Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-05-20
BATTLE OF cERRo aoRDo.

In the New Orleans Delta OF the I'd instant we
find the following general description of the battle,
founded on Information furnished by Capt. HUGHES,
of the Typographical Corps:
On the arrival OF the other division of the army
at the encampment of General Twiggs, on the 10th
of April, General Scott, after taxing reconnoi-
sance OF the enemy's works, determined to storm
them. The position occupied by the enemy was
regarded by them as impregnable, and truly to any
other than American soldiers ii must have appeared
an insurmountable and impracticable undertaking
TO carry 1t by storm or take it by strategy.
The road from Vera Cruz, as it passes the Plan
del RIO, which is a wide rocky bed OF once large
stream, Is commanded by a series of high cliffs,
rising one above the other, and extending several
miles, and all well fortified The road then de-
bouches TO the right, and curvng around the ridge
passes pver high cliff which is completely infia-
ded byforts and batteries. This ridge is the com
mcnesment of The Terra Iempldda--tbe upper or
mountainous country. The high aud rocky ravine
of the river protected the right flank Of the position
and series of abrupt and apparently impossible
mountains and ridges covered their left. Between
these points, running distance of two or three
miles, succession Of strongly fortified forts hristled
at every turn, and seemed to defy all bravery and
skill. The Cerro Gordo commanded the road on
gentle declination, like glacis, for nearly mile
An approach in that direction was impossible. A
front attack must have terminated in the almost en-
tire annhaton of our army But the enemy ex-
pected snch an attack, contiding in the desperate
valor OF our men. and believing that it was impos-
slbe TO turn their position 10 the right or left Gen.
Scott, however. with the eve of skilful General,
perceived the trap set for him, and determined 10
avoid ii. He therefore had a road cut to the right
so as TO escape the front fire from the Cerro, and
turn his position on the left flank This movement
unod., tl,,a h,-a
our camp. and consequently large increase of
force under Gen. Vega sent TO the forts on their
left. Gen. Scott, to cover his flank movements on
the 18th, ordered forward Gen. Twiggs against the
fort on the steep ascent, in front and little TO the
left of the Cerro Col. Harvey commanded this
expedition, and, at the head of the rifles and some
deachments of infantry and artillery, carried this
position under heavy fire Of grape and musketry.
1avng secured this position in front and near the
enemy's strongest iorfication. and having. by in
credible labor, elevated oil large guns to the
top of the fort, Gen Scott prepared to follow up
his advantages. demonstration was made from
this position against another strong fort in the rear
and near the Cerro, but the enemy were consider
ed too strong, and the undertaking was abandoned.
A like demonstration made by the enemy.
On the next day, the 18th, Gen. Twiggs was
ordered forward from the position he had already
captured against the fort which commanded the
Cerro simultaneously an attack on the tnriifica-
lions on the enemy's left was To be made by Gene
rails Shields and Worth's divisions, who moved in
separate columns, whilst Gen. Pillow advanced a
ganst the strong fcrts and difficult ascents on the
right OF the cnemy's position.
The enemy, fully acquainted with Gen SCOTS
intended movement, had thrown large bodies of
men lnlo the various positions TO be attacked The
most serious enterprise was that of Twiggs. who
advanced against the main fort that commanded
the Cerro. Nothing can be conceived more diff
cult than this undertaking. The steep and rough
character of the ground, the constant fire of the en-
envy in 'front.' and the fire of the forts and bat
teries which enfiladed our nes.-nade the duty
assigned TO Gen Twiggs Of surprising diff
Guilty. Nothing prevented our men from being ut
terly destroyed but the Steepness OF the ascent I'm
der which they could shelter. But they sought no
shelter, and onward rushed against the hailsorm of
balls and musket shot, led by the gallant Harvey,
whose noble bearing elected the applause of the
whole army. His conspicuous and stawart frame
at the head of his brigade, his long waving his
men on 10 the charge, his sturdy voice ringing a.
bove the clash of arms and the din of conflict at
tracted the attention and admiration alike of the
enemy and OF our army. On. on. he led
the columns, whose front lines melted before the
encmy's fire like snow flakes in torrent and staid
not their course until, leapng over the rocky bar
rierS and hayoneting their gunners, they drove the
enemy pel nell from the fort, delivering deadly
fire into their ranks. from their own guns as they
hastily retired. This was truly gallant deed
worthy the Chcvalier Bayard of our army. as the
intrepid Harvey is well styled. Gen. Scott. be
! tween whom and Col. Harvey there had existed
some GOODNESS, rode up to the Colonel after this
achievement, and remarked to him, Cool Harvey
cannot now adequately express my admiration Of
your gallant acheveU. ent. but at the proper time
shall take great pleasure an thanking YOU in proper
! terms" Harvey, with the modesty of true valor
claimed the praise as due TO his officers and men
Thus did the division of the gallant veteran Twiggs
carry the main position of the enemy and occupy
the fort which commanded the road. 1t was here
the enemy received their heaviest loss, and the
Zen. Vasquez was killed.
little after, General Worth having. by grea
exertlons, passed the steep and craggy heights OF
the enemy's left, summoned strong fort in the rea
of the Cerro to surrender. This fort was manned
| by large force under Gen Pinzon, mulatto off
Ger OF considerable ability and coufage who. seeing
the Cerro carried, thought prudent TO surrender
which ne did, with all his force General Shields
was not so fortunate in the battery which he at
tackled, and which was commanded bv Gen. i
Vega. heavy fire was opened on him. undo
which the fort was carried with some loss by tn
gallant lI!inolsans, under Baker and Bennett, sup
ported by the New Workers. under Burnett. 4
mong those who fell under this fire was the gallan
General. who received grape shot through hi
lungs, BY which he was completely paralysed, and
at the last accounts, was in lingering state. o.
the enemy's right, Gen. Pillow commenced tn
attack against the strong forts near the river. Th
Tennesseans. under Haskell led the column. an
the other volunteer regiments followed. This col
umn unexpectedly encountered a heavy fire from
masked battery, by which BaskeI's regiment wa
nearly cut TO pieces, and the other volunteer reg
menis were severely handled. Gen. Pillow with
drew his men, and was preparing for another Al
tack when the operations at the other points havin
proved successful, the enemy concluded to surrer
der. Thus the victory was complete. and fot
Generals. and about = 900 men were taken prison