The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-29

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fedpsces, at time when the escopette fire from the
MI, Gsogs B. efwisss, who. expecting commission n
He served with zeal in my staff on the 10th and this
day. and he bid fair, from his chivaly and intelligence
to do great honor to the profession of arms. He was
battery Our entire loss was officer killed. four Of
fcers wounded twelve men killed, forty three men
wounded-seven OF the number MORALLY.
We remained at the National Bridge until the morning
OF the 18th, to give time to hear Of achievements II
the commanding officer at Vera Cruz should send any
in consequence OF my letter Of the 18th On the evening
OF the 18th we arrived at Plan del Rio. | decided the
next morning to leave the train there where theIe was
good grazing Tour forage being already exhausted0 and
to take forward the body Of my force to asodss he
which had no doubt that they had occupied. inns
supposon the events of the 18th fully confirmed Tor
we found that they had occupied the entrenched hills
known as batteries Nos l. g and 3, the breasworks
along the left of the road and the heights and chappara
for long distance the right, between Gen: Twggss
feet thick, thrown the road within 800 yards
of the ascent to the highest hill Cerro Gordo proper
One company of infantry and the sick who had accumu
lated in large numbers especially from the and
oppressvey hot march OF the previous day were left to
guard the train and all the abe-bodied organ
lied into battalion of infantry under Captain Huer,
9th infantry We were fired upon first from the hill
side the right little beyond the of Twggss
road. The artillery played with much effect with
mister upon the enemy for time, and then with
drawn TO place Of shelter from their fire. the infantry
being organized to charge Three companies, Captain
Hornsby and Lieutenant Jones, 18th infantry, and
tenant Leghs company of voltigeurs, were sent to
disodge them, and after considerable delay in progress
ing ns hs The d 5. h hs%
breastworks which were known to command the road on
the left for nearly two miles command OF three com
1 R sGa CID h infantry Lieut. Le
OF Lieut. Rdgley-was detached to the left, with Lieut.
Cutz, OF Pennsylvania volunteers, as guide who had
been with Gen Pillow over that ground in the battle of
The 18th April Lieut. Ridgley instructed to endeiv-
OF to gain position to take the line of breaswoks on
the road in the He found tina, the line OF bat
road with the river By judcious reconnaissance, he
found that he could advance upon No to the best ad
vantage He did SO accordingly; s-pounder loaded
contents passed mostly over their heads They gallanty
stomed the work; and the enemy retired at all points,
leaving two 9-pounderss unmounted and 1000 musket
cartridges in the hands OF troops. This was accom-
plished with loss OF one man killed and wounded
Upon the fall of No 2, about p the enemy aban
turning his fire upon No. and upon the rear Of the
breastworks, they evacuated the whole line 1t is
but simple justice to Lieut. Rdgey to say that this move
ment was accomplished in the most gallant and skilliu
manner; and the credit awarded to him should be shared
BY Lieut. Clinton Lear, 5th infantry and Lieut. Cutz, OF
Pennsylvania volunteers Sergeant HiramF Carter, CON-
mandng N company, 4th infantry this occasion, and
Sergeant T. H. Low, first sergeant OF CID company, 4th
infantry wounded in this affair." merit particular notice
AS az e ~ was heard n With s Rse
| command Capt Hutter, with two companies, sent
to occupy the heights the left and assist in driving
panes to hold the different heights and next morning his
company captured two prisoners near the river Troops
were pushed in the morning to the extreme hills in front,
and Cerro Gordo proper occupied In the meantime, at
midnight the night previous, Lieut. Leigh of voltgeurs,
was advanced on the road, and removed with much la
Dor the formidable baTTcade which the enemy had erect
ed across the road The troops continued to occupy the
heights on each side OF the road the night Of the 10th
No attempt was made to get in rear OF the hill OF Cero
Gordo the right persuaded that it could not
ket shot from its summit
Our loss in this affair men killed and II wound
one OF whom was wounded. From them we learned
that their loss was very severe from the fire of both
artillery and infantry.
arrival OF Dr. Cooper, the 18th, escorted by 10 Louisi
ana mounted volunteers despatched Capt. Besaneon
them. He found the National Bridge in possession of
the enemy and rightly concluded that the reinforcement
had been driven back AS soon as learned this the
l7th pushed on with the train, which had remained
three nights at Plan del Rio.
On the afternoon of the 10th, at Las Anmas-only
band OF guerias who occupied stone fence on hilf
mainly ON the left of the road 'front.' The cavalry
in front rered the artillery gave them several rounds Of
canister the infantry charged upon them along the heights
on the left, and in one hour ready to proceed
Tins affair was attended with loss of two killed
and SIX wounded ! was myself, wounded in the neck,
and the command devOlved for the time (other officers
being sck) upon Captain Alvord, my acting A. A. G.
The attack Of gueras thus caused us to arrive at the
lSuUuIpS VI uarK. Lieut.. H. A. RUSSELL OF
my sat being sent with communication for the alcalde,
was fired upon in the streets of the city, and we were
thus lett in doubt as to the feelings of the citizens Prac-
Using fOrbearance, rested until daylight
We were then assured that the city stfrendly and
marched in and took occupation without opposition
And here sick and wounded having accumulated to
more than two hundred men, must remain to recruit
the command This rest is necessary also to reft the
train and recruit the animals
! We were fired upon often the road at other points
than those OF the affairs above recorded, and five men
were killed and four wounded on such occasions.
Herewith enclose to you a report of the killed and
wounded giving the names of all, from the date of
leaving Vera Cruz until our arrival at this city. Thus
you perceive entire loss is ninety-three killed and
wounded to which add twelve missing and the total of
| casualties is one hundred and five
Since my arrival at this place. learn that the loss of
the enemy in the several actions very great and
that their continued want of had very much
dspiited Them that many bands have dispersed and
gone to their homes The play of the artillery with grape
upon the hills at the National Bridge, and the entire
saut at Cerro Gordo very destructive the enemy
Seldom have troops been subjected to amore haassng
series of attacks in so short period and take pleasure
in bearing evidence to their gaany, fotude, and per-
severance Every company in the command is composed
OF recruits and has consequently encountered many diff
cultes but they have gradually acquired confidence,
and merit at my hands high commentator.
have the honor to be- very respectfully your obedent
servant +. T. LALLY,
n Major 9th Inf. Comdg.
The ADJUTANT GENERAL U. s. Army,
Washington City, d. C.
PUENTE NAcIoNAI, August 49, 1s47
SIR Agreeably to your orders, | herewith have the
honor to transmit account of the operations of the bat
ery under nv command in the actions of the 9th and