at were supposed to be
impregnable, the castle and the town of Vera Cruz. This triumph was
announced on the 29th of March. The siege occupied fifteen days, and
was attended with little loss on the side of the Americans. On the
17th of April, Scott, advancing upon Mexico, issued an order for the
attack of Cerro Gordo--in which every event that was ordered and
foreseen seems now to be prophecy; and on the next day he carried that
Thermopylae of Mexico. The battle was one of the most brilliant in the
American annals. The orders of Scott, previously given, secure the
glory of the triumph for himself and his army.

On the 19th, Jalapa was occupied, and on the 22d Perote. In these
triumphs the army acquired great quantities of munitions. The city of
Puebla was occupied on the 15th of May: Ten thousand prisoners, seven
hundred cannon, ten thousand stand of arms, and thirty thousand shells
and shot were, in the course of these operations, the fruits of
American skill and valor. But even these achievements were thrown into
the shade by the glorious triumphs in the vicinity of Mexico. The
bloody contests at the intrenchments of Contreras, the fortifications
of Cherubusco and the castle of Chapultepec, and finally the capture
of Mexico, are of so recent occurrence, and so familiar in all their
details to the public, that we do not deem it necessary to narrate
them. Cut off for fifty days from all communications with Vera Cruz,
the veteran Scott won, with his feeble and greatly diminished force,
and against defenses deemed impregnable, triumphs that have thrown
immortal glory around the arms of his country.

Thus segregated, shut out from the hope of home as completely as were
the soldiers of Cortez when he burned his ships, this little band
advanced to dangers such as were never before encountered and
overcome. Science guided and protected the daring invasion; and true
American hearts, at every bristling danger, supported it, with an
ardent courage and a calm fortitude scarcely equaled in the wars of
nations. On the 15th of August, General Scott, by a masterly movement,
turned the strong works of the Penon and Mexicalzingo, on which the
enemy had labored and relied. On the 17th the spires of Mexico were in
sight. The attack upon Contreras took place. It was one of the most
brilliant achievements of the American arms. San Antonio was also
carried; and San Pablo assailed, and, after a contest of two hours,
won. In this battle the