The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-11
results glorious testimonials of the valor of SOL
ders and Of the skill galantry and Of tho
accomplished General who led them
From the Philadelphia Ledger May lO.l


From the Philadelphia Ledger Nav lO1
PLAN Del RIO, April 49, lSi7.
We have just achieved most glorious victory Yes
terday afternoon Santa Annals army Of $4,000 men,
posted in the hitherto impregnabe pass of Vaechi or
Cerro Gordo and upon the field of that Generals
entrenched camp, with 5000 prisoners, Ave general
officers, and about thirty pieces Of artillery captured
and he himself with the broken and terror stricken
remnant Of his army, driven fugitves beyond the
gates Of Jalapa Our loss does not exceed 500 killed
and wounded, and it probably does not begin to reach
Gen. Twggs division Of regulars md the Second Ten
volunteers have been the greatest sufferers The
former commenced the action day before yesterday the
i7th by making detour Of seven miles and taking up
position eminence Cerro Gordo in the
rear or rather flank Of the enemys lines 1t required
some little skirnishing may be to effect this
object and while it going we, in camp ut this
place. on the Rio Del Plan listened to the firing win the
most intense interest. When, however an express
arrived to inform of Twggss success satisfaction
was great Septoes battery of "a pound howtzers and
aheavy baterng long twenty -four Immediately
and detachment Of the First Pennsylvania Regiment
the latter under Lieut. VIM. Bryan, and by morning
entrenchment was thrown up and the pieces placed in
battery. During this operation heavy cannonade
kept up by the enemys batteries and several attempts
made to drive troops from their ground, but
without Seven thousand of the best of Mexco
regulars hurled by Santa ANN three times
they each time repused with slaughter They then
dcssted. In the morning the whole army put in
motion Gen. Worth's whole division had in the mean
time arrived, and despatched to support Twiggs
the enemys left. The attack upon his right given
to Gen Pattersons division of volunteers, to which
belong.
had almost forgot to mention that General Shields
brigade of Gen Pattersons division composed of the
New York regiment, and four Illinois regiments Of
volunteers had the first day been despatched to the
aid Of Twiggs and most calamity did they sustain him
The opening Of Twiggs' batteries the morning Of
the l7th was the signal for brigade commanded by
General Pillow, to move. The first Pennsylvania and
second Tennessee regiments led the to which the
ne Tbs
and confidence prevailed Gen. Patterson, though la
boring under severe illness rode horseback front
OF our line as we were leaving the main road for the
chaparrai and received with tremendous cheering
After leaving the main road, marched along mere
sheep tracks, through dense chsparral Indian he,
which in the presence of any other enemy must have
ensured our destruction. In this manner We marched
about four miles when we came TO an open spot an
received orders to hasten forward at double quick time
At this moment the cnemy's buges sounded the alarm
ond just cleared the space, and rising hill
the other side the enemy opened upon with muskey
and grape But we, mean, the first Pennsy lvanians
had passed the point Of extreme danger and the fire.
our heads and falling among the second Tennesseeans
The second PennsyIvanans and first Tcnncsseeans
ceved portion Of this fire. which the annexed list Of
wounded will show. Orders had been given to
troops not TO fire till the word Of command had
been given, and most rigidy were the orders
fire. the shot falling like hail among u.s. and cutting of
the limbs Of the trees and around us yet when
had taken our position to be ready to charge the en-
trenchments not musket had been emptied more
signal piece Of gaantry and GOODNESS never before
displayed by the most wetrcd and veteran troops At
and left the field. We waited in position for half
hour without orders when at length we received an
order to away lest should be raked by three
pieces Of artillery which commanded flank, and
which, but for the CONSERVATION Of the enemy, would
have cut all TO pieces. We moved about twenty
yards down the HILL when discovered party Of the
enemy gaining, thought rear, but soon found
that was flag Of truce Our reconnoterers reported,
also, that n white flag waving the entrench-
mcnts and presently had the agreeable information
that santa Anna had rereated with the loss Of all his
artillery and that six or seven thousand Of his troops
had surrendered prisoners Of We marched down TO
tho camp with blue home made Pennsylvania nag,
borne by Sergeant Matthew Gifry waving IN triumph
rity.
am astonshed at the small extent of loss, when
renect upon the tremendous fire we were under. SO
near were we to the enemys guns, that of
were powder burned by their discharges, and their
burning Cartridge paper and wads struck and set fro
10 onr clothing in several instances.
:, among the wounded was General Shields, Of Illinois.
ne received shot In his breast and Ii In teal state
lie was reported dead last night but the report mot
true.