Chapultepec, Battle of, and Capture of Mexico City
Chapultepec, Battle of, and Capture of Mexico City (1847).By 12 September 1847, the Mexican War was almost over; the Americans had been victorious in every major engagement, New Mexico had surrendered, U.S. forces had subdued Upper California, and Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott and 7,000 U.S. troops were camped outside Mexico City.
The Mexican capital was built in an ancient lake bed and could only be approached on raised causeways that passed through sizable gateways into the walled city. Just southwest of the city, on a 200‐foot‐high hill, the castle of Chapultepec commanded key causeways and was the site of a military college. Scott decided to storm Chapultepec first. On 12 September, in order to keep Mexican commander Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna and his 15,000 troops unsure of his ultimate plans, Scott ordered part of his force to...
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