of San
Antonio. This was the _second_ victory. About the same time, General
Pillow advanced on Churubusco, and carried one of the heights. The
position was taken by storm, and the enemy scattered like chaff. This
was the _third_ triumph. The division of General Twiggs added a
_fourth_ victory by storming and holding another height of Churubusco,
while the _fifth_ and last was achieved by General Shields and Pierce,
who drove back an army of reinforcements under Santa Anna. The
Mexicans were thus forced back into the fortifications of Chapultepec.

On the following morning, the alarm and treachery of the Mexican
authorities were both strongly exhibited. A deputation came out to
negotiate; but the intent was merely to gain time for strengthening
the defences. The terms proposed by the Mexicans were preposterous
when viewed in the light of the situation. General Scott, who did not
consider his army vanquished, rejected the proposals with scorn. He,
however, rested his men until the seventh of September before
renewing hostilities. On the morning of the eighth, General Worth was
thrown forward to take Molino del Rey and Casa de Mata, which were the
western defences of Chapultepec. These places were defended by about
fourteen thousand Mexicans; but the Americans, after losing a fourth
of their number in the desperate onset, were again victorious. The
batteries were now turned on Chapultepec itself, and on the thirteenth
of September that frowning citadel was carried by storm. This exploit
opened an avenue into the city. Through the San Cosine and Belen gates
the conquering army swept resistlessly, and at nightfall the soldiers
of the Union were in the suburbs of Mexico.

During the night, Santa Anna and the officers of the Government fled
from the city, but not until they had turned loose from the prisons
2000 convicts, to fire upon the American army. On the following
morning, before day-dawn, a deputation came forth from the city to beg
for mercy. This time the messengers were in earnest; but General
Scott, wearied with trifling, turned them away with disgust.
"_Forward!_" was the order that rang along the American lines at
sunrise. The war-worn regiments swept into the beautiful streets of
the famous city, and at seven o'clock the flag of the United States
floated over the halls of the Montezumas. It was the triumphant
ending of one of the most brilliant and striking campaigns of modern
history.

The American army, as