The fortified church or convent, hotly pressed by Twiggs, had already held out about an hour, when Worth and Pillow the latter having with him Cadwallader’s brigade began to maneuver closely upon the tete de pont with the convent at half gunshot to their left. Garland’s brigade (Worth’s division), to which had been added the light battalion under Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Smith, continued to advance in front and under the fire of a long line of infantry off on the left of the bridge ; and Clarke of the same division, directed his brigade along the road or close by its side. Two of Pillow’s and Cadwallader’s regiments, the 11th and 14th, supported and participated in this direct movement the other (the Voltigeurs) was left in reserve. Most of these corps particularly Clarke’s brigade advancing perpendicularly, were made to suffer much by the fire of the tete de pont, and they would have suffered greatly more by flank attacks from the convent, but for the pressure of Twiggs on the other side of that work.
This well-combined and daring movement at length reached the principal point of attack, and the formidable tete de pout was at once assaulted and carried by the bayonet. Its deep wet ditch was first gallantly crossed by the 8th and 5th Infantry, commanded respectively by Major Waite and Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Scott followed closely by the 6th Infantry (same brigade), which had been so much exposed on the road the 11th regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, and the 14th commanded by Colonel Trousdale, both of Cadwallader’s brigade, Pillow’s division. About the same time, the enemy in front of Garland, after a hot conflict of an hour and a half gave way, in a retreat toward the capital.
The immediate results of this third signal triumph of the day were three field pieces, one hundred and ninety-two prisoners, much ammunition and two colors taken at the tete de pont.
Lieutenant I. F. Irons, 1st Artillery, aide-de-camp to Brigadier-General Cadwallader, a young officer of great merit and conspicuous in battle on several previous occasions, received in front of the work, a mortal wound. (Since dead.)
As the concurrent attack upon the convent favored, physically and morally, the assault upon the tete de pont, so reciprocally, no doubt, the fall of the latter contributed to the capture of the former. The two works were only some four hundred and fifty yards apart ; and as soon as we were in possession of the tete de pont, a captured 4-pounder was turned and fired first by Captain Larkin Smith, and next by Lieutenant Snelling, both of the 8th Infantry several times upon the convent. In the same brief interval, Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan (also of Worth’s division) gallantly brought two of his guns to bear at a short range from the San Antonio road, upon the principal face of the work and on the tower of the church, which in the obstinate contest, had been often refilled with some of the best sharpshooters of the enemy.
Finally, twenty minutes after the tete de pont had been carried by Worth and Pillow, and at the end of a desperate conflict of two hours and a half, the church or convent the citadel of the strong line of defense along the rivulet of Churubusco yielded to Twiggs’s division, and threw out on all sides signals of surrender. The white flags, however, were not exhibited until the moment when the 3d infantry, under Captain Alexander, had cleared the way by fire and bayonet, and had entered the work. Captain I. M. Smith and Lieutenant O. L. Shepherd, both of that regiment, with their companies, had the glory of leading the assault. The former received the surrender, and Captain Alexander instantly hung out from the balcony the colors of the gallant 3d. Major Dimick with a part of the 1st Artillery, serving as infantry, entered nearly abreast with the leading troops.
Captain Taylor’s field battery, attached to Twiggs’s division, opened its effective fire at an early moment upon the outworks of the convent and the tower of its church. Exposed to the severest fire of the enemy, the captain, his officers and men, won universal admiration but at length much disabled in men and horses, the battery was by superior orders withdrawn from the action, thirty minutes before the surrender of the convent.
Those corps, excepting Taylor’s battery, belonged to the brigade of Brigadier-General P. F. Smith, who closely directed the whole attack in front with his habitual coolness and ability ; while Riley’s brigade the 3d and 4th Infantry, under Captain T. Morris and Lieutenant-Colonel Plimpton respectively vigorously engaged the right of the work and part of its rear.
