Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-06-03
FROM THE N. Y. COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER.
f X o NJ III f. SEAT OF WAR


Mexican commander at Cerro Gurdo were made OF
no avail to hinl-affording another proof of the ef
icacy that lies IN what some men are SO ready to
decry, the science of war, or art military. Mere
strength and courage might have hurled themselves
in vain against such s,rongholds as Santa Anna had
made ready for his asslilants, but strength and
courage, aided by the skill of the military engineer
broke into and over those sronghods almost as cas-
lily as though they had been mud walls ON a level
plain. different and darker interest also attends
the letter, exhibition of the toll and SUFFERING
men will undergo, the almost superhuman excrtons
they will put forth, in the prosecution of theiI dead
ly purpose TO destroy each other.
PERoTE, (MExIco,) Sunday April %, 1917.
have been fortunate enough to participate in
every action of consequence that has taken place
since joined General Scott's army at Vera Cruz.
Being mounted fine horse L suffered no per-
sonal Inconvenience in the march from Vera Cruz
10 the interior, but our men and animals endured
excessive fatigue and all sorts of privations On
our third day we came up with the advance bivou-
acked on the banks Of the Rio del Plan, under com
mand Of General Twiegs. The enemy were in
front, occupying lofty, rugged rampant OF hills.
"
narrow, tortuous gorge. Seven batteries defended
the approaches to this gorge, and swept with their
IRE the ravlnes and mountain slopes on the right
and left.
On the enemy's left, the ''Cerro Gordo," tower
ing high above all the other submits, was crowned
with tower, from which floated the Mexican en-
sign; around the summit of the mountain was form
ed a breastwork for 5000 infantry, and between
this and the tower before alluded 10 was planted a
battery OF artillery. 1t was evident at glance
that upon this mountain height the fortunes of the
day were to be decided and we saw, too that by
cutting new road and making deiour to the right
OF the main road, would be able to pass the ad-
vanced batteries, reach .'Cerro Gordo" and by
taking 1t, turn TO the enemy's left cut off retreat
and effectually command all their other positions,
Zero Gordo" having p!ungng fire into them.
1t was accordingly determined TO carry ''Cerro
Gordo"
strong party of pioneers cut new road for the
asSaultng column to pass over, without attracting
the notice of the enemy. 1t was further in con
temptation to cut this road entirely around "Cerro
Gordo," reach the .Jalapa road in the enemy's rear
and thus hem him in on all sides. Last Saturday
morning week, the column for attack was organized;
Gen. Iwiggs's division was detached for the ser
vice, and one section of our battery was selected
and taken from Cen Pattersons division to join and
lead the advance of The assaulting column. was
fortunate In being taken one Of the two officers
sent with this section. We received our orders
about ~ M. Twiggs's column had marched two
hours before; we overlook them abont half mile
from "Cerro Gordo," halted in the forest. Their
advance had been discovered before we came up
and a fight had taken place, in which our troops
carried lofty suuint In from, of ~ erro Ciordo -
but which up to this time had been occupied by
the enemy
The battery on ''Cerro Gordo' had opened upon
us, and balls fell thick and fast breaking the trees
and ripping up the under growth as we passed
along the lines TO the front. This check prevented
an onward movement that day. 1t was deternin-
ed to bivOuack where we then lay for the night
and resume the offensive in the morning. In the
mean while reinforcenpnts were sent for. and
heavy "a pounder was ordered up from below
This gun and section of 2f-pound howitzers
were to be dragged up to the summit Of the noun
tain, carried by men during the day. with
view to caDnOnaGe the tower, lines, and batteries
on ''Cero Gordo" early next morning. Five hun
bred volunteers dragged up the % ponder from
below, and reached cur bivouack--at the base of
the mountain it was intended to decorate--at about
seven O'Clock in the ming.
The night that followed was the most DISTRESSING
ole to me have ever passed. The whole division
was worn out and exhausted, having been under
arms from dawn of day, oppressed by fatigue, hun
ger, and worse than all. thirst. Water was scarce
and the canteens had all been empticd before night
set in. The 'new road" over which we had
marched was but a rough rocky path. from which
the pioneers had time only TO clear the trees and
bushes plunging now into deep ravinc, rising
again up precipit0us rocky steep, with scarce
level space sufficient for breathing, before the I'M
dulaons Of the ragged mountain side would call
again Tor the eXertion of all our strength.
We'll, with men thus enfeebed and indsposed to
work, the guns to he dragged up a steep rocky
mountain slde without road, n path, or even a
landmark to indicate the direction we must take
through the dismal darkness of the night. fire
was kindIed at the foot OK the mountain and tax.
ing this for the starting point, we were TO ascend
in perfectly straight line. Five hundred men
manned the drag ropes of the 24-pounder at about
Q o'clock, rcess of 500 men each following in the
rear of the qua, to take the places Of the first de-
tachnent when their strength should be exhausted.
Such a time of hard grinding toll and persevcrng
labor as then followed for six successive hours |
hope never again to look upon much less take part
! In.
| Many OF our strongest mon gave ont from utter
exhaustion of all their force others were overcome
by thirst, and Others from various causes Then,
while fresh parties Were coming up the wheels of
the heavy gun carriage-were 10 be checked braced,
and chained-every procaution taken to prevent the
gun from running backward down the mountain,
crushing every thing in its course. Water
| to be brought from a small muddy pool, half mile
distant, to relieve the Eilnting. Some fell down,
unable to stand, and by the time the last gun was
dragged up-i should Judge about three o'clock in
! the morning--the track over which they had pass
cd was strewn with tired, exhausted, and sleeping
men, from the top to the base Of the mountain.
! The fatigue greater than could well bear,
being indlSpOsed at the time. and without my usual
strength and robustness. | would have given every
tying possessed in the world TO have the deiieious
sweet enjoyment Of lying down 70 rest. Several
/ times found myself stretched OGt upon rock or
in the road, wherever might chance TO be, and
f.f,,,