The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-19

thanks are due TO bun, his officers and men, Tor TINS I'M
On the 18th instant had one corporal and private
wounded.
am, SIR. very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FRANCIS TAYLOR,
Capt comd'g light battery I'd division
Lieut. w T H. Brooks, Act. Asst Adj Gen, ed division
JALApA, Mexico, April 81 1917
SIR On the evening Of the 10th inst, owing the ILL.,
ness OF Brevet Brig Gen. Smith, was placed in com
mand OF the LIST brigade OF the I'd divisions and it is
my grateful duty to report the operations OF that brigade
in the actions OF the nth and 18th instant Our encamp-
ment at Plan del Rio enabled the engineer officers make
frequent and close observations on the enemys position
and was asccrained that he had fortified himself
range OF hills for two miles in mountain pass, and that
the last Of his works was on the Cerro Gordo which,
from its position and deences, considered almost i'm
pregnabe Othe morning Of the 18th the I'd division,
rnder the command of Brig. Gen Twggs was directed
70 Turn the enemy by the right flank, and was ordered
by that officer seze and maintain all the heights in the
neghborhood of the Cerro Gordo, which, from their
proximity and position, might be Of advantage in at
tack on that fortress Shortly after the column turned
off to the right from the main road, Brevet LIST Lieut. F.
Gardner, 18th infantry, directed with his company to
move the crest OF hill on the left, and TO watch the
enemy 5 movements While in the execution OF this or
der Lieut. Gardner became engaged with the enemy, but
he CALAMITY maintained his position against fearful Odds
until he succored by the rihemen under Major Sum
ner, and the artillery under Col Chlds, who drove the
enemy after severe conflict from their first position
and continued the pursuit until they made second stand
on hill near the Cerro Gordo, within the range OF their
severe Ioss but the hill was stormed and carried, and
afterwards maintained although the enemy made three
successive charges 10 regain portion OF the troops
msbed down the h 10 the ascent Of the Ceo orio but
as an attack moi intended at that time they
called and joined Gen. Twiggs The rifles and 18th infan
try slept on the hill and to that point were brought, in
the night 2i-pounder and two 24-howitzers which,
o'clock in the morning, commenced cannonade on the
enemys ior6cation on the Cerro Gordo. Early in the
morning was reinforced BY four companies LIST artlle
Id. DO nn4c ar.sop ,.,far
try, under Capt. Alexander and Immediately gave d.
rectons to the different commanders to prepare their
troops for storming Cerro Gordo The rifles direct
ed to the left in the ravne and to engage the
envy; and instructed Major Lorng that, as soon as
discovered that he had commenced the attack, would
move forward the stormng force which was about 10
organize The 18th infantry formed on the right the
% infantry the left and the artillery was formed in
of the infantry, with orders to support it. Observing that
large force moving from the left the main road,
s aesed ssus
sounded without waiting for the fire of the nfemen.
The enemy poured upon my lne most CALLING fire OF
grape canister, and musketry, from different positions
around the hill; but my troops advanced intrepdy and
as steadily as parade day. cannot speak too ar
IDENTIFY of their anmation ZEAL and courage under such
trying circumstances, and without which they never
cles which opposed their progress Around the hill about
60 yards from the foot, there breastwor stone,
which was filed with Mexican tIoeps, who offered an
obstinate resistance continuing fire until the troops
reached the breastwork and where for few moments,
bayones were crossed Beyond this, and Immediately
around the fort there was another work, from which
our advance was again obstinaely opposed; but the
troops Immediately sarmouned it, carried the fort pulled
down the Mexican flag, and planted our colors amid
the proud rejocings OF our troops Agreeably to In
strcons the rifles moved to the left where they became
engaged with succoring force but which they held in
check, notwithstanding most Calling fire from the
mys entertainments and from the musketry in front Al
ter the enemys cannon had been captured, directed
Captain Magruder to take charge of the pieces and to d
rect their fire upon the enemy, which he executed with
zeal and ability 1t is also due TO Lieutenant Richard
son to state that as soon as he came into the FORT he
took possession OF OF the enemys guns and, with his
men, promptly turned il with great effect upon the enemy
also directed Lieutenant Colonel Plympon, at the same
time, with his regiment into the Jalapa road to
cat of the enemys retreat which ne promptly executed
and maintained his position until the forts and forces OF
the enemy had surrendered Such isa plain, but know
an imperfect and hasy account OF the actions OF the 18th
and 18th instant For further particulars. would
speculy refer the commander of the division to the
ports OF the different commanders of regiments which
herewith enclosed 1t is my delicate duty to refer
to the different acts of personal galanty displayed by
Yates and many OF these did not under my
observation would again refer the commander Of the
manders, with the hope thai the merits Of all, however
he notice Of the government 70 Gol Py@ipton, col.
chds, Major Sumner. Major Lorins and Capt. Alexan-
der my especial thanks due for their GOODNESS, zeal
and gaantry and for the prompttude with which, on all
occasions they executed my orders Captain Steptoe, 81
artillery, Lieut. Hagner aud Lieut.. Keno ordnance de-
Partment and Lieut. Seymour, OF the artillery, rendered
efficient in the management OF the artillery on the
hill Lieut. G. w. Smith, of the engineers, with his
company rendered very efficient service in his own de-
partment, well in sorming OF the fort The con-
duct OF Capt Mason OF the rifles, who was so unfortu-
nate to lose his Leg came under my personal observa
hon and il is not the first time have had an opporuni-
y Of witnessing his GOODNESS and intrepdity in danger
Capt Magruders galantry was conspcuousy displayed
on several OCCASIONS and he rendered me efficient service
lament TO refer TO the death Of Lieut. Ewell, whose
gallant demeanor, throughout the several engagements
with the enemy attracted my special notice, and who
fell in the breaswork nobly leading his TO victory
Particular mention is due to Capt Hanson and Lieut.
Gardner for distinguished gallantry. Major cambridge,
whose good conduct has been conspicuous on so many
occasions since the war with Mexico was the second
officer in rank in his regiment. and deserves my warmest
appreciation for his gaanry and promptitede Especial
infantry, Lieut. Oaks, I'd Dragons, and Lieut.. Derby,
biographical engineers for the efficient and which they
rendered both days in transmitting my ORDERS and
Tor the individual gallany which they uniformly dis
played Lieut. Derby was wounded, and Lieut. Van
Dom killed two Mexican soldiers at the breastwork
with his own hands have been reluctant to mention
the of any, where all acted with much energy
ZEAL and intrepdity doubt many behaved as those
have mentioned but who did net come under my obser
yaton; and know that all, If occasion had offered
would have gladly embraced the opportunity for personal
distinction In the two days, had in my brigade, IN
Guiding the Sd infantry officers killed. wounded; 2s
noncommissoned officers and rivates killed. IT'S non-
commissioned officers and privates wounded. The Of
hcers killed in my command Lieuts Ewell and Davis
o. the rifles; and wounded-Major Sumner Capt s. /.
Mason, Lieuts G. McLane, ID. H. Maury, and A. Gibbs,
OF the rifles; Leuts J. N Ward and B. E. Bee, Sd infan
NY; Lieut. n. I. DANA 18th infantry, and Lieut.. Der
by, typographical engineers
have the homer to be, very respectfully your ODE
dent servant, VIM. s. HARVEY,
Col I'd dragons, commanding LIST brigade
10 Lieut. w. I. H. BRooKs, A. A. A. G. I'd division.