Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Battle for Mexico City
The Battle for Mexico City refers to the series of engagements from September 8 to September 15, 1847 in the general vicintity of Mexico City during the Mexican-American War. Included are major actions at the battles of Molino del Rey and Chapultepec culminating with the fall of Mexico City.
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Background
The major objective of U.S. operations in central Mexico had been the capture of Mexico City. After capturing the port of Veracruz in March, Winfield Scott was able to secure a base and move inland next defeating a large Mexican force at the Battle of Cerro Gordo. After the routing the Mexicans at the Battle of Churubusco, Scott's army was now only 5 miles (8 km) away from its objective of Mexico City. Although defeated at Cerro Gordo and Churubusco, Santa Anna's army remained intact and outnumbered Scott.
Order of Battle
United States
- 1st Division William J. Worth
- Brigade - John Garland
- Brigade - James S. McIntosh killed at Molino del Rey
- 2nd Division David E. Twiggs
- Brigade - Bennet Riley
- Brigade - Persifor F. Smith
- 3rd Division Gideon Pillow
- Brigade - Franklin Pierce
- Brigade - George Cadwallader
- 4th Division John A. Quitman
- Brigade - James Shields
Mexico
- Molino del Rey
- Mexican Regulars - Francisco Pérez
- Infantry Brigade - Antonio León killed
- Infantry Brigade - Joaquín Rangel
- Infantry Brigade - Simeón Ramírez
- Cavalry Brigade - Juan Álvarez
- Mexico City
- Chapultepec Castle - Nicholas Bravo
- San Cosme Gate - Matías Peña y Barragan and Joaquín Rangel killed
- Belén Gate - Andrés Terrés
The Battles
Molino del Rey
Main article: Battle of Molino del Rey
On September 8 the fight for Mexico City began. Scott believed that a cannon foundry was located at the Molino del Rey, the King's Mill, located just over 2 miles (3 km) outside the city. Scott sent the 1st Division under William J. Worth to sieze and destroy the foundry. Worth wished to include the castle of Chapultepec into his attack and when Scott refuse a bitter rivalry began between Scott and Worth. In the ensuing battle both sides suffered heavy casualties and Worth drove the Mexicans from the mill separating them from the forces at Chapultepec. The battle produced no significant military gains for the U.S., however.
Chapultepec
Main article: Battle of Chapultepec
The main assault on the city came a few days later on September 12. Mexico City was guarded by the impregnable fortress of Chapultepec. Scott preceded infantry assault with an all day artillery barrage on the 12th. The next day, September 13 the 4th Division, under John A. Quitman spearheaded the attack against Chaoultepec and carried the fortress. Future Confederate generals George E. Pickett and James Longstreet, serving in Quitman's Division, participated in the attack. Serving in the Mexican defense were the cadets later immortalized as Los Niños Héroes (the "Boy Heroes"). The Mexican forces fell back from Chapultepec and retreated within the city.
Attacks on the San Cosme and Belén Gates
A continuation of the Battle of Chapultepec with Quitman supported by Worth. Quitman's Division made its way down the Belén Causeway towards the Belén Gate while Worth's Division further to the north made its way up La Verónica Causeway towards the San Cosme Gate. Quitman was merely supposed to make a faint towards the city but he pushed forward his whole division and broke through the defenses. Santa Anna personally arrived at the Belén Gate in a fury and personally relieved the front commander. Worth's Division in the meantime had a slow start against after beating off a Mexican cavalry attack. When he reached San Cosme he found its defenses ill prepared but the Mexicans defending it put up a good fight before falling back. Ulysses S. Grant found his way into the action along the causeway on Worth's front and helped in hoisting a cannon into the belltower of a nearby church. From this spot Grant firing into the defenders below. When the fighting subsided on all fronts, both gates had fallen and the Mexicans had withdrawn into the city.
The Fall of Mexico City
Santa Anna had withdrawn his army from the city during the night and the U.S. forces, expecting another assault, found the city undefended. Scott gave the honor of formally entering the city to John Quitman's Division. The conquering army was less than impressing, the troops wore ragged and bloodstained uniforms and Quitman only had on one shoe when he marched into the city. Worth personally took down the flag flying over the National Palace and hoisted the U.S. flag in its place. Quitman marched into the Zócalo Plaza in the center of the city in front of the National Palace (romanticized as the "Halls of Montezuma"), where the formal surrender took place. This event was the basis of the lyrics ...from the Halls of Montezuma in the Marines' hymn. Quitman was appointed military governor, becoming the only American to ever rule from the National Palace.
Casualties
September 8
- U.S. 116 Killed, 665 Wounded, 18 Missing, 789 Total
- Mexican 2,700 Total
September 12-15
- U.S. 130 Killed, 703 Wounded, 29 Missing, 862 Total
- Mexican 1,800 Total
Totals
- U.S. 1,651
- Mexican 4,500
Sources
- Nevin, David; editor, The Mexican War (1978)
- Bauer, K. Jack, "The Mexican-American War 1846-48"
- http://www.dmwv.org/mexwar/documents/mexcity.htm
See also
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