| MARINE CORPS HISTORY |
When the Mexican-American War erupted in 1846, a provisional battalion of Marines was
attached to General Winfield Scott's Army on its campaign through southern Mexico. Upon
arrival at Mexico City, Scott decided to attack the high ground southeast of the city, at a castle
called Chapultapec. Leading the attack was Captain John G. Reynolds, who was in charge of 40
army and Marine volunteers. His mission was to breach the walls and allow the first wave to
enter the fort.
On 13 September 1847, the pre-attack bombardment ended, and Reynolds led his platoon of
pioneers forward into fierce resistance. Though pinned down temporarily, the pioneers pushed
forward and overran the walls, bayonetting the gunners and openning the way for the army
battalion that comprised the first wave. During the street fighting which ensued, the Marines
bore the brunt of the action, and once the battle was over, the disproportionate number of
casualties spoke for their bravery. Moreover, in a remarkable demonstration of leadership by
example, 13 of the 23 Marine officers involved were given brevet promotions for bravery.
The full complement of Marines did not participate in the assault at Chapultapec, however. A
detachment under Captain George Terrett flanked the castle and disrupted a counterattack
made by Mexican lancers. Following this, the Marines incorporated 26 soldiers and siezed the
gates of Mexico City, and were the first American troops into the city.
This is one of the more famous battles in Marine Corps history. The uphill assault against a
fortified position was a tough assignment, given specifically to the Marines who were known for
their tenacity and perseverence. The casualties reflected the predictable cost of such an attack:
90% of the Marine officers and non-commissioned officers were killed. For this reason, the
red "blood stripes" are worn on the trousers of officers and NCOs, to commemorate the blood
shed at Chapultapec. Also, once the Stars & Stripes was raised over Mexico City, the line was
added to the Corps motto of the day, "From Tripoli to the Halls of the Montezumas." This was
changed slightly to the now-familiar opening line to the Marine Corps Hymn: "From the Halls
of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli..."
Alexander 12-13; Hearn 40-41; Burzynski, Don. Marines take historic halls of Montezuma.
Leatherneck.com3.5.0, Copyright
2000-2006, Leatherneck Guide Inc.
attached to General Winfield Scott's Army on its campaign through southern Mexico. Upon
arrival at Mexico City, Scott decided to attack the high ground southeast of the city, at a castle
called Chapultapec. Leading the attack was Captain John G. Reynolds, who was in charge of 40
army and Marine volunteers. His mission was to breach the walls and allow the first wave to
enter the fort.
On 13 September 1847, the pre-attack bombardment ended, and Reynolds led his platoon of
pioneers forward into fierce resistance. Though pinned down temporarily, the pioneers pushed
forward and overran the walls, bayonetting the gunners and openning the way for the army
battalion that comprised the first wave. During the street fighting which ensued, the Marines
bore the brunt of the action, and once the battle was over, the disproportionate number of
casualties spoke for their bravery. Moreover, in a remarkable demonstration of leadership by
example, 13 of the 23 Marine officers involved were given brevet promotions for bravery.
The full complement of Marines did not participate in the assault at Chapultapec, however. A
detachment under Captain George Terrett flanked the castle and disrupted a counterattack
made by Mexican lancers. Following this, the Marines incorporated 26 soldiers and siezed the
gates of Mexico City, and were the first American troops into the city.
This is one of the more famous battles in Marine Corps history. The uphill assault against a
fortified position was a tough assignment, given specifically to the Marines who were known for
their tenacity and perseverence. The casualties reflected the predictable cost of such an attack:
90% of the Marine officers and non-commissioned officers were killed. For this reason, the
red "blood stripes" are worn on the trousers of officers and NCOs, to commemorate the blood
shed at Chapultapec. Also, once the Stars & Stripes was raised over Mexico City, the line was
added to the Corps motto of the day, "From Tripoli to the Halls of the Montezumas." This was
changed slightly to the now-familiar opening line to the Marine Corps Hymn: "From the Halls
of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli..."
Alexander 12-13; Hearn 40-41; Burzynski, Don. Marines take historic halls of Montezuma.
Leatherneck.com3.5.0, Copyright
2000-2006, Leatherneck Guide Inc.