The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-31 00:00:00

TILE - SL lei.

THE UNITED STATES
AND MEXICO.

GREAT BATTLE AT CERRO
GORDO.

THE MEXICANS AGAIN DEFEATED.
JALAPA AND PEROTE TAKEN.
FLIGHT OF SANTA ANNA.

By the steam ship Caledonia, which arrived at
Liverpool on Sunday morning, we have received New
York papers of the 15th instant. Their contents are
very important. On the 17th and 18th of April the
American forces under the command of Gen. Scott,
completely defeated the Mexican army, commanded
by Santa Anna, killing 400 and taking five generals
and 3,000 Mexicans prisoners. Santa Anna fled,
leaving his carriage, his money, his plate, and even
the dinner which had been prepared for him in the
hands of the victors. The American force amounted
to 8,178 men, the Mexican force was estimated at
14,000. The following is the official dispatch of
General Scott announcing his victory :
Head-quarters of the Army, Plan del Rio,
50 miles from Vera Cruz, April 19, 1847.
Sir,—The plan of attack, sketched in General Or-
ders, No. 111, herewith, was finely executed by this
gallant army, before two o'clock F.M. yesterday. We
are quite embarrassed with the results of victory—
prisoners of war, heavy ordinance, field batteries,
small arms, and accoutrements.
About 3,000 men laid down their arms with the
usual proportion of field and company officers beside
five generals, several of them of great distinction.
Pinson, Jarrero, La Vega, N oriega, and Abend°. A
sixth general, Vasquez, was killed in defending the
battery (tower) in the rear of the whole Mexican
army, the capture of which gave us those glorious
results.

Our loss, though comparatively small in number,
has been serious. Brigadier General Shields, a com-
mander of activity, zeal, and talent, is, I fear, if not
dead, mortally wounded. He is some five miles
from me at this moment. The field of operations
covered many miles, broken by mountains and deep
chasms, and I have not a report, as yet, from any
division or brigade.
Twigg's division, followed by Shield's (now Col.
Baker's brigade) are now at or near Xalapa, and
North's division is in route thither, all pursuing,
with good results, as I learn, that part of the Mexi-
can army—perhaps six or seven thousand men, who
fled before our right had carried the tower, and
gained the Xalapa road.
Pillow's brigade alone, is near me at this depot of
wounded, sick, and prisoners ; and I have time only
to give from him the names of First Lieut. F. B.
Nelson, and Second C. G. Hill, both of the Second
Tennessee foot (Haskell's Regiment) among the
killed, and in the brigade 106, of all ranks, killed or
wounded.
Among the latter, the gallant Brigadier General
himself has a smart wound in the arm, but not dis-
abled, and Major R. Farqueson, 2d Tennessee ;
Captain H. F. Murray, 2d Lieut. G. T. Sutherland,
Ist Lieut. W. P. Hale, Adjutant, all of the same
regiment, severely, and Ist Lieut. IV. Yearwood,
mortally wounded. All I know, from personal ob-
servation on the ground, that Ist Lieut. Ewell, of
the Rifles, if not now dead, was mortally wounded
in entering, sword in hand, the entrenchments around
the captured tower.
Second Lieutenant Derby, Topographical Engi-
neers, I also saw, at the same place, severely wounded,
and Captain Patten, 2d United States Infantry, lost
his right hand. Major Sumner, 2d United States
Dragoons, was slightly wounded the day before, and
Captain Johnston, Topographical Engineers (now
Lieutenant Colonel of Infantry) was very severely
wounded some days earlier, while reconnoitering. I
must not omit to add that Captain Mason and Second
Lieutenant Davis, both of the rifles, were among the
very severely wounded in storming the same tower.
I estimate our total loss, in killed and wounded
may be about '250, and that of the enemy 350. In
the pursuit towards Xalapa (25 miles hence) I learn
we have added much to the enemy's loss in. prisoners,
killed, and wounded. In fact, I suppose his retreat-
ing army to be nearly disorganised, and hence my
haste to follow, in an hour or two, to profit by events.
In this hurried and imperfect report I must not
omit to say that Brigadier General Twiggs, in
passing the mountain range beyond Cerro Gordo,
crowned with the tower, detached from his division,
as I suggested the day before, a strong force to carry
that height, which commanded the Xalapa road at
the foot, and could not fail, if carried, to cut off the
whole, or any part of the enemy's forces, from a re-
treat in any direction.
A portion of the Ist artillery, under the often-
distinguished Brevet Colonel Childs, the 3d infantry,
under Captain Alexander, the 7th infantry, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Plympton, and the rifles, under
Major Loring, all under the temporary command of
Colonel Harney, 2d dragoons, during the confine-
ment to his bed of Brevet-Brigadier General P. F.
Smith, composed that detachment. The style of exe-
cution, which I had the pleasure to witness, was most
brilliant and decisive.

