MOLINO DEL REY.--CHAPULTEPEC.--CAPTURE OF CITY OF MEXICO.--RETURN TO
UNITED STATES.
The diary continues as follows:--
Saturday, August 21. General Scott and staff left San Augustin at
eight o'clock; on his way to Coyoacan, he gave orders that Worth
should move on Tacubaya, Pillow on Mixcoac, and Twiggs on San Angel;
and at Coyoacan, he was met by commissioners from the city asking
for a suspension of arms. It was granted as preliminary to an
armistice to be concluded for the express purpose of negotiating a
peace, and commissioners were to meet and adjust the terms of the
armistice. The general proceeded with his staff, and took up
quarters in the bishop's palace, on the slope ascending westward
from Tacubaya, and about a mile and a half from Chapultepec. This
palace is a favorite resort of Santa Anna, and affords an extended
view of the whole valley of Mexico.
Sunday, August 22. Generals Quitman, Smith, and Pierce, American
commissioners, met the Mexican commissioners, Villamil and Quijano,
to adjust the terms of the armistice. After sitting through the
night of the 22d and 23d, the instrument was perfected, and signed
by General Scott and President Santa Anna. It provided generally
that the belligerents should remain as they were; that hostilities
should cease within a circuit of thirty leagues; that reinforcements
to the American army should stop at Puebla; that there should be no
interruption to supplies coming to the army from the city; and that
the American army should remain without the city.
This armistice during the two or three subsequent days occasioned
considerable discussion. The army generally felt a strong desire to
enter the city as conquerors, and the foreigners of the city,
somewhat numerous, fostered this feeling. It was generally agreed,
however, by the most intelligent and reflecting, that General Scott
had pursued a wise course. Our object was not to make a conquest,
but to adjust the questions in dispute by a definite treaty of
peace. We ought, therefore, to do nothing needlessly to humiliate
them. Moreover, our entering the city would disperse the government,
and there would be danger that the country would become the prey of
factions, and that no party would have sufficient power to enter
into treaty with. Such were the views of our commissioner, Mr.
Trist.
August 23-September 1. During these thirteen days Commissioners
Herrera and Mora, on the part of the Mexican government, have met
Mr. Trist several times to negotiate the treaty. Thus far nothing
has transpired to afford reasonable apprehension that hostilities
will again be resumed. The appointment of the principal men of the
peace party, Santa Anna's opponents, strengthens this belief. His
own proclamation announcing the armistice strongly advocates peace.
It is believed that, were Santa Anna firmly seated in power, the
whole thing could be arranged in thirty days. Unfortunately, he
depends almost entirely upon his army. At this very moment clouds
are overshadowing the heavens in all directions: Almonte and
Valencia have formed a coalition to the west; Paredes has returned
from exile, and is now said to be in the neighborhood of Puebla;
Alvarez is somewhere to the north; and a fourth faction is making
head towards the south.
The Mexicans are great sticklers for forms, and, since the
conclusion of the armistice, they have sent back our trains several
times in consequence of some little ceremony having been omitted.
The first train that entered the city was stoned by the populace,
and there was some little difficulty experienced in getting the
train out in safety. An apology was immediately made for the
affront. But it was made the ground for suggesting that, for the
safety of our people, the wagons should be loaded outside, and that
our people should not enter the city. At this very moment there is
no communication between the city and the residents of the villages
occupied by our army.
I believe that with patience and firmness on our part, and the being
content with the cession of New Mexico and New California, paying
therefor an ample indemnity in money, we shall get peace. We may
consider the relinquishment of the Mexican claims to the territory
east of the Rio Grande as the indemnity for the expenses of the war.
September 6, 7. All our hopes have been doomed to disappointment.
General Scott, in consequence of the violation of the third and
seventh articles of the armistice on the part of the Mexicans,
terminated the armistice to-day at twelve o'clock, and the ball is
to be reopened. God grant that a similar sacrifice may not be
required of us as at Churubusco!
MOLINO DEL REY.[2]
September 8. At daybreak an attack was made on the enemy's position
at the foundry, and after a most terrific engagement of two hours
the position was carried, but with a loss of six hundred killed and
wounded in Worth's division alone. In addition to his command,
Cadwallader's brigade was engaged. The enemy was in a position of
immense strength, their left resting on Chapultepec and the foundry,
their right on a ravine, a continuous breastwork covering their
front.
