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

Acting Asst Adj't Gen, I'd Division
HEADQUARTERS TIN INFANTRY,
Jalapa MeyIco. Apr,l DOth. 1917


SIR In obedience to your orders, have the honor to
report that the LIST brigade, I'd division of regulars broke
camp at FL Pana del RIO and moved under your com
mand, o'clock, m, the nth inst, the LETT
flank of the enemy il possible, and attack him a rear OF
his strong fortified position, the mountain pass OF FL
Cerro Gordo
The wachfuness of the enemy aided by the great la
Dor we had to perform enabled him to discover
ment before we had effected the object hence partial
gagement brought on, and company (E) 9TH IN
fantry, under The command of Bevet LIST Lieut. f Gard
ner, detached to skmish with the enemy our LETT
flank and the regiment under my command, then forming
the lett OF your brigade was ordered by Brig Gen lwg5s
advance the general route TO check the enemys adj
vance in that direction from strong position on the
height from one hundred to six hundred yards.
The enemy, seeing his views frustrated at tins point
turned his attention TO the vigorous attack made by our
troops on his advance left upon which General
Twggs ordered march my regiment by the le flank
up the height, and report to you to support and re-
y to get water Upon reporting TO you, placed my regl-
ment in the line established little below the of the
At this time he had been driven back, in which Lieut.,
Gardner participated, and rendered signal service On
the morning of the 18th, you directed me advance my
regiment by the right flank, the space made
by company of riAemen which had left to Join its main
body and to be prepared to storm the enemys fort on the
height This order was promptly obeyed and the resi.
ment waited in silence for the word OF command charge
This being repeated, the regiment charged with cheers,
passing the crest OF this height and ascending under
raking fire OF grape and canister and heavy fire OF mus
kerry on my right and extending towards the lett and
front
Under the disadvantages of the enemys heavy fire, and
the rough and steep ascent of the mountain to reach the
fort at It's summit the same spirit prevailed IN the reg-
ment from right to left, and although il paused for few
moments for breath, and TO force back the enemy who
made strong effort 10 turn my right flank IN which
found necessary, with the efficient aid of Major BAN.
bridge, TO strengthen and restore the line which had
been weakened under the enemys destructive lire, and
particularly after Lieutenant Dana fell, supposed NOR
tally wounded then directed Major cambridge to
attend TO the right, whilst | examined the position
of the centre and left AT this time the com
mand "charge" renewed and the fort carried by
simultaneous rush of the 18th infantry, driving back the
enemy with much slaughter; the enemy flag al this mo-
ment being taken down BY the intrepid and gallant QUAR-
temaster Sergeant Henry and the flag and standard OF
the 9TH infantry raised and oated in It's place by
the brave Color Sereants Bradford Brady and Murphy
whom Lieut. Page adutant had left in pursuit OF the en-
envy down the height 1t would appear lnvldious to
name any gentleman IN commission OF the regiment
for any individual act OF gallany another upon tins
gallant accession, for all were individually determined to
execute orders carry the fort OF the enemy. II Is
due remark, that the first officers who entered the fort
OF the enemy Captains Paul Whiting, and Handson
LIST Lieuts lensha Little Adutant Page, Can't, and
Brcvet LIST Lieut.. Gardner
The enemy driven out with great slaughter, and
their gums turned upon them
After the firing OF the enemy had ceased at this point
you ordered put myself at the head OF the regiment
descend the mountain to the National road to cut Oft the
retreat OF the enemy which order promptly obeyed !;
and | believe your object thereby secured, as many
thousands of the enemy Immediately surrendered
Deemng it act OF justice due to the gentlemen in
commission of the 18th infantry this occasion, here
with annex list of llcir names, viz:
Major cambridge, Captains Ross, Whiting, Paul, and
Hanson, LIST Lieutenants Henshaw, Little, (regimenta
quarlermastcr,l Humber. Adjutlnt Page, Can't Dana
Brevet LIST Lieut. Gardner ID Lieut. Smith, and Breve ID
Lieut.. Make
am, sir, respectfully, your obedent servant,
j. PLYMPTON,
Lieutenant Col. 18th infantry.
To Lieut. E VAN DoRN, Abide Camp.