Description
Carte view of pre-war general William Worth. Worth was commissioned as a first lieutenant in March 1813, serving as an aide to (then brigadier general) Winfield Scott during the war, and developing a friendship with him. He later named his son Winfield Scott Worth. He distinguished himself at the battles of Chippewa and Lundy’s Lane during the Niargra Campaign. In the latter battle, he was seriously wounded by grapeshot in the thigh. He was not expected to survive, but after a year’s confinement, he emerged with the breveted rank of Major—though he would remain lame for the rest of his life. Also as a brevet Major Worth uttered his most famous words that are now inscribed in West Point’s “Bugle Notes”, a book of knowledge all cadets must know by heart. When the Mexican-American War began, Worth was serving under Zachary Taylor in Texas and negotiated the surrender of the Mexican city of Matamoros. He next commanded the 2nd Regular Division, Army of Occupation at the Battle of Monterrey in September 1846, for which he was later brevetted to major general. In 1847, Worth was transferred to his old friend Winfield Scott’s army and placed in command of the 1st Division. He took part in the Siege of Veracruz and engaged in the Battle of Cerro Gordo, Contreras and Churubusco. In Mexico City, Scott ordered Worth to seize the Mexican works at the Molino del Rey. Worth and Scott’s friendship came to a head when Scott refused to allow Worth to modify the attack and the battle caused the 1st Division severe casualties, much to Worth’s dismay. Worth later renamed his son Winfield Scott to William. He next led his division against the San Cosme Gate at Mexico City. When U.S. forces entered Mexico City, Worth personally climbed to the roof of the National Palace and took down the Mexican flag replacing it with the US flag. For his service at the Battle of Chapultepec, Congress awarded him with a sword of honor. No back mark on this one.
