Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-05-22

II servant r. a. HITCHCOCK,
n ,. Lieut. Col A. Inspector General.
a Major General WINFIELD ScoTT,
= General-in- Chief, Jalapa, Mexico.
Report Of Brigadier General 1Wiggs.
HEADQUARTERS IN DIVISION OF REGULARS,
april 10, ls47.
SIR have the honor report, for the information of the
the operations of my division of regulars
against the enemy the 18th instant.
Preacing this report will that arrived at Plan del
Rio the 18th instant The advanced guard Of Dragons,
under Col Harvey, having driven from the place body Of
the euemys lancers then encamped my division for the
night intending the following day 2h) thorough
of his position and if practicable, make
effective attack all his works. Deemng impraccabe to
advance with advantage beyond the position which had gain
ed during reconnaissance the 2h (beng
and half miles from wate) withdrew my main force
my old camp keeping up strong picket retain the ground
had passed intending the following morning, he
l3th,) at o'clock, to make the attack with effect
Two bIigades Of volunteers, under the command of Briga
der Gems Pillow and Shields, respectively, arrived my
camp the 18th instant Major General Patterson, United
States Volunteers having reported Sick assumed command
of the whole The volunteers wishing participate in the
fight and being much broken down from the recent march
from Vera Cruz, thought proper, at the suggestion of Gems
Pillow and Shields defer the attack day Having done
and having maued my plan OF attack, and assigned to
each division its duty, oyertaken by order Of Major
Gen Patterson after night the l3h suspend all further
offensive operations until the arrival of the Generan Chief
until ordered by himself Gen Patterson Ageeably to
this arrangement received, the evening of the 6th
bal orders from the General in Chief proceed my line of
operations the right of the national road At IL O'Clock
A. NJ got in position the right of my column being about
700 yards from the enemys main work Lieut. GARDENERS
company 18th infantry then detached observe the
my from the first commanding height my left. In short
time strong recommending skirmishng party observ
ed approaching towards him. having large force,
in all numbering about thousand. Lieut.. Gardner held
his position, under heavy fire. until relieved by Col Har-
ney with the rifle regiment and ls artillery. With this force
COL Harvey cleared the hills in front OF the enemy
work. and held the position intended for heavy
he
ton Of Captain Lee Of the corps During this
ing Brig. Gen Shields joined with his brigade of voun-
teers, composed Of two Illinois regiments under Coils Baker
and Foreman, and one New fok regiment commanded by
Q Col. Burnett
On the morning Of the lsh when our heavy guns opened
COL Harvey having been reinforced by the Sd and 18th
fany, pushed forward his skirmshing parties Overcoming
all obstacles presented by the of the ground and under
most calling and destructive fire. this command advanced
with steadness and regularity and finally succeeded driving
from the strong position Of the enemy all his forces, and in
putting them in complete rout.
In speaking Of the individual efforts of the officers in
mand Of regiments and companies am unable TO do ample
excel in all that required Of gallant officers They all
sponded the encouraging voice of their gallant leader and
conducted their men TO victory and glory.
The I'd brigade, under Col Riley, advanced under heavy
fire to gain position the Jaapa road of the enemy,
with view Of cutting off his After crossing the val
ley at the foot of the Cero Godo, the fire Of the enemy be-
came annoying that two companies OF the I'd infantry
ordered skirmishers occupy them The remainder
of the 3D. conducted by Capt Lee, engineers proceeded
this Percsving that the enemy. extending
their left, ordered Gen. Shields TO the
right and keep up the left bank the part previously
noed by Capt Lee. In the further progress OF this portion
Of Col Rieys brigade he obliged his whole
column to the left to oppose the enemys direct movement
down the spur Capt Lee continued his course, supported
by Lieut. Benjam company, 9TH artillery. On coming
the plain Of the Ceuo Gordo, and in full view
the Jaapa road, battery Of five guns supported by body
ancers discovered General Shieldss brigade dis
covered by this portion Of the enemy The battery opened
on i'm and IN l.pltR amins Tho
gaant.genera with shout from his pushed boldly for
the road on the enemy left who seeing their position
: Peey turned as well driven from the hill, abandoned
themselves to flight Gen Shields here severely wound
ed the command Of the brigade devoving upon Col Baker,
"a who conducted with ability The pursuit continued
Tar as Enceo, when overtaken by Major General Pat
erson, United States volunteers who then assumed command
" oil the advance and ordered halt.
cannot speak in too high Of the conduct of Coone
Harney Who united with his ndomtabe courage, possessed
the cool Judgment which enabled him to know just how a
TO advance to obtain the desired object That sterling soldier
" and accomplished officer, Major Sumner, ID Dragons whc
was in command Of the regiment Of mounted remen exh
=, bed all the skill and ability required Of permanent
mande Of regiment He severely wounded in the hea'
by an escopette ball. and obliged leave the field, the
a. mand Of the regiment deyolving upn Major Lorng
'u' Capt MaRrude LIST artillery by his wary and good
es the face of the enemy succeeded in arriving YER
the enemys works. driving before him the parties mme
dlatey front His gaan, conduct deserves especial notice
Brevet First Lieut. Gardner 9TH infantry whose compan
first sent the HILL by sustaining himself against
y superior force displayed that ability commander Of
ny company which, former OCCASION acquired for him tn
" distinction he now has as brevet first lieutenant
am sorry that the advantages gained over the enemy tn
first day attended with loss our side. Beside
Major Sumner I'd dragons, and Lieut. Maury, rifle ree
WI men who severely wounded, and Lieut. George
Gordon rifle regiment serving in Major Tacots battery
mountain howizers, and Lieut.. Gibbs mounted rihemen
e slightly fifty casualties occurred principally in the frs
artillery and rifle regiments.
Of the conduct Of the volunteer force under the
h Shields, cannot speak in too high terms. After he wa
wounded, portions Of the three regiments were with whe
III arrived first at the Jaapa road, and drove before them tn
enemys cannoniers from their loaded guns Their conduc
and shall be the subject Of special report as also tina
of the several officers Of the regular who distn
guished on the occasion.
Accompanied with this transmit the several reports iron
brigade and egimenta headquarters. In all the recommen
" dations for praise and promotion entirely concur
- Although whatever may say may add little 10 the goo
reputation 81 Captain Lee, Of the engineer corps yet
indulge in the pleasure Of speaking Of the invaluable
va which he rendered from the time left the main road
he conducted Col Rleys brigade its position
- the eneys strong work the Jaapa consulted hin
az with confidence, and adopted his suggestions with
" surance His gaantry and good conduct both days de
serve the highest praise again present favorable