In obedience to orders, it had occupied the field of Molino del
Rey. Contrary to expectation, it was found that the enemy's force had
been withdrawn from this position. Pierce remained in the field until
noon, when, it being certain that the anticipated attack would not take
place before the following day, he returned to the quarters of General
Worth, which were near at hand. There he became extremely ill, and was
unable to leave his bed for the thirty-six hours next ensuing. In the
mean time, the Castle of Chepultepec was stormed by the troops under
Generals Pillow and Quitman. Pierce's brigade behaved itself gallantly,
and suffered severely; and that accomplished officer, Colonel Ransom,
leading the Ninth Regiment to the attack, was shot through the head, and
fell, with many other brave men, in that last battle of the war.
The American troops, under Quitman and Worth, had established themselves
within the limits of the city, having possession of the gates of Belen
and of San Cosma, but, up till nightfall, had met with a vigorous
resistance from the Mexicans, led on by Santa Anna in person. They had
still, apparently, a desperate task before them. It was anticipated
that, with the next morning's light, our troops would be ordered to storm
the citadel, and the city of Mexico itself.
Pages:
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93