Battle of Chapultepec

September 13, 1847 · Valley of Mexico Theater

Phases

1. 1Phase 1 — Artillery PreparationSeptember 12–13, 1847 — Pre-dawn
2. 2Phase 2 — AssaultSeptember 13, 1847 — Morning
3. 3Phase 3 — The Niños HéroesSeptember 13, 1847 — Late Morning

September 12–13, 1847 — Pre-dawn

US artillery batteries open a heavy bombardment on Chapultepec Castle through September 12 and into the early hours of September 13. Mexican defenders under General Bravo return fire from the ramparts but take significant casualties. The bombardment breaches sections of the outer wall and suppresses the castle's guns before the infantry assault begins.

• ●US artillery battery — Molino del Rey area, western approaches
• ●US artillery battery — southern approaches via Tacubaya
• ●Chapultepec Castle — hilltop fortress and military academy
• ➤Artillery bombardment — shells strike castle walls and ramparts
• ●Mexican outer defensive line — pickets and breastworks on the slopes