The attack was opened by two 24-pounders on the walls of the
foundry, upon which an assaulting column of five hundred men picked
from Worth's division, organized in companies of one hundred men and
commanded by Major Wright, deployed and advanced upon the enemy's
line. The right, led by Lieutenant Foster with ten sappers and ten
pioneers carrying crowbars and axes, moved on the foundry; the left,
led by Captain Mason, on the enemy's battery of four guns. The enemy
were driven from their lines, but immediately retook them, every
officer of the assaulting column being killed or wounded save two.
Captain Mason had a flesh wound in the thigh; Lieutenant Foster one
in the leg, breaking the bone. The right of the assaulting column
having maintained its position under cover of the foundry, the
reserves of Garland and Clarke were promptly brought up, and after a
desperate conflict the enemy was driven to the rear of Chapultepec,
and the whole position fell into our hands.
Drum's battery of two 6-pounders supported Garland on the right, and
with two rounds of canister drove the enemy from his battery. It was
then pushed forward three hundred yards beyond support, opening its
fire and driving the enemy before it, but was finally recalled.
Duncan on the left supported Clarke's brigade, and drove the enemy,
who was advancing, back to and out of the right of his lines. The
dragoons under Major Sumner turned the right flank, causing a large
body of lancers to retire under cover of a village to the left.
I reconnoitred the ground to our left, and estimated the lancers to
be from one to two thousand.
The attack had simply for its object the destruction of the foundry
(which did not exist; at least, no boring apparatus or furnaces
could be found), and the position was finally abandoned. The battle
was entirely without results; two or three additional victories of
the same kind would annihilate our army. It has filled all hearts
with sadness. Colonel Scott, Captain Merrill, Captain Ayres, Captain
Armstrong, and others have fallen. Among those most lamented is the
gallant Colonel Graham, who fell gallantly leading the 11th regiment
to the charge. Lieutenant Burwell, wounded in the assault, was
barbarously murdered by the enemy by a lance in the head.
Duncan's efficiency was diminished in consequence of the precipitate
charge of Clarke's brigade on the Casa Mata, masking his fire. A
well-directed fire of round-shot from his battery would have driven
the enemy from that strong position, and thus saved us many valuable
lives sacrificed in taking it by the bayonet. There was great
difficulty in reconnoitring the position without bringing on a
general action. More guns should have been brought into action. It
was more a case for artillery than for the bayonet. An attempt
should have been made to reconnoitre the enemy's right, with a view
of sending round a column and taking his line in flank and rear.
The loss to Worth's division was greater in this action than the
English loss at the assault of Badajos.
On the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th, in consequence of the occupation
of the church of Piedad by our troops, and the pushing of the
reconnoissances in that direction, the enemy was exceedingly active
in fortifying that front of the city from the gate of Belen to that
of Las Vegas, and even prepared cuts in the road leading to
Istacalco on the canal. On the 10th they had a very respectable
battery in position, and were in expectation that the attack would
be made in that direction.
CHAPULTEPEC.
At a council of war at La Piedad on the 11th, it was determined to
establish batteries against Chapultepec, and carry it by assault,
then to operate against the city as circumstances should dictate.
This was General Scott's proposition, and was concurred in generally
by the officers present at the council. Accordingly, on the night of
the 11th-12th batteries were commenced, one for two 18-pounders and
one 8-inch howitzer on the road leading to Chapultepec, and one for
one 24-pounder and one 8-inch howitzer near the foundry. These
batteries opened their fire about eight A.M. on the 12th, Quitman's
division supporting on the right, Pillow's on the left. About 2.30
P.M. a third battery, one 18-pounder, one 8-inch howitzer, and one
mortar, was prepared also near the foundry.
The fire was returned with some spirit, and about eight A.M. on the
13th the order was given to commence the assault.
Chapultepec stands boldly out two miles from the City of Mexico, an
eminence two hundred feet high, having on its summit an irregular
work with a stone scarp ten feet high, the whole defended by the
strong stone building used as a military college.
At the southwestern foot of the height is the venerable cypress
grove of the age of Montezuma, extending to within four hundred
yards of the mill whence Pillow was to direct the assault of his
command. At its eastern base was a formidable battery sweeping the
causeway of approach in the direction of Quitman's command, the
aqueduct and stone buildings affording cover to troops.
It was known, from a daring reconnoissance made by General Quitman
on the afternoon of the 12th, that the enemy were in the occupancy
of this base of Chapultepec, five thousand strong.