At the moment the Rifles, belonging to Smith’s, were detached in support of Brigadier-General Shields’s on our extreme left, and the 4th Artillery, acting as infantry, under Major Gardner, belonging to Riley’s brigade, had been left in charge of the camp, trophies, etc., at Contreras. Twiggs’s division at Churubusco had thus been deprived of the services of two of its most gallant and effective regiments.
The immediate results of this victory were the capture of seven field pieces, some ammunition, one color, three generals, and one thousand two hundred and sixty-one prisoners, including other officers.
Captains E. A. Capron and M. I. Burke, and Lieutenant S. Hoffman, all of the 1st Artillery, and Captain J. W. Anderson and Lieutenant Thomas Easley, both of the 2d Infantry five officers of great merit fell gallantly before this work.
The capture of the enemy’s citadel was the fourth great achievement of our arms in the same day.
It has been stated that some two hours and a half before, Pierce’s, followed closely by the volunteer brigade both under the command of Brigadier-General Shields had been dispatched to our left to turn the enemy’s works ; to prevent the escape of the garrisons and to oppose the extension of the enemy’s numerous corps from the rear upon and around our left.
Considering the inferior numbers of the two brigades, the objects of the movement were difficult to accomplish. Hence the reinforcement (the Rifles, etc.) sent forward a little later.
In a winding march of a mile around to the right, this temporary division found itself on the edge of an open wet meadow, near the road from San Antonio to the capital, and in the presence of some four thousand of the enemy’s infantry, a little in rear of Churubusco, on that road. Establishing the right at a strong building, Shields extended his left parallel to the road, to outflank the enemy toward the capital. But the enemy extending his right supported by three thousand cavalry more rapidly (being favored by better ground), in the same direction, Shields concentrated the division about a hamlet and determined to attack in front. The battle was long, hot and varied but ultimately, success crowned the zeal and gallantry of our troops, ably directed by their distinguished commander, Brigadier-General Shields. The 9th, 12th, and 15th Regiments, under Colonel Eansom, Captain Wood, and Colonel Morgan respectively, of Pierce’s brigade (Pillow’s division), and the New York and South Carolina Volunteers, under Colonels Burnett and Butler, respectively, of Shields’s own brigade (Quitman’s division), together with the mountain howitzer battery, now under Lieutenant Reno of the Ordnance Corps, all shared in the glory of this action our fifth victory in the same day.
Brigadier-General Pierce, from the hurt of the evening before under pain and exhaustion fainted in the action. Several other changes in command occurred on this field. Thus Colonel Morgan being severely wounded, the command of the 15th Infantry devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel Howard ; Colonel Burnett receiving a like wound, the command of the New York Volunteers fell to Lieutenant-Colonel Baxter ; and, on the fall of the lamented Colonel P. M. Butler earlier badly wounded, but continuing to lead nobly in the hottest part of the battle the command of the South Carolina Volunteers devolved first, on Lieutenant-Colonel Dickinson, who being severely wounded (as before in the siege of VERA CRUZ), the regiment ultimately fell under the orders of Major Gladden.
Lieutenants David Adams and W. E. Williams of the same corps Captain Augustus Quarles and Lieutenant J.B. Goodman of the 15th, and Lieutenant E. Chandler, New York Volunteers all gallant officers, nobly fell in the same action.
Shields took three hundred and eighty prisoners, including officers and it cannot be doubted that the rage of the conflict between him and the enemy, just in the rear of the tete de pont and the convent, ha
d some influence on the surrender of those formidable defenses.
As soon as the tete de pont was carried, the greater part of Worth’s and Pillow’s forces passed that bridge in rapid pursuit of the flying enemy. These distinguished generals, coming up with Brigadier-General Shields, now also victorious, the three continued to press upon the fugitives to within a mile and a half of the capital. Here, Colonel Harney, with a small part of his brigade of cavalry, rapidly passed to the front, and charged the enemy up to the nearest gate.
