LOSS OF AMERICAN OFFICERS.

559 were for a long time silent, as though their attendants were doubtful whether to open or not. But this was but the deceitful allurement, whose object was to get the prey completely within grasp. On arriving within musket-shot, the Americans were greeted with a storm of grape and canister, before which their front ranks melted away, and many of the best officers were killed or wounded. Without intermission was this kept up, until their lacerated columns had reached the slope of the parapet leading to the citadel. Here amid the withering showers which smote their ranks, the exhausted troops were obliged to halt. Their advance had been over a long rugged road, in front of their own batteries and part of the time without their support. A large proportion of their number had been killed or wounded, including the three senior officers, Brevet Colonel McIntosh, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Scott, and Major Waite,-the second killed, and the first and last seriously wounded. As they stood for a few moments on the slope, the Casa Mata continued to pour its fire upon them, and perplexed with the change of commanders consequent on the fall of Colonel McIntosh, the brigade fell into confusion, and withdrew to Duncan's battery.

HE latter branch of service, from the

time of its being covered by McIntosh's troops, so as to prevent a continuance of its fire on the enemy, had been arduously engaged in another part of the field. A large cavalry force had appeared outside the enemy's works, on the extreme left of the American line; and against this Colonel Duncan moved, supported by the voltigeurs of Cadwalader's brigade. As the cavalry galloped into canister range, the whole battery opened upon them with great effect, driving back their heavy squadrons in disorder. At this moment, Major Sumner, who had been carefully watching the enemy all day, moved to the front and changed direction in admirable order, under a most appalling fire from Casa Mata, of which he was within pistol range. His loss was very severe, numbering nve officers, thirty-nine soldiers, and one hundred and four horses. The exposure was, however, unavoidable, in consequence of a deep ditch, which it was impossible to cross, until he had arrived close to the Mexican intrenchments. After passing the ravine, he formed

his command in line, facing the enemy's cavalry, and prep-red to receive their charge. At seeing this they suddenly halted, and shortly afterwards retired. The major continued to hold his command on the left flank, until the battle was won, changing his position from time to time, with every movement of the cavalry. Iuring the whole time, his men behaved with coolness and bravery; and notwithstanding the number and rapidity of their evolutions, they succeeded, chiefly through the indefatigable exertions of Captain Hardee, in avoiding all confusion. The major was joined, soon after the commencement of the action, by Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, who, although declining the command, remained with him during the day. Colonel Harney, who was unwell, also came upon the field during the action, and after observing the arrangements, expressed himself satisfied, and left Sumner to execute them, "for which," archly observes the major, in his report, "I am deeply obliged to him."

HE repulse of the second brigade enabled Colonel Duncan to reopen his battery upon the Casa Mata, which the enemy, after a short and well-directed fire, abandoned. The Americans rushed into the works with loud cheers, seized the cannon, and turned them upon their former owners.

The enemy was now driven from every part of the field, leaving his strong lines in possession of the assailants. The quantity of stores within the two principal works fell far short of what had been anticipated, thus proving false many

of the reports previously received upon that subject. In obedience to the commands of General Scott, the Casa Mata was blown up, and such of the captured ammunition as could not be used, together with the cannon-moulds found in Molino del Rey, was destroyed.

Thus, after several hours incessant cannonading and fighting, the Americans stormed and carried an entire line of strong fortresses, defended by fourteen thousand men, securing eight hundred prisoners, all the guns, a large quantity of small arms, ammunition and other stores. Fifty-two commissioned officers were among the taken. Generals Valdarez and Leon, the second and third in command, were killed. The total loss of the enemy was about three thousand, exclusive of two thousand who deserted after the rout.

COMMENDATION OF OFFICERS.

T

561

HESE great results were not ob.ained without a proportionate loss on the part of the victors. Besides being numerically great, the list of killed and wounded embraced the names of some of the brightest ornaments of the service. Of the first were Captains Merrill, E. K. Smith, Ayres, and Lieutenants Strong, Farry, Burwell, and Burbank. "All of these gallant men," says General Worth, "fell as, when it pleased God, they would have wished to fall, fighting bravely at the head of their troops, leaving a bright example to the service, and spotless names to the cherished recollections of comrades." Among the wounded were brevet Major Wright, Captains Mason, Walker, and Cady, and Lieutenants Shackleford, Daniels, Clarke, Snelling, and Foster, all of whom highly distinguished themselves.

The conduct of both cavalry and artillery was admirable; and the same meed of praise is due to Sumner's dragoons. General Cadwalader rendered most efficient service, and received the encomiums of General Worth. Among the other officers similarly noticed, were Colonel Garland, Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan, brevet Colonel McIntosh, Captains Huger and Drum, Lieutenants Kirkham, Nichols, and Thorne, (the latter of whom captured a regimental standard,) and the officers of Cadwalader's brigade. Worth withdrew his brigade to Tacubaya. The operations of the day had thrown the enemy on the defensive, and left no further obstruction to an attack upon the city, save the castle of Chapultepec. Knowing the strength of this fortress, General Scott wisely refrained from an immediate attack, preferring to give his troops the repose which they so much needed, rather than risk disabling his army by over exertion. The dead were collected and buried, the wounded rendered comfortable, and each division, with its officers, quartered where they could be protected from the weather.

two days, the storming of the castle is the only occurrence which is capable of separate description. The difficulty of conveying an adequate idea of the actions of August has been formerly mentioned; but the events of Contreras and Churubusco are simple when compared to those attending the taking of the capital. The plan of