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 to catch Lieutenant Grant alone. Then he went up to him.

"Excuse me, lieutenant, but could you tell me anything about the battle? The men are afraid it hadn't gone right."

"We don't know much more than the rest of you," the lieutenant answered. "General Worth probably is expecting news. But if you'll promise not to spread discouraging word among the men, I'll explain the best I can."

"Yes, sir."

"Very well. As far as I understand, General Scott is operating on a triangle. The base of the triangle is formed by this road, from San Augustine to Churubusco, with San Antonio at about the middle of it. The lava field occupies the inside of the triangle. The point of the triangle, west across the lava, is a hill called Contreras, which the Mexicans have fortified strongly. We cannot pass San Antonio by the road, without much difficulty, in order to get at Churubusco beyond and open the way to the capital. But while we mask San Antonio and keep it on the alert, General Scott purposes to throw the other divisions from San Augustine out along the south side of the triangle, carry the Mexican fortifications at the point, and then by marching eastward again along the north side of the triangle strike Churubusco and San Antonio at their rear, or in reverse. We, of course, will be called upon for a frontal attack at the same time. Now by the appearance of things I fear, myself, that the general has run against a stronger position than he anticipated, and that matters have not gone according to plan.