The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-18
General Piioto and the I'd regiment of Tennessee rofun
tceTS.

TO THE PUBLIC.
Certain impressions which are abroad with the public
in reference to the operations 81 me brigade OF Genera
the undersigned officers OF the I'd regiment OF tennessee
Volunteers simple statement OF facts 1t will be seen
that The statement differs materially from the accounts
which have heretofore reached the public ear and that
the idea il conveys OF the military talents OF General
Pillow by means complimentary TO that officer But
the undersigned utterly dsclam any other motive, in
making this publication, than such from desire
do justice 10 Others and TO have justice for themselves
They are unwilling to accord to the unchartabe the p
viege OF yielding TO the brave men they command only
that questionable sort OF reputation which often attaches
to who have been engaged in an unsuccessful en-
teprse, unless be shown that mpossbiites were re-
qured OF them.
On the evening of the 18th April last General Scott
promulgated to the army his orders for the aeos on me
ensuing day To General Twiggss division, with shields
brigade assigned the duty of carrying the hegh OF
Cerro Gordo, of turning the enemys lett wing and Sc
curing the Jalapa road IN his rear 50 as 10 .eLoep ms
route he had carefully econnoered anu stand ready as
soon he heard the report OF small on our right
or sooner if circumstances should favor him. to pierce
the enemv's line OF batteesthe the river the bet
ter as he may select" General Pillows plan OF attack
was arranged by himself, as follows The command OF
Colonel Haskell supported by Colonel Roberts, I'd Penn
syvania volunteers TO assa No 2 the centre held
work on the enemy's right; while at the same moment
No l. on the extreme right of the enemys line, was
be attacked by Colonel Wynkoop LIST regiment Pennsy
vania volunteers supported by Colonel Campbell of the
LIST Tennesseeans.
The right of the enemy extended from the left of the
Jalapa road to the gorge in the mountains through which
the river flows Along this line the enemy had estab
lished himself three different heights, divided from
each other by almost impossible ravnes Each OF these
three heights strengthened by admirably constructed
field works, known engineers Nos l. 2, and g.
These works were manned by upwards OF 5000 men,
800 of whom occupied the centre ied-work.
There can be no doubt but that Gen Santa Anna, rely
ing the great natural strength of Cerro Gordo and the
apparent mpassaby of the ground on his left, had not
taught himself to believe that Gen Scott would endeavor
to turn his position there but that he had strengthened
his right under the impression that was to be the great
On the morning of the 18th the brigade of Gen. Pillow
moved by him from the camp in the following order
Col Wynkoop in 'front.' followed by Col Haskell, be
hind whom came Col. Campbell, while Col. Roberts
brought up the Dverglng from the Jaapa road to
the left the field works, the regiments moving in
The same order each by the tight Hank, entered narrow
OF works In this order the brigade moved 10 the
Of action Continuing along the path the right OF
Col Wynkoop's regiment had reached point of rising
ground about $40 yards from the enemy when Gen PIT
low fearful that the enemy had either discovered him.
would do it, suddenly withdrew Col Wynkoop by the left
flank, filing him by the left flank, square of to the left
from the path and directed him the ravine which
was Immediately the left OF the path and form his line
of battle parallel with the enemys works. under cover OF
the hill and chappara and hold himself readiness
While Col Wynkoop was executing this order as rapid
" the ruggedness OF the ground would allow him, the
general commenced the work Of placing the command Of
Col Haskell in position This he did by directing Col
Haskell to rest his right the right OF the path extend
ing his left square off to the left to form his line of
battle parallel with the centre teldwork of the enemy
BY this manpuvre it will be perceived that the ranks OF
Col. HaskelPs command were reversed-he front rank
becoming the rear, and the right of the regiment its left
While this novel order was in the process of execution
and before the independent company OF Kentucky voun-
tsers under capt Jon ;. Williams and uap. Charles
the 9th and 10th companies, had got into position
the enemy opened his fire upon US III is proper to
mark here, that the command OF Col Haskell consisted OF
his regiment and OF Capt Wiliamss Kentucky
pany, and Capt Mayors company of Pennsy vana vol
nnteers) The general Immediately ordered the assault
Tho man yprpdf Tho nrdar with shO nd nd
vanced rapidly and with the greatest enthusiasm in the
direction OF the enemy, who was totally concealed from
them by the density of the chappara Progressing ead
ly in the face OF most deadly and incessan fire for
than $50 yards rugged and stony ascent the
mand chappara into the open space before
the works. from which the chappara had been teed for
nearly 200 yards, and left lying the ground Herewe
were greeted by seven pieces OF artillery Immediately in
front OF us No. opened on one of our tanks with two
guns No. on the other with three, while two small
pieces extension of the redoubt behind No kept
time with the Others This terrible fire rendered still
drove haso Of bullets into the aces the mns
they approached Nothing daunted, however, they con-
nued the assault until they had approached enough
the works to perceive their great strength the number
of the enemy and the utter madness OF advancing further
Without orders from their officers, they commenced Civ
ing way before the fire, and retiring TO the chapparai,
They did not commence this retrograde movement, how
ever, until they had perceived that every field officer but
the colonel had fallen; until OF commanders Of compa-
dangerously woundedto say nothing OF the Geute nans
not in command, killed and wounded, and of the awful
havoc among their comrades In less than three minutes,
OF less than 400 about SO had been killed and wound
ed, many OF whom fell within 40 yards of the works.
Here two inquiries naturally present themselves Where
was Col Wynkoop, that he not assaulting No
Haskell' Col Wynkoop speaking for himself, answers
the first inquiry He declares that he was ordered not
advance from his position until ordered do by Gen
Pillow either through of his aids by concerted
signal He states he received order, heard no
signal If he had assaied No /, it would have been
better for Then the guns there, instead of annoying
our flank, would have been directed at him. No 1 was
assailed that work. it would have been easily carried
Then we could have turned his guns the enemy
and, attacking him In reverse, have driven him from
the field. This really what Gen. Scott desired Gen
Pillow to do circumstances favored hmwith proper
opportunity, TO pierce the enemy line of batteries"
The second inquiry answered by the order in which
the regiments were moved to the of action Gen
Pillow had actually placed Col. Haskell between Col |
Wynkoop and Col Campbell, who was to support Col |
Wynkoop, and Col Campbell between Col Haskell and
Col. Roberts, who was to support Haskell Moving as
the regiments did, by flank tosomely along de-
file. often in single file, it will be readily perceived what
great distance there between the assaultng and the
supporting regiments In fact, when the command of Col
Haskell returned to the spot from whence commenced
The assault Col Campbels regiment was 10 the of filing
past that point for the purpose Of gaining its position
rear OF Col Campbell, and of had not reached
that point.
It's generally believed that Gen Pillow led the assault
on NO 2 The general neither led followed in that
assault 30 lar advised he did not advance
any nearer to the enemy's line than the point from
whence The assault commenced. We do not make this |
suemen, because we deny to Gen. Pillow personal cour