On the morning of August 20th, 
1847, General Scott was in 
pursuit of a retreating Mexican 
army that was fleeing towards 
Mexico City.  Meeting their 
first resistance at San 
Antonio, one brigade was 
sent to the west to circle 
around and hit the defenders 
in the rear while the rest of 
the force pinned the defenders 
in place.  

The 3,000 Mexican defenders 
had heard of their main army's 
defeat the previous day at 
Contreras and decided that 
they would fall back instead 
to the town of Churubusco.  
Unfortunately for the Mexican 
force, the circling U.S. 
brigade came out of the 
brush and into the center of 
their column.  With an enemy 
on the flank and an enemy 
bearing down on them from 
behind they ran for safety.

Upon being informed of the 
rout from San Antonio, Scott 
ordered his army to attack 
Churubusco.  The assault soon 
broke down into three separate 
actions - two brigades hanging 
on at Portales, two brigades 
assaulting the convent at 
Churubusco, and the remainder 
of Scott's force assaulting 
the bridgehead over the Rio 
Churubusco.

The convent proved a tough nut 
to crack.  The walls were 10 
to 12 feet thick.  Infantry 
firing platforms had been 
built inside, and outside 
seven artillery batteries had 
been entrenched.  For three 
hours the battle raged with 
Scott's forces taking heavy 
casualties.  Finally the 
fortifications were stormed 
and after much fierce fighting 
the Mexican forces either fled 
of surrendered.  

Among those surrendering was 
Mexican Interim President 
Anaya.