Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-05-11

and wounded Before The volunteers had time TO
renew the attack the enemy had surrendered
driven, as they had been, from their tayorile po.
sition on Cerro Gordo
Taking all things into consideration, this has
been great fight, and a great victory; one cacu-
lated to shine brilliantly in the chapter Of those
achieved ia Mexico BY our arms.
The Mexican forces on the height Of Cerro
Gorto were the Sd and 4th Light Infantry, the Sd
and S!h Regiments OF The line, and 6 pieces Of ar.
lillery, with The requisite number Of Cavalry
Col. Obando, chief of artillery, was killed, and
Gen. Vasquez, general OF division. Many OF our
officers were OF opinion that this general was no
other than Gov Morales.
Our force consisted OF the I'd, 81 and 7th In.
faniry and Mounted Rifemen, and Steptoe's bat
terry. Capt. Mason, Of the Rifles, was severely
wounded, having lost his left leg Lieut.. Ewe,
Of the 7th Infantry, was severely wounded. Capt.
Panen, of the ID, left hand shot of.
On the 18Th, Lieut.. Jarvis, of the ID Infantry,
was wounded in ascending The first hill.
On the top Of The Cerro Gordo, the scene was
truly horrible. From The Jalapa road, dead bo-
dies OF the enemy could be seen on every spot
where the eye was directed, until they literally
covered the ascenr.o the height. There is about
half an acre of level ground ON the top OF the
mountain, and here was collected together The.
wounded Of both armies and The dead oil our
own. Side by side were lying the disabled Anne
rcan and the Mexican, and our surgeons were
busy ampulalng and dressing the wounds OF
each-loiting them in turns, unless The acute pain
OF some sufferer further alorg caused him 10 cry
out, when he would be Immediately attended 10.
The pioneer parties Of our men were picking
up The wounded and bringing them in from every
part OF the ascent 10 the height. From the side
towards the river where The storming party OF
Gen. Twiggss division made The charge, most of
our men suffered, and many Of the enemy, also,
for they made desperate stand; but when they
gave way and started in confusion down the hill,
was the time they most suffered, many Of them
receiving the balls OF our men in their backs.
The charge on Cerro Gordo was one OF those
cool yet determined ones so characteristic of The
American soldier. From the time that our troops
lett the hill nearest that prominent height The fire
was incessant, and they had TO fight their way
foot by foot, Till they gained The summit. from
which place the enemy gave way after very
short resistance
Our victory is compete. Those of the enemy
who escaped were driven in all directions by their
pursueIs, and many Of them cut down on The
road.
Gen. Twggs, who followed them after taking
Cerro Gordo approached within three miles OF
Jalapa, and finding no force OF the enemy, en-
camped for the night. He is in the town before
this time.
Capt. Merrill, of the Cd Dragons, returned
from Twiggs's camp last night, and is oil opinion
that nothing but small body guard is with San
Ia Anna.
Santa Annals private carriage was captured,
and amongst his effects was found The sum OF
$4,000, which is now in The hands OF The quar-
lermasler, and an additional leg Of cork for his
Excellency's use in case of emergency.
noticed one officer Of The enemy shot through
the head on Cerro Gordo, who was a conspicuous
man al Vera Cruz.
Gen. La Vega, who is again in our clutches,
looked as dashing and fine as ever. He did mol
seem The least disconnected, but rode in from the
battle field, by the side of Gen. Scott, laughing and
talking as though he was once more on his way
10 New Orleans.
Gen. Shields was morally wounded and hear
this morning that he is dead. He behaved most
CALAMITY and his mishap is deeply deplored.
Gen. Pillow was wounded in the arm, but
slightly.
Major Sumner, of the ID Dragons, was shot
in The head, but is considered oul of danger
The force ofthe Mexicans, at the lowest is SET
down at 10000. The officers Of the Mexican ar
my are being paroled whilst Iwrite this, and with
their soldiers are being sent about their business
our commander being OF opinion that ne can
whip them easier Than feed them. The generals
will be sent to New Orleans; among them you
will have the second appearance OF La Vega, ne
having refused again 10 be paroled.
The second in command TO Santa Anna is
man as black as the ace of spades, with name
something like Sinton.
All Santa Annals plate was taken and his din
ner, cooked for yesterday, eaten BY our own Of
6cers.
am sorry to say that Gen. Patterson and
Smith were both confined TO their beds by sick.
ness, and were unable TO go into the fight with
their commands.