I had gone back to the foot of Chapultepec, the point from which the two aqueducts begin to diverge, some hours earlier, in order to be near that new depot, and in easy communication with Quitman and Twiggs, as well as with Worth.
From this point I ordered all detachments and stragglers to their respective corps, then in advance sent to Quitman additional siege guns, ammunition, entrenching tools directed Twiggs’s remaining brigade (Kiley’s) from Piedad, to support Worth ; and Captain Steptoe’s field battery, also at Piedad, to rejoin Quitman’s division.
I had been, from the first, well aware that the western or San Cosme, was the less difficult route to the centre and conquest of the capital and therefore intended that Quitman should only maneuver and threaten the Belen or southwestern gate, in order to favor the main attack by Worth knowing that the strong defenses at the Belen were directly under the guns of the much stronger fortress, called the citadel, just within. Both of these defenses of the enemy were also within easy supporting distance from the San Angel (or Nino Perdido) and San Antonio gates. Hence the greater support, in numbers, given to Worth’s movement as the main attack.
Those views I repeatedly, in the course of the day, communicated to Major- General Quitman but being in hot pursuit, gallant himself, and ably supported by Brigadier-Generals Shields and Smith, Shields badly wounded before Chapultepec and refusing to retire as Well as by all the officers and men of the column, Quitman continued to press forward, under flank and direct fires, carried an intermediate battery of two guns, and then the gate, before two o clock in the after noon, but not without proportionate loss, increased by his steady maintenance of that position.
Here, of the heavy battery 4th Artillery Captain Drum and Lieutenant Benjamin were mortally wounded, and Lieutenant Porter, its third in rank, slightly. The loss of these two most distinguished officers the army will long mourn. Lieutenants I. B. Moragne and William Canty, of the South Carolina Volunteers, also of high merit, fell on the same occasion besides many of our bravest non-commissioned officers and men, particularly in Captain Drum’s veteran company. I cannot in this place, give names or numbers but full returns of the killed and wounded of all corps, in their recent operations, will accompany this report.
Quitman, within the city, adding several new defenses to the position he had won, and sheltering his corps as well as practicable, now awaited the return of daylight under the guns of the formidable citadel, yet to be subdued.
At about four o clock next morning (September 14), a deputation of the ayuntamiento (city council) waited upon me to report that the Federal Government and the army of Mexico had fled from the capital some three hours before, and to demand terms of capitulation in favor of the church, the citizens, and the municipal authorities. I promptly replied, that I would sign no capitulation; that the city had been virtually in our possession from the time of the lodgments effected by Worth and Quitman the day before that I regretted the silent escape of the Mexican army that I should levy upon the city a moderate contribution, for special purposes; and that the American army should come under no terms, not to be imposed such only as its own honor, the dignity of the United States, and the spirit of the age, should, in my opinion, imperiously demand and impose.
For the terms so imposed, I refer the department to subsequent general orders, Nos. 287 and 289 (paragraphs 7, 8, and 9, of the latter), copies of which are herewith enclosed.
At the termination of the interview with the city deputation, I communicated, about daylight, orders to Worth and Quitman to advance slowly and cautiously (to guard against treachery) toward the heart of the city, and to occupy its stronger and more commanding points. Quitman proceeded to the great plaza or square, planted guards, and hoisted the colors of the United States on the national palace containing the Halls of Congress and Executive apartments of Federal Mexico. In this grateful service, 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 vigor 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 Molino del Key, and Chapultepec as much as those who fought at the gates of Belen and San Cosme.
Soon after we had entered, and were in the act of occupying the city, a fire was opened upon us from the flat roofs of the houses, from windows and corners of streets, by some two thousand convicts, liberated the night before, by the flying Government joined by, perhaps, as many Mexican soldiers, who had disbanded themselves and thrown off their uniforms. This unlawful war lasted more than twenty-four hours, in spite of the exertions of the municipal authorities, and was not put down till we had lost many men, including several officers, killed or wounded, and had punished the miscreants. Their objects were to gratify national hatred and, in the general alarm and confusion, to plunder the wealthy inhabitants particularly the deserted houses. But families are now generally returning business of every kind has been resumed, and the city is already tranquil and cheerful, under the admirable conduct (with exceptions very few and trifling) of our gallant troops.
