Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-05-22
FROM THE ARMY.
DISPATCHES FROM GENERAL SCOTT.
HEApauARrKRs OF the ARMY,

efficiency
of individuals shall mention by name only those who figure
prominently or posion could not be included in those
sub-repors
The field SKETCH herewith, indicates the positions Of the
two armies The terra caiete Of low level terminates at
Plan del Rio the site OF the American camp, from which
the road ascends Immediately in long circuit among lofty
hills whose commanding points had all been fortified
gasoned by the enemy His right entrenched, rested
pecpce overhangng an lmPassabe avne that forms the
bed of the streams and his entertainments extended contnu
ousy the road which placed formidable battery.
On the other side the lofty and difficult height Of Cerro
do commanded the approaches in all directions The main
body Of the Mexican army encamped level ground,
with battery of five pieces, half mile Of that height
towards Jalapa.
Resolving, possible to turn the enemys left, and attack
rear, while menacing engaging his 'front.' caused daily
reconnaissance to be pushed with the view of finding route
for force TO debouch the alapa road and oil retreat
The reconnaissance begun by Lieut. Beauregard
tnued by Capt Lee, engineers, and road made along diff
fcut slopes and chasms-out Of the enemys view,
though reached by his fire when discoveed-unt arriving
al the Mexican lines further reconnaissance became mpos
BILE without action. The desired point of debouchure the
aapa road not therefore reached though believed to be
within easy distance and to gain that point became
necessary carry the height Of Cero Godo The dispos-
tons my plan of battle-gcnera orders No. Ill hereto
fore encosed-were accordingly made
Twiggs division reinforced by Shieldss brigade of volun
teers thrown into position the l7th and was, Of
cesy drawn into action in taking up the ground for its
hvouac and the opposing height for heavy battery
will be that many Of officers and killed
wounded this sharp combat handsomely commenced by
company of the 7h infantry under Brevet First Lieut. Gard
ne who highly praised by all his commanders for signal
services Col Harvey coming up with the rifle regiment and
first artillery (ao parts of his brgade brushed away the
my and occupied the height which, in the night, was
placed battery of 24pounder and 24-pound how-
zer under the superintendent of Capt Lee engineers and
Lieut. Hagner, ordnance These guns opened morning.
and served with effect by Capt Septoe and Lieut..
Brown Sd artillery, Lieut. Hagner, ordnance, and Lieut.
yHour, lst artillery.
The night with toll and difficulty under the
superintendent of Lieut. Tower, engineers and Lieut. Laid
ley ordnance Snch howtzer put in position
the river and opposite to the enemys right battery de-
achment OF four companies under Major Bumhan New |
ok volunteers performed this credable service which
abed Lieut. Ripley, I'd artillery, in charge of the piece to
open timely fire in that quarter.
Early the 18th the columns moved to the general attack
and our success speedy and decisive Pillows brigade
lssaulng the right of the entertainments although compelled
retire, had the effect have heretofore stated Twggs
vlsloa stormng the strong and vital point of Cerro Godo
pierced the centre gained command of all the entertainments
and cut them oil from support As infantry (Col Riley
Dgade pushed against the main body of the enemy, the
guns of their fort rapidly turned play that
under the immediate command of Gen. Santa Anna who fed
in confusion Shiellss brigade, bayey assauting the left,
carried the battery Give guns the Jaapa road and
aided materially IN completing the rout OF the enemy
The part taken by the remainder OF forces held
serve to support and pursue has already been noticed
The moment the fate of the day decided the cavalry
and Tayors and Walls field batteries pushed on to-
wards Jaapa in advance Of the pursuing columns of infantry
Twiggss division and the brigade of Shields (now under
Colonel Baker, and Major General Patterson sent to take
command OF them In the hot pursuit many Mexicans
captured or slain before and horses exhausted
by the heat and distance.
The rout proves have been complete-he reteating
N.Y. except small body of cavalry, being dispersed and
tery dsoganized The Immediate consequences have been
possession of this important city, the abandonment of the
works and artillery La Hoya the formidable pass be-
tween Vera Cruz and the capital and the prompt occupation
by Wohs division of the fortress of Peroe second only to
ptnfc
guns and moar, and its large supplies of mdferieL To
General Worh's report, annexed, refer for details.
have heretofore endeavored to do justice to the skill and
courage with which the attack the height OF Cerro
Gordo directed and executed naming Of regiments
distinguished, and their commanders, under the lead Of
Colonel Harvey Lieut. g. w. Smith led the engineer com
Pany as part of the stormng force and noticed with dis
tincton
The reports OF this assault favorable mention of many
IN which well concur having witnessed the daring adj
and perfect eadness Of the whole Besides those al
ready named, Lieut. Brooks, Sd infantry Lieut. Macdon
ad I'd dragons Lieut. Yandon, 9TH nfantry-all acting
staff officers Capt Magrude LIST artillery and Lieut. Gard
ner, 9TH infantry, seem to have especial praise.
Colonel Rey's brigade and Talcots rocket and howitzer
battery engaged and about the heights and
active part .'.
The brigade calamity led by General Shields and after
lis ia by Colonel Baker, deserves high commentator for
is hne behavior and CoIonels Foreman and Bur-
nett, and Major Harris commanded the regiments, Lieut.
Hammond Sd artillery and Lieut. Davis, Illinois volunteers
constituted the brigade staff These operations hid from my
view by intervening hills, fully known when my first
report hastily written.
Bugadier General Twiggs, who the immediate COM
mand of all the advanced forces has earned high credit v
his judgment, spirit and energy.
The conduct Of Colonies Campbell, Haskell and Wyn-
koop commanding the regiments Of Pillows brigade re-
ported in terms OF strong appreciation by Major General
erson. recommend for commission Quartermas,er Ser
gean Henry, Of the 18th infantry (aeady known the army
for inepdy former occasions who hauled down the ma
tional standard Of the Mexican tort
In expressing Indebtedness for able assistance To eu
Col Hitchcock, acting inspector general MAJORS Smith
and Jurnbu the respective chiefs of engineers opogra
phcal engineers to their assistants, Leutenans Mason
Beauregard, Stevens, Tower G. W. Smith, Mcclellan, en-
gnee and Leuenants Derby and Hsdcasc typographical
engineers Capt Alen chief quartermaser, and Lieut.
Blair, chief commssary and to Lieuenans Hagner and
Laldey, ordnance-al actively Employed impelled to
make special mention Of the services of Capt E. Lee
gnees This officer, greatly distinguished the siege Of
Vera Cruz, again interchangeable during these operations
in reconnossances daring aborous and Of the utmost
value No he less conspicuous in planting batteries and
in conducting columns their stations under the heavy fire
Of the enemy.
My personal staff Lieutenants Scott Williams and Lay,
and MAJOR Van Buren, who volunteered for the OCCASION
Jealous and efficient assistance
Our whole force present, ia action and in reserve,
$500 the enemy is estimated at IL, 000 About
5000 prisoners. 900 stands arms and ~ piece,
to ind our loss than first supposed, amounting
IN the two days TO 33 officers and 1893 in all 43l,
whom 63 were killed. The loss computed to from
1000 10 =, 200
am happy in communicating strong hopes for the recovery
OF the gallant Gen. Shields who much improved as Il
have been brought to this place
Appended TO this report are the following papers
General return, 10y name, Of killed and wounded.
copies Of report Of Lieut. Col Hitchcock acting inspector
genera (o prisoners akeu) and accompanying papers