The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-20

u.
smith, Mcclellan engineers and Lieutenants Derby and
nardcaste, Typographical enginesrs-to Captain Allen,
chief quaTtermaster and Lieut. Blair chief commissary
ana 70 Lieutenants Hagner and Ladley, ordnance-a
actively employed am mpeled to make special
ton OF the services of Capt r. T. Lee engineers This
omcer greatly distinguished ut the siege Of Vera Cruz
was again interchangeable during these operations In
connoisances as daring as aborous and Of the utmost
value Nor was he less conspicuous planting batteries
and in conducting columns to their stations under the
heavy fire Of the enemy.
My personal staR, Lieutsnants Scott williams and
Lay and Major Van Buren, volunteered for the oc-
casion gave me Jealous and efficient assistance.
oS whole force present in action and in was
5000 prisoners or 5000 stands Of arms and AZ pieces
OF artillery were taken By the accompanying return
amounting In the two days 80 officers and 39s men-
In all AL, Of whom 60 killed The enemy loss Is
computed to be from 900 &c 1900
am happy In communicating strong hopes for the
coycry OF the gallant Gen Shields who much i'm
proved ~ to have been brought to this place.
Appended to this report the following papers -
A.-General return by name of killed and wounded.
B-Copies Of report Of Lieut. Col. Hitchcock acting
inspector general (of prisoners taken
papers;
C.-Report of Brgadier General Twggs, and sub-re-
D.-Report Of Major Gen. Patterson, and reports Of
brigade commanders
Copy Of report by Brigader General Worth, an
nouncng the occupation by his division of the castle
town OF Perote, with an inventory of ordnance there
have the honor to remain sir, with high respect
WINFIELD SCOTT
Here follows the list of the killed and wounded at the
battle of Cerro Gordo which was published in the
Herald several days ago]
IssrEsToR GENERALS DEPARTMENT
JALAPA, April 2ith lS47.
GENERAL: On the 9Th instant had the honor to Law
before you the paroles Of honor by which the Mexican
command ut Vera Cruz and the Castle ST. Juan de Ula
were enlarged; have the satisfaction Of enclosing
ne OF those captured at the pass Of Cerro Gordo
]. The original paroles Of honor of three general
omcers two Others being accouted for below together
with similar paroles from hundred and eghty-6ve
other officers OF all grades
a Original paroles Of honor given by officers of the
Mexican army behalf Of the troops OF the several
corps prisoners Of war, respectively under their COM
mand binding them not to during the unless
duly exchanged. These rolls embrace two thousand
eight hundred and thirty q s3 names-thc rank
and file OF the army.
3, copy of the parole Of Gen. Pinson-a transation
Of the same-and list Of all others parole number
ing, In all, TWO hundred and eighty EIGHT officers
Copies of the several papers referred to above in No.
=, 10 wit: the paroles for the rank and file.
Besides the above, enclose an original paper, signed
by two general officers, Gncludng Gen. La Vega) and
cned giving their paroles not to serve during the
unless exchanged but pledged themselves the paper
commander at Vera Cruz, who was instructed under
your orders to secure them in the Castle St. Juan do
States.
separate list Of these 10 officers Is also furnished
think proper to remark with regard to the opera
the enemy and storming the principal hill occupied by
him. which executed under your personal observa-
ton on the morning Of the 18th Inst his force d.
videda Of the batteries Of the hill being separa-
ted from the main body Of the army encamped the
Jalapa road west of the hill
All Of the positions Of the enemy were commanded by
the hill ITSELF which was believed by the Mexcans be
inaccessible to our troops The hill being sormed and
TAKEN the main body Of the enemy fled in the utmost
confusion, and but very few taken prisoners.
Many Of the troops In the batteries, at the same
time made their escape In tho hills throwing away their
arms.
a Mexican officer assured me that no less than 1000
thus escaped from single battery. or those in the
batteries who laid down their arms than q thou.
sand contrved to their march from the field
Of battle to Plan del Rio five miles more along
circuitous road bounded by woods and ravues-and
hence the number Of prisoner parole 10 dlminished
to about 5000 exclusive OF officers And although
this may not be the place for expression Of opinion
feel warranted in saying that the defeat complete
unexpected by the snemythat he was utterly
destroyed captured, routed spreading terror and
condemnation throughout the country
have tho honor to be, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
T.. A. HITCHCOCK,
Lieut.. Col A.. Inspector General.
Ma. Gen WINFIELD scorr, General. in chief Jalapa
Mexico.
HEApeuAnrxRs 2p DwIsros OF RrouLAm,l
April 10, 1917.
s,R-I have the honor to report, for the information
regulars agninst the enemy ON the 18th inst
Prefacng this report will state that arrived at Plan
goons under Col Harvey having driven from the place
body OF the enemy's lanocrs, then encampcd my d.
to cover Thorough ofhs position and Il
practicable make effective attack on ali hi. works
beyond the position which had gained during sbe r.,
connoisi the 2th (being some three. and half
miles from water Withdrew my main force to my old
camp keeping up strong picket to retain the ground
had passed over, intending the following morning
1.-THE lath at o'clock to make the attack with effect
Two brgadss OF volunteers, under the command Of
Brgadier Generals Pillow and Shields respectively ar
rived at camp the l2th inst Major General Pat
terson United States voluntecrs having reported sick
assumed command of the whole The volunteers wish
ing to participate In the hight and being much broken
down from the recent march from Vera Cruz thought
proper at the suggestion Of Generals Pillow and Shields
to defer the attack one day Having done so, hav
ing matured my plan OF attack aud assigned to
vision its duty was overtaken by order Of Major
General Patterson after night the 18TH TO
all further offensive operations until the arrival Of the
Ueneral-in.C Chief until ordered by himself General
Patterson). Agreeaby to this arrangement received
ON the evening Of the verbal orders from the
to proceed on my line Of operations the
right OF the national road At III o'clock AM got in
position, the right Of my column being about zoo wards
from the enemy's main work. Lieut.. Gardeners COM
pany eth infantry then detached to observe the
enemy from the first commanding height my left In
a short time strong accommodating or skirmishing
reserve large force In all numbering about thou
sand. Lieut. Gardner held his position under heavy
fire until relieved By Col Harvey with the rifle regi
cleared the two hills in front enemys main work
and held tho position intended heavy bat
terry which established during the night under the
direction of Captain Lee Of the engineer corps During
this evening" Brig Con Shields Joined with his bri-
under Colonies Baker and Foreman and one New York
regiment, commanded by Col Burnett.
On the morning OF the 18th, when our heavy guns
opened Col Harvey, having been reinforced by tho Sd
and 18th infantry pushed forward his diminishing par
ties Overcoming all obstacles by nature Of
the ground and under most calling and fire.
this command advanced with steadness and regularity
and finally succeeded in driving from the strong position
Of the enemy all his forces and in putting them in CON-
plete rout
In speaking Of the individual efforts Of the officers In
command OF regiments and companies unable to do
ample justice Each and every seemed to be endea-
voring to excel in all that IL required OF gallant officers
They oil responded to the encouraging voice Of their
gallant leader and conducted their to victory and
glory.
The I'd brigade under Col Riley, advanced under a
heavy fire to gain position the Jaapa road in rear
OF the enemy with view Of cutting of his retreat
After crossing the valley at the foot Of Ccrro ordo
the IRE Of the enemy became annoying that two COM
panies OF the I'd infantry ordered a. skirms
ers to occupy them The remainder Of the Id
BY Capt Lee engineers, proceeded this course Per-
ceivng that the enemy were extending to their left
ordered Gen Shields to the ravine on our right
and keen the LEFT hank r. ie,