Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-05-22

himself a safe retreat, by falling back
with bis body guard. several miles up
on the Jalapa road
In the meantime, the other defences
were being stormed by our troops. -
Three forts, situated near to our camp,
and upon three heights adjacent to each
other-each commanding the others
were the objects Of attack; and the
carrying Of them was the task of the
volunteers. The centre one of these
forts run further in than The others,
and this being the object of storm, the
advance Of the stormers had to under
go the fire of the right and left, and
the centre-the latter of which pru-
IDENTIFY withheld its fire until our men
had advanced within forty yards of
the guns. and the dogs Of war were let
loose with such fury, that our men
were driven from their position with
great slaughter-the Cd Tennesseeans,
who were in advance having a large
number of killed and wounded. Be-
fore the volunteers had time 10 renew
the attack, the enemy had surrender
ed-driven, as they lad been, from
their favorite position on Cerro Gordo.
Taking all things into consideration,
this has been a great fight, and a great
victory, one calculated to shine bril-
liantly in the chapter of those achiev-
ed in Mexico by our arms.
The Mexican forces on the height of
Cerro Gordo, were the Sd and 4th
Light Infantry, the Sd and 9th regi-
ments Of the line, and 6 pieces of ar
Itillery, with the requisite number of
cavalry. Col. Obando. chief Of artil-
Iery, was killed, and Gen. Vasquez,
general of division. Many Of our
officers were Of opinion that this gen.
eral was no other than Gov. Morales.
Our force consisted Of the ed, Sd,
and 7th infantry and mounted Rifle
men. and Steptoe's battery. Capt.
Mason of the Rifles was severely
wounded, having lost bis leg. Lieut..
Ewell, of the 7th infantry, was severe
ly wounded. Capt. Patten, of the Cd,
left hand shot off,
On the 18th, Lieut.. Jarvis, Of the Cd
infantry, was wounded in ascending
the first hill.
On the top OF the Cerro Gordo, the
scene was truly horrible. From the
Jalapa road, dead bodies of the enemy
could be seen on 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 was collected together the
wounded Of both armies, and the dead
of our own. Side by side were lying
the disabled American and the Mexi-
can, and our surgeons were busy am
putating and dressing the wounds Of
each--lotting them in turns, unless the
acute pain Of some sufferer further a
long, caused him to cry out, when he
would be Immediately attended to.
The pioneer parties of our men were
picking up the wounded and bringing
them in from every part of the ascent
to the height. From the side towards
the river, where the stormng party Of
Gen. Twiggs'divison made the charge,
most of our men suffered. and many of
the enemy also, for they made a des-
perate stand; but when they gave way,
and started in confusion down the hill,
was the time they most suffered, many
of them receiving the balls Of our men
in tn cir backs.
The charge on Cerro Gordo was one
of those cool, yet determined ones so
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 by foot, till they
gained the summit. from which place
the enemy gave away after very
short resistance.
Our victory is complete. Those of
the enemy who escaped were driven
in all directions by their pursuers,
and many of them cut down on the
road.
Gen. Twiggs. who followed them af-
ter taking Cerro Gordo, approached
within three miles of Jalapa, and find
ing no force of the enemy, encamped
for the night. He is in the town be-
fore this time.
Capt. Merrill, of the Cd Dragons,
returned from Gen. Twiggs' camp last
night. and is of opinion that nothing
but small body guard is with Santa