Quitman, with a select storming party from Twiggs's division two
hundred and fifty strong, commanded by Captain Casey and supported
by Smith's brigade, was to attack on the right, carrying the
formidable position reconnoitred by him on the 12th, and thence
sweeping up the hill to enter the citadel itself. Pillow, supported
by Worth's whole division with a select storming party from that
division, headed by the gallant Captain McKensie, 2d artillery, was
to break through the cypress grove, charge up the hill, and pour his
men into the work in conjunction with Quitman.
At eight o'clock the commands advanced. In Pillow's attack, the
Voltigeurs, with Callender's howitzer battery, ran forward, and,
charging the wood, soon cleared it of the enemy's skirmishers. His
whole command now pushed forward with such unexpected vigor that,
before the storming party could pass them to take the lead, the
whole brow of the hill was covered by a dense body of men, who,
finding cover behind rocks and in the inequalities of the ground,
steadfastly maintained its position, swaying slightly in the effort
to get better cover whilst endeavoring to advance. There they hung,
like a cluster of bees, whilst a tremendous fire of artillery opened
upon them from the work. The storming party with their ladders now
pressed forward; soon they were planted, the gallant McKensie, with
his hat on his sword, pressed forward, drawing after as by strings
the whole command, who in a moment overleaped the work and drove the
gunners down the eastern slope, where a fierce conflict still raged
on the part of Quitman.
Quitman, at the preconcerted signal, moved forward the select
storming party from Twiggs's division, a light battalion under the
gallant Major Twiggs, and a select storming party of forty marines
under Captain Reynolds in the advance, followed by the Maine
battalion, the South Carolina, New York, and Pennsylvania
volunteers.
The brigade of Smith was in the adjoining field on the right, and
had assigned to it the duty of breaking through the aqueduct and
taking the enemy in flank and rear. The command moved up the
causeway, under a tremendous fire of artillery and musketry, till
they reached some old buildings of adobe, where they were obliged to
get a momentary shelter. From this position, a company of the rifles
and portions of the storming parties being still further in advance,
they opened an effective fire in return. As the volunteer regiments
came up, they were turned off into the open field on the left,
intersected with ditches, to the assault of Chapultepec.
The New Yorkers and Pennsylvanians made a detour to the left, and
entering the cypress grove at an abandoned breastwork where some
fifteen minutes previously portions of Pillow's command had entered,
pressed forward and became intermingled with Pillow's command as it
poured into the work, as did the Palmettoes, who pierced the stone
wall at a partial breach made by a cannon-ball without scarcely
varying from their direction.
Smith in his advance, finding two wide and deep ditches in his front
without any adequate means to cross them, and his force too small to
force the passage in presence of the immense force of the enemy,
veered to the left, and sheltering his troops partially by maguey
plants, opened a well-directed fire upon the enemy in conjunction
with the storming parties and marines on the causeway.
Meanwhile Drum's battery, a 9-pounder and a 16-pounder, came up and
opened on the enemy, as did Hunt's section of Drum's battery.
For half an hour the contest was of unparalleled severity. Our
troops, however, pressed forward, and, Chapultepec having fallen,
the enemy fled to the city along the Tacubaya causeway, and a
causeway entering the San Cosme causeway at the English cemetery,
some six hundred yards outside the garita, yet not till some of the
most resolute of their troops had maintained their posts even to the
interlocking of bayonets and clubbing of rifles.
Quitman on the Tacubaya causeway, the rifles and 1st artillery of
Smith's brigade in advance, Worth on the San Cosme causeway, pressed
forward in pursuit of the enemy.
Aqueducts supplying the city with water extended along both these
causeways, resting on arches that afforded partial shelter to
troops. The causeway of Tacubaya led directly into the city, and
with a strong field-work midway was defended at the gate by another
formidable battery, by the strong work of the citadel three hundred
yards distant, and by cross-fires from a formidable battery on the
paseo leading from the San Cosme to the Belen suburb, and on both
sides were almost impassable ditches filled with water.
The San Cosme suburb extended even beyond the English cemetery,
where there was a formidable field-work sweeping the main Cosme
causeway and the causeway from Chapultepec. At the gate, and two
hundred yards without, were two batteries for two guns each.
Quitman pushed forward his command with unexampled vigor. The
rifles and 1st artillery in advance, closely followed by the
Palmettoes, marines, and the remainder of the volunteer division,
were in close contact with the enemy till possession was effected of
the garita at twenty minutes past one. In this contest Drum's
battery, assisted by Captain Winder's company of the 1st artillery
as a fatigue party, was served with a vigor and enthusiasm
unparalleled in this war. The iron men of Drum pushed it into the
very teeth of the enemy's fire, and made it send forth an iron hail
that drove the enemy from all his positions, even the garita itself.
