Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-05-20


ed at Vera Cruz:
Sierra Gorda, .4pra 1910, .AM
At twelve o'clock yesterday, the Mexican forces, Of
rather greater portion of them surrendered to oul
arms. Our prisoners comprise five generals vas
number of subordinate officers and 6bout 5000 sold
iers.
About eleven o'clock, part of the division unde
Gen. Twiggs succeeded in carrying the height of Sier
ra Gorda, and the enemy at came to a parey
which led to a surrender of all the troops, with the
arms, except the Commander-in-Chef, Antonio Lopez
de Santa Anna, who succeeded, usual in efecting
escape, and that Of the entire Mexican cavalry num-
r benng somewhere near 5000 men.
The positions occupied by the enemy as strong
as Nature, combined with Art could make them, and
could you but them, while reading these lines, you
would wonder at their surrender. The Sierra Gorda
the most prominent of the defences, commands the
Jalapa road for two or three miles, and heavy bate
ry, here, In the hands of skilfu men, would keep an
army in check for many day, if not entirely prevent
its passage
! In the meantime the other defences were being
stored by our troops. Three forts Situated to
camp and upon three heights dacent to each 9TH
err each commanding the others, the objects of
attack and the carrying OF them the task of the
volunteers The centre of these forts father
in than the others, and this being the object of Storm
the advance of the stomers had to undergo the fire of
the right and left and the centre-the latter of which
ed within forty yards of the guns, and then the dogs
of war were let loose with such fury, that men
were driven from their position with great slaughter
the second Tennesseeans, who were IN the advance,
losing large number in killed and wounded. Before
| the volunteers had time to renew the attack, the
enemy had surrendered
On the top of the Sieaira Gorda the scene was tru-
y horriblef from the Jaapa road dead bodies of the
enemy could be seen every spot where the eye was
directed until they literally covered the ascent to the
height. There is about half an acre of level ground
on the top OF the mountain, and here collected to-
gether the wounded Of both armies, and the dead of
our own. Side by side were lying the disabled Amer
lean and the Mexican, and our surgeons were busy
amputating and dressing the wounds of each
On the side towards the river, where the stormng
party of Gen. Twiggs's division made the charge
most Of suffered, and many of the enemy also,
for they made desperate stand-but when they gave
way, and started in confusion down the hill, the
time they most sufered-many of them receiving the
balls of our men in their backs.
The charge on Searre Gorda was one of those cool,
yet determined Ones characteristic of the American
soldier From the time that our troops left the hill
nearest that prominent height the fire was incessant,
and they had to fight their way foot until they gained
the submits.
Gen. Twiggs, who followed them after taking Ser
ra Gorda approached within three miles of Jaapa, but
finding force ofthe enemy, encamped for the night.
He is in town before this time.
Capt. Merrill, of the I'd Dragons, returned from
Twiggss camp last night, and is of opinion that moth
ing but small body guard is with Santa Anna.
Gen La Vega, who is again in our clutches, looks
us dashng and fine as ever. He did not seem at all
Disconnected but rode in from the battle field, by the
side of Gen. Scott laughing and talking, though he
was once more on the way to NewOreans
Major Shields, hear this morning, is dead.
Major Sumner, of the I'd Dragons, is considered out
of danger.
The force of the Mexcans, at the lowest is set down
at $4,000.
The following is from the correspondent of the New
Orleans Delta:
Plan del Rio, April, 1913 P. N.
have the modification to announce that EX-Presi-
dent Herrera and the other three Generals, with the
balance of the officers have been discharged by Gen.
Scott upon their parole of honor, and on
their march to Jalapa somewhere else-no doubt
to oppose the progress of our gallant army, and give
US another fight. Gen. La Vega refused 10 accept the
PAROLE and goes prisoner to the United States. This
move is deemed by Gen. Scott prudent and wise par
tlcuarly when the expense of ransportI such body
of men is considered. will add, universal dissatis-
faction reigns In camp
A letter from Vera Cruz says:
am sorry to learn that Capt. G. w. Patton the
poet, had his left hand shot off in the action.
Vera Cruz, April %.
This city appears to filling up every day with both
Mexicans and Americans. The former are gaining
confidence in the Americans, and the latter flood
ing the markets with Yankee merchandise.
Uncle Sans warehouses were full of provisions as
his magazines were full of combusbles. AS YET the
business is confined to the city and suburbs but as
soon as the communication has been well opened be-
tween this and Jalapa, we may expect to see Vera
Cruz the most active business place Of its size the
continent
The weather is very warm, and all we want to cool
ourselves with is ice There has been little brought
on here and retailed at ~ cents per pound.
The American force at the battle is estimated at
10000 men. The Mexican force is estimated at from
| $4,000 to $4,000.
The New Orleans papers contain many details of
the battle, and of the state of affairs at Mexico We
copy the following:
The enemys loss in killed and wounded was about
equal to ours. Thirty beautiful brass cannon and
large quantities Of ammunition were taken.
Some Mexican officers TAKEN attribute their defeat
to the cowardice or corruption of Santa Anna. They
admit he had eight thousand men in the lines, and six
Thousand outside the ntrenchments.
From MEx1co.-Papers from Vera Cruz to the 22d
ult, and from the city of Mexico to the 10th, have
been received at New Orleans. On the 9Th ut the
Mexican Congress passed law by which all Mexcans
capable of bearing arms are called into the service of
| lHc SOFGIuuleHl'
The Vera Cruz Eagle of the 22d ult states that the
army still in the neighbohood of the late battle
field
Gen. Shields was still alive, but there were no hopes
entertained of his recovery. Captain Johnson was in
a very critical state.
The Eagle estimates the number of men which will
be required to garrison Mexico the event of peace
not being conquered, at foryseven regiments, or 49,
600.
u The expense of maintaining this army the editor
sets down az $l5,000000 per annum. He estimates
revenue from the new tariff of $l30O0000, and re-
commends the imposition of direct tax on the town:
in our possession of$7, 100000 thus leaving surplus
in the treasury instead of drawing from it
FROM THE CRY OF MEMCo.-The New Orean.
Picayune has advices from the city of Mexico to Apr
9th, from which we take the following:
We learn that Gen. Morales, who so CALAMITY de-
Tended Vera Cruz and Gen. Landero, who signed the
captulaon, were both Immediately put under ares
by Santa Anna and ordered to Guanaiuato
In the city Of Mexico civil order appears to reign