On the 8th of April, the van of General Scott’s army began its march from Vera Cruz, for the interior of Mexico. The troops met with no opposition until they approached a rocky pass called Cerro Gordo. This place, which was very strong by nature, had been carefully fortified by the Mexicans, under General Santa Anna. They thought that General Scott’s men were not brave enough to venture to attack such a strong position, defended by about fifteen thousand well furnished and disciplined troops. But General Scott soon formed his plan of attack, and on the 17th of April, ordered his divisions to take their appointed positions. The next morning, the troops advanced to the attack, under an awful fire from the Mexican batteries. Colonel Harney, with a brigade of troops, rushed up the height of Cerro Gordo, on which the principal battery was erected, and after a short struggle, drove the enemy from their works. By two o’clock in the afternoon the victory was complete. Five generals, many other officers, three thousand soldiers, forty-three pieces of cannon, and a great quantity of small arms were taken. Santa Anna, with the remnant of his army, fled towards the city of Mexico, pursued by General Worth. Great numbers of the Mexicans fell in the conflict and pursuit. General Scott lost about two hundred and fifty men. Among the prisoners was the brave General La Vega, who had been captured before at Resaca de la Palma. If all the Mexican generals had been equal to La Vega, General Scott would have had much harder fighting at Cerro Gordo. [Illustration: RILEY’S CHARGE AT CONTRERAS.] STORMING OF CONTRERAS. The defeat of the Mexicans at Cerro Gordo opened the road for the United States troops as far as the city of Puebla, at which place General Scott was compelled to halt to refresh his men, and wait for reinforcements. On the 7th of August, he began his march for the capital. General Santa Anna had fortified nearly every available place to check General Scott’s progress, and it was necessary that some of the strong positions should be taken before he could proceed. One of these was Contreras, defended by General Valencia, with a great body of troops and twenty-two cannon. A detachment from General Scott’s army attacked this place on the 19th of August, but could not withstand the tremendous fire of the enemy. The next morning, the detachment, which was commanded by General Smith, having gained a road in the rear of the works, advanced to the assault. Colonel Riley headed the storming party, rushed up to the works under a heavy fire, and after a short struggle captured the cannon and drove the enemy before him. General Shields cut off the retreat, and whole companies were forced to surrender. Thus another complete triumph was gained by the Americans. [Illustration: SHIELD’S CHARGE AT CHURUBUSCO.] STORMING OF CHURUBUSCO.