The brigade ascended the long and difficult slope
of Cerro Gordo, without shelter, and under the tre-
mendous fire of artillery and musketry with the
utmost steadiness, reached the breastworks, drove the
enemy from them, planted the colours of the Ist ar- •
tillery, 3d and 7th infantry—the enemy's flag still
flying—and, after some minutes' sharp firing, finished
the conquest with the bayonet.
It is a most pleasing duty to say that the highest
praise is duelto Harney, Childs, Plympton, Loring,
Alexander, their gallant t officers and men, for this
brilliant service, independent of the great results
which soon followed.
Worth's division of regulars coming up at this time,
he detached Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Smith,
with his light battalion, to support the assault, but
not in time. The General reaching the tower a few
minutes before me, and observing a white flag dis-
played from the nearest portion of the enemy's batte-
ries below, sent out Colonels Harney and Childs to
hold a parley. The surrender followed in an hour or

two.
Major-General Patterson left a sick bed to share in
the dangers and fatigues of the day, and after the sur-
render went forward to command the advanced forces
toward Xalapa.
Brigadier-General Pillow and his brigade twice
assaulted with great daring the enemy's line of batte-
ries on our left, and though without success, they con-
tributed much to distract and dismay their immediate
opponents.
President Santa Anna, with Generals Canalizo and
Almonte, and some six or eight thousand men, escaped
toward Xalapa just before Cerro Gordo was carried,
and before Twiggs's division reached the National
Road above. _ _

I have determined to parole the prisoners—officers
and men—as I have not the means of feeding them
here beyond to-day, and cannot afford to detach a
heavy body of horse and foot, with wagons, to accom-
pany them to Vera Cruz. Our baggage train, though
increasing, is not yet half large enough to give an
assured progress to this army.
Beside, a :greater number of prisoners would, pro-
bably, escape from the escort in the long and deep
sandy road, without subsistence—ten to one—that
we shall find again, out of the same body of men, in
the ranks opposed to us. Not one of the Vera Cruz
prisoners is believed to have been in the lines of
Cerro Gordo. Some six of the officers, highest in
rank, refuse to give their paroles, except to go to
Vera Cruz, and thence, perhaps to the United States.
The small arms and their accoutrements being of
no value to our army here or at home, I have ordered
them to be destroyed ; for we have not the means of
transporting them. lam also somewhat embarrassed
with the pieces of artillery—all bronze—which
we have captured. It would take a brigade, and
.half
the mules of our army, to transport them fifty. miles.
A field battery I shall take for service with the
army ; but the heavy metal must be collected, and left
here for the present. We have our own siege-train
and the proper carriages with us.
Being much occupied with the prisoners, and all
the details of a forward movement, beside looking to
the supplies which are to follow from Vera Cruz, I
have time to add no more—intending to be at Jalapa
early to-morrow. We shall not, probably, again
meet with serious opposition this side of Perote—
certainly not, unless delayed by the means of trans-
portation.
I have the honour to remain, Sir, with high respect,
your most obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
P.S. I invite attention to an accompanying letter
to the President Santa Anna, taken in his carriage
;yesterday ; also to his proclamation, issued on hear-
ing that we ;had captured Vera Craz, &c. in which
he says—" If the enemy advance one step more, the
National Independence will be buried in the abyss of
the past. We have taken that step. W. S.
I make a second postscript, to say that there is
some hope, I am happy to learn, that General Shields
may survive his wounds.
One of the principal motives for paroling the
prisoners of war is, to diminish the resistance of other
garrisonsin our march. W. S.

Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, Secretary-at-War.

(From the New York Tribune.)
List of Mexican officers captured at Cerra Gordo
on the 18th of April, who have given their parole of
honour to report themselves, without delay, to the
Commandant of the American forces at Vera Cruz as
prisoners of war :
Jose Ma Jarero Brigadier-general.
Romula do la Vega, Brigadier-general.

