Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/41

Rh and fired continually. The fire was briskly returned by the enemy.

About noon, the Mexican cavalry deployed before the palace and endeavored to charge upon our skirmishers. Our men pursued them, under Vinton, with terrible effect. Many of the enemy were kept from entering the castle again, as our men rushed in through every opening, and drove the enemy before them. Lieutenant Ayers was the first to enter, pull down the Mexican flag, and raise the star spangled banner.

After the castle was taken, General Worth moved down his forces from the hill and the amunition train the ranch of the Saltillo road and remained in the castle during the night of Sept. 22nd. He, however, ordered the 5th Infantry and Blanchard's company to return to the redoubt on the hill where were stationed the 7th Infantry.

Sept. 23d, at 7 o'clock in the morning General Worth opened upon the town, from the castle, with the enemy's own guns, as he intended to do when he first approached the city. A report was raised that the enemy were endeavoring to escape and the whole command were out immediately marching towards them.

It was now expected every moment, that the city would capitulate; but they held out and fought like tigers. At the east end of the city the firing commenced briskly, the same morning at day-break. The Texan cavalry under Colonel Woods, had dismounted, and with the Mississippians, under Colonel Davis, were engaged with the enemy. The Mississippians very early took possession of Fort Diablo, without any opposition, as the enemy had abandoned it the preceding evening. This was the place from which, on the 21st and 22d, our men had received such a destructive fire. This force under General