amid the shouts of the exulting army to whose triumphs his prudence and genius had so greatly contributed. It was a proud moment for Scott, and he might well have flushed with excitement as he ascended the Palace stairs and sat down in the saloon which had been occupied by so many Viceroys, Ministers, Presidents and Generals, to write the brief order announcing his occupation of the capital of Mexico. Yet the elation was but momentary. The cares of conquest were now exchanged for those of preservation. He was allowed no interval of repose from anxiety. His last victories had entirely disorganized the Republic. There was no longer a national government, a competent municipal authority, or even a police force which could be relied on to regulate the fallen city. Having accomplished the work of destruction, the responsibility of reconstruction was now imposed upon him; and first among his duties was the task of providing for the safety and subordination of that slender band which had been so suddenly forced into a vast and turbulent capital.
Note. We shall record as very interesting historical facts, the numbers with which General Scott achieved his victories in the valley.
Forces | |
| He left Puebla with . . . . . | 10,738 rank and file. |
| At Contreras and Churubusco, there were . . | 8,497 engaged. |
| At El Molino del Rey and La Casa Mata, . . | 3,251" |
| On 12th and 13th September, at Chapultepec, & c, | 7,180" |
| Final attack on city, after deducting killed, wounded, | 7,180" |
| garrison of Mixcoac and Chapultepec, | |
Losses. | ||||
| At Contreras and Churubusco, | 137 killed. | 877 wounded. | 38 missing. | |
| At El Molino, & c, | 116" | 665" | 18" | |
| September 12th, 13th, and 14th, | 130" | 703" | 29" | |
Grand total of losses, 2,703. | ||||
"On the other hand," says Scott in his despatch of 18th September, 1847, "this small force has beaten on the same occasions, in view of the capital, the whole Mexican army, composed, at the beginning, of thirty odd thousand men, posted always in chosen positions, behind entrenchments or more formidable defences of nature and art;—killed or wounded of that number more than 7,000 officers and men,—taken 3,730 prisoners, one-seventh officers, including 13 generals, of whom 3 had been Presidents of this Republic;—captured more than 20 colors and standards, 75 pieces of ordnance, besides 57 wall pieces, 20,000 small arms, and an immense quantity of shot, shells and powder." See Ex. Doc. No. 1 Senate, 30th Congress, 1st Session, p. 384.