T®

rill_ l7 riir

P. Ruiz y Baranda, Captain of Mexican Navy,
commanding artillery.
Vicente Arguellea, captain artillery.
Jose Ma Mata, captain.
Jose Ma Gallegos, commanding Grenadiers.
Mariano Camocho, Ist Lieut. Artillery.
Bartohme Aniable, 2d Lieut. Artillery.
Jose R. Cobarubiar, 2d Lieut. Artillery.
Jose de Lastor Bras y Soller, Lt.-Col. Battalion de
Libertad.
Jose Nunez, Capt. 6th Regt. Infantry.
Jose Ma Mareno, Captain 6th Regt. Infantry.
Gregorio del Callejo, Capt. 6th Infantry.
Rafael de Berrabidas, 2d Lieut. 6th Regt. Infantry

Salveio Velez, Aid-de-Camp to Gen. La Vega.
Francisco Fernandez, Ist Lieut. Mexican Navy.
The above prisoners, under the charge of Captain
George W. Hughes, Corps of Topographical En-
gineers, arrived at Vera Cruz on the 21st instant,
about one hour previous to the departure of the
McKim.

It has been left to their election by General Scott,
whether they should remain close prisoners in the
castle of San Juan de Uloa or proceed to New Or-
leans, where they should be allowed such personal
liberty as their condition and conduct might seem to
require of the commandant of that post. It is un•
derstood that all of the foregoing captured officers have
expressed a desire to be transferred to the United
States, and that Colonel Wilson, Governor of Vera
Cruz, had acceded to their wishes, and had directed
that a vessel should be held in readiness to sail, for
their accommodation, about the 25th of April.
The Mexican loss at Buena Vista, officially re-
ported, was 1,138 killed, 1,500 wounded.

JALAPA, APRIL 23, 8 A.M.
An express has just arrived from General Worth.
He entered Perote yesterday morning about eleven
o'clock, and found a Mexican Colonel, who was
charged with the surrender of the place and all the
arms and munitions of war generally. None of the
large guns were spiked, and were found in excellent
order. Ampudia, with about three thousand dis-
organised Lancers, moved out just far enough to
avoid a conflict, and then proceeded on.
Santa Anna had not passed through Perote, and
must now be in the mountains on this side of that
place. We understand that information was received
yesterday that General Worth had thrown his out-
post towards Puebla and would march immediately
in that direction himself.

It is now certain that Santa Anna is at Orizaba, a
little fort at the foot of the mountain of that name, with
about one thousand troops.
He was seen at that place on Sunday morning last,
and was heard to express his desire of remaining there
till he could muster a sufficient force to make another
stand. He will not dare to return to the City of
Mexico is the universal opinion, until some success
should crown his efforts to redeem his thousand pro-
mises to the deluded people and the clergy, the latter
being now his only backers.
It is said that those who now cling to his drooping
standard are brought from Oajaca principally, and that
not more than two or three hundred of them have any
arms, those, too, being in a very bad condition.
We learn that he pretends he can yet repulse the
invaders of the soil, if he can rouse the Rancheros
and form them into Guerilla parties to annoy small
bodies of our citizens and soldiers, whom they may
hare the temerity to attack.
The following is from the Mexican Chronicle of
the 28th, by a person just arrived from Orizaba. He
knows that General Santa Anna had arrived there
with about 200 Dragoons, and immediately com-
menced recruiting, having now under his command
about six thousand men, including the fugitives from
Cerro Gordo.

He also assures us that a correspondence has been
seized by the authorities of Mexico, addressed by t
great personage to Senor Rejon, offering a certain
sum if he would bring about an early peace, and to
place all the requisite means at his disposal.
In Puebla General Inclin is commanding. They
are fortifying the town for resistance.
The navy are happy, and arrangements are in
course of completion for the expedition to the south-
ward, and a start will soon be made after the ports
along the southern coasts are secured.
A grand expedition is to be fitted out for the Pa-
cific, not by way of Cape Horn, but by internal navi-
gation. It has a real existence, and the movement is
seriously contemplated—of its object, lam also igno-
rant.