This army has been more disgusted than surprised that, by some sinister process on the part of certain individuals at home, its numbers have been, generally, almost trebled in our public papers beginning at WASHINGTON.
Leaving, as we all feared, inadequate garrisons at VERA CRUZ, Perote, and Puebla with much larger hospitals and being obliged, most reluctantly, from the same cause (general paucity of numbers) to abandon Jalapa, we marched [August 7-10] from Puebla with only ten thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight rank and file. This number includes the garrison of Jalapa, and the two thousand four hundred and twenty-nine men brought in by Brigadier-General Pierce, August 6.
At Contreras, Churubusco, etc. [August 20], we had but eight thousand four hundred and ninety-seven men engaged after deducting the garrison of SAN AUGUSTIN (our general depot), the intermediate sick and the dead at the Molino del Key (September 8), but three brigades, with some cavalry and artillery making in all three thousand two hundred and fifty-one men were in the battle ; in the two days September 12 and 13 our whole operating force, after deducting again the recent killed, wounded, and sick, together with the garrison of Mixcoac (the then general depot) and that of TACUBAYA, was but seven thousand one hundred and eighty ; and, finally, after deducting the new garrison of Chapultepec, with the killed and wounded of the two days, we took possession (September 14) of this great capital with less than six thousand men! And I reassert, upon accumulated and unquestionable evidence that, in not one of these conflicts, was this army opposed by fewer than three and a half times its numbers in several of them, by a yet greater excess.
I recapitulate our losses since we arrived in the basin of Mexico :
August 19, 20 : Killed, 137, including 14 officers. Wounded, 877, including 62 officers. Missing (probably killed), 38 rank and file. Total, 1,052. September 8: Killed, 116, including 9 officers. Wounded, 665, including 49 officers. Missing, 18 rank and file. Total, 789.
September 12, 13, 14 : Killed, 130, including 10 officers. Wounded, 703, including 68 officers. Missing, 29 rank and file. Total, 862.
Grand total of losses, 2,703, including 383 officers.
On the other hand, this small force has beaten on the same occasions, in view of their capital, the whole Mexican army, of (at the beginning) thirty-odd thousand men posted, always, in chosen positions, behind entrenchments, or more formidable defenses of nature and art ; killed or wounded, of that number, more than seven thousand officers and men ; taken 3,730 prisoners, one-seventh officers, including thirteen generals, of whom three had been presidents of this republic ; captured more than twenty colors and standards, seventy- five pieces of ordnance, besides fifty-seven wall pieces,
twenty thousand small arms,* an immense quantity of shots, shells, powder, etc., etc.
Of that enemy, once so formidable in numbers, appointments, artillery, etc., twenty-odd thousand have disbanded themselves in despair, leaving, as is known, not more than three fragments the largest about two thousand five hundred now wandering in different directions, without magazines or a military chest, and living at free quarters upon their own people.
