The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-06-06

stonework over COO feet in length. Sur
rounding this seemingly impregnable for
trcss-thc castle of Chapulterec-are two
stone walls, strongly built and from Q to
Il feet in height. In the castle are mount
ed heavy cannon under superior artillerists
of tho French service.
At the most accessible base of the hill,
the western. tho stons wall is twenty feet
high, and behind it stands q heavy grove
Of Expresses whose large trunks form ex-
cellent cover for defending troops. The
slope is planted with powder mines ready
to be sprung when the assailing columns
are swarming on the surface right over
them, and midway of the hill u strong re-
doubt extending along an entire front Of
the castle, filled with soldiers. The posi-
ton of Chapultepec is tho key to the City
of Mexico, and with q, 600 soldiers in Santa
Annals army of defense there could be no
lack of men to garrison citadel so i'm.
portant. Besides, tho hill was historic, for
here had reveled the Aztec princes in the
gardens and groves once famous in the
Mexican city of splendor; here the site of the
famed Hall of the Montczumas. Whatever
remained of Mexican pride and courage
should certainly show itself on these
heights in the last stand of the hour, where
the fate Of the invader must be decided.
Chapultcpec had for an outwork group
of heavy stone buildings known as Ell Mo-
limo del Rey. or tho Kings Mill. This
place Scott had carried by storm on the Sth
Of September, after frightful loss, and
instead of being II key to Chapultepec, rs
supposed before the assault, it was itself
dominated by tho Mexican guns of the
castle, and had to be promptly abandoned.
When the word was given out in SCOTS
klnk H. - H.
and that two parties Of $50 men each would
have the post of honor in advance, the men
came forward in excess of numbers, and
the choice in some companies had to be
made by lot. With tho appalling death
list of Molino del Rey fresh in mind the
daring soldiers, both regulars and, volun-
teers, were eager for tho place of danger.
These parties were taken from two divis.
ions that were not to be in the assault, and
were to be followed by the divisions of
Gems. j. A. Quitnan and Gideon j. Pillow.
The storming party preceding Quitman's
division was led by Capt. Silas Casey, Sec
ond infantry, with Capt. Gabriel II. Paul,
second in command. Pillow was preceded
by party led by Capt. Mckenzie, Second
artillery. A second storming party was
made up from Quitman's. division, and
was led by Maj. Twiggs, of the Marines,
with Capt. Miller, of the Second Pennsyl
vania, second in command.
Gen. Pillows column. formed for attack
ut tho Molino del Rey, had the longer and
more difficult route before it. and must
forge ahead through grove of expresses.
past tho midway rcdoubt, and up a steep
and rocky activity, tho whole region alive
with Mexican marksmen. McKcnzie's
stOrming party carried scaling ladders, and
nr0cofl01 hv 6ifrf,f o,,ia Mt
skirmishers, under Coils. 4. p Andrews
and Joseph Z. Johnston. Under the ex-
element of battle the skirmishers ran fur
ahead and held the lead. The Mcxicans dis.
puted every inch, dodging from tree to tree.
Gen. Pillow was hit ut the outset and
his command fell to Gen. George Cadwal-
adler. From this point ON the struggle
was determined though not an extremely
bloody ono. The gins of the castle thun.
dered, many shots fortunately going over
the mark. Rocks and brcastworks, shell.
tering enemies whose muskets kept up an
angry fusilladc, were charged and carried,
and very soon the Mcxicans were driven
back to their rcdoubt.
Pillows skirmishers had shot down the
Mexican soldiers appointed to fire these
mines, and over them tho main columns
passed In safety. only to confront the heavy
AS~so~OVs AASA0 SntAsc - CVlSISs AuuIuIlSCIOu
awaited the daring men should the mines
explode, and death or wounds werc before
them in that well packed re.loubt. Quick
work in such un hour il often better than
numbers in men or missiles, and the criti.
cal moment ut Chnpultcpcc produced it's
hero. Capt. Chase, Of the Fifteenth infan.
try, whose company was in the advance
line, dashed promptly past the right flank
of tho retloubt and was followed by a com.
panion company and by the whole Ninth
regiment. Then the attack was Joined
front aud flank, and the MeXicans. fearing
for their safe retreat and exnectinV. M thew
should, that no mercy would be shown 10
prisoners after the horrible butcheries
practiced on the Americans ut Moline del
Roy, abandoned the work and fell buck to
tho Enclosure Ut tho castle.
The men Of Pillow lost not a moment,
hut followed the fugitives SO close that the
comrades Of the latter could not fire with
out hitting fricods. The Mcxicans WAN
OF course admitted through tho gates, and
the daring assailants ranged themselves
along the wall, and as soon as Mckcnzio's
party came up with ladders q reckless
rush was made for the top Many brave
fellows were shot down in the ditch; others
fell after mounting tho wall.
There was, however, no lack of daring
substitutes for every ono that fell. Nc.
kenzics stormers took up their work with
bravery aud energy equal to that displayed