Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-05-21

the War Othce, by FRIDAY evenings southern
boat. We hasten to lay il before our readers:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Plan del Rio, so miles from Vera Cruz.
April 70, l847.
Sir: The plan Of attack, sketehed 10 General
Orders, No. III, herewith, was finely executed
by this gallant army, before two o'clock, P. NJ,
yesterday. We are quite embarrassed with the
results of victory-prisoners of war. heavy ord
nance, field batteries, small arms, and accoutre-
menis. About 5000 men laid down their arms
with the usual proportion Of field and company
oficers besides five generals, several Of them Of
great distinction. Pinson, Janero, La Vega, No.
rego, and Obando. A sixth general, Vasquez,
was killed in defending the battery (tower) in the
rear of the whole Mexican army, the capture Of
which gave US those glorious results.
Our loss, though comparatively small in num-
bers, has been serious. Brigadier Shields. COM
mander Of activity, zeal, and talent, is, fear, if
not Dead MORALLY wounded. He is some five
miles from me al this moment. The field of ope-
rations covered many miles, broken by mountains
and deep chasms, and have not report, as yet,
from any division or brigade. Twigg's division,
followed by Shields (now Col. Baker's) brigade,
are now at or near Xapala, and Worth's division
is in route thilher, all pursuing, with good results,
as learn, that part Of the Mexican army-per-
haps, six or seven thousand men, who fled before
our right had carried the tower, and gained the
Xalapa road. Pillows brigade alone, is near me
at the depot Of wounded, sick, and prisoners, and
| have time only to give from him the names Of
lst Lieutenant F B. Nelson, and Cd G. 6. Gill,
both Of the Cd Tennessee foot (Haskell's regi-
mont,) among the killed, and in the brigade LOG,
of all ranks, killed or wounded. Among the lat
ter, the gallant brigadier general himself has a
smart wound in the arm, but not disabled and Ma
or r. Farqucson, I'd Tennessee, Capt. H. F.
Murray, 2d Lieutenant, G. T. Sutherland, Isl
Lieutenant, W. P. Hale, (adulant) all of the
same regiment, severely, and lst Lieutenant W.
Yearwood, morally wounded. And | know
from personal observation on the ground, that lst
Lieutenant Ewel of the rifles, if not dead was
MORALLY wounded IN entering, sword in hand,
The entrenchments around the captured tower
Second Lieutenant Derby, typographical engi-
neers, | also saw at the same place, severely
wounded, and Captain Patten, Cd United States
infantry, lost his right hand. Major Sumner, 2d
United States Dragons, was slightly wounded the
day before, and Capt. Johnston, typographical en-.
gineers, (now lieutenant colonel of niantry,) was
sevely wounded some days earlier. Captain Ma
son Cd Lieutenant Davis, both Of the rifles, were
very severely wounded in storming The same low
er. Our total loss, in killed and wounded, may
+ be about $50, and that of the enemy 800. Ii
the pursuit towards XaIapa, (95 miles hence) W.
have added much to the enemy's loss in prison
ers, killed and wounded. suppose his retreat
ing army to be disorganized, and hence my haste
to follow, in an hour or two. TO profit by events
Brig. Gen. Twiggs, in passing the mountain
range beyond Ccrro Gorio, crowned with the
tower, detached from his division, as suggested
the day before, strong force to carry that height
which commanded the Xalapa road at the foot
and could not fail, if carried to cut off the whole
or any part of the enemy's forces from retreat
in any direction.
The brigade assembled the long and Difficult
slope Of Cerro Gordo, without shelter, and under
, the tremendousfre of artillery and musketry with
: the utmost steadiness, reached the breastworks
drove the enemy from them, planted the colors o
The lst artillery, 3dand 7th inIantry-the enemy
: flag still flying and, after some minutes of sharI
7 firing, finished the conquest with the bayonet.
y 1t is II most pleasing duty to say that tho high
est praise is due TO Harney, Childs, Plymton, Lo
: ring, Alexander, their gallant officers and men
for this brilliant service, independent of the grea
results which soon followed
Worlh's division Of regulars coming up al tn
time, he detached Brevet Lieut.. Col. G. F. Smith
with his light battalion, to supporlthe assault bu
not in time. The General, reaching the tower
i few minutes before me, and observing a whit
: flag displayed from the nearest portion of the en-
y. envy towards the batteries below, sent out Coils
u Harnoy aud Childs TO hold parley. The SUI
render followed in an hour or Two.
Maj. Gen. Patterson left sick bed to share i
u the dangers and iagues Of the day; and aGle
u the surrender went forward to command the at
vanced forces towards Xalapa.
Brig. Gen. Pillow and his brigade twice as
sauted with great daring the enemy IS line of ba
= teries on our left; and though without success
: they contributed much 10 distract and dsma
- their immediate opponents.
II President Santa Anna, with Generals Canaiz
. . and Almonte, and somesix or eightihousand mel
!, escaped towards Xaapa just before Cerro Cord
II was carried and before Twiggs' division reachC
IL the National road above.
10 have determined TO parole The prsoners-oa
GERS and men-as have not the means Of fee
ing them here, beyond to-day, and cannot afo
II TO detach heavy body Of horse and foot, wi
l. wagons to accompany them to Vera Cruz. y
baggage train, though increasing, is not yet hi
large enough to give an assured progress to ii
army. Besides, greater number of prisone
would, probably, escape from The escort in 4
ht long and deep sandy road, without subsistence.
he ten 10 one--hat we shall find again, out of Il
We same body of men, in the ranks opposed to u.s..
ed Not one Of The Vera Cruz prisoners is believ
al 10 have been in The lines of Cerro Gordo. Sol
he six Of the officers, highest in rank refuse 10 gi
their paroles, except to go to Vera Cruz, a
lh thence, perhaps, 10 the United States.
in. The small arms and their accoutrements,
". ing of no value 10 our army here or at home
he have ordered them 10 be destroyed; for we ha
IN not the means of transporting them. am, aI'
of somewhat embarrassed with the - pieces