CHAPTER X

ADVANCE TO MEXICO, EL PEÑON, CONTRERAS, CHURUBUSCO

Advance to valley of Mexico--Description of defenses--General Scott and staff with Twiggs's division reach Ayotla--Daring reconnoissances of El Peñon by Lieutenant Stevens--March around Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco--Occupy San Augustin-- Reconnoissances of enemy's positions--San Antonio road strongly fortified--Pedregal--Intrenched camp at Contreras-- Battle of Contreras--Lieutenant Stevens urges decisive movement adopted by Twiggs--"Attack the enemy's left; you cut him off from reinforcements and hurl him into the gorges of the mountains"--Stormy night--Discouragement--Scene at Scott's headquarters--Second day's battle--Reconnoitring from church steeple at Coyoacan--Enemy in full retreat on San Antonio road--Instant advance by Twiggs, led by Lieutenant Stevens, who comes up against fortified convent and brings on battle of Churubusco--Description of battle--Terrible scenes of battlefield banished sleep--Letter to wife--Tacubaya occupied-- Armistice 163