Drum paused not at the garita. With a sublime devotion, he marched
boldly up to the very citadel itself, and fell mortally wounded,
together with his gallant lieutenant, Benjamin, two thirds of his
company being disabled. In command of a battery only three weeks, he
fell universally lamented, the first artillerist of the army.
The temporary pause in the pursuit on the capture of the garita,
considered indispensable to get the command in hand in order to
proceed against the enemy, who was still in force, gave time to
reassure the troops at the citadel, who were at one moment struck
with a panic, and on the eve of evacuating the position.
Notwithstanding the heroic conduct of Drum and the gallantry of the
rifles and Palmettoes, the terrible fire which was soon opened from
that work and the battery on the paseo compelled Quitman to withdraw
his troops to the shelter of the garita, where they sustained the
tremendous fire of the enemy till nightfall.
The command of Worth, on the fall of Chapultepec, boldly pushed
forward to the San Cosme suburb, Garland's brigade and Magruder's
battery in front. A smart encounter was had with a considerable body
of the enemy's lancers, who were charging down the causeway.
Magruder was vigorously pushing forward his guns, ably supported by
the troops, and the battery at the English cemetery was about to
fall into our hands, when the whole command was halted. Worth, on
arriving at a cross-road leading to the Tacubaya cemetery, was
attracted by the tremendous contest going on there, and in
consequence halted his command to be in condition to lend a hand to
Quitman in case of his being sorely pressed. Timely assistance was
rendered by Duncan's battery, which contributed materially to
Quitman's success. Meanwhile a reconnoissance by the engineers
showed that the enemy had no artillery in position at the cemetery,
that the infantry force there was not formidable, and the lancers
hanging on the flanks were not worthy of regard. Soon the order was
given to charge the works. Our troops pressed in, driving the enemy
before them and with little loss, and pressed forward to the
batteries at the garita and in advance. Worth, on his arrival at the
suburb about half past twelve o'clock, finding that a continuous row
of stone buildings put it in our power to make a permanent lodgment,
and reduce the contest to the crowbar and pickaxe without exposing
the lives of the men, recalled the troops, and awaited the arrival
of the ordnance and engineer trains.
A reconnoissance having shown that the first battery could easily be
carried and with little loss, the enemy was driven from it, and
Hunt's section was put in position behind it, and made to open on
the enemy's battery of two guns at the garita. But he was soon
compelled to put his battery under cover in consequence of the
superior metal of the enemy.
At four the trains arrived, and immediately the troops, armed with
the proper tools, commenced making their way from house to house.
One party, headed by the engineer company, reaching the top of a
high building, forty yards from the garita, opened fire upon the
enemy at the guns at the very moment a similar fire was opened from
a party on the other side of the street led by the gallant McKensie.
The enemy was driven from the garita, but took away one of their
guns. At nightfall Worth's whole command was lodged in the suburb,
his advance within twelve hundred yards of the Alameda.
During the night Quitman, in the erection of batteries and infantry
covers, was making every preparation to renew the contest in the
morning and to carry his attack into the heart of the city.
The enemy, however, withdrew their troops, and at seven o'clock
Quitman's command entered the citadel, and, pushing forward to the
main plaza, the marines cleared the palace of the leperos, or
thieves, who were infesting it, and hoisted the star-spangled banner
from its summit.
General Scott, who had been the master spirit of the whole
operations, originating the plan of attacking Chapultepec, giving
the order when the time had come to make the assault, from the
extended position of Chapultepec ordering the movements upon the
causeways, supporting each by an adequate force, and on a lodgment
being effected in the Cosme suburb ordering the resort to the
crowbar and the refraining from the bayonet,--General Scott at eight
o'clock issued his orders from the national palace announcing his
occupation of the capital of Mexico.
Still, a desultory contest was kept up throughout the day from the
houses of the city by an intermingled body of soldiers and leperos
led on by officers of the army. Scott took the most decided means to
stop it, and ordered every house to be blown up from which a hostile
shot should be fired. At night the city was tranquil and in the
undisturbed possession of our troops.
Thus the crowning glories of Chapultepec and of the gates of San
Cosme and Belen placed us in the undisputed possession of the City
and valley of Mexico. The public force of the enemy, dispirited and
demoralized, paused two or three days at Guadalupe and divided:
Santa Anna with a portion repairing to Puebla to try his fortunes
against Childs, the governor of that place, and to watch his
opportunity to fall upon our reinforcements coming up from Vera
Cruz; the remainder, a disorderly rabble, repairing to Queretaro,
where the government was to be temporarily established.
