useways. Four batteries had been posted within
easy range of the castle of Chapultepec during the night of the 11th, and
all next day they kept up a steady fire upon it, driving its defenders
back and partly wrecking the walls. On the morning of the 13th the
batteries resumed their fire, while the forces chosen for the assault
approached the hill from different directions through the fire of the
enemy.

Two assaulting columns of two hundred and fifty picked men each, from
Worth's and Twigg's divisions, advanced with scaling ladders, while the
batteries threw shot and shell over their heads to drive the defenders
from the walls. Major-General Pillow led his division through the grove on
the east side, but he quickly fell with a dangerous wound, and General
Cadwalader succeeded him. Before him was a broken and rocky ascent, with a
redoubt midway in its height. Up the steep rocks climbed the gallant
stormers, broke into the redoubt with a wild cheer, and put its defenders
to flight. On up the steep they then clambered, passing without injury the
mines which the Mexicans had planted, but which they could not fire
without killing their own men. In a few minutes more the storming party
reached the summit and climbed over the castle wall with shouts of
victory, driving back its defenders. Soon the United States flag was seen
floating over the ramparts, a roar of cheers greeting the inspiring
spectacle.

On the southeast Quitman's column of assault was making like progress,
while Smith's brigade captured two batteries at the foot of the hill on
the right, and Shield's brigade crossed the meadows under a hot fire of
musketry and artillery and swept up the hill to the support of the
stormers.

Thus the castle of Chapultepec, the last and strongest citadel of the
Mexicans, had fallen before an impetuous charge up a hill deemed
inaccessible, in the face of a hot fire, and the city itself lay at the
mercy of the invaders. The causeway which it defended formed a double
roadway on each side of a great aqueduct, with stone arches and pillars.
Shields charged impetuously along this causeway, towards the city, two
miles distant, while Quitman pursued the fleeing enemy along the
neighboring causeway of Belen.

An aide sent by Scott came riding up to Shields to bid him halt till
Worth, who was following the San Cosme causeway, could force its defences.
The aide politely saluted the eagerly advancing general and began,
"General Scott p