AMERICAN OCCUPATION OF THE CITY OF MEXICO. 419 



amid the shouts of the exalting 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 as- 

 cended the Palace stairs and sat dow T n 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 con- 

 quest 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 recon- 

 struction 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. t 



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, 

 garrison of Mixcoac and Chapultepec, 



Losses. 



6,000 



At Contreras and Churubusco, 137 killed. 877 wounded. 

 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 Mexi- 

 can 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 cptantity of 

 shot, shells and powder." See Ex. Doc. No. 1 Senate, 30th Congress, 1st Session, 

 p. 384. 



