memoir · by a contemporary

Journal of Francis Collins

Francis Collins (1820–1882), 1915

Named on the page for Battle of Chapultepec.

machine-read Machine-read (OCR) from a scanned book at the Internet Archive: expect misread words and names. The scan itself is at the library.

draft Matched to the battle automatically; not yet reviewed.

Passages that name the battle; the whole book is at Internet Archive.

12–13 September 1847

Battle of Chapultepec

OFFICER IN THE MEXICAN WAR.1
iron foundry, standing at the base of Chapultepec. It is supposed that the enemy are using this for the purpose of casting cannon, shot, shells etc. and it must therefore be destroyed.

OFFICER IN THE MEXICAN WAR.1
but the reception we received soon convinced us that the enemy was formidable, both in numbers and in position, and that with our plan of attack he could not be easily routed. More troops were ordered up by Scott, making our force in this engagement including infantry and cavalry, just 3251. Soon the action became general and lasted for about two hours. The enemy numbered not less than ten, or perhaps fifteen thousand men, posted behind strong entrenchments. This unexpected and un¬ desirable action resulted in a complete rout to the enemy, but not without severe loss on our side, at a time when every man’s life is precious. Our loss is estimated at 600 including many valuable officers. Some of these were killed on the field by the enemy after they were wounded. The gallant old McIntosh was on this field mortally wounded. A braver man never lived. The battle of “Molino del Rey” has spread a gloom over the army, in consequence of so great a loss of friends, war material, and the apparently barren results of the action. The enemy supposed it was also our intention to attack Chapultepec, which not being attempted as was positively ordered, gave him the idea that we had failed in our object, and it may be inspiriting him after the successive defeats of Contrarias and Churubusco. This battle was fought by General Worth’s and a part of Pillow’s Divisions. Captain Drum, 4th Artillery, commanding a field battery, gained great reputation in this engagement. Duncan’s light battery also did good execution.

OFFICER IN THE MEXICAN WAR.1
position tonight. The batteries on Chapultepec have kept up a close fire on us during the day.

OFFICER IN THE MEXICAN WAR.1
early this morning. Others near Lacubuya have kept up a regular fire on the fortifications of Chapultepec during the day. It has been determined to storm the heights of Chapultepec early tomorrow morning. The storming party has been organized from various regiments. Lieut. Hill and Dr. Russy, 4th Ar¬ tillery, volunteer for this service.

Public domain. Text from Internet Archive.