t to
fire in the direction of the cathedral. I was now satisfied that
we could operate successfully in the city, and that the enemy had
retired from the lower portion of it to make a stand behind his
barricades. As General Quitman's brigade had been on duty the
previous night, I determined to withdraw the troops to the (p. 296)
evacuated works, and concert with General Worth a combined
attack upon the town. The troops accordingly fell back
deliberately, in good order, and resumed their original
positions, General Quitman's brigade being relieved after
nightfall by that of General Hamer. On my return to camp, I met
an officer with the intelligence that General Worth, induced by
the firing in the lower part of the city, was about making an
attack at the upper extremity, which had also been evacuated by
the enemy to a considerable distance. I regretted that this
information had not reached me before leaving the city, but still
deemed it inexpedient to change my orders, and accordingly
returned to the camp. A note from General Worth written at eleven
o'clock P.M., informed me that he had advanced to within a short
distance of the principal plaza, and that the mortar (which had
been sent to his division in the morning) was doing good
execution within effective range of the enemy's position.

Desiring to make no further attempt upon the city without
complete concert as to the lines and mode of approach, I
instructed that officer to suspend his advance until I could have
an interview with him on the following morning at his
head-quarters.

Early on the morning of the 24th, I received, through Colonel
Moreno, a communication from General Ampudia, proposing to
evacuate the town; which, with the answer, were forwarded with my
first despatch. I arranged with Colonel Moreno a cessation of
fire until twelve o'clock, at which hour I would receive the
answer of the Mexican general at General Worth's head-quarters,
to which I soon repaired. In the mean time, General Ampudia had
signified to General Worth, his desire for a personal interview
with me, to which I acceded, and which finally resulted in a
capitulation, placing the town and the material of war, with
certain exceptions, in our possession. A copy of that
capitulation was transmitted w