It is to be composed entirely of sailors and ma-
rines, two thousand in all. Is it not Quixotic ? lam
pretty confident that it will be abandoned when all
the difficulties come to be weighed, although it may
at this moment be resolved upon.
The correspondent of the Times says :
I send you the first two numbers of a paper issued
in this city, the Mexican Chronicle, from which I
take the liberty to clip the following niorceau :
General Alorales measures the veracity of the
American officers by the Mexican standard, hence his
mistake ; I can hardly consider him capable of a di-
rect falsehood, but this document would seem to justify
such a charge.
Juan Morales, General of Brigade of the Mexican
_ .

• -
,

LONDON,__ MONDAY EVIANINGI

liberty, the republic, and federation have been my
cause ; this cause I am going to defend, not to forget.
To this my power, my blood is to be devoted.
Upon the banners of the enemy is inscribed, "To
Conquer or Die," and in order that our country may
be independent, that the cause of our race may
triumph, it is necessary to oppose to this fatal inscrip-
tion Force and Liberty ; it is necessary that our arms
should thrust forth the enemy from our territory, and
that our institutions should restrain them upon the
frontier. Destined to a permanent rivalry, it is
necessary, in order to struggle with them, that we
become great and strong by that power which rules
the universe—the power of democracy and civili-
zation.

In accepting lower I have sworn to defend our
Independence and our Institutions. The oath is
sacred. The nation can confide in my loyalty and
my honour. But these are not sufficient to save us;
the situation is difficult, and I should not have con-
sented to accept the Government, had I not hoped to
be able to unite all our efforts against the common
enemy. Independence demands the co-operation of
all Mexicans, the sacrifice of all animosities, the
exercise of every virtue, the exertion of all our
vnergies.
Let the nation rise up united ; let it enter upon
the struggle with the vigorous enthusiasm of the
days of Independence ; and then the Vandals who
have threatened us shall repent of their rash iniquity.
Victory will crown our exertions, and we shall
speedily have nationality assured, a name worthy of
respect, a permanent existence secured. If, in the
hour of danger and sacrifice, we imitate only the
lofty virtues and the indomitable valour of our fathers,
Mexico will be saved.

PEDRO MARIA ANAYA.
Meixco, 3d of April, 1847.
Santa Anna himself issued the following address
before proceeding to take the command of the army
against Scott :
Address submitted to the Supreme Congress by his
Excellency the President of the United States of
Mexico.
" Excellent Sirs—Absent from my country, the
first tidings of the reverses of our country in the war
with the United States of America reached me, and
I at once felt a strong desire to return to the Re-
public to comply with the duties which were due by
me, as a Mexican and as a soldier. The errors of an
ill-omened Administration caused its fall ; the revo-
lution which caused it turned its eyes towards the
exile, opened to him the door of his native soil, and
implored his assistance. That voice reached my re-
treat—it made my heart exult, as I only belong to
my native country. I hastened my departure ; I re-
sponded to the call that had been made upon me, and
I kissed the shores of Mexico with the enthusiasm
of a devoted son who returns to the embrace of his
mother.

"On my landing at Vera Cruz, I addressed my
fellow-citizens, stating to them the conduct I intended
to pursue. I assured them that the object of my re-
turn was not to seek power; that I merely wished to
combat internal foes ; and that, free from ambition, I
did not return to live in ease and pleasure, but to
submit to all the rigours of war. My actions have
borne out my assertions. I refused the Presidency,
which was repeatedly offered to me. Without losing
a moment I marched to San Luis to prepare every-
thing for the conflict which was about to tape place,
and which I expected would humiliate the pride of the
invaders.

"In that city I established my headquarters. I
worked without rest in order to unite the elements
necessary for the prosecution of the war, but this de-
manded time ; everything was to be done, everything
was to be created, and even the most trifling wants
were opposed by every possible obstacle. Notwith-
standing, the months which I passed at San Luis were
not lost. I raised as by enchantment a brilliant and
numerous army, such as had not been seen since the
days of our glorious independence. The troops
were instructed and manoeuvred daily; a plan of the
campaign was projected, showing every probability of
our ultimate triumph ; the soldiers were inspired with
a spirit of enthusiasm which, far from fearing the
moment of danger, were anxious for the encounter
with the enemy, sure to teach him to respect and
fear us. If under these circumstances we could have
relied upon the necessary supplies, the advantages of
our position were such as to give us a certainty of
success, but I am sorry to confess it, we were in
want of the first necessaries of life. Willingly would
I avoid blaming the Government of the time being,
on whom must fall the responsibility of the past, did
not imperious necessity oblige me to touch upon so
delicate a subject.

