CHAPTER XVIII.
INVASION OF THE VALLEY OF MEXICO.
August, 1847.
Scott Advances — Mustering of the Mexicans — Defences of the Capital — The Chalco Route — A Flank Movement — Valencia's Insubordination — His Ambitious Designs — The Battle of Padierna Begins — Santa Anna's Inaction-The Morning Surprise — Effect of Valencia's Defeat — Bravo Outflanked — Fortifications of Churubusco — Antiquated Tactics — Cannonading the Convent — Critical Position of Shields — The Tête de Pont — Gallantry of Rincon And Anaya — Santa Anna Retreats within the Gates — Peril of the City.
The arrival of General Pierce with reënforcements[1] enabled Scott to begin the long-meditated march upon the capital. The rarefied air of the table-land affected the men severely, and combined with climatic fevers, dysentery, and other causes to swell the sick-list at Puebla. The care of these as well as the city itself devolved upon Colonel Childs, with a few hundred men.[2] This deduction made, left at the disposal of Scott about 11,200 men,[3] with which force he set out from Puebla between the 7th and 10th of August, en echelon, leaving one short day's march between each of the four divisions, under Worth, Twiggs, Pillow, and Quitman, respectively.[4]
- ↑ Of 2,429 men, with which he had left Vera Cruz July 19, 1847.
- ↑ His report in U. S. Govt Doc., Cong. 30, Ses. 1, Sen. Ex. 1, p. 471. Nearly 700 of the sick died.
- ↑ Not counting train-men and Mexican and army followers, Scott asserts that he left with only 10,738 rank and file. Id., 384. The Mexican version of Roa Bárcena enumerates 40 pieces of artillery, 700 wagons and 500 laden mules. Recuerdos, 299. Gamboa, Impug., 49, assumes over 6,000 horses and mules, and 1,100 wagons. Desertion assisted to reduce the force somewhat, as Mansfield, Mex. War, 223, points out.
- ↑ Twiggs left on the first day, preceded by Harney's cavalry brigade. His
