The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-10
THE GREAT BATTLE OF
CERRO GORDO.
HIGHLY INTERESTING DETAILS,
The Courage and Skill of the American
Troops.
GREAT LOSS OF LIFE.
&C., &C., &c.

NEW ORLEANS, April ~, lS47.
The United States steamer McKm, Captain Pilsbury,
has this moment arrived from Vera Cruz whence she
sailed the 2lst inst at o'clock p M By this arrv-
al there has been received the glorious of one of
the most brilliant victories achieved by American
which place tho 18th and 10th instant at
place called Cerro Gordo about As miles from Vera
Cruz on the Jalapa road.
Mr. John Parrott late United States consul at Mazat
Ian came board the McKm and Ii bearer Of General
SCOTS official dispatches to the government giving
full detail of the unparalleled which attended
our arms at Cerro Gordo.
An hour before the McKim got under weigh at Vera
Cruz Generals Vega and Jarero, two Of the Eve Gen.
erals taken prisoners at Corro Gordo with sixteen other
subordinate officers who declined their parole arrived
Vera Cruz, and presented themselves to Gov Wilson
send you extra Of the Vera Cruz Eagle, giving
some particulars of the battle handed by Mr. PARROT
The hero of Lundys Lane, Bridgewater and Chppe-
wa after more than quarter Of century's repose
der the shades Of peace has lost Of his original
on the contrary like the comet he has broken out
1t were in another hemisphere and the farther he re-
cedes from u.s. the brilliantly he will shine With
such men Us Scott Taylor and WORTH at tho head of
our army the nation look forward with confidence
to series of unparalleled By this arrival
there whatever of peace, but much said
about the probability of military occupation Of the
THE BATTLE OF cERRo COMA
From tho Vera Cruz Eagle, April 8
At 10 O'clock yesterday, the 10th of April the Next
dsred to our arms Our prisoners comprise Ave gene
rails, vast number of subordinate officers and about
COCO soldiers
Twgs succeeded In carrying the height Of Cerro Gordo
and the onemy at once came to parey which led to
commander in chief Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna who
succeeded usual in eecting his escape that Of
the entire Mexican cavalry numbering somewhere
5000 men.
The positions occupied by tho enemy were as strong
rs ynature, combined with art could make them and
could you but them whilst reading these lines YOU
would wonder at their surrender The Cerro Gordo
most prominent Of the defences commands the Jaapa
road for two three miles and heavy battery here in
the hands Of skif men, would keep army in check
for many day. If not entirely prevent its passage The
Importance OF this point made apparent to all
and last night, about twelve O'Clock piece of cannon
hauled upon neighboring eminence, which, after
sending sundry shot upon the enemy found Of little
aval and in the morning the Cerro Gordo sormed
aud carricd--not however before the commander-in-
chief of the Mexicans had himself safe retreat
by falling back with his several miles upon
the Jslapa road.
In the mean time, the other defences were being
stormed by troops Three forts situated to
camp, and upon three heights adjacent to each
othcr-each commanding the others-were the objects
Of attack and the carrying of them the task Of the
volunteers The centre Of these runs further
in than the Others and this being the object Of storm
the advance of the stormers had to undergo the fire
the right and left and the centrethe latter Of which
within forty yards Of the guns and then the dogs Of
let loose with such fury, that were driven
from their position, with great saughter-the second
Tennesseans, who in advance having large num-
Der of killed and wounded. Before the volunteers had
time to renew the attack the enemy had surrendered
driven they had been from their avorite position on
Cerro Gordo.
Taxing all things into consideration, this has been
great fight and great vctoryone calculated to shine
brilliantly in the chapter Of those achieved in Mexico
by arms.
Tho Mexican forces on the height Of Cerro Gordo
tha and To- infn tha andh mi.
ments of the line and pieces Of artillery with the
quisite number Of cavalry. COL Obando chief Of
tfsry killed, and Gen Vasques general Of division
Many officers of opinion that this General
was other than Gov. Morales.
