<P> They can do nothing and their continued defeats should convince them of it . They have lost six great battles; we have captured six hundred and eight cannon, nearly one hundred thousand stands of arms, made twenty thousand prisoners, have the greatest portion of their country and are fast advancing on their Capital which must be ours,--yet they refuse to treat (i.e., negotiate terms)! </P> <P> In May, Scott pushed on to Puebla, the second largest city in Mexico . Because of the citizens' hostility to Santa Anna, the city capitulated without resistance on May 1 . During the following months, Scott gathered supplies and reinforcements at Puebla and sent back units whose enlistments had expired . Scott also made strong efforts to keep his troops disciplined and treat the Mexican people under occupation justly, so as to prevent a popular rising against his army . </P> <P> With guerrillas harassing his line of communications back to Veracruz, Scott decided not to weaken his army to defend Puebla but, leaving only a garrison at Puebla to protect the sick and injured recovering there, advanced on Mexico City on August 7 with his remaining force . The capital was laid open in a series of battles around the right flank of the city defenses, the Battle of Contreras and Battle of Churubusco . After Churubusco, fighting halted for an armistice and peace negotiations, which broke down on September 6, 1847 . With the subsequent battles of Molino del Rey and of Chapultepec, and the storming of the city gates, the capital was occupied . Scott became military governor of occupied Mexico City . His victories in this campaign made him an American national hero . </P> <P> The Battle of Chapultepec was an encounter between the Mexican Army and the United States on the castle of Chapultepec in Mexico City . At this time, this castle was a renowned military school in Mexico City . After the battle, which ended in an American victory, the legend of "Los Niños Héroes" was born . Although not confirmed by historians, six military cadets between the ages of 13 and 17 stayed in the school instead of evacuating . They decided to stay and fight for Mexico . These Niños Héroes (hero children) became icons in Mexico's pantheon of heroes . Rather than surrender to the U.S. Army, some military cadets leaped from the castle walls . A cadet named Juan Escutia wrapped himself in the Mexican flag and jumped to his death . </P>

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