Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-05-20

artillery, carried this position under heavy
IRE of grape and musketry. Having secured
this position in front and near the euemy's
strongest fertilization, and having by incredible
labor. elevated one Of our large guns TO the top
ofihe fort, Gen. Scott prepared 10 follow up his
advantages. A demonstration was made from
this position against another strong fort in the
rear, and near the Cerro, but the enemy were
considered too strong, and the undertaking was
abandoned. A like demonstration was made
BY the enemy.
On the next day, the 18th, Gen. Twiggs
was ordered from the position he had already
captured against the fort which commanded the
Cerro. simultaneously an attack on the ene-
my's left was 10 be made by Genls. Shields's
and Worth's divisions, who moved in sepa-
rate columns, whilst Gen. Pillow advanced
against the strong forts and difficult accents on
the right Of the enemy's position.
The enemy, fully acquainted with Gen.
SCOTS intended movement, had thrown large
bodies Of men into the various positions 10 be
attacked. The most serious enterprise was
that of Twiggs, who advanced against the
main fort that commanded the .Cerro. Moth
ing can be conceived more difficult than this
undertaking. The steep and rough character
of the ground, the constant fire OF the enemy
in front, and the cross FIRE of the forts and bat
teries which enfladed our lines made the
duty assigned to Gen. Twiggs one Of sur
passing difficulty. Nothing prevented our
men from being utterly destroyed but the steep
ness Of the ascent under which they could
shelter. But they sought no shelter, and on
ward rushed against hailstorm Of balls and
muskei shot, led BY the gallant Harvey, whose
noble bearing elected the applause OF the
whole army. His conspicuous and stalwart
frame at the head Of his brigade, his long arm
waving his men on to the charge, his sturdy
voice ringing above the clash Of arms and the
din of conflict, attracted the attention and adj
miration alike Of the enemy and OF our own
army. On. on, he led the columns, whose
front lines melted before the enemy's fire like
snow flakes in torrent, and staid not their
course until, leaping over the rocky barriers
and bayoneting their gunners, they drove the
enemy pell nell from the fort, delivering a
deadly fire INTO their ranks, from their own
guns, as they hastily retired. This was truly
a gallant deed, worthy the Chevalier Bayard
of our army, as the intrepid Harvey is well
styled. Gen. Scott, between whom and Col.
Harvey there had existed some GOODNESS, rode
up 10 the Colonel after this achievement, and
remarked to him, "Col Harvey, cannot now
adequately express my admiration ofyour gal
liant achievement, but at the proper time shall
take great pleasure in thanking you in proper
terms" Harvey, with the modesty Of true
valor, claimed the praise as due to his officers
and men. Thus did the division the gallant
veteran Twiggs carry the main position Of the
enemy, and occupy the fort which command
ed the road. Ii was here the enemy received
their heaviest loss, and their Gen. Vasquez was
killed.
A little after, Gen. Worth having, by great
exertions, passed the steep and craggy heights
on the enemy's left, summoned strong fort
in the rear Of the Cerro TO surrender. This
fort was manned by a large force under Gen.
Pnzon, a mulatto officer Of considerable abili-
ty and courage, who, seeing the Cerro carried,
though. prudent to surrender, which he did /,
with all his force. Gen. Shields was not so
fortunate IN the battery which he attacked, and
which was commanded by Gen. La Vega
A heavy fire was opened on him, under which
the fort was carried with some loss by the gal
ntllnoisians, under Baker and Bennett, sup
ported by the New Workers, under Burnett
Among those who fell under this fire was the
gallant General, VINO received grape shot
ihrough his lungs, by which he was COM
pe,ely paralysed and, at the last accounts,
was in lingering state. On the enemy's
right, Gen. Pillow commenced the attack
against the strong forts near the river The
Tennessee ans, under Haskell. led the column,
and the other volunteer regiments followed
This column Unexpectedly encountered a hea-
w FIRE from a masked battery, by which Has
kell's regiment was nearly cut TO pieces, and
the other voIuh ieer regiments were severely
handled. Gen. Pillow withdrew his men and
was preparing for another attack when the OPP
era,ions at the other points having proved sue.
cessful, the enemy concluded 10 surrender
Thus the victory was complete, and four gen.
erals, and about 5, 900 men were taken pris-
oners BY our army. One Of their principal
generals, aud large number OF other officers,
Killed. 4 telq $500
The Mexican force on this occasion GER
tainly exceeded our own. The Mexican ofii-
GERS admitted that Santa Anna had S,UOO men
in the lines, and 5000, including 1000 'ancers,
outside the entertainments Gen. SCOTS force
was about 5000, Gen. Quitman's brigade not
having arrived IN time 10 take part in the en-
gagement Gen. Ampudia was second in
of the Mexicans, and superintended
the operations OF the enemy. When the Ger
TO was carried he was seen retreating on
fine white charger, his hat falling off as he
galloped away. Many OF the Mexicans esca-
ped BY bye path which runs off from the
Cerro and the for, carried by Gen. Worth
As to Santa Anna and Canalizo, they retreat
ed in time to escape by the main road Their
conductwas regarded as mostcowardly Some
OF the Mexican officers who We're taken pris-
oners do not hesitate to attribute their defea, TO
the cowardice or corruption OF Santa Anna
The Infantry that fought so well at Buena
Vista all the regular ar,llersts OF the Republic,
several able naval officers were pre-
sent Some of the officers whom Gen. Scott
released al the capitula,on of Vera Cruz,
without ex,oriing the parole on account of
their gallantry, were found among the killed
aud wounded. A gallant young officer ma
med Halzinger.a German, who ex,orted the
admiration Of our army IN the bombardment
Of Vera Cruz. BY selling flag which was
cut down BY our balls and holding itup in his
hands until staff could be prepared, had
been released BY Gen. Scott without parole. !
He was found among the desperately wound
I'd at Cerro Gordo.
The enemy's loss, in killed and wound /
I'd. was about as large as our own, but 10 adj
diiion 10 this 5000 prisoners and some OF theA |
best officers. Our army captured about thir- |
" pieces Of beautiful brass cannon, OF large
calbre, and mostly manufactured al the, Roy
al Foundry at Seville ~ y