STORMING OF CHAPULTEPEC
Another artist's view of the
pivotal battle of September 13, 1847. Dead and wounded
Americans already litter the field. At the base of the hill stretched the fifteen
foot high
wall behind which Mexican infantry fired their volleys, as evidenced by the plumes of
smoke. Gen. John Quitman's official report stated:
"The command,
partially screened, advanced by flank the storming parties in front,
under a heavy fire from the fortress, the batteries, and breastworks of the enemy.
The advance was here halted under the partial cover of the raise, and upon the arrival
of the heads of the South Carolina and New York regiments, respectively, General Shields
was directed to move them obliquely to the left, across the low ground, to the wall,
at the base of the hill. Encouraged by the gallant general who had led them to
victory
at Churubusco, and in spite of the obstacles in wading through several deep ditches,
exposed to a severe and galling fire from the enemy, these tried regiments promptly
executed the movement, and effected a lodgement at the wall."
After James Walter. Chromolithograph. Sarony & Major, NY. 1848.
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