The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-22

April II, lS47.
sInI have the honor to submit the following report
of the operations of the Sd brigade during the action at
"Cerro Gordo."
The brigade moved from its camp Plan del Rio under
command of Brig Gen Shields and in compliance with
instructions from Major General Patterson commanding
volunteer division, to reinforce Gen Twggs DIVISION
operating on the right of the Cerro Gordo pass,
1t reached the position of that division about o'clock
the evening Of the nth too late to share In the bril-
liant action OF that day During the greater portion Of
the night, almost tho entire brigade was occupied in
FOUNDER howitzers which labor they performed with
daylight ON the morning of the lsth the brigade
under and moved at early hour to turn the
Cerro Godo and attack the extreme left of the enemys
position the JalaPa road This was effected over very
CALLING fire from the ensmy's guns on tho heights
Upon approaching the main road, the enemy was
found upon and It, with field battery of six guns
supported by large force of infantry and cavalry
Whilst forming for the attack and under heavy fire
from the enemys guns Brig Gen. Shields who had gal
lany led his command fell, severely If not mortaly,
wounded
and ordered charge upon the enemys line, which
accomplished with spirit and by those companies
which enabled from the nature Of the ground to
make the advance They promptly and CALAMITY
supported by the remainder of the 4th regiment of INF
nos volunteers under Major Harris The Sd regiment of
| Illinois volunteers under Col Forman, and the New
York regiment, under Col Burnett being ordered by
the rout become complete at that point and the
my fed in great confusion leaving his guns baggage
large amount ofspecie provision and equpage in
! our hands.
By your direction three companies of the Now York
regiment under Major Burnham, were detached the
18th inst at Plan del Rio to report to Brig General
Pillow, for the purpose Of assisting to establish heavy
battery the onemys right operate that flank of
his position in connection with the LIST brigade of voun
ees These companies performed this arduous duty with
great zeal and rcoined the brigade at Jalapa the 10Th
instant.
detachment ofon company from each regiment was
sent, under Lieut. Col Wiley to support Capt Taylors
battery, and assist its ADVANCED duty that accom-
pshed with great prompness and resolution under the
enemy's fire.
am under obligations to Colonels Forman and Bur-
hfutor tI,1
and gallanry with which they carried into execution
the several dispositions Of their commands the i'm
Aduant Fondy as also to the staff ofthe Brigade Lieut.
r. r Hammond, 81 artillery A. A. A. g., and Lieut..
Geo T. Davis A. ID. c., for their assistance in per-
| forming the various duties assigned them
have to regret the loss of Lieut. Murphy, 4th I'LL
nos ana @ OF attn I'M
Lieutenants Scott and Johnson 4th Illinois volunteers
fell severely wounded in front Of their companies whilst
charging the enemy's batteries
Capt. Pearson, New York regiment, and Lieutenants
Maltby and Forman, 4th Illinois volunteers slight
ly wounded and Lieutenant Rose Sd Illinois volunteers
was severely wounded in the discharge of their several
| duties.
The loss in killed and wounded in the brigade was as
follows: 4th regiment Illinois volunteers six officers and
forty-two non-commssioned officers and prvates; Sd
regiment of Illinois volunteers one officer and fifteen
commissioned officers ond privates New York reg
ment, one officer and five prvates. return of the
pleasure to express my high admiration of the good
conduct coolness and steadiness of every officer and
man of the brigade and to say that from the commence
| fed commendation
| have the honor to be your obedient servant.
| Col CON- Sd Brigade, Volunteer Division
First Lieut.. WIN. H. FRENCH, A. A. A. G.,
Volunteer Division.
| HEApqUARTEns 3D. BRIG. Vol. DrvIsroN'l
| JALAPA, April &c, lSi7. I
SIR have the honor to make the folio wing statement
in answer to the inquiries Of the major general
handing volunteer division the events Of the Br-
| suit of the 18th inst
After the enemy driven from their guns, and owl
IDENTIFY beaten sused all my exertions strengthen my
right flank where there was st some opposition AMER
disposng sufficient force about the batteries went
of the 4th Illinois, Sd Illinois, New York regiments
| commanded by Gen Twggs in person, pursuing the
enemy. found Capt. Taylor's battery also with
the column. We pressed forward in pursuit far as
Dos Rios, and there Capt Taylor opened his fire upon
the rear Of the enemy whose column was ascending
the hill at Encerro Being halted and directed to retire
| by Gen. Twiggs, returned about mile and half
where we were met by Gen. Patterson in person.
accompanied by the dragons, by whom again
+: d; BAKER, Col. Com. Sd Brig Vol Div.
Lieut.. WIN. II. FRENCH, A. A. A. A. Gen.
JALArA, April 2lst, Isi7.
| To CART. HAMMOND, A. A. A. General:-
SrR-Thc first regiment u. s. ", of New York, was
employed In the following manner during the move
ments Of the army upon Cerro Gordo: Companies c. +,
II, detached on the 18th, under the command Of
Major Burnham, to establish and support howitxer
battery upon the enemys right, commanded by Lieut..
Company detached on the morning Of the 18th
inst, under the Of Lieut. Miller to support
the field battery commanded by Capt Wall, q the Ar
| tillery
Tho remaining Sd. companies under my command
joined the Sd brigade Of Volunteers in its attack upon
| the enemys left. Company was detached by me,
der the command of Lieut. Reichsrot, supported by
companies and +, to take piece Of field Artillery,
planted upon the National road and to support Colonel
Baker of the 4th illinois, in his movements. The
my deserted the gum and were pursued by company B..
Companies and L returned in few minutes, and form
ed the advance of five companies upon the National
by oueS the
suit Of about $500 Of the enemy; company being
ployed in similar manner through the chaparra and
plains and joining the command about six miles in ad
vance, upon the National road The officers and men
engaged all did their duty.
The following is the list Of wounded
Capt. Pearson, company E, slightly wounded private
Ebenezer Cook, company l. mortaly wounded; private
Joseph Franklin, company severely wounded; private
John Striers, company slightly wounded private Hem
~ Heveran; company X slightly wounded private
Kked.On I'd Quarter masters duty, near Santa Fe,
National road April i4th, is47, Quarter masters Ser
| geant VIM II. Kearney.
| have the honor to be,
| Very respectfully, yours,
WARD B BURNETT, Col. Cong.
GENERAL SHIELDS.
Gen. Shields is native of Ireland and when quite
young emgrated to this country and settled In Kaskas
kia, Illinois where he fstudied and entered upon
son,and obtained the first rank among his talented
competitors In 1886, he was returned rs member Of
city he as ready and
practical working member He was afterwards twice
elected by tho Legislature Auditor Of Public Accounts
and the effect Of his financial talents and untring in
dustry in that department. will for long time, be vs
bic in the improved state Of the state finances From
this Office he transferred to the bench Of the SUI
preme Court the bench Of the third judicial
circuit in both of which stations he administered the
law with wisdom and mpartiality endearng himself to
all classes of the people and establishing his reputation
| as jurst upon enduring foundation. Upon the
cesson of Mr. Polk to the Presidency he appointed
Commissioner Of the General Land ONCE, the duties Of
which he discharged to the entire appreciation OF the
country When the call for volunteers was issued, he
tad liarG sanar and
office OF Commissioner he Immediately repaired to the
theatre Of hostties with his brigade the third and
fourth of the Illinois volunteers, and two regiments
from Tennessee Eager to do his daty as soldier, he
applied himself with great assiduy to the science OF
arms for which he has a natural prediction.
| AMERICAN PRISONERS IN MEXICO.