Chapultepec

cha-pool-te-pec', a rocky eminence about three miles from the city of Mexico. The name is said to be Aztec for "grasshopper hill." It rises about 150 feet above the surface. It was the county seat of the Aztec emperor Montezuma. A cypress grove at the western foot may yet be seen. The rock was fortified by the Spaniards. It was occupied by the Mexicans as a military academy, and was defended by a garrison. At the approach of the war between the United States and Mexico Chapultepec was relied upon to protect the road to the city from that quarter, and was defended pluckily by a garrison. It cost our invading army under General Winfield Scott three days and 863 killed and wounded to invest and take the place. The engagement took place September 12-13, 1847. Among the Americans engaged in planting batteries, pioneering, and scaling were many young soldiers whose names are well known. Some of these are Mayne Reid, George B. McClellan, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Raphael Semmes, Joseph E. Johnston, and James Longstreet.