The Battle of Chapultepec took place in September 1847 during the Mexican-American War, at Chapultepec on the outskirts of Mexico City.
The United States Army began an artillery barrage against Chapultepec at dawn on September 12. It was halted at dark and resumed at first light on September 13. At 08:00 the bombardment was halted and Winfield Scott ordered Chapultepec charged. There was great loss of life on both sides in the battle, and eventually Mexican General Nicolás Bravo was forced to withdraw and the U.S. forces succeeding in taking the hill. By September 15 the invaders were in control of Mexico City.
During the battle, a small group of young Mexican military cadets refused to fall back when General Bravo finally ordered retreat, and fought to the death against superior U.S. forces. One by one they fell, fighting for their country; when one was left, and the US forces about to kill him, he grabbed the Mexican flag, wrapped it around himself and jumped off the castle point. There is a monument in the Forest of Chapultepec in Mexico City recognizing this tremendous courage. The cadets are eulogized in Mexican history as the Los Niños Héroes, the "Boy Heroes" or Heroic Cadets.
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Last updated: 08-20-2005 15:02:39