The casualties to the American arms in this valley have been
immense,--2703 out of a force of 10,737, over one fourth, equal to
the English loss at the siege of Badajos.
General Scott's movement against Chapultepec was masterly, and in
his plans he was well seconded by his generals. The removal of the
depot to Mixcoac, the concentration of the troops at La Piedad, and
the reconnoissances in that direction, impressed the enemy with the
belief that that point of the city was to be attacked; nor were they
undeceived till the very last moment, fully believing that the
operations against Chapultepec were only a feint.
In the attack upon Chapultepec General Quitman's arrangements are
open to criticism. His select storming party intended for the
assault of Chapultepec, and armed with ladders to scale and
implements to break through the walls, were kept on the causeway;
whereas the whole volunteer force was sent in that direction, wholly
unprovided in every particular, and that, too, at too late a period
to be of much essential assistance, and in a direction which made it
necessary to fall in with Pillow's command, already supported in
great strength by the whole of Worth's division. The consequence was
that General Smith found himself too weak to break through the
enemy's force at the aqueduct and take him in flank and rear. Had
Smith been preceded by the storming party provided with plank to
cross the ditches, and supported by two of the volunteer regiments,
the slaughter of the enemy must have been immense, and large numbers
must have been taken prisoners. The marines with their storming
party, the light battalion, and one of the volunteer regiments with
Drum's battery would have been in place to encounter the enemy on
the causeway.
At the garita Drum's battery and the Palmettoes were pushed forward
under the guns of the citadel, and large numbers were uselessly
sacrificed.
On the whole, however, General Quitman exercised good judgment, and
gave proof of extraordinary vigor, intrepidity, and firmness. And he
deserves the greatest credit for his perfect mastery of his command.
General Pillow's dispositions were good and well executed, excepting
that the storming party did not move in season, in consequence of
which the supporting force, pressing onward, gained the brow of the
hill in dense masses, and were there detained some little time
awaiting the storming party with their ladders, who in their turn
found great difficulty in pushing their way through to the front,
which only a small portion succeeded perfectly in doing.
General Worth, in his attack upon the city, unnecessarily delayed
his advance to succor Quitman. Quitman was to be most effectually
relieved by the vigorous attack of Worth on his own line. On the
arrival of the trains, however, he proceeded with great judgment and
efficiency, and his attack alone, in consequence of being able to
work from house to house, must have of itself put the city into our
hands. Had it not been for Worth's vigorous movement towards
nightfall, bringing him well into the city, the enemy would not have
abandoned the citadel to Quitman without a severe struggle.
Twiggs's command did not have the prominence as a division that it
had at Contreras and Churubusco in consequence of the brigades being
separated. Smith's brigade did good service in conjunction with
Quitman, and Riley at La Piedad kept the enemy in check during the
storming of Chapultepec, and, afterwards joining Worth, did good
service in the streets on the 14th.
The engineers did good service during all their operations at Molino
del Rey. Captain Mason made a most daring and successful examination
of the front of the enemy's position, and in the attack on the 8th
was signally gallant, but the result showed that the right of the
enemy should have been more particularly examined. The character of
his defenses at this point was never known till our troops, in the
full tide of battle, were hurled against them, to be repulsed with
the loss of nearly half their number.
Without shining talents, and without any remarkable decision or
independence of character, Captain Lee has rendered signal service
on this line. Laborious, constant, firm, of good judgment, patient,
and guarded in his conduct, of popular manners and address, he has
been a safe counselor, and always efficient in the discharge of
duty. Distinguished at Vera Cruz, the Cerro Gordo, and in this
valley, both before and subsequent to the armistice, he continued at
his post to the last moment, even when oppressed with illness and
great physical fatigue. After the storm of Chapultepec he received a
severe contusion in the thigh, which disabled him for the day.
Lieutenant Beauregard is one of the finest soldiers in our corps. Of
great strength, accomplished in all manly exercises, well read in
his profession, and of forcible and independent character, much
self-reliance and confidence, he has established a good reputation
throughout the service. On the day of the storm of Chapultepec,
although struck several times and twice severely, he maintained his
post, and in the night supervised the erection of the batteries and
infantry covers, from which Quitman was to open his fires upon the
citadel in case the enemy had continued the conflict on the
following day.
Lieutenant Tower, for judgment, for an assured and natural
self-reliance, great force of character, and great decision and
intrepidity in emergencies, has no superior in our corps.
