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It's September 15, 1847 in Mexico City, 18 months into the Mexican-American War.

American Major General John Quittman leads his troops through the streets of the Mexican capital

and into an open plaza known as the Zokolo.

The square is littered with pockets of Mexican civilians who jeer at the Americans as they pass,

but General Quittman wasn't expecting a warm welcome today.

After a brutal week-long siege of the city, the Mexican army was forced to abandon their

capital in a humiliating defeat. Now General Quittman is here to formally take control on

behalf of the United States. Quittman and his fellow officers halt their horses at the arrive

at the front steps of the National Palace. General dismounts and stretches his back. He and his

men are tired and bedraggled. Their uniforms are torn and Quittman's boot is torn sole that flaps

when he walks. So he's grateful the siege is over that he and his men might finally be able to

get some much needed rest, but as the general makes his way to the front steps of the palace,

gunshot echoes through the plaza. Quittman instinctively ducks, but he quickly gathers his

composure and then stands tall again. He orders his men to hold their positions and prepare for combat.

One of Quittman's officers points to a balcony where a Mexican man reloads a smoking rifle.

Quittman's soldiers close in, kick down the door to the building and burst in to subdue the shooter,

but in the same moment a second shot rings out this time from a different direction.

Quittman ducks again and hugs close to his horse as his eyes scan the plaza. This time his officer

points to another house where there's movement on the roof, but just as Quittman's eyes focus

...