Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/475

Rh tore open the windows, and commenced firing upon the Mexicans behind the breastwork. A similar movement to the left was made by Captain Brooks, of the 2nd artillery, and Lieutenant Grant of the 4th infantry, with small parties. Other troops passing still further up, gained a cross street, and came down on the enemy's rear, when the latter fell back to the garita. An attempt to regain the work was prevented by the fire of a section of Magruder's battery, under Lieutenant Jackson. The brigade of Colonel Garland was now thrown to the right, and that of Colonel Clarke to the left, with orders to burrow their way, from house to house, with picks and bars. A mountain howitzer was also placed on the top of a commanding building on the left, and another on the church of San Cosmé on the right, under Lieutenant Hagner, of the ordnance, and Captain Edwards of the voltigeurs, which soon occasioned considerable commotion among the enemy. The contest for the possession of the garita to which Santa Anna had retired, after his unsuccessful attempt to prevent the advance of General Quitman, equally deluded, however, if he hoped to achieve a triumph over the caution, bravery, and skill of General Worth — was spirited, but somewhat desultory; detached parties of the different commands, crossing and recrossing the street, as opportunity served, to enter some narrow lane, or spring through some open gateway. At five o'clock in the afternoon, both columns had reached their positions, and it then became necessary, at all hazards, to advance a piece of artillery to the captured breastwork. This was gallantly done by Lieutenant Hunt, of Duncan's light battery, who lost five, out of nine men, in moving at full speed over a distance of one hundred and fifty yards. Reaching the