Indefatigable at Vera Cruz and the Cerro Gordo, he was eminently
distinguished at Contreras. Subsequent to the armistice he was
efficient in the discharge of his duties, and the engineer officer
of Quitman on the day of the storm of Chapultepec; he was remarkably
intrepid under the fire of the enemy, and was at his post till a
severe wound in the head compelled him to withdraw.
Lieutenant Smith, in command of the engineer company, has rendered
the most distinguished service. He has shown great power of command.
The engineer company has rendered the most distinguished service.
The engineer company devolved upon him in a state of great
despondency and discontent on the part of the men. By his judicious
management he breathed into it the breath of life, raised the
spirits of the men, and inspired them with hope and confidence. In
his hands the company has acquired a great reputation in the
service.
His lieutenants, McClellan and Foster, are both brave, intrepid,
efficient, and devoted to duty. At Molino, Foster was dangerously
wounded in the leg.
But perhaps no officer of engineers has rendered more brilliant
service than Captain Mason. Of remarkable intellectual force, great
quickness of apprehension, highly cultivated, an ambitious student,
and frank and honest in his life, on the field of battle, in a
reconnoissance of the enemy's position, indeed in every emergency,
he has been conspicuous for force, rapid decision, and the most
daring intrepidity.
In my own case, delicate health has much diminished my efficiency.
Our long rest in Puebla did something towards restoring my strength,
and I entertained the hope that it would prove equal to any
emergency. I rode in an ambulance to Buena Vista, and subsequently
from Ayotla to San Augustin. My reconnoissance of the Peñon, in
which I was employed seven hours in mud and water, and within almost
point-blank range of the enemy's guns, was highly satisfactory to
General Scott. On the 19th, at Contreras, I was too much exhausted
and in too delicate health to remain on the field exposed to the
rain. I in consequence returned to San Augustin, and was not present
in the splendid attack of General Smith on Valencia's intrenched
camp. At Churubusco I was the senior engineer officer of Twiggs's
division. At the close of that day I was almost wholly prostrated by
my exertions, and I had not renewed the strength with which I left
Puebla on the termination of the armistice. At Molino del Rey I
accompanied the reserves to the field, and on Mason and Foster
becoming disabled from wounds, did duty during the remainder of the
action. Subsequently, in conjunction with Beauregard and Tower, I
reconnoitred the southern front of the city. In consequence of
physical exhaustion I was not assigned to duty in the establishing
of batteries against Chapultepec, but on the day of the 13th was on
duty till I was wounded, in the San Cosme suburb, about half past
one o'clock.
September 13. At half past one o'clock I was wounded in the foot,
whilst posting a picket at a little work at a village some five
hundred yards beyond the English cemetery. Dr. De Lein cut out the
ball. It struck close to the little toe, and crossing over a little
obliquely to the rear, was cut out just in front of the instep. The
bones are fractured and the tendons lacerated. About half past
three o'clock I was taken to Tacubaya in an ambulance, and in the
evening Dr. Barnes dressed my wound.
September 14. I was removed to the city this day, and placed in
comfortable quarters in the palace. I suffered some little pain last
night and through the day. I owe many thanks to Major Smith for his
unwearied kindness.
September 15. To-day I am relieved of pain, though last night I got
but indifferent rest. Dr. Barnes attends me, and has commenced
applying poultices.
September 17. Dr. Barnes, on examining my wound this morning,
observed, in a manner that showed he was relieved of much anxiety,
"I can save the foot."
September 18-30. During this period my wound has done famously. I
have been in no pain whatever. News has come of large reinforcements
pouring in from below, and many expect them to reach Mexico as early
as the 10th proximo. It seems to me we cannot reasonably expect
their arrival till the 20th or 30th proximo.
Santa Anna, some few days after our entrance, abdicated the
presidency in favor of the chief justice, Peña y Peña, and announced
his intention to go to Puebla, organize a force, and operate against
Childs and reinforcements coming up from below. No one here is much
apprehensive of the result.
The general has found it necessary to issue stringent orders in
regard to assassinations of men, and to enforce the utmost vigilance
on the part of our guards. In some of the regiments the police is
bad, and the guards totally neglectful of their duty.
A large city is ruinous to the _morale_ of troops. The officers in
our army spend the nights at the gambling-houses (tigers), and the
men indulge in women and drink as long as their money lasts.
A camp of instruction alone affords the means of putting troops in a
high state of discipline and efficiency. Yet the occupation of
cities has great advantages. The residents become familiar with our
character and customs, and friendly relations grow up.
