Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/420

368 at least 25,000 in number, at the tête du pont and the fortified church of San Pablo, and upon their flanks, and in the interval and rear. The cornfields were filled with his skirmishers, and the wall around the church, its roof and towers, and the tops of the adjoining convent, and other buildings along the line of battle, were crowded with dense masses of infantry. Approaching Churubusco, General Worth detached the first brigade and the light battalion, obliquely to the right, to drive the Mexican infantry from the cornfields and marshes, and approach the fortified work at the bridge on that flank. The 6th infantry, under Major Bonneville, moved directly along the high road to storm the tête du pont in front, exposed, meanwhile, to a raking fire of grape, canister, and musketry. The remaining regiments of the second brigade — the 5th and 8th infantry, under Colonel Mcintosh and Major Waite — advanced immediately upon the right of the road, to co-operate in the assault. Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, being unable to counter-batter the heavier metal in front, remained in reserve.

While giving directions to his battalions, General Worth was joined by General Pillow, The latter had turned to the left on hearing of the fall of San Antonio, had crossed over two deep ditches, with the brigade of General Cadwalader — the rifle regiment having rejoined their brigade — and was advancing against the enemy in his front. The officers of his command were all dismounted, and struggled, with their men, through the marshes, on foot. Such was the spirit of enthusiasm manifested by the troops, that the feeling was communicated to those the least liable to be moved by it; and Chaplain McCarty, of Colonel Clarke's brigade, was the first to assist in pulling down the growing corn, to fill