The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-14

you would have acknowledged hat, long as you have
been acquainted with him. still YOU did not know him.
HIS command was led by HIM for over TWO miles
through dense and almost mpenetrable chapparai un
traced by even goat path, to the verge OF he opeE
ON the opposite side of which the battery oil SIX
guns and the headquarters of Santa Anna The appeal
ance of body of American troops male beyond me pass
Q The .Cerro Goroo," towards JalaIa, emerging from
chappaal which the enemy admit they had previously
regarded impregnabe to the progress of any army,
and nearly two miles beyond where the battle raging
the hottest between General Twiggs's command and the
enemies forces, did more to strike CONSERVATION in their
ranks than any other single event OF the day Though
not there 10 witness the ooasunHation OF his first
hbihon OF generalshp in well-contesed battle may
say that it nevertheless crowned with entire
Santa Anna being so closely pursued in person to
be compelled 10 abandon his carriage, and take flight
one of the mules attached 10 IT The amount OF public
property taken BY his command very large, includ
ing twenty thousand dollars in specie the carriage
OF Santa Anna, six pieces of artillery and large amount
Of ammunition. The charge commenced by General
Shields was, after he borne nom the field, concluded
by Col Baker, of the 18th Illinois regiment, who became
the commander of the brigade in consequence OF his
noriy OF rank colonel The loss TO the two Illinois
regiments in killed and wounded seventy. That of
the enemy attacked and routed entirely BY Gen Shiedss
brigade was between two and three hundred. Their,
well as our entire loss you doubtless have heard of from
other sources. The number of wounded remaining here
and at the hospitals at Ell Plan large, numbering in
the aggregate according to the of the physicians
yesterday two hundred and sixty There more am
putauons among them than have before under
liar circumstances,
Many OF the Mexcans of most intelligence con-
nected with the army with whom have conversed since
the battle say that II is decidedly the worst defeat they
have met with since the commencement OF the war; and
must lead to speedy adjustment of difficulties between
the two nations, and the establishment OF permanent
peace. The cause they assign for this opinion is that
we have now deprived them OF all the ordnance, with
the exception OF very few pieces they had and the
most OF their ammunition And as we have possession
OF most OF their port towns, even had they the means
or the credit 10 procure more from abroad they have
port into which they could bring them They further
added that was folly TO fight against such people
mi not nnly los
OF nature, but those oil nature and art combined One OF
them added, ''why we could not take body OF Mexi-
cans through that chappara where General Shields came
with his men" There Others however, among
the leaders In the military department OF the republic OF
Mexico who insist very strenuousy that the is far
from being ended, and that they will fight the Fankees'
as long as they get SIX MeNcans and SIX guns
together
The whole of our forces concentrated at ia
apa, OF the most salubrous and delightful places
Mexico, except General WORMS division He has gone
forward under orders to take and occupy Peroe. This
rapldty OF is what should have characterized
the progress OF this war long ago
Will write you often the limited facilities for
sending oil letters TO Vera Cruz will admit of, and the
recovery OF General Shields is involved in any doubt
apologize for the liberty take troubling you with any
communication from me-
Very respectfully, yours sc.
The following is an extract OF another letter 10 gen.
teman in Washington from an officer in the camp OF
Gen. Shields
sJLAPA, Mexico, April %, 1877.
''You will have seen, before this reaches you the
port of our glorious victory Cerro Goriothe strong
mountain pass from the coast to the capital And
you win bave learned with regret the serious and dan
gerous wound of gallant friend General Shields. He
fell at the head of his command, most calamity leading,
by fire from the enemys guns; and when first borne
from the field, supposed to have but few hours left
on earth But his iron constitution has thus far
tanned him, and hopes entertained of his recov
cry He is still at Cerro Gordo; but will be moved up
in day or two He has proved himself gallant sol
der and has golden opinions for himself and COM
mand.
This is charming place, most delightful climate
ice, fruits, and everything we could desire"