General Santa Anna, himself a fugitive, is believed to be on the point of resigning the chief magistracy, and escaping to neutral Guatemala. A new President, no doubt, will soon be declared, and the Federal Congress is expected to reassemble at Queretaro, one hundred and twenty-five miles north of this, on the Zacatecas road, some time in October. I have seen and given safe conduct through this city to several of its members. The Government will find itself without resources; no army, no arsenals, no magazines, and but little revenue, internal or external. Still such is the obstinacy, or rather infatuation, of this people, that it is very doubtful whether the new authorities will dare to sue for peace on the terms which, in the recent negotiations, were made known by our minister
In conclusion, I beg to enumerate, once more, with due commendation and thanks, the distinguished staff officers, general and personal, who, in our last operations in front of the enemy accompanied me, and communicated orders to every point and through every danger. Lieutenant - Colonel Hitchcock, Acting Inspector - General ; Major Turnbull and Lieutenant Hardcastle, Topographical Engineers ; Major Kirby, Chief Paymaster ; Captain Irwin, Chief Quartermaster ; Captain Grayson, Chief Commissary ; Captain H. L. Scott, Chief in the Adjutant-General’s Department ; Lieutenant Williams, Aide-de-Camp ; Lieutenant Lay, Military Secretary, and Major J. P. Gaines, Kentucky Cavalry, Volunteer Aide-de-Camp. Captain Lee, Engineer, so constantly distinguished, also bore important orders from me (September 13) until he fainted from a wound and the loss of two nights sleep at the batteries. Lieutenants Beauregard, Stevens, and Tower, all wounded, were employed with the divisions, and Lieutenants G. W. Smith, and G. B. McClellan, with the company of Sappers and Miners. Those five lieutenants of engineers, like their captain, won the admiration of all about them. The Ordnance officers, Captain Huger, Lieutenants Hagner, Stone, and Eeno, were highly effective, and distinguished at the several batteries; and I may add that Captain McKinstry, Assistant Quartermaster, at the close of the operations, executed several important commissions for me as a special volunteer.
Surgeon-General Lawson, and the medical staff generally, were skilful and untiring in and out of fire, in ministering to the numerous wounded.
To illustrate the operations in this basin, I enclose two beautiful drawings, prepared under the directions of Major Turnbull, mostly from actual survey. I have the honor to be, etc., etc.,
Besides those in the hands of prisoners. The twenty thousand new muskets (British manufacture) found in the citadel, were used in a novel way. Iron being scarce in the interior, the barrels made excellent shoes for our horses and mules, and the brass cuffs or bands were worked up into spear heads for the color-staffs, and spurs for the cavalry and all mounted officers.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
April 3, 1848
Mexico City, Mexico
Marina opened the door, then walked back toward the windows to look out at the city as Robert came in. “Your father died during the night.”
“What?” Robert gasped.
“He’s in bed. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do. Can you manage the arrangements please? I seem to be mentally paralyzed.”
Robert blinked back tears. “Yes, Mother, of course. I just need a moment.”
She nodded.
“Was he ill?”
“If he was he didn’t show it and, naturally, he didn’t mention it.”
“Should we try to take him back and bury him in the family cemetery? I know it can be done. Many fallen Americans have been transported in ice obtained from the mountains.”
She sighed. “He wouldn’t like being packed in ice like a fish.”
“I doubt that he’d like being buried in Mexico so far from his family either.”
“Well, I’ll be here, but perhaps Win Scott can arrange a military funeral and a cremation. That way you can take half of your father’s ashes home to Van Buskirk Point and half can be buried here with the soldiers he served with so long. That way perhaps I too can visit him occasionally.”
Robert blew his nose and wiped his eyes. “If you don’t mind, Mother, I’d rather get someone from graves to come. I want to remember him when he was alive.”
“That’s fine.”
“I don’t agree with your decision to stay here but this is not the time to debate that.”
“I must ask you to promise that you will honor my decision and that there will be no debate.”
“I can’t promise that, Mother. I want you to come home too badly.”
“This is more home to me than New Jersey, Robert. Like your Aunt Nan, I just borrowed your father’s family.” At last, dry eyed, she turned to look at her son. “Mexico needs me. It’s my destiny as a daughter of La Malinche.”
February 2, 1848
Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ceded 525,000 square miles of Mexican land to the United States in exchange for $15,000,000 and $3,250,000 in debt forgiveness. The land included parts of the modern Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming, as well as all of California, Nevada, and Utah.
The End
* Autobiography of Lieut.-Gen. Winfield Scott in Two Volumes - by Winfield Scott, 1864. (Edited for readability.)
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