Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-01

exhausting struggle through wind
and rain. up a boulder.strewn ravine
firm ground was gained. A moment
for breath and then a charge that
had the fury Of spear thrust.
In u minutes by the watch the
battle Of Contreras was over and tbs
Mexicans were in flight. leaving zoe
dead. and Santa Ana. coming up with
belated reinforcements, met only a
stream of fugitives.
Scott, grasping the situation with
his usual genius, followed the stroke
by racing his men to Churubusco. but
here he met Mexican vslOr at its
best. Charge after charge was driven
hack, time after time il: seemed that
the Americans must confess defeat
but at last fanking movement won
the bi .';.eheau. and only the convent
kept up the battle
Even when the last gun was out ot
commission, and not a cartridge re
manned, the heroic garrison refused
to ask quarter. and II was an Amer
lean who waved his handkerchief TO
stop the useless slaughter. OF Santa
Ana's army of 30 900. less than 20 0Ol
followed the crazed dictator into the
city that night.
FACING demoralized enemy, the
Halls of the Nontezumas" were
SCOTS for the taking, but when an
arnistice was asked ne put glory
aside in the interests Of peace. F'or
II days 1t seemed as if he war would
be brought To an end. hut On Sep
TENDER Santa Ana brought discus
| siens to an abrupt close
He knew that Daaca meant bfu c.rr
elimination: he knew also that Scott 4
army had been reduced 70 5000 effec.
ives. and that his supplies were run
ming low; working secretly under
cover OF the armisti ice the dicta TOT
| had strengthened Qualifications and
welded "A new army, and these advan
| flges exciting him. he determined &c
| risk 4 last throw Of he dice. The
| people were called upon to extermi
| nate the vile invaders. and on every
| hand national vanity regained its
| normal Inflammation.
| Serene. stately. dispensing his morn
/ ing salutations with all the effect o:
! decorations. he great American com
! nander thought carefully and ther
struck boldly. Deceiving Santa Ana
/ by feints against the southern gates
on the morning of September S ht
, launched an attack upon Casa Nata
and FL Moline del Ray. two strong
! positions. and won them both after q
day OF furious fighting
Two approaches 10 the city pre-
scented themselves. one from tbs
sou'A, the other from the west
ChapuItepec guarded the latter, anC
! confiding in the strength of thi:
fortress. Santa Ana occupied himself
with protecting the southern gate
! ways.
Again Scott refused 70 conform 70
the dictator's ideas OF how a haiti:
. should ne conducted. ard after feint
ing at the southern portals. threw his
little army against Chapultepec or
the morning OF the twelfth. All dag
. his guns rained lead upon the sum
nit. but that night, when decision
was made 10 storm ar dawn. the ven
ture was 80 desperate that Scot;
asked for volunteers.
Two hours OF heavy cannonaiing
preceded the assault and then
Worth's and Pillows divisions sprars
forward. charging through the great
cypress grove that had shaded
Mon;exuma. careless Of the shot tina,
tore their ranks. carrying redouh,s
and. stopping only at the walls.
{ The promised scaling ladders were
no. an hand. ard there were minutes
Of sick suspense. for every inch o.
the ground was known 10 he mined
The mines failed 20 explode. how
ever the ladders arrived AT last. and