Our force consisted Of the Id Sd and th infantry and
mounted rinemen and steptoes battery. Capt Mason,
of the Rifles severely wounded having lost his left
leg Lieut. Ewell, of tho 7th infantry, was severely
wounded Capt Patten, Of the I'd, left hand shot Oh.
On the 18TH Lieut. Jarvis Of the I'd infantry was
wounded ia ascending the first hill
On the top Of the Cerro Gordo the scene was truly
horrible From the Jaapa road dead bodies of the enc
my could be every spot where the eye direct
ed until they literally covered tho ascent to the height
There about half Of level ground on the top of
the mountain, and here was collected together the
wounded of both armies and the dead Of own Side
by side lying the disabled American and the Mexi
can and surgeons busy amputatng and dress
ing the wounds Of eachotting them in turns, unless
to cry out when he would be Immediately attended to-
The pioneer parties Of our men picking up the
wounded and bringing them in from every part Of the
ascent to the height From the side towards the river
where the stornng party Of Gen Twiggs' division made
the charge most Of our men suffered and many Of the
enemy, ALSO for they made desperate stand but
when they gave way started in confusion down the
hill the time they most suffered, many Of them re-
ceiving the balls of our mon in their backs.
The charge Cerro Gordo Of those cool yet
determined characteristic Of the American SOL
der From the tins that troops left the hill nearest
had fight their way foot by foot, till they gained the
summit, from which place the enemy gave way utter
very short resistance.
Our victory complete Those Of the enemy who o..
capped driven in all directions by their pursuers
and many Of them cut down on the road.
Gen. Twiggs who followed them after taking Cerro
Gordo approached within three miles of Jalapa, and
finding force OF the enemy, encamped for tho night
Hc is in the town before this time.
Capt Merrill, Of the I'd dragons, returned from
Twggs camp last night and Is Of opinion that nothing
but small body guard is with Santa Anna.
Santa Annals private carriage was captured, and
amongst his effects was found the Of $4,000 which
is In the hands of the quartermater and an addi
ona leg of cork for his Excelloncys in case Of
notice ono enissr of the enemy shot through the
head on Cerro Gordo, who was conspicuous man at
Gen. La Vega, who 10 again In clutches looked as
dashng aud fine He did not the least dis
concerted but rode in from the battle field by the side
Of Gen. Scott, laughing and talking a. though he was
more on his way to New Orleans.
Gen. Shields was mortslly wounded, and hear this
morning that he Is dead. He behaved most calamity,
and his mishap is deeply deplorcd.
Gen. Pillow was wounded in the arm but slightly.
Major Sumner, of tho Id Dragons shot in the
head, but is considered out Of danger.
The force of the Mexcaps ut the lowest Is set down
at l20OO. The officers OF the Mexican army being
paroled whilst write this, and with their soldiers
being sent about their business-our commander being
of opinion that he whip them easier than feed them
The generals will be sent to New Orleans among them
you will have tho second appearance Of La Vega, he
having refused again to be paroled.
The second in command to Santa Anna is man
black as the ace OF spades Wit something like
Stinton
All Santa Annals plate was taken, and his dinner,
cooked for yesterday, eaten by our own officers
| am sorry to say that Gems. Patterson aud Smith
were both confined to their beds by sickness and
unable to go into the fights with their commands
[From the New Orleans Delta Mayll
The enemy, finding themselves unable to cope with
our soldiers In open field and dsrusting the walls Of
their cities and houses defences against shells and
cannon by the determination of the gov
ernment resolved to change their mode of conducting
the war to iorty all the difficult passes of the country
aud to make strong opposition to the passage of our
army 1t every point susceptible Of defence In pursu.
ance OF this new plan of operations Santa Anna left the
capital with iorce OF near ten Thousand troops intend
Ing TO unite with La Vega; and with strong reinforce
ments OF the National Guard and the rabbe
of Pucba and other towns the route to take nosion
at strong pass called Cerro Gordo and there give our