The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-20

kent ND by the enemy from their batteries and their
kerry without intemission. Lieut. Jarvis, commanding
COMPANY "An was wounded TO be obliged 10 retire
from the field, and the command OF the company was
given TO Lieut. Davis. Two prvates also slightly
wounded. :,
The regiment did not engage the enemy that alter
noon owing to there not being time enough to do so be-
fore il would be dark and accordingly it was placed
under partial cover the base of the height above
mentioned and on which battery was afterwards
posted We remained during the night on our arms III
order of battle completely commanding the pass
II affords me pleasure to mention that 1t has been re-
ported 10 me that Lieut. Hayden, in charge OF the pio
neers of the division, constantly employed in pre-
pairing road suitable for the artillery to advance in,
der heavy fire. which service he performed with much
GOODNESS and energy.
ordered forward to take position on the Jalapa road
in rear of the enemys works AT the commencement Of
this movement which had to be made directly
ravne swept by the enemys batteries, captain Paten,
commanding company AZ" had his left hand nearly cut
of by grape shot, and the command of his company de-
voved upon Sergeant Shaw whs behaved well through
all over the sides Of the hills along which t was neces
ary to pass, and order given for detachment to
be sent out to drive them off at every hazard
Capt Penrose commanding company 81" and Lieut..
Davis, commanding company IA" the whole under the
command OF the former, were detached and depoyed as
skmshers for this purpose and soon had the pleasure
of seeing them charging up the height in rear OF the
main work OF the enemy in a most gallant manner, and
driving them from their positions the height; while
engaged in which, Capt Smith, commanding company
"B" and shortly after, Capt. Anderson, commanding
company "H," in like manner detached; and beg
refer to the reports of Capts Smith, Penosc, and An
derson, herewith enclosed, for information respecting
their commands.
During most of this time the regiment had been ad
vancng towards the Jalaa road, but at the same
time ascending the height in reverse around the sides OF
which had been ordered TO depoy as skimshers No
sooner had this height become than the enemy APP
peared in large force on the Jaapa road, and
ordered to hasten to that point; Capt Candy with a
uI hui 1
holly their rear and soon in possession OF bat
terry of three pieces which had been firing upon in
verse
The Jalapa road was now gained, and the enemy were
flying in all directions.
Owing to the very difficult character of the ground,
orders could not be communicated to the whole egimen
simultaneously, nor to even parts OF 1t separated but
short distance from each other
Capt Kingsbury, acting major OF the regiment and Lieut.
Jones' the adtant of the I'd infantry did much to ensure
harmony OF action, and by their unrng exertions
trbuted to the general result OF the day.
1t gives pleasure to state that the whole OF the I'd
regiment OF infantry officers and men, behaved with so
much galantry, that am forced 10 regret cannot make
any more special mention OF individuals than have
done
"a list of the killed and wounded is enclosed here
with
am, sir, with respect, your obedient servant
+. MORRIS.
Capt I'd Reg Inf Cong Reg.
Capt L. r. S. CANDY, A. A. A. Gen, Headquarters I'd
Brig. I'd Division.
HEADQUARTERS I'd BRIGADE, I'd DIVISION,
Jaapa, Mexico, April 20, 1877.
SIR: have the honor to submit for the information Of
the brigader general commanding the division, the fol-
lowing report of the operations of my brigade before Ger
Gordo, the affairs of the 18th and 18th insian,s On
the morning OF the nth, and while the march from
the camp al Ell Plana del Rio, the Sd infantry, command
command by the orders OF the bngadier general com
handing Early in the afternoon of that day received
his instructions to with the I'd infantry, Captain T.
Morris commanding to the heights in front of the Cerro
(,Or1o which the then pnpaped
the enemy, and 10 make attack wherever could do
so with effect That regiment accordingly led TO the
top OF the first height and ordered to halt until the
shond close up In order TO learn the position OF affairs,
Immediately proceeded to the opposite HILL then
ped by the regiment OF mounted niemen, when ! was
informed by Colonel Harvey, commanding the 1s brigade,
that additional force required at that point but
that il essential that the height had just left should
be held Orders Immediately sent 10 the ID infantry
TO remain the position il then occupied Before the Or
der could be communicated of the leading companies
of the regiment (A had crossed the avne separating the
heights and then lying under the left OF the
rifles A few minutes afterwards J was requested BY
Colonel Harvey to move my command around the hill to
the assistance of Colonel Chds commanding LIST arlle
ry, who was warmly engaged on the opposite side, and
required support whilst direct attack would be made
by his command the crest OF the hill The advanced
company Of the I'd infantry was accordingly ordered
around the ridge, and halted under at the foot of
the hill on which Colonel Childs's command was
gagged for The purpose of concentrating the regiment be-
fore assang the hill The remainder Of the I'd infantry
being still in the position in which it had been halted did
not reach the new position The attack having been
pended and the command of Colonel Childs withdrawn
was halted, and took up position the road the
batteries. The 4th artillery had remained, during the in
terva as the guard for Tacotts and Iayors batteries
During the greater part of the night this regiment was
employed i'll the aruous duty of placing the guns of the
heavy battery in their positions the height in front OF
the enemys castle, The I'd infantry was established
upon the pass leading to the Jaapa road and retained
that position during the night
Early on the morning OF the 18th my brigade was
moved in the direction of the enemys left the Jalapa
road under the guidance of Captain Lee the engineers
manded by Lieut.. Benjamin This movement was made
under heavy fire from the castle and from the enemys
infantry posted on the ridge left When the adj
vance OF the I'd infantry reached the foot of this
ridge, two companies of that regiment CA and y
were detached for the purpose OF driving in the
emy's skirmishers. Orders at the same time
given Major Gardner to make similar detachment
when the head of his regiment should reach that point
The remainder of the brigade moved IN in the original d.
recon until halted by the orders of the brgadie general
commanding who also afterwards detached
cession, company B, Capt Smith, and company H, Capt
Anderson of the I'd infantry, and the 4th artillery to sup
port the companies first thrown forward The remainder
Tor the same purpose Companies and H. of the I'd in
fantry joining and already engaged with the enemy
calamity sormed the OF the Cerro Godo, driving
the Mexcans from before them with great loss and gain
ing the crest OF the hill at the moment that the ST
brigade reached it from the front-the advance Of both
brgades meeting near the castle, and joining in the Pur
suit beyond the hill Or the companies of the 4h artle
and I'd infantry last ordered up the hill but one the ad
yanced company OF the latter under Lieut. Lyon, reached
the crest in time to be engaged with the enemy.
From the crest of the hill discovered that the enemys
batteries the plain below which still firing upon
could be turned on the right and carried Immediate
directed the advance of the I'd infantry guided by Capt
(tanh IN md tho hatfar