The cadets courageously defended the Castle against the superior American force. Not only were they vastly outnumbered, they had few guns and less ammunition. Lieutenant Fernando Poucel ran back and forth among the cadets under his command, without any apparent care for his personal safety. Bullets flew everywhere, missing him by a hair's breadth. As the American storming parties scaled the Castle's walls, the combat turned from firing to hand-to-hand combat.While Fernando was directing his cadets, his younger brother, Miguel Poucel and a few of his fellow cadets were defending themselves with sables and bayonets. Both Miguel and Fernando studied sword fighting under tutelage of their father, Antoine Poucel, training that served them well on that fateful day. Miguel, only 17 years old, together with one of his fellow class mates, were fighting against several opponents, when one of the Americans' sable broke through and seriously wounded Miguel's partner, putting him out of combat. Miguel was left alone to block the advance of the attackers, an overwhelming task, when Fernando appeared out of nowhere! Within minutes three American soldiers were down nursing their wounds, the two brothers working together as one.
Sunlight from the large window above the exit illuminated the room brightly. The lieutenant, close to 30 years of age, was a little taller than Fernando, but not by much. His hair was blond and military short. His outstanding feature was the intense blue of his eyes, as intense as the morning sky that day in Chapultepec. Fernando turned as he listened to the challenge and offensive shouts of the lieutenant. The American approached him slowly, almost sluggishly, with arrogance, confident of his superiority and skill with the sable. Fernando's face was hidden under sweat, blood and powder smoke, making him look older than his 18 years. However, the cold stare of his eyes and confident demeanor made the North American hesitate. "Sir" - he began - "it seems that you like to attack from behind rather than fight face to face like a man!" The action ceased in that part of the Castle, all conscious of what was about to happen. The lieutenant was admired, not only by the soldiers under his command, but also by his fellow officers and superiors. He was recognized as the best swordsman in the regiment. Miguel knew his brother, who was not only the best in his class, but had already on occasion managed to stop his father's practice offensives, and even make him retreat, no small feat considering that his father, Antoine Poucel, was considered by many the best swordsman in Mexico. Miguel recognized that mocking, almost sad smile of Fernando which augured trouble.
An inclination of the head indicated the beginning of the duel. The lieutenant taking a deep breath feinted and sent a mighty thrust to surprise Fernando and finish the combat before it began. Fernando with a slight movement of his wrist parried the sable aside before reaching its mark. Both soon recognized themselves as worthy adversaries, maintaining their distance and positions with elegance and ease. The American held the initiative of the attacks, whereas Fernando defended waiting for an opening to counterattack. The fight had been going for two or three minutes and promised to extend itself. The adversaries were getting to know each other enough to be able to anticipate each other's movements.
Fernando grunted slightly as the lieutenant's sable darted through his guard and cut a thin line of red along his left arm, where the dark cloth of his uniform had been torn and hung loosely over the rest of the sleeve. Fernando continued as if nothing had happened, shaking the confidence of the American. Fernando threw a mighty quick thrust into the air signaling that the combat was far from over. With renewed vigor and a firm arm, Fernando took the initiative from the American, trying to finish, once in for all, with the clash. The American lieutenant smiled, accepting the challenge. The sables collided with an infernal noise, hacking with a loud hum the air occupied moments before by the adversary. The point of Fernando's blade opened a fine line on the American's cheek, who responded by redoubling his efforts. The ground showed the ferocity of the struggle stained with the smudged blood of the opponents. The duel seemed destined to a perpetual tie, but be it Fernando's youth, or his father's training, or his youthful passion, or his total disregard of death, the balance began to tip in his favor. In a sigh, after two thrusts in quick succession, the American did not regain his defense fast enough, and Fernando's blade entered high in the American's chest. The lieutenant, surprised by the move, grabbed his wound with his left hand while his sable hung useless from his right hand.
The American soldiers thought Fernando was going to finish off their lieutenant and went after him with everything they had, which made Miguel quit his contemplation and side along his brother. Before the twenty or so inflamed soldiers could kill the brothers, the American lieutenant calmed their spirits with harsh words, and facing Fernando asked him why he had spared him. Fernando passed a weary hand over his face, cleaning some of the sweat and grit, and said: "Sir, you were unarmed ". The American lieutenant, seeing for the first time the faces of Fernando and Miguel, exclaimed: "By God, but you are no more than children!" " No", answered Fernando," we are not children. I am Lieutenant Fernando Poucel and this is Second Lieutenant Miguel Poucel and we both know how to fight and die like men in defense of our school and country!" With new found respect and admiration, the American lieutenant asked them to lay down their weapons and led them to the garden were the rest of their fellow cadets were being rounded and taken prisoner. It was this honorable behavior of the American Lieutenant that saved their lives.
More than two decades later, in recognition of his valor and skill that fateful day in Chapultepec, his fellow cadets appointed Fernando to be the first president of the Association of the Heroic Military School.