The cavalry charge was headed by Captain Kearny, of the 1st Dragoons, having in squadron with his own troop, that of Captain McReynolds of the 3d making the usual escort to general headquarters ; but, being early in the day detached for general service, was now under Colonel Harney’s orders. The gallant captain not hearing the recall, that had been sounded, dashed up to the San Antonio gate, sabering in his way all who resisted. Of the seven officers of the squadron, Kearny lost his left arm McReynolds and Lieutenant Lorimer Graham were both severely wounded, and Lieutenant K. S. Ewell, who succeeded to the command of the escort, had two horses killed under him. Major F. D. Mills, of the 15th infantry, a volunteer in this charge, was killed at the gate.
So terminated the series of events which I have but feebly presented. My thanks were freely poured out on the different fields to the abilities and science of generals and other officers to the zeal and prowess of all the rank and file included. But a reward infinitely higher the applause of a grateful country and Government will, I cannot doubt, be accorded, in due time, to so much merit of every sort, displayed by this glorious army, which has now overcome all difficulties distance, climate, ground, fortifications, numbers.
It has in a single day, in many battles, as often defeated thirty-two thousand, men made about three thousand prisoners, including eight generals (two of them ex-presidents) and two hundred and five other officers killed or wounded four thousand of all ranks besides entire corps dispersed and dissolved; captured thirty-seven pieces of ordnance more than trebling our siege train and field batteries with a large number of small arms, a full supply of ammunition of every kind, etc., etc.
These great results have overwhelmed the enemy. Our loss amounts to one thousand and fifty-three killed, one hundred and thirty-nine, including sixteen officers wounded, eight hundred and seventy-six, with sixty officers. The greater number of the dead and disabled were of the highest worth. Those under treatment, thanks to our very able medical officers, are generally doing well.
I regret having been obliged, on the 20th, to leave Major-General Quitman, an able commander, with a part of his division the fine 2d Pennsylvania Volunteers, and the veteran detachment of United States Marines at our important depot, San Augustine. It was there that I had placed our sick and wounded; the siege , supply, and baggage trains. If these had been lost, the army would have been driven almost to despair ; and considering the enemy’s very great excess of numbers, and the many approaches to the depot, it might well have become, emphatically, the post of honor.
After so many victories, we might, with but little additional loss, have occupied the capital the same evening. But Mr. Trist, commissioner, etc., as well as myself, had been admonished by the best friends of peace intelligent neutrals and some American residents against precipitation lest, by wantonly driving away the government and others dishonored we might scatter the elements of peace, excite a spirit of national desperation, and thus indefinitely postpone the hope of accommodation.
Deeply impressed with this danger, and remembering our mission to conquer a peace the army very cheerfully sacrificed to patriotism to the great wish and want of our country the éclat that would have followed an entrance sword in hand into a great
There were other reasons such as are alluded to in my report of the capture of VERA CRUZ. If we had proceeded to assault the city by day light our loss would have been dangerously great, and if a little later in the night, the slain, on the other side, including men, women, and children, would have been frightful, because if the assailants stopped to make prisoners before occupying all the strongholds, they would soon become prisoners themselves. Other atrocities, by the victors, are, in such cases, inevitable. Pillage always follows, and seems authorized by the usage of war. Hence I promised (September 13), at the gates of Mexico, a contribution in lieu of pillage, in order to avoid the horrors in question, and the consequent loss of discipline and decency capital. Willing to leave something to this republic of no immediate value to us on which to rest her pride, and to recover temper I halted our victorious corps at the gates of the city (at least for a time), and have them now cantoned in the neighboring villages, where they are well sheltered and supplied with all necessaries.
On the morning of the 21st, being about to take up battering or assaulting positions, to authorize me to summon the city to surrender, or to sign an armistice with a pledge to enter at once into negotiations for peace a mission came out to propose a truce. Rejecting its terms, I dispatched my contemplated note to President Santa Anna omitting the summons. The 22d, commissioners were appointed by the commanders of the two armies the armistice was signed the 23d, and ratifications exchanged the 24th.
All matters in dispute between the two governments have been thus happily turned over to their plenipotentiaries, who have now had several conferences, and with, I think, some hope of signing a treaty of peace.
