The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12

ordered forward Gen. Twiegs against shs icFs on the steep ascNnt, in fro0f and aiitile
 Co the Jeff Of the Cesgo. Coi IIaFn0y eana-
 Enanded this expedition, and at the head oi
 the Rifles and some desachmsats of infansry
 and artillery carried this position under . heavy fire of grape and muskesry Having
 secured this position in front and near the
 enemy's strongest forifcatioh, aud having
 by incredible labor elevated one of our large
 guns to the top of he fort, Gen Scott pre- pared to follow up his advantages A de-
 monstration was made from this position
 against another strong fort in the rear, and
 near the Cerro, hut the enemy were con
 siderable too strong, and the undertaking was
 abandoned. like demonstration was made
 by the enemy.
 On the next day, the 18th, Gen Twiggs
 was ordered forward from the position he
 had already capGared against the fort which commanded the Cerro. Simultaneously an attack on the Qualifications on the enemy's left was to be made by Gems. Shields and Worth's division, who moved tn separate
 columns whilst Gen. Pillow advanced against
 the strong forts and difficult ascents on the
 right of the enemy's position. The enemy 1 fully acquainted with Gen. Scott,s intended
 movement had thrown large bodies Of men
 into the various positions to be attacked. The most serious enterprise was that of Twiggs, who advanced against the inaia foEt that commeneed the Cerro. Nothing can be conceived more difficult than this underiak- ing. The steep and rough character of the ground, the constant fire of the enemy in front and the cross fire of the fbrts and bat
 teries which enfladed our lines, made the duty assigned by Gen. Twiggs one of sur passing difficulty. Nothing prevented our men from being utterly destroyed, but the steepness of the ascent under which they could shelter. But they sought 10 shelter. and onward rushed against hailstorm of balls and musket shot, led by the gallan, Harney, whose noble bearing elieiied the applause of the whole army. His eonspie. nous and stalwart frame at the head of his brigade, his long arm waving his men on to the charge, his sturdy voice ringing above the clash of arms and din of conHict, a,,rac- ted the attention and admiration alike of the enemy and of our own army On, on be led the columns. whose front lines melted before the enemv's fire like snow flakes in | torrent and staid not tieir course until leap ing over the rocky barriers and bayoneiing their eunners, they drove ihe enemy pell mel from the fort. delivering deadly fire into their ranks, from their own guns, as they
 hastily retired This was truly gallant deed, worthy of the Chevaiier Bayard of our army, as the intrepid Harney is well styled. Gen. Scott. between whom and Col. Harney there had existed some coolBess, rode up 10 [ the Colonel after this achievement, and re- 1 marked to him, .sCol. Harney, canno, now adequately express my admiration of your gallan, achievement, but al the proper time shall take great pleasure ia thanking you in
 proper terms" Harney, with the modesiy
 of true valor, claimed the praise as due to
 his officers and men.
 Thus did the division of the gallan, veteran Twiggs carry the main position of the enemy and occupy the fort which commanded the road. li was here the enemy received their 1 heaviest loss, and their Gen. Vasquez, was
 killed. A li,Ile after, Gen. Worth having, by great exertions, passed the steep and craggy heights on the enemy's left, summoned q strong fort in the rrar of the Cerre, to suF- render. This fort was manned by large force under Gen. Pinzon, mulaito officer ol
 considerable ability and courage, who seeing Cerro carried, thought prudeu to surrender,
 which he did, with all his force. General Shields was not SO fortunate in the battery
 which he attacked. and which was com
 manded by Gen. La Vega. 4 heavy fire was
 opened on him, under which the fort was
 carried with some loss, by the gallant Ilii- noians, under Baker and Bonnet, supported 1 by the New YoIkers, under Burnett Among
 those who fell under this tire was the gallant
 General, who received grape shot through | his lungs, hy which he was completely par alyzed, and al the last accounts was in a | lingering state. On the enemy's right. Gen Pillow commenced the attack against the strong forts uear the river. The Tennessee
 ans, under Haskell led the column, and the other volunteer regiments followed. This
 column unexpectedly encountered heavy fire from a masked battery. by which Has, keil's regiment was nearly cut to pieces. and { the other volunteer regiments were severely i handled Gen. Pillow withdrew his men, and was preparing for another attack when ! the operations al the other poials having
 proved successful. the enemy concluded te 1 surrender. ! Thus the vieteEy was complete, and foui ] Generals and about 5000 mea were ,akes
 prisoners by our army. Oae Of their primer
 pal Generals and large number of other of. l iicers killed The Mexican force oa this occasion certainly exceeded our own. The Mexican officers admitted that Santa Anns
 had 5000 men in the lines, and 5000, in. { cluding 2000, lancers, outside of the ea.
 treschments. Gen. Scouts force was a5oa
 5000, Gen. Quisman's brigade no, having
 arrived in time to take part in the engage
 ment Gen. Ampndia was second h com
 mand of the Mexicans, and superinsended
 the operations of the enemy. When the
 Cero was carried he was seen reirearng of
 a 6ne white charger, his hat falling of as h,