Battle of Chapultepec

U.S. Marines storming Chapultepec castle under a large American flag.

Date	September 12–13, 1847
Location	Mexico City, D.F.
Result	United States victory

Belligerents

United States

Mexico

Commanders and leaders

Winfield Scott

Nicolás Bravo

Felipe Santiago Xicoténcatl †

Strength

9,000

880 total
250: 10th Infantry
115: Querétaro Battalion
277: Mina Battalion
211: Union Battalion
27: Toluca Battalion

Casualties and losses

130 killed
703 wounded

29 missing

600-675 killed
200-? wounded
200-? captured

130 killed
703 wounded

The Battle of Chapultepec in September 1847 was a battle between the invading US army and Mexican forces holding Chapultepec wounded in Mexico City during the Mexican-American War as part of the Battle for Mexico City. The castle, sitting atop a 200-foot (60 m) tall hill, was an important position for the defense of the city. Its capture paved the way for the fall of Mexico City.

On September 8, 1847, in the costly Battle of Molino del Rey, U.S. forces had managed to drive the Mexicans from their positions near the base of Chapultepec Castle guarding Mexico City from the west. However, Army engineers were still interested in the southern causeways to the city. General Winfield Scott held a council of war with his generals and engineers on September 11. Scott was in favor of attacking Chapultepec and only General David E. Twiggs agreed. Most of Scott's officers favored the attack through the southern gates, including Captain Robert E. Lee. A young lieutenant, P. G. T. Beauregard, gave a textbook speech that persuaded General Franklin Pierce to change his vote in favor of the western attack.

Antonio López de Santa Anna was in command of the army at Mexico City. He understood that Chapultepec Castle was an important position for the defense of the city. The castle sat atop a 200-foot (60 m) tall hill which in recent years was being used as the Mexican Military Academy. General Nicolás Bravo, however, had fewer than 1,000 men (832: Total including 250: 10th Infantry, 115: Querétaro Battalion, 277: Mina Battalion, 211: Union Battalion, 27: Toluca Battalion and 42: la Patria Battalion with seven guns( Gen. Manuel Gamboa with 2-24 lbs, 1-8 lb., 3-4 lbs. & 1 howitzer (68) ) to hold the hill, including 200 cadets, some as young as 13 years old. A gradual slope from the castle down to the Molino del Rey made an inviting attack point.

...
Wikipedia