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THE FINAL CAPTURE OF LOS ANGELES

When the main body had made good the crossing, the compact square steadily resumed its advance under the cover of a lively fire from Tilghman's now concentrated artillery, consisting of two nine, pounders, two sixes, one four and a howitzer. A direct bit knocked a hostile nine-pounder from its mount, and the continued accurate fire of our web-footed gunners soon made it too hot for the enemy to hold the brow of the heights.

Following up this advantage Captain Hensley's skirmishers now advanced on our right and drove the Californians from that side of the hill. But he was ordered back to the support of two artillery pieces, and mistaking this for a retreat, the enemy launched a weak counterattack on the right side of our square that was easily repulsed by marines under Captain Zeilin. A similar attempt against the left flank was driven back with a shower of lead from the sailors there. This latter phase of the battle is vividly portrayed by the illustration (Plate IX).

With our artillery still bombarding the heights, Stockton now formed a line of assaulting troops. The command "Forward" was given and a headlong uphill rush followed. The enemy's center resisted but a few moments before breaking into retreat and taking shelter behind their artillery which had already been withdrawn to a nearby ravine. One division of Californians circled the American formation and charged its rear. Here the encumbrances of packs, baggage, horses and cattle heightened the difficulties of defense. But the ever efficient Gillespie was equal to the occasion. His men emptied enemy saddles with a well, directed fire until this group of attackers fled at fall speed across the river, whence the Americans had come.

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