Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1847-06-02

saw, aud one Of lhe most Difficult, passes
10 this country, but Gen. Twisgs having
arrived al tina, place FIRST, he changed his
design, aud stopped at the Cerro Gordo,
the strongest pass in the mountains between
Vera Cruz aud Jalapa, and probably the
strongest between The Gulph and the city
of Mexico itself. He fortified that terrible
place with every means in his power, and
strengthened his works with about forty
pieces Of artillery. The position The en-.
envy, on the approach Of our army. as near
as can ascertain, was rs follows:
On the left of The main road is a ridge
of mountain bluffs, or rather succession
of ridges of mountain bluffs. On three of
these bluffs, which arose al about the dis
tance of two or three hundred yards from
each other, were erecled heavy batteries,
with slight Notifications of brush and sticks
and stones. Just opposite the third hill or
bluff, and in position commanding the
road for great distance. was another
very strolg battery, commanded by The
famous Gen. La Vega. Exactly at The
point at which La Vegas battery was
planted, The road makes right angle, and
on the second liue Of the angle, on the
righ, of The road, at the distance of about
one hundred and fifty yards, was another
very high hill, commanding all the others,
and mounted with several heavy pieces Of
cannon. This place was considered the
bulwark Of The enemy, and was defended
by the flower OF the Mexican ARMY. Be-
sides This, all The intermediate and adjacent
hills, on the right and left, from the first
on The left, were lined with infantry, sharp
shooters, and all sorts Of soldiers. Nothing
could have been more admirably planned
than the dispositions Of Santa Anna, aud
if they had been defeuded with the skill
and ability with which they were laid out,
they would certainly have insured com.
plete victory TO the Mexican arms.
On the l7lh Gen. Fwiggs. with consid-
erable loss. carried all the hills ADD eleva,-
ed positions OIL The right Of the road, aud
on The morning of the 18th, had worked his
way round through the gorges Of the noun
laius, and commenced an attack, with the
rifle regiment, The 81 aud 9TH infantry,
and part Of the lst artillery, | believe.
on the main sugar loaf" the highest
mountain spur on the right, which com.
manded all the other strong holds of the
enemy.
The Tennesseans, under Col. Haskell,
in the meantime, had made an unsuccess-
ful attack on the second hill OIL the left Of
the road. The poor fellows suffered much,
and fought like heroes, but from some mis-.
take in sending them succor, they were
obliged TO fall back, after having lost half
their number. There were actually three
batteries of cannon, and about eighteen
hundred muskels, playing upon that small
force of little over two hundred and fifty
men, at one time. Yet, they were pre-
pariug to make a second assault, when the
colors of the enemy were struck, and
while flag was run up.
Gen. Twiggs had succeeded in carrying
the main hope Of The enemy, and the battle
was ended, except the. retreat and pursuit.
presume. that no charge recorded 10
history. has surpassed that of Col. Harney,
who led the Sd aud 9Th infantry, the rifles
aud lst artillery on The 18th. 1t is said.
,thatiheysmarched up The mountain in the
face of grape and tnusketry, and imple-
mems OF. death Of every description, as
coolly and orderly as ir on dress parade.
When they had arrived about midway The
mountain, Col. Harvey ordered them 10
halt and rest. After moments pause.
he said TO them, "now my boys. one de-
Iberae fire, and then givethem cold STEEL"
They fred deliberately, and in AL instant
were in the fort on the summit of the hill,
and the battle was won,
The fight on the l7;h, was conducted
principally by col. Harney and col. Chids,
with the rifles and lst artillery, and one
company of the infantry, all under The I'M
mediate superIulendence of Gen. Twisss.
The battle ofthe 18th was equally as i'm
portant in its results as that Of The 18th,
because'iI opened the way for the brilliant
movement on the 18th. that insured the
victory. The records OF no hatlIe, exhibit
incidents Of noble daring, Than those of
he rifles and lst artillery on the 18th.
They literally forced their way through
thousands of the enemy, aud lay all night
on the ground they had won. The rifles
suffered extremely, but never linched for
a moment. What, adds to the glory of
the battle Of Cerro Gordo, is, that there
was not single instance of cowardice ex.
hibited throughout The whole fight.
SaTITnA