" The situation in which I was placed was ex-
tremely critical. It was rendered indispensable that
the army which I commanded should meet the enemy,
and the complete destitution under which I suffered
offered insuperable difficulties. It is notorious to the
nation what means I used to obtain some money,
and the extraordinary efforts to which I was forced
to have recourse, in order to save from starvation and
nakedness the brave men who obeyed my command.
It is a flattering consideration to my heart that at
this critical moment I had to pledge my fortune and
ethi
tahterof mify fly But
the
nation was
waareswehnaet matters d
hyitsusteh;e lossTh ofese
considerations induced me to go to battle, which I
will not call a sacrifice, as I know no sacrifice when
my country is concerned, but merely to prove that I
am always prepared to expose in its defence what-
ever
pear
or' iyeoal Having
opinnggs
fort to
finally possessions.tnma, elelyv e days, I started from San Luis
me—my quiet, my health, and my
assembled all the troops with
to meet the enemy at the head of valiant troops, in
search of death or victory, and in the midst of most
frightful misery, which failed to dishearten them or
shake their discipline. Their conduct in the battle of
Angostura was such as might be expected from them
—their valour and patriotism are entitled to the
highest consideration, and above all praise. The
daring of the soldiers during the combat can only
compare with their endurance while crossing the de-
sert, with, their resignation under the want of food
and raiment, and with their patience when suffering
by the wounds of ball and knife, inflicted by the
Americans. without any medical attendance. If it
be true, as has been asserted by Napoleon, that the
first quality of soldiers is to support fatigue and
privations, and that valour is only the second quality,
then the Mexican army has proved in the memorable
expedition in the month of February that it is not
deficient in either.

" Although for the reasons which I gave in my
official dispatch, I could not pursue the enemy. I
had concentrated my forces such places as offered
•
some prospect of subsisting the troops, in the hope
that the moment would shortly arrive when we could
consummate our triumph. Such were my intentions,
which I could have carried into effect had it not been
for the news which I received of two important
events :—First, the danger with which Vera Cruz
was threatened ; and, secondly, the revolution which
had broken out in the capital, and which obliged me
to change my plans. The first showed me the neces-
sity of sending assistance to Vera Cruz, one of the
keys of the Republic, as its garrison having nothing
to sustain it but their heroism, could not hold out any
length of time ; the second, informing me of a pro-
nunciamento by which, to the scandal of the world,
Mexicans were going to destroy each other, when
the foreign enemy was threatening their independ-
ence from all sides, forced me to fly to the rescue to
re-establish public order and tranquillity. To meet
these two evils, of egeall importance, it became neces-
sary to return with the army to San Luis, whence
I ordered a respectable division to proceed to Vera
Cruz, while I proceeded in person to put a stop to
civil war. Men being irritated, the passions being
excited and warm from the shedding of blood, there
were few means to choose in consolidating a peace—
there was but one, for me to take charge of the
supreme power, occupying that seat to which the
confidence of the representatives of the people might
call me, and to which a respectable majority of the
Congress did since appoint me. To have vacillated
under such circumstances _would have been a crime.
cyhaprrignecoil?tle the first station of
the Republic s the submission
On this account I yielded to necessity, and assuming
the reins of Government, I succeeded, by tbis costly
sacrifice, to put a stop to the fratricidal contest which
was dividing us.
which
cuhtlt
forthp h
ae madec ceases
econsistentinast awithpka
havinging
s a
ss
eb
de. inse ono oroncdnae
conquered,
uthebeer exigency which
callediendg:
e
my filling thre-estahlished
internal
eminent station of President would be a violation of
the most solemn and sincere promises I ever made. In
the face of the nation and of the whole world, I have
stated that I am determined. to fight the usurpers
of our soil as long as. there is the print of their foot
the military
btaeklieefclitharagte
thoef
left on our sacred soil. My sentiments, in confor-
mity in every respect with my pledges, separate me
decree of the
from the Government, and call me to the army, and
in obedience to both I have determined to march this
Government giving m. e the command of the army is
still in force, but if it should have expired I suppli-
cate most earnestly that it may be renewed.
owpeeerkattioonV3,eruand
The state of Vera Cruz, of which I know every
Cer..rutzhteo
inch, and which I love with intense fervour, as this is
the place of my nativity, is invaded by the forces of
the foreigner ; its sufferings cannot he indifferent to me,
because as a Mexican I feel the misfortunes of every
State, and doubly of that State where I first saw the
light. The Supreme Congress must be convinced
that by every title it is necessary that I should march
in order that the Republic may see
in me redeem my
pledges, and that the army,
itsy, whose faithful and inse-
parable companion I am all privations and dan-
gers, and that finally my . country may receive a new
proof that I am always willing to sacrifice myself to
their service.
Before concluding, I think it my duty to state
clearly and openly my opinion respecting the war
which we are maintaining. To no man is it given. to

r;
-tor

MAY 81, 1847.

