Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1847-06-14
From the .Ncm Orleans Pieoytoie.
TO THE PUBLIC.

10 reference 10 ilo operations o the brigade Of ten. I'll
low AT the battle ot Germ Gordo require oi the
undersigned, officers OF tho 2nd Regimen, Tennessee
Volunteers, simple statement OF facts IL will be
that the statement differs materially from the accounts
which have heretofore reached the public ear and that
the Idea II conveys Of the military talents of Cen Pillow
Is by no means complimentary TO that officer But the
undersigned utterly discaim any other motive in making
this publication than such arises irn desire do
justice 10 others and to have justice Tor themselves.
They are unwilling To accord To to unchaabo the priv
ee o yielding 10 the brave they commanded olly
that questionable sort ot reputation which often attaches
10 WIN have been engaged IN an unsuccessful cutter
prize, unless II be- shown that mposblities rquir
ed oi them
On the evening of the l7th April last General Scott.
promulgated 10 the army his orders for tho action the
ensuing dar 10 Gen. Twiggs' division, with Shields
Nigaae was assigned the duty OF carrying the height o
Cerro Gordo, d turning the enemy left wing aud
curing The Jaapa road, In his rear intercept his
retreat while Zen. Pillow was march ''alung the
roete he had carefully recuunoitcred, aud stand ready
he heard the report of small arms on our right,
sooner Ii circumstances should favor him. pierce
the enemy's line Of batteros-he the river the
better as he may select" Gen. Pillows plan Of attack
arranged by himself, follows The command Of
Col Haskell, supported by Col. Roberts, 2nd Penusy
yana Volunteers, assail No. =. the coure field
work ON the enemy right while nj the same moment
Mol the extreme right Of the enemy y line was TO
attacked by Col Wynkoop, LIST Regiment peuusy lvaua
Volunteers. supported by Col Campbell, OF the Isl Ten
nesseeans.
The right of the enemy extended from the left Of the
laaa road 10 the gorge the mountains through which
the river flows. Along tins line the enemy had ,sial-
shed himself ON three different heights divided from
each 9th by almost impossible rayinos. Each Of these
three heights strengthened by admirably construct
ed feldworks, known to our ENGINEERS No. |. = and
J. These works were manned by upwards Of 1900
men, 1900 Of whom occupied the central Gcldwork.
There be no doubt but that Gen Santa Anna. re
lying the great natural strength of Corro Gordo and
Tho dlt li l.u l,t bnI
not taught himself to believe that Gen. Scott would
deayor to turn his position there, but that he had strength
encd his night under the impression that it be The
great point Of attack
On the morning Of the 18th the brigade of Gen. Pill
low wasmoved by him from the camp In the following
order Col ynkoop III front, followed by Col. Has
koll behind whom came Colonel Campbell while Col
Roberts brought up the Diyorging from the Jalapa
road 10 the left, nearest the cllworks, the regiments
moving in the order. each by the right flank,
tered path leading to point the centre Of
the enemy line OF works In this order the brigade
moved 10 the Of action. Continuing along the
path the right of Col Wynkoops regiment had reached
point OF rising ground about 800 yards from the enemy
when Gen. Pillow, fearful that the enemy had either
discovered him or would do 1t, suddenly withdrew
Colonel Nynkoop by the left flank filing him by
the Ielt flank. square of 10 the left from the path
and directed him 10 cross the avlnc which was
Immediately the left ol the path and form his line o
battle parallel with the oueuy's works, under coyor OF
the hill aud claparral and hold himself IN readiness 10
assault No. l.
While Col. Wyukoop was executing Ibis order
rapidly tho nggedn,ss Of the ground would allow
hun, the general commenced the work Of placing the
command OF Col. Haskell Ill position. This he did by
directing Col Haskell to rest his right the right Of
the path extending his tt1 square oil 10 The left as 10
form lis line OF battle parallel with the centre field work
of the enemy. BY this nsnu,uyre it will be perceived
that the ranks OF Col. Haskell command reversed
the front rank becoming the rear, aud the right of the
regiment us left While this novel order III process
of execution and before the independent company Of
kentucky Volunteers, lnder Capt. Johns. Williams, and
Capt CHI Nayor company of Pennsy lvana Volunteer
which were the 9th and 10Th companies had got into
position the enemy opened his fire upon u.s. CT is pro-
per to remark here that the command of Col Haskell
consisted OF his regiment and Of Capt. Williams
Kentucky company and Capt. MAYORS company ofPonn-
sylvana Volunieers) The general Immediately order
ed the assault The men answered the order with
shout, and advanced rapidly and with creates,
thusasm the direction of the enemy, who totally
concealed from them by the density OF the chaparal.
Progressing steadily in the face Of most deadly aud in
cesiant tire for more than 800 yards over rugged aud
stony ascent the command emerged from the chapara
INTO the open space before the works from which the
cha para had been ieled for nearly two hundred yards
and left lying ON the ground Here we were greeted by
seven pieces of artillery Immediately in front Of u.s. No
other with three while two small pieces ON an extension
oilhe redoubls behind No2 kept time with the others
This terrible fire was rendered s more terrible by the
help of 5OOmIskes, which drove hailstorm OF bull
lets into the faces of the men as they approached No
thing daunled however they continued the assault I'M
I'll they had approached near enough to the works 10 per
coiyo bo,, a, ,t,.nr,,b ia, nu1her f the ,n,nv and