October 1. This day I have sat up the first time,--a most agreeable
change from the recumbent posture. We hear news from below that
Childs has been severely pressed. Here, we are firmly of opinion
that he cannot be driven from his post. It is hoped and believed
that no troops will march up from below except in a strong column,
four to six thousand men. A small body might tempt the enemy. He
might fall upon it with a large force and gain some success.
October 2-11. Rumors accumulate in reference to Santa Anna's attack
on Puebla. From all accounts, his troops are of poor quality, and he
is not on the best terms with his subordinates. My wound is doing
exceedingly well, and I have at length found an opportunity to write
to my wife and father by way of Tampico.
October 12-24. My wound has been doing badly, and my general health
has been poor. For several days the foot became much inflamed, and
poultices had to be applied. The new flesh has sloughed off, and the
process of granulation has to be gone over again. At the present
time my wound is doing well, and the fever or flux, which has
threatened me for many days, I have nearly driven off.
November 1. A train of six hundred wagons departed for Vera Cruz
with a large number of wounded officers and men, on their return to
the States; Generals Quitman and Shields, Colonels Garland, Andrews,
and Morgan, Major Smith, and other distinguished officers being of
the number.
General Quitman leaves behind him the most enviable reputation.
Courteous in deportment, just in conduct, a man of business devoted
to his duty, he is second to no commander of division in this army.
As a military man he is said to be well informed, and to understand
well the principles of his profession. He has extraordinary vigor,
courage, and coolness, and he has exhibited great ability in the
management of the volunteer division.
General Shields has all the dashing and enthusiastic bravery
peculiar to the Irish race. There is no braver man in our army.
Since entering the military service he has assiduously studied his
profession, and is fast rising as a military man.
November 2. Yesterday and to-day have been festival (All Saints')
days. Word came from Colonel Childs that General Lane on the 29th
set out from Puebla with a column to meet the train, and that
General Patterson left Vera Cruz with five thousand men. There is
still an impression that General Patterson will assume the command,
and that General Scott will be recalled. But I discredit it
entirely. Very few cases of stabbing now occur.
On the departure of Major Smith, with whom I have messed nearly the
whole time I have been in the country, I find myself entirely alone.
Colonel Watson (in command of Shields's brigade) and staff occupied
adjoining rooms, and we made a very pleasant little circle. Colonel
Watson is a candid, sensible, and good man. I esteem him highly.
Lieutenant Baker is a gentleman of much intelligence, considerable
acuteness, and of the most friendly feelings. They are now all gone,
and I am now installed in Colonel Watson's apartment. I am in a
spacious room, with three large windows hung in damask looking on
the street, and having at one extremity a raised platform, carpeted,
and canopied with damask. Here I have my bed, my table, and my
armchair, as comfortable as all the world. Indeed, I now very much
feel as if I were in the halls of the Montezumas. My brother
officers have most kindly offered to do all they can for me.
November 3. Since the departure of the train the weather has been
beautiful. Captain Naylor this morning very summarily dispelled my
dreams of luxuriating in the halls of the Montezumas by saying that
the room I now occupied was needed for a commission, and that he
must ask me to remove to my old quarters. As they were exceedingly
damp and uncomfortable, and totally unfit for an invalid, Captain
Lee referred the matter to General Smith, the governor of the city,
who decided that I should not be moved till a suitable room could be
provided.
Captain Naylor is an enthusiast on the subject of the regeneration
of Mexico through American intervention. As superintendent of the
archives, he avails himself of his opportunities to understand this
people. They are undoubtedly degenerating. The cities are falling
into decay; the mechanic arts do not improve; misrule and anarchy
have long been the every-day experience of this unfortunate people.
In the City of Mexico not a new house has been built for years, and
many structures are crumbling into ruins.
November 4. My friends, Captains Lee, Power, and Hardcastle, give
glowing accounts of the scenic representations at the Santa Anna
theatre,--more perfect in the mechanical contrivances, and more
splendid in effect, than anything to be seen in our own country. I
regretted to learn that Captain Lee's man Peter was murdered in
Ayotla after the arrival of the train on the evening of the 1st
instant.
The officers are hard at work at their drawings, and hope to finish
them against my going down in the next train.
November 11. During the past few days I have been ill and well
again,--a bad cold and the wound inflamed. The doctor, however,
still confines me to my room. He considers that rest is necessary to
prevent my foot's inflaming.
Information has come that General Patterson, on the 27th ultimo,
left Vera Cruz. He will probably require twenty days to reach
Puebla, and some twelve days more to make his arrangements there and
his journey to Mexico. I shall not, therefore, look for a mail
before the 17th instant.
