RESULT OF QUITMAN'S OPERATIONS.

589

HIS report has already shown the prominent part taken by the regiment of riflemen under the command of the brave and intrepid

T

Major Loring, who fell severely wounded by my side, while receiving orders for the final charge upon the garita. After the taking of the batteries of Chapultepec, in which portions of this corps took an active part, this efficient and splendid regiment were employed as sharp-shooters in the advance, through the arches of the aqueduct, where their services were invaluable. My only concern was to restrain their daring impetuosity.

"The gallant and unassuming Palmetto regiment, which had charged up the ascent of Chapultepec without firing a gun, was also employed to support and aid the rifles. In this service their loss was severe. Among others, the brave and efficient commander, Major Gladden, was severely wounded, and Lieutenants J. B. Moraigne and William Canty, killed. But they well sustained the reputation they had acquired at Vera Cruz, Contreras, and Churubusco.

"Brigadier-General Shields had solicited from me the command of the storming parties in the morning of the 13th. Not feeling justified in permitting so great an exposure of an officer of his rank with an inadequate command, and requiring his invaluable services with his brigade, the application was declined. Until carried from the field on the night of the 13th, in consequence of the severe wound received in the morning, he was conspicuous for his gallantry, energy, and skill. In Brevet Brigadier-General Smith, who was ever cool, unembarrassed, and ready, under the trying exposures of the day, I found an able and most efficient supporter. Lieutenant-Colonel Geary, who, in the illness of Colonel Roberts, commanded the 2d Pennsyl vania regiment, constituting the 2d brigade of my division, was wounded before the walls of Chapultepec, at the head of his corps, but soon resumed command and rendered good service."

General Quitman's loss on this day was five hundred and forty men, of whom seventy-seven, including eight officers, were killed, four hundred and fifty-four wounded, and nine missing.

It will be borne in mind, that the storming of Belen gate had not been part of General Scott's plan of attack. The main assault was conducted by General Worth, and during the afternoon, the commander had repeatedly informed Quitman of his original design

But that gallant officer continued to press forward with increased success, and a laudable spirit which the general-in-chief would not dampen, by an order for his recall. The consequence was that the whole line of defence on the western side was carried on the same afternoon, rendering the defeat of the enemy utterly overwhelming.

It should also be borne in mind, that during a great part of the assault, Quitman was opposed by Santa Anna in person, who left no means untried in order to avail himself of his powerful defences, and prevent the entrance of the Americans. Even the batteries of El Paseo and Piedad were made to sweep the causeway, along which the troops were passing; so that in view of all the circumstances attending this trying assault, the sentiment will not appear extravagant, which compared Quitman's advance towards the Belen gate, to Napoleon's passage of the Lodi. The immediate consequence was the capture of the capital, so long the goal of the army's ambition.

T four o'clock, A. M. of September 13, the deputation from the Mexican Ayuntamiento, reached the head-quarters of General Scott. They reported, as before, that the army and government had left the city, and demanded in the name of the city council, terms of capitulation in favour of the church, the citizens, and municipal authorities. The general replied that he would sign no such instrument, since, virtually, the city had been in his possession for several hours. While regretting the escape of the Mexican army, he expressed his determination to levy a contribution for special purposes, and to bring his army under no terms

not self-imposed-" such only as its own honour, the dignity of the United States, and the spirit of the age should in my opinion imperiously demand and impose." The substance of these terms was, that the city should be laid under strict martial law; that a contribu tion of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars should be laid upon the capital, payable in four, weekly, instalments, and that no rent should be paid by the United States for any building occupied by troops or officers, without a special direction from general headquarters. On the other hand, no private house was to be occupied by the American troops without the free consent of the owner, or an order from General Scott, while the collection of duties at the several gates of the city was continued as before, in the hands of the Mexican authorities. A Mexican police was organized to act in concert with the Americans; and the city, with its public buildings and places of religious worship, was placed under the especial safeguard of the army. General Quitman was appointed civil and military governor, and Captain Naylor superintendent of the National Palace.

At the termination of the interview, the general-in-chief communicated orders to Generals Worth and Quitman, to advance slowly and cautiously towards the heart of the city, so as to occupy its strongest and most commanding positions. It was under obedience to these orders that Quitman, as before related, proceeded to

City of Mexico. Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl in the distance.

the grand plaza, planted guards, and hoisted, on the National Palace, the colours of the United States. "In this grateful service," observes the commander, "Quitman might have been anticipated by Worth, but for my express orders halting the latter at the head of the alameda, (a green park,) within three squares of that goal of general ambition. The capital, however, was not taken by any one or two corps, but by the talent, the science, the gallantry, the prowess of this entire army. In the glorious conquest all had contributed-early and powerfully-the killed, the wounded, and the fit for duty-at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, San Antonio, Churubusco, (three battles,) the Molinos del Rey, and Chapultepec-as much as those who fought at the gates of Belen and San Cosme."

The advance divisions were followed by the remainder of the army, under the personal direction of Major-General Scott. The officers were dressed in full uniform, the military bands sent forth strains of national music, and altogether, the entrance was conducted in a manner highly gratifying to the soldiers.

Immediately after entering, the troops were fired upon from the 1oofs of houses, windows, and corners of the streets, by about two thousand convicts liberated by the flying government, and assisted by as many Mexican soldiers, who had disbanded themselves and thrown off their uniforms. Worth and Quitman's divisions had previously suffered from the same source. In spite of the exertions of the municipal authorities, this unlawful war was not stopped until the Ameri