ton, with orders to follow the
latter through the breach and advance rapidly and carry the main work
by assault. A force of men carrying scaling ladders were placed with
Johnston. Colonel William Trousdale, with the Eleventh and Fourteenth
Regiments, and one section of Magruder's battery, under command of
Lieutenant Thomas Jonathan Jackson, was placed in position in the road
leading on the left of Chapultepec to the city, and ordered to advance
and prevent an advance of the enemy in that direction. General
Cadwallader was directed by General Pillow to execute the orders.
General Smith's brigade had orders to move on the right of the column
of attack and cut off the retreat of the enemy in that direction.
General Scott now notified the commanding officers of the attacking
forces to be ready to move when the signal was given. The troops moved
forward promptly at the signal, and after a brave and desperate
struggle its gallant defender, General Bravo, surrendered. With the
exception of Riley's brigade, Steptoe's battery, and the garrison at
Mexcoac, all of the American army were engaged. General Scott's forces
engaged amounted to about seven thousand five hundred men. The Mexican
authorities state that eight hundred men were in Chapultepec. The
brigades of Rangel and Pena were stationed near. The Mexicans engaged
did not probably exceed four thousand men.

[Illustration: OPERATIONS OF THE AMERICAN ARMY
IN THE
VALLEY OF MEXICO
in August and September
1847.]

Among the prisoners captured were Generals Monterde, Saldana, and
Norriega, the former superintendent of the military school, and forty
of his pupils. On the commencement of the engagement these youths
deserted their schoolrooms, and, arming themselves, joined in the
defense of Chapultepec and fought with great bravery.

Preparations were now made for an advance and the capture of the
capital. The pursuit of the retreating enemy was followed on two roads
leading to the city, and there was considerable desultory fighting. At
1 o'clock A.M. on the 14th a deputation of citizens arrived at General
Worth's headquarters, who were sent by him, under charge of Major
William W. Mackall, to General Scott's headquarters. They reported
that General Santa Anna had fled from the city, leaving it with the
civil authorities, and they came to ask favorable terms of surrender.
General Scott declined to make any terms with them, telling them that
the city had practically been in