rallylnS IN the reuan,
and commencing heavy fire. The troops in posi-
tion promptly and quickly obeyed, and the
redan carried. The voltigeurs, Ninth and
Fifteenth, crowned the HILL and taking post
In the rocks. commenced making rapid discharge
of rifles and muskets against the defenders of
the castle. The fall of Chapultepec was Sc
cured in this manner, for when the stoymers and
the ladders were brought forward the enemy's
fire had nearly ceased. Other troops had come for
ward in support and taken post in rear of Pillows
command. but when the ladders were planted the
troops Of his division entered the work in advance,
and pushing to the eastern division, secured not
only its possession, but the fall of the batteries
the Tacubaya road-for the Mexicans there held
out until party of yotigeurs, and Of the Fifteenth
regiment, pored volley into their rear. Then they
broke, and the American troops opposed to them
entered the batteries, and the whole position was
carried; for with the castle fell not only the bat
teres on the south, but the barrcades the north
against which Colonel Trousdales command had
been bravely advancing.
The effect Of this important capture was to secure
the fall of the capital of Mexico and to raise the