lift the veil of futurity, and no one can say what
will be the result of the events which will pass under
our eyes, but favourable or fatal they must not in-
fluence our opinion, which must be based on other
considerations. If Divine Providence should have in
store for us more trials—if again our fields should be
devastated, our cities bombarded, our villages de-
stroyed, our brave soldiers should die on the field of
battle, and even fortune should be propitious, the
calamities inseparable from war would be terrible,
particularly when conducted with the barbarity and
vandalism displayed by the Americans, without any
mitigation of civilization, and to the disgrace of
their arms ; but fatal as all these evils might be, far
more pernicious beyond comparison would be a peace
forced upon us at this moment. Peace, yes, peace
is what the nation wants, but a peace that must be
won by our valour and constancy, bought by vic-
tories obtained by a people that detests oppression. A
peace of this kind will save us, and make us respected
by the powers that observe us, and give us the place
due to the Mexican nation. If we cannot obtain
such a peace it is better to bury ourselves under the
ruins of our cities, and better to die than live without
honour.

As to myself, lam determined to breast the dan-
gers of the campaign, confident that my conduct will
gain the approbation of my fellow-citizens. If I am
crowned by victory, and succeed in driving the enemy
from our soil, I shall retire to private life, satisfied
that I shall have rendered my country some service;
or if the lead or steel should cut the thread of my
life, I shall die contented, as I shall leave to my
country an honourable memory, and to my children
a name at which they need never blush.
Present, &c.
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.
To the Hon. Secretary of the Constituent
Congress, Mexico, April 2, 1847.
It will be seen that the Americans themselves admit
that since the Battle of Cerra Gorda, Santa Anna has
rallied 6,000 men round him at Orizaba, and if he
continues to be animated by the spirit which dictated
this address, he may yet give General Scott some
trouble. The American Sun says, Commissioners,
consisting of Senators Benton and Soule, have been
dispatched from Washington to meet General Scott
at Mexico, with the terms our Government are dis.
posed to make for peace. The Mexicans, who still
urge resistance, are in favour of Guerilla warfare,
and if such should be adopted, we have only to retire
from the interior, where that mode can be practised
among mountain passes, and occupy the cities and
ports we have captured.
CAPTURE OF TUSPAN BY COMMODORE PERRY.—
HEALTH OF THE ARMY AND NAVY.

General Taylor is at Monterey with his division of
the army, General Worth is at Vera Cruz, charged
with the government of that place, and Gen. Cushing
at Matamoras. General Taylor aas resolved on a
requisition upon the states of New Leon,
Coahuila, and Tamaulipas, for indemnification for
public property of the United States destroyed by
Mexican robbers in those departments. Gen. Cushing
has been directed to call upon the alcaldes of Mata-
moras. Commodore Perry has, after an obstinate
engagement, captured Tuspan, and is to sail against
Tobasco and other ports on the Mexican coast.
Lieut. Hunter, who captured Alvrado and Tlacotalpin
in such gallant style, though in disobedience to
orders, has been court-martialed and is to be dismissed
from the Home Squadron. The health of the army
is fine, though the heat has been excessive. At Vera
Cruz and Monterey the Mexicans are recovering
business, activity, and confidence, from the conciliat-
ing spirit of their new Governors.

