The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-24
MAYNE REID IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
How He Calamity Led the ForIOrn Hope at
the Storming of Chapultepeo.

the StOrming of Chapultepec.
J. 7. Trowbridge. in November st. Nicholas.
The castle of Chapultepec, commanding
the great road to Mexico, was successfully
stormed by our troops on the 18th of Sep
TENDER, 1847
Reid was in command of the grenadier
company of New York volunteers and a de-
tachment of United States marines, with Or
ders to guard a battery which they had
thrown up The morning of the 18th was
fixed for the assault The batteries were or
dered to cease firing at IL o'clock, and the
attack began.
Reid and the artillery officers, standing by
their guns, watched the advance Of the line
with intense anxiety, which became appre-
hension when they saw that about half way
up the slope there was halt. 81 knew" he
says in his account that if Chapultepec
was not taken neither would the city be, and
falling that not man OF us might ever
leave the valley of Mexico alive"
Asking leave of the senior engineer officer
to join the storming party with his men, he
obtained it with the words, go, and God be
with you'll" He was off at once with his
volunteers and marines. After quick run
across the intervening ground, they came up
with the storming party under the brow of
the hill, where it had halted to await the
scaling ladders. "At this point" says Lieu
tenant Marshall, of the Fifteenth infantry,
"the fire from the castle was so continuous
and fatal that the men faltered, and several
officers were wounded while urging them on.
At this moment, noticed Lieutenant Mayne
Reid, of the New York volunteers; | noticed
him more particularly at the time on account
of the very brilliant uniform he wore. He
suddenly jumped to his feet, and calling
upon those around to follow, and without
looking around to see whether he was sus-
tanned or not, pushed on almost alone to the
very walls"
NJ
this account of an eyewitness would make
it appear. The outer wall of the castle was
commanded by three pieces of cannon on
the parapet which, loaded with grape and
canister, fearfully decimated the ranks of
the Americans at every discharge. To adj
vance seemed certain death. But death
seemed equally Certain whether the assail-
ants retreated or remained where they WERE
Such is his own explanation of his conduct
"Men!" he shouted out in momentary
lull of the conflict, ''if we don't take Cha
pultepec the American army is lost! Let us
charge up the walls!"
Voices answered: I'VE will charge il any
one will lead us!" Were ready!"
Come ont I'll lead you!" shouted Captain
Reid, as he bravely leaped over the scarp
that had temporarily sheltered them, and
made the charge already described.
There was no need, he SAYS, to look back
to see if he was followed. He knew that his
pared to go where he led About half way
up, he saw the parapet crowded with Mexi-
can artillerists, on the point of discharging a
volley He avoided it by throwing himself
on his face, receiving only slight wound in
his shorthand, another shot cutting his
clothing. Instantly on his feet again, he
made for the wall, in front of which ne was
brought down by a Mexican ounce ball tear
ing through his thigh.
All the testimony goes to show that he was
first before the wall of Chapultepec. Reids
lieutenant Hypolite Dardonville, a young
Frenchman, mounting the scaling ladders
with the foremost tore down the Mexican
flag from it's staff.
Before that, however, Reid was observed
by Lieutenant Cochrane, of the VoItigeurs.
Cochrane was pushing for the castle with his
men, when before him scarcely ten wards
from the wall an officer of infantry and
comrade were shot and fell, They were the
only two at the time" he says in his state
ment, whom 1 saw in advance of me on the
rock upon which we were scram bling"
Reaching the wall, Cochrane ordered two
men ito go back little way and assist the
ladders up the hill" AS they passed the spot
where the wounded officer lay, he raised
himself with evident pain, and sang out
above the din and rattle of musketry, i'm
ploring the men to stand firm:
Don't leave that WALL" he cried, or we
shall all be cut to pieces. Hold on and the
castle is ours!"
Cochrane answered to reassure him: There
is no danger, Captain, of our leaving this!
Never fear!" Then the ladders came, the
rush was made, and the castle fell
The wounded officer" Cochaane contin-
ues proved to be Lieutenant Mayne Reid,
of the New York volunteers"
Lieutenant Marshall, to whom we are in
debted for that vivid glimpse of the young
officer in "his very brilliant uniform" de-
scribes the effect produced by the exploit
all those who witnessed or knew of it pro-
nouncing it, without exception the bravest
and most brilliant achievement performed
by a single individual during the campaign"