Chapultepec Park in Mexico full of history

MEXICO CITY -- Busch Series teams were housed this weekend across the boulevard from Chapultepec Park, just a few hundred yards from the scene of a battle that later would have a profound effect on the history of the United States.

In fact, the battle for Chapultepec reads like a "Who's Who" of the American Civil War.

In September of 1847, at the height of the Mexican-American War, American forces were on the verge of capturing Mexico City. The Mexicans, led by Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna -- victorious against the Texans in the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 -- held the high ground: Chapultepec Castle.

The castle grounds had been occupied for hundreds of years, first by the Toltecs and Aztecs. It was considered to be Montezuma's home at one point before the Spanish conquered Mexico. The castle was then built, first as a palace, then to house a military academy.

Santa Anna knew he was outnumbered, having somewhere between 400 and 1,000 men, including perhaps 200 cadets as young as 13.

U.S. Gen. Winfield Scott -- who would later run for president but lose to Franklin Pierce -- polled his senior officers, including Maj. Robert E. Lee, and determined that attacking from the east was the best strategy. On Sept. 12, the Americans began an artillery barrage and then Marines charged the castle from two directions.

With as many as 50 storming ladders in place, the Americans quickly gained access to the castle. George Pickett -- who would later be remembered for his ill-fated charge at Gettysburg -- was the first to scale the wall.

The Mexicans attempted to retreat but had no exit. Many jumped over the wall in a desperate effort to flee. Six young cadets -- known as the Los Ninos Heroes -- bravely fought until killed, with the lone survivor wrapping himself in the Mexican flag and jumping to his death.

Santa Anna watched disaster befall Chapultepec while an aide exclaimed, "God is a Yankee."

The attack would be immortalized in the Marine Corps Hymn, which begins, "From the halls of Montezuma ..."