were thrown forward, together with a party of skirmishers and pioneers, who speedily opened a way into the neighbouring buildings, driving out or capturing the enemy, and advancing under cover towards the city. In this manner, though exposed to tremendous fires, the division fought its way up to the gate, where, after a most obstinate struggle, the enemy's main fort was carried, and the assailants entered the city. At eight, P. M., Worth halted, posted sentinels, and ordered his men into quarters, determining to renew the assault on the

morrow.

Meanwhile Quitman had been pressing along the Belen causeway with such ardour as to convert his feint attack into a real one. During this advance he was exposed to one of the most tremendous fires ever sustained by an American army; but, notwithstanding the reiterated commands of the general-in-chief to return, his troops poured on, springing from arch to arch between the enemy's volleys, and cap

ENTRANCE INTO MEXICO.

589 turing one battery after another until they arrived at the Belen gate. At this formidable post a sanguinary conflict took place, in which the garrison were defeated, and the Americans rushed with loud shouts into the city. But directly in their front glared another battery flanked on each side by cross-fires, which soon compelled the assailants to take refuge in the adjacent houses. Here the fight raged with fearful violence until night, when the Americans were ordered under shelter, and slept upon their arms. Many valuable lives, including those of Captain Drum and Lieutenant Benjamin, were lost during this assault.

Having thus secured a foothold within the capital, General Scott determined to carry it by storm on the following morning. But at four o'clock, A. M., of the 14th, he was waited upon by a deputation from the authorities, requesting him to sign a capitulation in favour of the citizens, churches, and municipality. The general replied that he would agree upon no such terms; but that the city being at his mercy, he possessed and would exercise the right of dictating what, in his judgment, would be considered best. It was soon discovered that Santa Anna and the army had evacuated the city. The American commander then declared that he would levy a contribution upon the citizens for the expenses of the army, but that the personal rights. of all should be religiously observed. Orders were then issued to General Quitman to advance towards the Grand Plaza, and to General Worth to move as far as the Alameda, a green park some distance from the San Cosme gate. These movements were executed with alacrity. About eight o'clock, General Scott, with a brilliant staff, entered the city, in full uniform and accompanied by the remainder of the army. His arrival at the Grand Plaza was hailed by bursts of national music and the reiterated cheers of the soldiers, in which many of the Mexicans are said to have joined.

Scarcely had the excitement of this scene subsided, and the Americans begun to disperse, when a scattering fire was opened upon the army by several thousand convicts and others, many of whom had been turned from prison by the flying government for this very purpose. Vigorous efforts were immediately made by General Scott and the authorities for the suppression of these outrages; but this was not accomplished until many valuable lives had been lost, and parties despatched in all directions to blow up all houses from which shots would be fired."

Thus was the famed capital of the Montezumas taken by a handful

of men, so small as to startle him who attempts comparison with the enemy. The history of modern days has rarely narrated feats equal to those of this little army and their intrepid general. The number that marched from Puebla on the 7th of August is stated by the commander at ten thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight rank and file. At Contreras and Churubusco, only eight thousand five hundred were engaged with thirty thousand; at Molino del Rey, thirtytwo hundred and fifty were in the battle; while Chapultepec and the capital were taken by less than six thousand. The total loss in these battles was two thousand seven hundred and three, of whom three hundred and eighty-three were officers. "This small force,” says the commander, in his official despatch to government, "has beaten on the same occasions, in view of the capital, the whole Mexican army of (at the beginning) thirty odd thousand men-posted always in chosen positions, behind intrenchments, or more formidable defences of nature and art; killed or wounded of that number more than seven thousand officers and men; taken three thousand seven hundred and thirty prisoners, one-seventh officers, including thirteen generals, of whom three had been presidents of this republic; captured more than twenty colours and standards, seventy-five pieces of ordnance, besides fifty-seven wall pieces, twenty thousand small arms, an immense quantity of shot, shells, powder, &c.

"Of that enemy once so formidable in numbers, appointments, artillery, &c., twenty odd thousand men have disbanded themselves in despair, leaving, as is known, not more than three fragments,the largest about two thousand five hundred,-now wandering in different directions, without magazines or a military chest, and living at free quarters upon their own people."

But the capture of the capital was not the actual close of the war. The Mexicans still persisted with astonishing fortitude in bearing up against their loss, and using every means to drive out the invaders. On the 13th of September, the garrison of Puebla, numbering about four hundred men, under Colonel Childs, were attacked by a large force of armed citizens, rancheros, and soldiers; and a bombardment was sustained until the 22d, when Santa Anna arrived with large reinforcements from the capital. Great preparations were then made for assaulting the garrison, which had retired to the posts of San Jose, Loreto, and Guadalupe. On the 25th, Childs was summoned to surrender, but refused; upon which the Mexican batteries were opened with increased violence upon San Jose, which now