Battle of Molino del Rey

Battle of Molino del Rey
Part of the Mexican-American War
A painting of the battle
Date September 8, 1847 Location Mexico City, D.F. Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States	Mexico
Commanders and leaders
Winfield Scott William J. Worth	Antonio Léon † Francisco Pérez Lucas Balderas †
Strength
9,800	4,000
Casualties and losses
116 killed 665 wounded 18 missing	269 killed ~500 wounded 685 captured

The Battle of Molino del Rey (September 8, 1847) was one of the bloodiest engagements of the Mexican-American War as part of the Battle for Mexico City. It was fought in September 1847 between Mexican forces under General Antonio Léon against an American force under Major General Winfield Scott at El Molino del Rey near Mexico City. The Americans made little progress in this battle, but the Mexican forces were unable to hold them back long enough to prevent the capture of Mexico City one week later.

The Americans were camped south of Mexico City, Scott and Worth's division at Tacubaya, Gideon Johnson Pillow's division at Mixcoac, David E. Twiggs division at San Angel, and John A. Quitman's division at San Agustin.

On 6 September 1847, Scott ended the armistice following the Battle of Churubusco as negotiations broke down, as it became clear that Antonio López de Santa Anna was preparing to resume fighting. On 7 Sept., a large number of Mexican horsemen were observed around a group of low, massive stone buildings known as El Molino del Rey or King's Mill. Spread across the distance of this point, they were about 1,000 yards (0.91 km) west of the Castle at Chapultepec, which itself was about two miles (3 km) from the gates of Mexico City. A large grove of trees separated the Mill from the castle, while the castle's batteries covered the area.

General Winfield Scott received reports that the trees masked a foundry for casting cannon, and there were rumors that Antonio López de Santa Anna, leader of both the Mexican government and military, in desperate need of ordnance, was sending out church and convent bells to have them melted down and converted to cannon. Scott ordered General Worth to attack and take the Mill, break up the factory, and destroy any munitions found.

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