There will be transmitted to the Adjutant-General reports from divisions, brigades, etc., on the foregoing operations, to which I must refer, with my hearty concurrence in the just applause bestowed on corps and individuals by their respective commanders. I have been able this report being necessarily a summary to bring out, comparatively, but little of individual merit not lying directly in the way of the narrative. Thus I doubt whether I have, in express terms, given my approbation and applause to the commanders of divisions and independent brigades but left their fame upon higher grounds the simple record of their great deeds and the brilliant results. To the staff, both general and personal, attached to general headquarters, I was again under high obligations for services in the field, as always in the bureau. I add their names, etc. : Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock, Acting Inspector-General ; Major J. L. Smith, Captain B. E. Lee (as distinguished for felicitous execution as I, of course, expunge none of the praises therein bestowed on certain division and brigade commanders, but as a caution to future generals-in-chief I must say I soon had abundant reason to know, that I had in haste too confidently relied upon the partial statements of several of those commanders respecting their individual skill and prowess, and the merits of a few of their favorites subordinates. I except from this remark, Generals Quitman, Shields, P. F. Smith, N. S. Clarke, Riley, and Cadwallader. for science and daring), Captain Mason, Lieutenants Stevens, Beauregard, Tower, G. W. Smith, George B. McClellan, and Foster all of the Engineers; Major Turnbull, Captain J. McClellan, and Lieutenant Hardcastle, Topographical Engineers; Captain Huger and Lieutenant Hagner, of the Ordnance ; Captains Irwin and Wayne, of the Quartermaster’s Department ; Captain Grayson, of the Commissariat; Surgeon-General Lawson, in his particular department ; Captain H. L. Scott, Acting Adjutant-General ; Lieutenant T. Williams, Aide-de-Camp, and Lieutenant Lay, Military Secretary.
Lieutenant Schuyler Hamilton, another aide-de camp, had a week before been thrown out of activity by a severe wound received in a successful charge of
This gallant, intelligent officer being sent with a detachment of cavalry from Chalco to an iron foundry, some fifteen miles off, beyond Mira Flores, to make contingent arrangements for shots and shells we having brought up but few of either, from the want of road power returning, fell into an ambuscade, and though he cut his way through, was, while slaying one man to his front, pierced through the body with a lance, by another, and thus thrown hors de combat for the remainder of the campaign. In 1861, he, as a private, was in one of the first regiments of volunteers that hastened to the defense of WASHINGTON again became one of my aides-de-camp, and, in suc
cession, a distinguished brigadier and major-general of volunteers in the Southwest. cavalry against cavalry, and four times his numbers; but on the 20th, I had the valuable services, as volunteer aids, of Majors Kirby and Van Buren, of the Pay Department, always eager for activity and distinction, and of a third, the gallant Major J. P. Gaines, of the Kentucky Volunteers.
I have the honor to be, etc., etc.,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Marina looked up from the document. “There is nothing here that you do not already know.”
“I want to know what Scott is thinking.”
“He thinks that you intend to sign a treaty of peace.”
“That is what I want the fool to keep thinking while I prepare to destroy him. Read!”
She sighed. “Headquarters of the army, Tucubaya, at the gates of Mexico, August 28, 1847. From Major-General Winfield Scott to William L. Marcy, Secretary of War, at Washington, D.C. Sir. My report number twenty-one began on the nineteenth and closed with the operations of that day…”
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“The arrogance!” Santa Anna raged. “He thinks he has beaten me.”
Marina closed the report and put it down on the table beside her. “He has beaten you. You are just too stupid to recognize it or too arrogant to admit it.”
He slapped her across the face then when she laughed at him, he turned and stormed out of the room.
September 3, 1847
Tucubaya, Mexico
Negotiations for a treaty of peace between the United States and Mexico had been ongoing for a month with no real progress.
It was just past midnight when General Winfield Scott climbed to the roof of the Bishop’s Palace at Tucubaya, which he was using as his headquarters. “I was dreaming of a roast turkey,” he grumbled. “This had better be important.”
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