Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/35

Rh night, stating that he had arrived at his position, and would storm two heights southwest of the castle before storming the heights directly west of it.

Sept. 21st at 7 A. M., the first and volunteer divisions were ordered to advance towards the city. Our mortar and howitzer batteries opened; but did not have much effect. Taylor directed the first division to move to the east of the city to support Major Mansfield in reconnoitering the enemies' works. The division was under the command ot Colonel Garland, 4th Infantry, and went into action with the 3rd Infantry under Major Lear, 4th Brigade under Colonel Wilson consisting of the 1st Infantry under Major Abercrombie and the Baltimore division under Colonel Watson, and Bragg's and Ridgeley's batteries. Major Mansfield was the first to commence the action. Company C, 3rd Infantry, under Lieutenant Hazlitt, was reinforced by company H., 3d Infantry, under Capt. Field, The division was formed in line of battle out of reach of the guns of the enemy, and was then ordered to advance by Lieutenant Pope and Colonel Kinney, and go into the city and storm battery No. 1, at the eastern end. The battery opened upon the division and the first shot struck in front of our line and ricoched over us. We were fired upon from the citadel. Our men in the midst of these shots, pushed rapidly onward five hundred yards and rushed into the streets. Not turning soon enough to the left an unperceived battery opened upon us a deadly fire and balls flew from housetops, yards, and from every direction upon us. Many of our men were cut down. Major Barbour was the first officer who fell. An escopet ball passed through his heart. Our men retired into another street, under cover of some walls and houses. Lieutenant Bragg's battery now arrived and came into the street but could not effect much. Finally we