Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/476

424 breastwork, and pointing his gun through one of the embrasures, he came muzzle to muzzle with the enemy. At the same moment, the troops who had burrowed through the houses, sprang to the roofs, doors, and windows. Lieutenant Johnson, with a number of good marksmen from the 6th and 8th infantry, had entered a small adobé shed facing the road; and Major Buchanan had ascended to the top of a house overlooking the garita, with a part of the 4th infantry.

For an instant the street was one blaze of ﬁre. But a single withering volley was sufficient, — and a loud prolonged shout was raised by the victors, as the Mexicans fled from the garita. Captain Mackenzie, with the remnant of his storming party, and Lieutenant Colonel Belton, with the 2nd and 3rd artillery, and 4th infantry, rushed up the road, and the other troops also darted forward. The heavy gun in the work, a sixteen-pounder, was captured, and turned upon the enemy, by Captain Bomford and Lieutenant Merchant, of the 8th infantry, "to expedite their departure." Lieutenants Sydney Smith and Judah, of the 4th infantry, with Lieutenant G. W. Smith, of the engineers, and a small party of sappers and miners, pursued them nearly half a mile into the city, and captured a gun, and a number of prisoners, among whom was an aid of Santa Anna; and one of them had the gratification of eating a supper prepared for his Excellency.

During the operations of General Worth in front, an effort was made to annoy his left flank by a body of the enemy, cavalry and infantry, who were driven off by Captain Biddle, with his company of voltigeurs, and a mountain howitzer. After the capture of the garita, General Worth placed his division in secure positions on the right and left of the road, and