Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-28

our six-pounders. These guns had a his
tory. AT the battle of Beuna Vista the
Nexicans captured them from Taylor. They
were then brought across the country to
confront Scott's army at Contreras, where
we recaptured them. Capt. Drum was one
OF the first to enter the enemy's batteries
at Contreras and he laid his hands upon
two six-pounders which proved to be The
Buena Vista cannon. They were then as
signed to US and proved very serviceable
en- occasions like Mclinos, because We could
move them rapidly by hand. They carried
well, for remember distinctly battering
the walls of the castle of Chapultepec while
we were waiting the result of Maj.
Wrights charge on the center. The bat
tie at Molinos lasted over two hours. and
was well contested by that portion of the
Mexican army which fought. Their whole
force amounted to probably 10000. while
Gen. Worth's entire command engaged
numbered only 1900. Our loss was ZIG kill
ed and GIL wounded.
A Gallant Flag Bearer.
Santa Anna had ordered 1900 cava:ry
under Gen. Alvarez to flank the left of the
attacking column. but this was foiled by
the bold advance of Maj. Sumner with four
companies of mounted rifles and dragons,
within pistol shot of the Mexican walls,
then ranged back and forth over the field,
each time confronting the Mexican cavalry
as they shifted position, and held Alvarez
in check throughout the battle.
THE Mexican officers fought well. Capt.
Menoez, whose gun was opposed to is
when We entered the Mills, was killed oy
our canister. The commander of the bat
TALON of national guards opposed to us,
Col. Balderas, was killed. The flag bearer
of his battalion when almost dead wrap
ped the colors about him, and at last gave
them. saturated with his life's blood. to a
ccmrade. Gea. Leon, who commanded the
troops engaged in the hand-to-hand de-
ferse of the Mills, was also killed. In
TACT, one OF the best and bravest corps in
Santa Annals army was almost entirely
destroyed. Besides, the MexicanS lost a
field battery. We found the position tn
tenable. and soon abandoned 1t. But we
mad rendered 1t unfit for second defense
A large number of small arms with gun
and mi sket ammunition were brought eff
as we retreatcd. also three cannon. Over
800 prisoners were taken. and all of the
extensive building usec as magazine was
blown up. ana the ammunition destroyed.
; Stormers Safer Than the Stormed.
Molinos del Rey was a costly battle for
us. yet it taught us to believe that we
should win. We saw that the Mexicans
were. not disciplined. It was the begin
ming OF series of desperate attacks upon
strong positions, heavily manned. There
was no other way to win In Mexico at that
period. We were at the gates of the CAPT.
tai. confronted by superior forces, and
must press on to success or destruction.
Before us lay those lofty heights. Marrow
reads and marshes, blocked by fortifica-
tfons surrounded US either flank should
we pass around Chapultepec. Chapultepec
blocked one road and commanded three
roads at a distance from it. Its guns also
swept the plain, for 1t vas higher than all
the grol nd around It. Santa Anna thought
that Chapuitepec could never be taken,
and 1t couldn't have been taken except by
storming just as we did that morning at
I'll Molinos del Rey. And to be frank If
l had to be either, l would rather be where
l was with the stormers than with the
stormed. The shots of the latter passed
over our heads, and while we lost fearfally
we gave better than we got The hardest
end of the fight was ours, and we won it."