Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-05-20


Thus the victory was complete and four Generals
and about 5000 men we're taken prisoners BY our
army. One Of their principal Generals aud large
number OF their officers killed. The Mexican
force on this occasion certainly exceeded our own
The Mexican officers admitted that Santa Anna had
5000 men In the lines, aud 5000. including 1000
lancers, outside Of the entertainments. Gen. Scots
force was about 5000, Gen. Quitman's brigade not
having arrived in time 10 take part in the engage
meni. Gen. Ampudia was second in command Of
the Mexoans, and superintendent the operations OF
the enemy When the Cerro was carried, he was
seen retreatng fine white charger, his hat
falling of as he eaoped away. Many of the Mex.
leans escaped by bypah which runs of from
the main road-beiween the Ccrro and the fort car
ried by Gen Worth As 10 Santa Anna and Ca
nalizo. they Ieireated in time to escape by the
main road. Their conduct was regarded as most
cowardly. Some Of the Mexican officers who were
taken prisoners, do not hesitate to attribute their
defeat to cowsrdice or corruption Of Santa Anna
The force Of the enemy was composed of their best
soldiers. The infantry that fought so well at Bue-
ma VISTA all the regular artilleriss Of the Republic
including several able naval officers, we're present
Some Of the officers whom General Scott released
at the capitulation Of Vera Cruz without extoring
the parole, account Of their gaantry, were found
among the killed and wounded. gallant young
officer named Ilalzinger, German by birth, who
Is
bardment Of Vera Cruz. by seizing dag which
was cut down by our balls, and holding it up in his
hand until a staff could be prepared, had been re.
leased by Gen. Scott without parole He was
found among the desperately wounded at Cerro
Gordo. The enemy's loss Ga killed and wounded)
was about as large our own but in addition TO
this, they lost 6,O00 prisoners aud some Of their
best officers. Our army captured about thirty pie
ces Of beautiful brass cannon, Of large caihre aud
- i -
large quantity Of fixed ammunition, Of very supe.
rior quality, was also taken. The private baggage
and money chest Of Santa Anna, containing 500,
0O0 was also captured. The latter was delivered
over TO the Pay Department. The volunteers who
were employed in carrying the specie into camp
cracked many joke the prospect Of being soon
paid of in Mexican coin and free Of expense 10 Uu.
Gle Sam.
When our forces had carried the various posi-.
lions of the enemy, aud the road was clear, Geu.
Twggs started in hot pursuit OF the fugitive Santa
Anna. aud pressed close upon his heels. A strong
position five miles west OF Cerro Gordo, fortified
and defended by fine battery Of long brass guns.
was abandoned by the enemy, and occupied by our
troops. Gen. Twggs bivouacked within three
miles OF the lovely town Of Jalapa.
In concluding our imperfect sketch Of this bril-
liant achievement, we cannot sufficiently express
our admiration Of the extraordinary deeds Of our
gallant army and able General. Scarcely month
has elapsed since our troops under Scott, landed
on the enemy's shores In that time strong wall
ed city has been captured together with an impreq
nable fortress-a pitched battle has been fought
under the most unfavorable circumstances and
against the most formidable natural defrnces-
twelve thousand prisoners have been taken includ.
ing some half dozen general oficers-500 splen-
did cannon, and IN immense amount Of munitions
OF war have been added to the national trophies