Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-05-21
8 Assistant Adjulant General.
HEADQUARTERS Vol. DIVISION, }
Ialnna a mil % I2dT


nation oil the general-in chief, The operations OF
The volunteer division OF the u. S army under
my command, al the pass Of The "Cerro GoTdo, "
upon the l7lh and 18th Of April.
On the afternoon Of the l7lh, rapid and con
linuous lire oil artillery and infantry, announcing
that The second division Of regulars was closely
engaged with The leii OF The eneniys lines, l was
instructed, and Immediately directed The Sd voun-
leer brigade, under Brig. Gen. Shields 10 proceed
al once 10 It's support
Before the brigade reached The position oil that
division the action had ceased Tor The day; The
aigh, was, however, occupied in establishing Sc
veral pieces Of artillery upon height adjacent
IL the "Cetro Gordo."
Early on the morning Of The 18Th, The brigade
moved 10 turn The extreme leit oi the enemy S
line resting upon The Jalapa road. This was
done, over rugged ascens and through dense
chapparal, under 4 severe and CONTINUOUS Hank
fire from The enemy.
Bfisadier General Shields, whilst eaantly
leading mis- command, anc forming it Tor the at.
TACK ul the enemy posted in force in his front,
fell severely wounded, and was carried iom the
field.
Col. Baker, 4th Illinois regiment, having as
sumed The command, the enemy's lines were
charged with spirit and success BY the Sd and Alb
Illinois and the New York regiments of volun-
leers under their respective commanders-Colo-
nels Foreman and Burnett, and Major Harris
The route now becoming general, The brigade
pressed forward in rapid pursuit, leaving sufi-
cent force to secure The artillery, specie, baggage,
provisions, and camp equipage, leiI IN our handS.
Whilst our troops were engaged win the enc
my's LETT, the Isl volunteer brigade, under Brig.
Gen. Pillow, proceeded 10 operate upon that por-
lion OF the Mexican army which was posted upon
the heights on the rsh OF the pass, and either TO
storm their works, or, il impraclicable, 10 divert
attention from the main attack 10 be made on their
leil aud rear.
A stormins force, composed Vi The I'd Tennes-
see volunteers, Capt. Williams company OF
Kentucky, and Capt. MAYORS company Of Penn
sylvania volunteers, under Col. Haskell, was d.
Iecled upon one ui,he enemys batteries, mo. q
which il approached with great enthusiasm and
firmncss until, alter sustaining heavy loss oil
both Officers ami men, it was obliged 10 retire
Dispositions Tor attacking another point, (bat-
terry No. j hy d column under Col. Wynkoop,
we're rendered unnecessary in consequence Of The
carrying ol The works Oh the heights of Cerro
Gordo.
The attention Of The general-in-chiet is parli
cularly called 10 The gallanlIy of Brigader Gene
rails Pillow and Shields, who were both wounded
al the head of their respective bigades TO Col.
Campbell, Isl Tennessee regiment, temporarily
| in command u Pillows brigade; and 10 Col. Ba-
ker, who led Shield, brigade during severe
part Of The action and during The pursuit. The
chiefs oil brigade speak in The highest terms Of the
courage and conduct of The regiments under their
command, and of their personal slafs, viz:
Captain o. A. Winship, Assistant liant
General, Lieutenant Rains, fourth artillery, aid
de-camp, and Lieutenant AndeTson second Ten
ncssee regiment, Acting Aid de.camp 10 Pillow 5
brigade and first Lieutenant R. P Hammond,
third artillery, Acting Assistant Adjuant Gene
raj, and Lieutenant G. T. NJ. Davis, Illinois
volunteers, Aid de-campto Shields's brigade.
desire TO recommend 10 the favorable notice
Of the seneral-in.chief, DR.. Wright, surgeon
United States army, medical director and first
Lieutenant Beauregard, of The engineers, on duty
with my division; and The officers Of my per-
sonal stat -Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Aber
crombie, first infantry, Aid-de-camp, first Lieu
tenant William H. French, first artillery, Acting
Assistant Adjutanl General, and first Lieutenant
Seth Williams, first artillery, Aid.de-camp, to
each Of whom am under many obligations FOL
valuable service.
am, very respectfully, your obedien servant,
r. PATTERSON,
Maj Gen. U. s. A., Comd'g Vol. Division.
Capt. n. l.. ScoTT, u S. a, Act. Ash Adj
Gen