Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-05-15

little 10 the left OF the Cero Col Harvey commanded this
expedition and the head Of the rifles and detach
menis Of infantry and artillery, carried this position under
heavy he OF grape and muskety Having secured this posi-
on IN front and the enemys strongest orfcaon and
having by incredible labor elevated Of large guns
The top Of the fort Gen. Scott prepared to follow up his ad
vantages demonstration was made from this position
against another strong fort the rear and near the Cero
but the enemy considered sirong and the undera-
king was abandoned like demonstration was made by the
enemy.
On the next day, the lsth Gen Twggs ordered for
ward from the position he had already captured against the
fort which the Cero simultaneously an attack
on the Notifications the enemys left be made by
Generals shiedss and Wohs divisions, who moved in Sc
Parate columns, whit General Pillow advanced against the
strong forts and difficult ascents the right Of The enemys
position The enemy fully acquainted with Gen. SCOTS in
tended movement had thrown large bodies of men the
rious positions to be attacked The most sseas enterprise
was that of Twggs who advanced against the main fort that
commanded the Ceo. Nothing can be conceived more diff
fcult than this undertaking. The steep and rough character
Of the ground, the fire Of the enemy in 'front.' and the
fire Of the forts and batteries which enfaded our lines
made the duty assigned to Gen. Twggs Of SURPRISING
difficulty. Nothing prevented from being utterly
destroyed but the stenes Of the ascent under which they
could shelter But they sought shelter and onward rush
ed against halstom Of balls and muske shot, led by the
gallant Harvey, whose noble bearing elected the applause Of
the whole army His conspicuous and stawarl the
head OF his brigade, his long waving his the
charge his sturdy voice ringing above the clash of and
the din Of conflict, attracted the attention and admiration alike
Of the enemy and Of army. On, on he led the
umns, whose front lines melted before the enemys fire like
snow flakes in torrent and sad their until leap
ing the rocky barriers and bayonetng their gunners,
nell mel from The fart
deadly fire into their ranks, from their guns, they
hastily retired. This truly gallant deed, worthy the
Chevaler Bayard of our army the intrepid Harvey well
styled Gen. Scott between whom and COL Harvey there
had existed cooness rode up the Colonel after this
and remarked TO him. Col Harvey cannot
now adequately express my admiration your gallant achieve
men but at the proper time shall take great pleasure in
thanking you in proper terms" Harvey, with the modesy
Of true yaor claimed the praise due his officers and
Thus did the division of the gallant Twggs carry the
main position Of the enemy and occupy the fort which
manded the road It here the enemy received their
heaviest loss, and their General vasquez was killed.
little after, Gen. Worth having, by great exertions
passed the steep and craggy heights the enemys left
moned strong fort in the Of the Cerro surrender This
fort manned by large force under Gen Pinzon mua,to
officer Of considerable ability and courage, who seeing the
Cerro carried thought prudent surrender which he did,
terry which he attacked and which was commanded by Gen
La Vega. heavy fire opened him. under which the
fort carried with loss by the gallant inoisians,
der Baker and Bennett supported by the New Workers. under
Burnett. Among those who fell under this fire the gal
ant General who received grape shot through his lungs by
which he completely parayzed and at the last accounts
was in lingering state. On the enemys right Gen. Pillow
commenced the attack against the strong forts the river
The Tennesseans under Haskell led the column and the
other volunteer regiments followed. This column unexpect
eddy encountered heavy fire from masked battery by which
Haskes regiment was nearly cut to pieces and the other vol
uneer regiments severely handled. Gen. Pillow with
drew his men, and preparing for another attack when the
operations the other points having proved successful the
enemy concluded to surrender Thus the victory
pe and four generals and about 900 men taken ps
by army One Of their principal generals and
large number Of other officers, killed.
The Mexican force this occasion certainly exceeded
The Mexican officers admitted that Santa Anna had
5000 in the lines and 5000, including 1000 ancer,
outside of the entertainments Gen. SCOTS force about
5000, Gen. Qunans brigade having arrived in time
take part in the engagement Gen. Ampudia second in
command Of the Mexcans and superintendent the operations
Of the enemy When the Cerro was carried he was
treating fine white charger, his hat falling off he gal
oped away Many of the Mexicans escaped by bye path
which off from the main road between the Ceo and the
fort carried by Gen. Worth. As to Santa Anna and Cana
zo they reiterated in tmeto escape by the main road Their
conduct regarded cowardy. Some Of the Mex
officers who taken prisoners do not hesitate to at
tribute their defeat TO the cowardice corruption Of Santa
Anna The force of the enemy composed Of their best
soldiers. The infantry that fought well Buena Vista, all
the regular ariess Of the Republic, including several able
naval officers, present Some of the officers whom
Gen. Scott released the equalization Of Vera Cruz without
exacng the parole Of their gaantry found
among the killed and wounded. gallant young officer
named Halzinge German by birth, who extored the adj
mraon Of army in the bombardment Of Vera Cruz by
selling flag which cut down by balls and holding
up in his hand until staff could be prepared, had been
leased by Gen. Scott without parole. He found among
tho desperately wounded at Ceno Gordo.
The enemys loss, in killed and wounded, was about as
large as our own but in addition this the loss Of 1000
prisoners and some oher best officers Our army captured
about thirty pieces Of beautiful brass cannon Of large caber
and mostly manufactured the Royal Foundry Of Seville.
large quantity Of fixed ammunition of very superior quality,
also taken The private baggage and money chest Of
Santa Anna containing $40, 000 also captured. The
latter was delivered over the Pay Department The
lunteers who employed in carrying the specie into camp
cracked many joke the prospect OF being paid Of
n Mexican coin and free Of expense TO Uncle Sam
When our forces had carried the various positions Of the
pursuit the fugitive Santa Anna and pressed close upon
his heels strong position, five miles west Of Cerro Gordo,
fortified and defended by fine battery ofong brass guns