The Battle of Churubusco [pp. 78-116]

1852.1 Butile of C1~u~ubusco. 107
was enabled clearly to determine his plan of attack upon
the interior line. It accomplished identically what Scott
had resolved on at Puebla, to conquer a strong position,
exhibit his superior power, and threaten the city, with the
view to permit its rescue from capitulation by negotiations, and, if possible, the conclusion of peace. His design, so far, was perfected: every resnit that he had anticipated, was attained: all that he had promised himself
was done, and done to his satisfaction. Our losses, grievous as they were, must also have been counted on, since
battles, waged between determined men with loaded guns,
are never bloodless. And it has yet to be proved that
Tacubaya could have been gained, and the outer defences
of the enemy dismantled, by any less sacrifice than was
incurred at Churubusco.
~Yith the knowledge possessed, the only manner of carrying the convent and the t~te-de-pont, was by couj~-derna~n. Our b~tteries were too light to make an impression on the works. They required a severe hand to hand
conflict, and it was bravely fought-long, arduous, bloody,
but never doubtful, and in the end triumphant. The
points of attack were not left much to our option. The
enemy fled —his forts received him; we followed- encountered the strongholds, stormed and took them. There
was no great opportunity for generalship-yet all that the
occasion permitted was probably displayed. Scott reinforced NVorth-seut Shields on the prominent mission of
the day, and, with all the troops at his disposal, reinforced
him promptly, when aid ~as known to be required.
Twiggs directed Riley against the right and rear of the
convent, least guarded by wo4~s, and supposed most vulnerable. ~Vorth's dispositions were eminently judicious.
For the subordinate, there were golden chances of distinction. Breaches, field-works, bridges, are the paths that
]ead to military glory. The ambitious* and the fearless are
never prouder than when heading the forlorn hope of a
storming column. Death may end his career, but f I~e SU?V?,V~, and hope is never so buoyant and bright as then, an
hour's hazard, and a moment's strife, win fi~r him rank and
renown. These are the spurs to emulation, and energy, and
Bacon says: "Takc ambition from a soldi~r, and you had as well cut off
his spurs."