The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-18
}, the enemy all his forces, and in putting them in com

They all responded 10 the encouraging of their gal
liant leader, and conducted their men to victory ant
The I'd brigade, under Col Riley, advanced under
heavy fire TO gain apositon the Jalapa road in OF
the enemy, with view OF cutting off his retreat After
crossing the valley at the foot of the Cerro Godo the
fire Of the enemy became annoying that two companies
OF the I'd infantry were ordered out skrmishers to
cupy them. The remainder of the I'd, conducted by
Cart Lee engineers proceeded on this course Perceiy-
Ing that the enemy extending their left, ordered
Gen Shields to cross the ravine our right and keep
Capt Lee In the further progress of this portion Of
Col Rileys brigade, he obliged to turn his whole
column to the left to oppose the enemys direct
down the spur Capt Lee continued his course, sup
ported by Leut Benamn's company, 4th artillery. On
coming in the plain west of the Cerro Goro and in
full view OF the Jalapa road, battery of five guns. sup
Shess brigade discovered by this portion of the en-
emy The battery opened with grape on him and on 1t
Benjamins company. The gallant general, with shout
from his men, pushed boldly for the road the enemys
left who seeing herposton completely turned well
driven from the HILL abandoned themselves to flight Gen
Shields here severely wounded the command of the
brigade devoying upon Col. Baker, who conducted it
with ability. The pursuit was. continued far En-
cerro, when was oveItaken by Major General Pater-
son, United States volunteers, who then assumed
mand of the advance and ordered a halt
cannot speak in too high of the conduct of Col
Harvey, who, united with his ndomitabe courage, pos
sessed the cool judgment which enabled hun to know
lust how far to advance TO obtain the desired object That
sterling soldier and accomplished officer Major Sumner
ID dagoons who was IN command OF the regiment OF
mounted rinemen exhibited all the skill and ability re-
qured Of a permanent commander of regiment He
was severely wounded in the head by escopette ball
and obliged to leave the field, the command of the regi
ment devoving upon Major Loring
Capt Magruder, LIST artillery, by his wary and good
management IN the face OF the enemy, succeeded in ar
irving very the enemys works. driving before him
the parties Immediately in front His gallant conduct
deserves especial notice. Brevet First Lient Gardner
18th infantry, whose company was first sent the HILL
BY sustaining himself against vastly superior force dis
played that ability as commander of company which,
former occasion, acquired for him the distinction he
now has as brevet first Lieutenant.
am sorry that the advantages gained over the enemy
the first day attended with some loss on our side
Besides Major Sumner, second dragoons and Lieutenant
Maury, rifle regiment, who were severely wounded and
Lieut. George II. Gordon, rifle regiment serving in Maj
Talco's battery OF mountain howzers, and Lieutenant
Gibbs, mounted ritlemen, slightly some fifty casualties
occurred principally In the first artillery and rifle regi
mens
OF the conduct of the volunteer force under the brave
General Shields, cannot speak in too high terms. After
he was wounded, portions OF the three regiments
with when arrived first at the Jalapa road and drove
before them the enemys cannoniers from their loaded
guns Their conduct and names shall be the subject of
special report as also that OF the several officers Of the
regular army who were distinguished on the occasion.
Accompanied with this transmit the several reports
from brigade and regmental headquarters In all the
recommendations for praise and promotion | entirely
concur.
Although whatever may say, may add little to the
good reputation OF Capt Lee of the engineer corps vet
must indulge the pleasure OF speaking OF the invaluable
main road until ne conducted Col Rleys brigade 10 its
position in rear OF the enemy's strong work on the
Jaapa road. ! consulted him with confidence and
adopted his suggestions with entire His gal
lany and good conduct both days deserve the highest
praise again present to the favorable consideration of
the commander chief and the President the names Of
my personal staff, First Lieut.. w. I. H. Brooks third
infantry A. A. A. g., and First Lieut.. p. W. Mcdonald,
second dragons, A. d. c. Capt r. A. Allen A. @. M
rendered invaluable services, only in compunicat-
ing orders when he was in the field, but in keeping at
hand under all disadvantages the necessary supplies for
my DIVISION For his services this, and former
cartons, most earnestly recommend him for promotion.
engineers and Lieutenant Skies, third infantry, A. c. S.
to the DIVISION am indebted for valuable services
Whilst on recommending duty on the 18th, lost the
valuable services of Lieut. Col Johnston, who was on
duty with me chief typographical engineer and was
very severely wounded under the enemys works the
lett OF the road.
thanks to the commanders of regiments and batteries,
whose conduct tended much the attainment OF our
glorious victory The LIST brigade, under Colonel Har
hey, was composed Of the LIST artillery, commanded by
Colonel Childs, the rifle regiment (afier Major Sumner
was wounded commanded by Major Loring, and the eth
infantry, commanded by Colonel Plympton.
he ID brigade, under Colonel Riley, was composed of
The 4th artillery, commanded BY Major Gardner the I'd
infantry, commanded by Captain Morris and the Sd in
iantry, commanded by Captain Alexander
the Sd Illinois regiment commanded by Colonel Baker,
the 18th Illinois regiment, commanded by Colonel Fore
man, and the New York regiment, commanded by Colo
tain Taylor and the howtzer battery BY Major Talcoit
have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedi-
ent servant, D. T. TWIGGS
Brigadier General u S. A.
Capt H. l.. ScoTT, Act. ASST AdJt Genl
HEADQUARTERS I'd DIVISION OF REGULARS,
Jalapa, April "a, 1917.
SIR: inadvertently omitted tonane Capt Steptoe and
Lieut. Brown, who in charge OF the large howZers
on the HILL and Leuts Hagner and Seymour, with the
si-pounder gun, in the same battery Lieut.. G.. w.
Smith, OF the engineers, with his company OF sappes and
the enemys main work, and killed two men with his
own hand.
dent servant d. f. TWfGGS,
Brgader General U. s. A.
Capt H. l.. ScoTT, Acting Assistant Adj't General
HEADQUARTERS Vol. DIVISION,
Jalapa, April 80, 1917.
SIR: have the honor to report for the information of
ne general nchief the operations OF the volunteer d.
VISION OF the u army under my command, at the pass
Vi Inc Zero Gordo, upon the 18th and 18th OF April
On the afternoon of the 18th, rapid and continuous
IRE OF artillery and infantry, announcing that the second
DIVISION OF regulars closely engaged with the left of
lhe enemys lines, ! was instructed, and Immediately d.
teced the Cd volunteer brigade under Brig Gen Shields,
10 proceed at once to its support
Before the brigade reached the position of that division
.ne action had ceased for the day; the night how
ever occupied in establishing several pieces of artillery
upon height adjacent TO the " Cerro Gordo."
Early on the morning Of the 18th, the brigade moved to
urn lhe extreme lett of the enemys line resting upon
.e 1alapa road This DONE rugged ascents and
through dense chapparal, under and continuous
hank- lire from the enemy.
brgadler General Shields whilst galantly leading his
command and forming it for the attack of the enemy
posted in force in his 'front.' fell severely wounded and
was carried from the field
Co Baker 4th Illinois regiment having ass,,ned the