Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-05-19
From the New Orleans Delta.
The Battle Of CcrrO G0rdO

| Position at Baena Vista selected By him.
Col. Hurney's gallant charge Carries
the Csrro-- Comptimented By Scott The
enemy yoated, and 5000 prisoners taken.
| We are indebted to Capt. Hughes, of the To-
biographical Corps, for much valuable and inter-
esting information relating to the late glorious
victory Of Cerro Gordo. Capt. Hughes is the
very able and intelligent officer who accompa-
MED Gen. Wool on his march from San Antonio
to Monclova, and rendered important services to
the army and the country, by his valuable recon-
noisances of the important part Of Mexico thro'
which WOODS column marched. His descrip-
tons have been published IT, the papers of the
country, and commanded great attention and adj
the high distinction Of having selected the posi-
ton occupied by Gen. Taylor at Buena Vista.--
On the occasion of an encampment of WOODS
Division near Buena Vista, Capt Hughes was
struck with the yantages which this position
presented for defencc, and suggested to General
Wool to occupy it in case Santa Anna advanced
upon him. In the late battle of Cerro Gordo,
Capt. Hughes acted conspicuous and most use
full part in his appropriate sphere, and after the
Vera Cruz. From him we gather the following
particulars of the
BATTLE OF CERRo GORDo.
On the arrival Of the other Division of the
army at the encampment of Gen. Twiggs, on the
10th of April, Gen. Scott, after taking recon-
noisance of the enemy's works, determined to-
storm them. The position occupied by the enc
my was regarded by them as impregnable, and
truly to any other than American soldiers it must
have appeared an insurmountahle and impracti-
cable undertaking to carry it by storm, or turn
it by strategy.
The road fIom Vera Cruz, as it passes the
Plan del Rio, which is a wide, rocky bed of a
once large stream, is commanded by series of
high cliffs, rising one above the other, and ex-
tending several miles, and all well Fortified
The road then debouches to the right, and curv-
ing around the ridge, passes over high cliff,
which is completely enfiladed by forts and bat
teries. This ridge is the COMMENCEMENT of the
TERRA Templada"-the upper or mountainous
country. The high and rocky ravine of the riv-
er protected the right flank of the position, and
series of mos: abrupt and apparently impassa-
Bile mountains and ridges covered their left
Between these points, running a distance oftwo
or three miles, a succession of strongly fortified
forts bristled at every turn, and seemed to defy
all bravery and skill. The Cerro Gordo com
manded the road on gentle declination, like
direction was impossible front attack must
have terminated in the almost entire humiliation
OF orr army. But the enemy expected such an
attack, contiding in the desperate valor of our
men, and believing that it was impossible to turn
their position to the right or left. Gen. Scott,
however, with the eye of a skilful general, per-
ceiyed the trap set for him, and determined to
avoid it. He therefore had road cut to the
right, to escape the front fire from the Ger
70, and turn his position on the left flank. This
movement was made known to the enemy by a
deserter from our camp, and consequently large
increase of force under Gen. La Vega was sent TO |
the forts on their left. Gen. Scott, to cover his
flank movements, on the 18th of April, 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 expe-
diton, and at the head Of the Rifles and some
detachments of infantry and artillery, carried
this position under a heavy fire of grape and
nusketry. Having secured this position in front
and near the enemy's strongest fertilization, and
having by incredible labor elevated one Of our
large guns to the top Of the fort Gen. Scott pre-
pared to follow up his advantages. A demon
stration was made from this position against an
other strong fort in the rear, and near the Cerro,
but the enemy were considered too strong, and
the undertaking was abandoned. like demon
stration was made by the enemy
On the next day, the 18th, Gen Twiggs was
ordered forward from the position he had alrea-
dy captured, against the fort which commanded
the Cerro. Simultaneously an attack on the |
Notifications on the enemy's left, was to be made
by Gems Shields and Wocth's divisions, who |
moved in separate columns, whilst Gen. Pillow
advanced against the strong forts and difficult
accents on the right Of the enemy's position
The ENEMY, fully acquainted with Gen. SCOTS
intended movement, had thrown large bodies of
men into the various positions to be attacked
The most serious enterprise was that of Twiggs,
who advanced against the main fort that COM
manded the Cerro. Nothing can be conceived
more difficult than this Undertaking. The steep
and rough character of the ground, the constant
fire Of the enemy in front, and the cross fire of
the fort, and batteries which enfladed our lines,
made the duty assigned to Gen. Twiggs one of
surprising difficulty. Nothing prevented our
men from being utterly destroyed, but the steep
ness of the ascent, under which they could shell
ter But they sought no shelter, and onward
rushed against hail storm of balls and musket
shot, led by the gallant Harvey, whose noble
bearing elected the applause Of the whole army.
His conspicuous and stalwart frame at the head
of his brigade, his long arm waving his men Oh
to the charge, his sturdy voice ringing above the
clash of arms and din of conflict, attracted the
attention and admiration alike Of the enemy and
Of our own army. On, on, be led the columns,
whose front lines melted before the enemy's fire
like snow fakes in a torrent, and stad not their
course until, leaping over the rocky barriers and
their gunners, they drove the enemy
pell nell from the fort, delivering a deadly fire
into their ranks, from their own guns, as they
hastily retired. This was truly gallant deed.
worthy Of the Chevaier Bayard Of ou army,
as the intrepid barney is well styled. General
Scott between whom and Col. Harvey there had
existed some GOODNESS, rode up to the Colonel
after this achievement, and remarked to him
& Colonel Harvey, | cannot now adequately eX-
press my admiration of your gallant achieve
ment, but at the proper time / shall take great
pleasure in thanking you in proper terms" har-
ney, with the modesty Of true Yaior, 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 their
General, Vasquez. was killed. A little after,
Gen. Worth having, by great exertions, passed
the steep and craggy heights Oh the enemy's left,
summoned strong fort in the rear OF the Cerro
to surrender. This fort was manned by large
force under Gen. Pnzon, mulatto officer OF
considerable ability and courage, who, seeing
the Ccrro carried thought prudent to surrender,
which he did, with all his force. Gen. Shields
was not so fortunate in the battery which he at
tackled, and which was commanded by Gen. La
Vega. heavy fire was opened on him, under
which the fort was carried with some loss, by
the gallant Iiinoisns, under Baker and Bennett,
supported By the New Workers, under Burnett.
Among those who fell under this fire was the
gallant General, who received grape shot thro'
his lungs, by which he was completely paraiy-