pleasure in thanking you in proper terms." Harney,
with the modesty of true valour, claimed the praise as
due to his officers and men. Thus did the division of
the gallant veteran Twiggs carry the main position
of the enemy, and occupy the fort which com-
manded the road. It was here the enemy received
their heaviest loss, and their general, Vasquez,
was killed. A little after, General Worth, having
by great exertions passed the steep and craggy
heights on the enemy's left, summoned a strong fort
on the rear of the Cerro to surrender. This fort was
manned by a large force under General Pinzon, a
mulatto officer of considerable ability and courage,
who, seeing the Cerro carried, thought prudent to
surrender, which he did with all his force. General
Shields was not so fortunate in the battery which he
attacked, and which was commanded by General La
Vega. A heavy fire was opened on him, under which
the fort was carried with some loss by the gallant
Illinoisians, under Baker and Bennett, supported by
the New Yorkers, under Burnett. Among those
who fell under this fire was the gallant general, who
received a grape shot through his lungs, by which he
was completely paralysed, and at the last accounts
was in a lingering state. On the enemy's right Ge-
neral Pillow commenced the attack against the strong
forts near the river. The Tennesseans, under Has-
kill, led the column, and the other volunteerregiments
followed. The column unexpectedly encountered a
heavy fire from a masked battery, by which Haskill's
regiment was nearly cut to pieces, and the other vo-
lunteer regiments were severely handled. General
Pillow withdrew his men and was preparing for ano-
ther attack when, the oparations at the other points
having proved successful, the enemy concluded to sur-
render.

Thus the victory was complete, and four generals
and about 6,000 men were taken prisoners by our
army, and one of their principal generals and a large
number of other officers killed. The Mexican force
on this occasion certainly exceeded our own. The
Mexican officers admitted that Santa Anna had
had 8,000 men in the lines, and 6,000, including
2,000 lancers, outside of the entrenchments. General
Scott's force was about 8,000, General Quitman's
brigade not having arrived in time to take part in the
engagement. General Ampudia was second in com-
mand of the Mexicans and superintended the opera-
tions of the enemy. When the Cerro was carried he
was seen retreating on a fine white charger, his hat
falling off as he galloped away. Many of the Mexi-
cans escaped by a bye path which runs off from the
main road between the Cerro and the fort carried by
General Worth. As to Santa Anna and Canalizo,
they retreated in time to escape by the main road.
Their conduct is regarded as most cowardly. Some
of the Mexican officers who were taken prisoners do
not hesitate to attribute their defeat to the cowardice of
Santa Anna. The force of the enemy was composed
of their best soldiers. The infantry that fought so well
at Buena Vista, all the regular artillerists of the Re-
public, including several able naval officers, were present.
Some of the officers whom General Scott rsleased at
the capitulation of Vera Cruz, without extorting the
parole on account of their gallantry, were found among
the killed and wounded. A gallant young officer,
named Halzinger, a German by birth, who extorted
the admiration of our army in the bombardment of
Vera Cruz by seizing a flag which was cut down by
our balls and holding it up in his hands until a staff
could be prepared, had been released by General
Scott without a parole. He was found among the
desperately wounded at Cerro Gordo. The enemy's
loss (in killed and wounded) was about as large as our
own: but in addition to this the loss of some 6,000
prisoners and some of their best officers. Our army
captured about 30 pieces of beautiful brass cannon of
large calibre and mostly manufactured at the Royal
Foundry of Seville. A large quantity of fixed am-
munition of very superior quality was also taken.
The private baggage and money chest of Santa Anna,
containing 20,000 dollars, was also captured. The
latter was delivered over to the Pay department. The
volunteers who were employed in carrying the specie
into camp cracked many a joke over the prospect of
being so soon paid off in Mexican coin and free of ex
pense to Uncle Sam.
When our forces had carried the various positions
of the enemy and the road was cleared, General
Twiggs started in hot pursuit of the fugitive Santa
Anna, and pressed close upon his heels. A strong
position, five miles west of Cerro Gordo, fortified
and defended by a battery of long brass guns, was
abandoned by the enemy and occupied by our troops.
General Twiggs bivouacked within three miles of the
lovely town of Jalapa.
In concluding our imperfect sketch of this brilliant
achievement, we cannot sufficiently express our ad-
miration of the extraordinary deeds of our gallant
army and able General. Scarcely a month has
elapsed since our troops under Scott landed on the
enemy's shores. In that time a strong walled city
has been captured, together with an impregnable
fortress ; a pitched battle has been fought under the
most unfavourable circumstances and against the
most formidable natural defences ; 12,000 prisoners
have been taken, including some half a dozen general
officers ; 500 splendid cannon and an immense amount
of munitions of war have been added to the national
trophies. Truly, such results are glorious testi-
monials of the valour of our soldiers, and the perse-
verance of the accomplished General who led them.