Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/458

406 beams over the bristling peaks of the Cordilleras, — - — which fell tremblingly upon the lakes of the valley, and the cool jets of crystal water gushing up from the fountains in the Alameda, and suffused palace and convent — dome, and spire, and cross — with waves of sparkling sheen. It was the last hour of quiet enjoyed by the residents of the capital, until the American flag, tattered and torn in many a perilous conflict, but floating proudly as ever, waved in triumph over the Palacio of Mexico.

Having placed his battery of twelve — pounders in an advantageous position, near Piedad, Captain Steptoe opened a brisk and intense fire, at daylight on the 12th, on the enemy's works at the southern gates, which was kept up steadily throughout the day, and silenced the battery at the garita of San Antonio, whose guns were driven within the walls of the city. The Mexicans returned his fire, and the alarm-bells commenced ringing. Peal upon peal resounded through the streets, rousing the inhabitants from their slumbers, and calling them, in crowds, to the azoteas, or flat roofs, of their dwellings. Jalousies were flung open in haste, and the flashing eyes of the Castilian gazed anxiously forth, through the clouds of morning mist and sulphurous smoke, momentarily lighted by the glare of artillery. Squadrons of lancers dashed to and fro, and the paséos were soon thronged with groups of soldiers and citizens hurrying hither and thither. Scarcely an hour passed, when batteries 1 and 2, opposite Chapultepec, supported by the division of General Quitman — the former served by Captain Drum, assisted by Lieutenants Benjamin and Porter, with his company of the 4th artillery; and the latter by a detachment of ordnance