| Battle For Mexico City |
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The Battle for Mexico City refers to the series of engagements from September 8 to September 15 , 1847 in the general vicinity of Mexico City during the Mexican-American War . Included are major actions at the battles of Molino Del Rey and Chapultepec culminating with the fall of Mexico City . BACKGROUND The major objective of U.S. operations in central Mexico had been the capture of Mexico City . After capturing the port of Veracruz in March, Winfield Scott was able to secure a base and move inland next defeating a large Mexican force at the Battle Of Cerro Gordo . After the routing the Mexicans at the Battle Of Churubusco , Scott's army was now only 8 km (5 miles) away from its objective of Mexico City . Although defeated at Cerro Gordo and Churubusco , Santa Anna's army remained intact and outnumbered Scott. ORDER OF BATTLE United States Army of Invasion Winfield Scott
Mexico 7 Aug 1847 20,210 men (30 Aug strengths) Mexican Army Gen. de Div. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Chief of Artillery Gen de Br Carrera Chief of Engineers Gen. de Br Mora y Villamil Army of the East Gen. de Br Lombardini, later Gen de Br. Bravo
Army of the North Gen de Br Valencia 3,000 Inf, 1,00 Cav 500 Arty
Army of the South Gen de Br Juan Alvarez 2,762 Cav
Alcaraz, Ramon "Apuntes pra la hirtoria de la guerra entre Mexico... THE BATTLES Molino del Rey ''Main article: Battle Of Molino Del Rey '' On September 8 the fight for Mexico City began. Scott believed that a cannon foundry was located at the Molino del Rey, the ''King's Mill'', located just over 3 km (2 miles) outside the city. Scott sent the 1st Division under William J. Worth to seize and destroy the foundry. Worth wished to include the castle of Chapultepec into his attack and when Scott refused a bitter rivalry began between Scott and Worth. In the ensuing battle both sides suffered heavy casualties and Worth drove the Mexicans from the mill separating them from the forces at Chapultepec. The battle produced no significant military gains for the U.S., however. Chapultepec ''Main article: Battle Of Chapultepec '' The main assault on the city came a few days later on September 12 . Mexico City was guarded in part by Chapultepec Castle , which had been in use as a military academy. Scott preceded infantry assault with an all day Artillery barrage on the 12th. The next day, September 13 the 4th Division, under John A. Quitman spearheaded the attack against Chapultepec and carried the castle. Future Confederate generals George E. Pickett and James Longstreet participated in the attack. Serving in the Mexican defense were the cadets later immortalized as '' Los Niños Héroes '' (the "Boy Heroes"). The Mexican forces fell back from Chapultepec and retreated within the city. Attacks on the San Cosme and Belén Gates A continuation of the Battle Of Chapultepec with Quitman supported by Worth. Quitman's Division made its way down the Belén Causeway towards the Belén Gate while Worth's Division further to the north made its way up La Verónica Causeway towards the '''San Cosme Gate'''. Quitman was merely supposed to make a feint towards the city but he pushed forward his whole division and broke through the defenses. Santa Anna personally arrived at the Belén Gate in a fury and personally relieved the front commander. Worth's Division in the meantime had a slow start against the Mexicans after beating off a Mexican cavalry attack. When he reached San Cosme he found its defenses ill prepared, but the Mexicans defending it put up a good fight before falling back. Ulysses S. Grant found his way into the action along the causeway on Worth's front and helped in hoisting a cannon into the belltower of a nearby church. From this spot Grant fired into the defenders below. When the fighting subsided on all fronts, both gates had fallen and the Mexicans had withdrawn into the city. THE FALL OF MEXICO CITY Santa Anna had withdrawn his army from the city during the night and the U.S. forces, expecting another assault, found the city undefended. Worth and Quitman advanced cautiously. Quitmant sent Lt. Pierre Beauregard to arrange the surrender of the ciudadela. Beauregard and Mansfield Lovell were met by a Mexican officer who asked for a receipt for the captured ciudadela. Beauregard exclaimed that "we give receipts at the point of their swords". Scott gave the honor of formally entering the city to Quitman's Division. The conquering army was less than impressing, the troops wore ragged and bloodstained uniforms and Quitman only had on one shoe when he marched into the city. Worth personally took down the flag flying over the National Palace and a U.S. Marine hoisted the U.S. Flag in its place. Quitman marched into the Zócalo plaza in the center of the city in front of the National Palace where the formal surrender took place. As Worth's division entered the city the leading unit was John Garland's brigade. Stragglers from the Mexican army left in the city after Santa Anna's withdrawal climbed to the roofs of houses and began shooting at the American soldiers. General Garland was hit in the chest with the first shot and fell severely wounded. Before he evacuated Santa Anna released 30,000 prisoners into the streets of the city and these rooftop shots provoked the prisoners into similar acts. Worth did manage to get the sniping under control. William S. Harney 's dragoons escorted General Scott into the city wearing his immaculate dress uniform and was greeted by patriotic music. Scott appointed the politically savvy Quitman as military governor, becoming the only American to ever rule from the National Palace. CASUALTIES September 8
September 12-15
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