November 14. Nothing of interest has occurred in the city. Anaya is
said to have been elected provisional president. A piece of leather
of the size of half a tlaco came from my wound to-day. It was cut
out of my shoe by the ball and carried into my foot.
November 15. A general order was published to-day announcing the
determination of the general to bring to trial and punishment all
officers who shall, contrary to regulations, furnish for publication
accounts of operations in the field, and censuring in the severest
terms the authors of "Leonidas" and of the Tampico letter in the
"North American."
November 16. Colonel Duncan, in a letter breathing defiance to the
general, announced himself as the author of the Tampico letter, and
exonerated General Worth from all knowledge even of its having been
written till it was well on its way. It was not written for
publication, Colonel Duncan avers. Colonel Duncan was arrested in
consequence of these matters.
November 18. The long-expected train arrived to-day, bringing me
three letters from my dear wife, and news of my little family being
in excellent health. Mr. Trist has been recalled, and it seems to be
the determination of the government to abandon all attempts to
negotiate a peace, and to prosecute the war unto the occupation of
the whole country.
November 20. Much to my delight, I mounted my crutches to-day and
moved about my room.
November 21. I made a call on my friend Major Kirby, and met several
of my acquaintances.
November 22. To-day I got as far as the engineer office. General
Pillow is in arrest.
December 4. Went into the streets to-day and was much rejoiced to be
relieved from confinement. Called to see my friend Foster, and found
him doing nicely.
December 5. Went to the theatre, and was charmed with Cañete. My
friends had spoken of her in glowing terms, and I went prepared to
find her overrated. She is remarkably natural, chaste, and graceful
in all her impersonations, and I do not wonder that she is so very
popular with the whole world of theatre-going people.
December 9. The train finally got off to-day, and proceeded as far
as Venta Nueva. Foster and myself have a tolerable ambulance
assigned to us. We got off late, the last wagons not leaving the
city till towards noon. The mules were a good deal fagged, and the
train will not probably get down so soon by two days in consequence
of the length of this day's march. Distance, main plaza to Ayotla,
fourteen miles.
December 10. Proceeded to Rio Frio. Here I met my classmate, Colonel
Irvin, in command of the 5th Ohio regiment. The night was quite
cold, and, not finding a room, we were obliged to sleep in an
ambulance.
December 11. This day went to San Martin, where we found some
excellent pulque. Distance, fifteen miles.
December 12. Reached Puebla. Distance, twenty miles.
1847. The diary ends here.
Lieutenant Stevens's wound was far more serious than he, in his cheerful
way of making the best of everything, admitted. The ball ploughed across
the bridge of the foot, breaking nearly all the bones. At first the
surgeons were extremely doubtful of saving the foot. The wound was slow
in healing, and the foot never fully recovered its strength and
usefulness. Three times, at intervals of one or two years, the wound
opened and expelled pieces of bone. For many years he had to wear a
special shoe with extra-thick sole.
The chief of the robbers who served as spies for General Scott, a man of
striking presence and romantic though blood-stained career, known as Don
Juan el Diablo (Don John the Devil), formed a strong attachment to
Lieutenant Stevens, and took care of him during a great part of his
sickness, and was devoted and unwearied in his attentions to the wounded
officer.
ST. CHARLES, NEW ORLEANS, December 28, 1847.
MY DEAREST WIFE,--I have just reached this city after a four days'
passage from Vera Cruz, and a twenty days' journey in all from the
City of Mexico. I am in splendid health, although my wound still
keeps me on crutches. We are all going up the river to-morrow, and I
am full of the most blissful anticipations at the idea of seeing
you, the children, and friends. You will not see me for eight or ten
days after the receipt of this. I shall be obliged to stay in
Washington some days. Love to friends, and to Hazard and Sue. I hope
to see you soon.
Yours affectionately,
ISAAC.
FOOTNOTES:
[2] The hill of Chapultepec, famed as the ancient country-seat of
the Montezumas, rose some two miles outside the city, and was
crowned by a strong castle. An extensive grove of huge and hoary
cypresses clothed its slopes and stretched half a mile westward,
the whole surrounded by a solid wall of masonry. Molino del Rey,
the King's Mill, a group of stone buildings, stood at the foot
of the grove, and the Mexican line of defenses extended thence
to a strong work, the Casa Mata, and far beyond it. It was
reported that the enemy had a gun foundry in Molino, and General
Scott determined to capture it.