Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-05-21
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.
RATTLE OF CERRO GORDO.
HEADQUARTERS OF TIE ARMY, ]

SIR: In forwarding The reports oil command
ers which detail the operations OF their severa
corps against the Mexican lines at Cerro Gordo
| shall present, in continuation of my former re-
port, but an outline ofthe affair." and while adopt
ing heartily their commentators oil the ardo
and efficiency OF individuals, l shall mention by
name only those who figure prominently, or, iron
position. could not be included in those sub-re
ports.
The field sketch herewith indicates the position:
of the two armies The terra catiente, OF low le
vel, terminates al Plan del Rte, the site OF lhs
American camp, from which the road asce i,,'
Immediately 10 a long circnit among ioily mus
whose commanding points had all been fortified
and parrisoned by the enemy. His right, en-
rrenc6ed rested on a precipice overhanging an
inpassable ravne that orms the bed OF the stream
and his entertainments extended continuously
10 The road, on which was placed iormiaaoi
battery On the other side, the lofty anu dimcui'
heiehi of Cerro Gordo commanded the approach
es in all directions. The main body OF The Mex
lean army was encamped on level ground, with
battery of five pieces, halt mile in rear oil Thai
height towards JalaPa.
Resolving, if possible, TO turn the enemy's ieit
and attack in rear, while menacing or engaging
his front, caused daily reconnoissances 10 DC
pushed, with The view Of finding route for
force debouch on The Jalapa road and Gu, OH re-
treat.
The reconnaissance begun by Lieut.. Beaure,
gard. was continued by Capt. Lee, engineers, ana
q road made along difficult slopes ana over
chasms-ou. of the enemy's view, though reach.
ed by his fire when discovered-until, arriving al
the Mexican lines, further reconnaissance oecaipc
impossible without an action. The desired Po'n'
of debouchure, the Jalapa road, was mol therefore
reached. though believed to be within easy dis
lance: and 10 gain that point, it now became me-
cessary 10 carry the height Of Cerro Cordo y
The dispositions in my plan OF battle-ground
orders No. Ill, heretofore enclosed-were accor-
dinghy made.
Tviges's division, reinforced by Sheldss bri-
gade Of volunteers, was thrown into position on
the l7th and was, OF necessity crawn into action
in taking up the ground for its bivouac and me
opposing height for our heavy battery. II Will
be seen that many OF our officers and men were
killed or wounded in this sharp combat-hand-
somely commenced by a company oil The TN IN
,antry under Bvt. First Lieut. Gardner, who is
highly praised BY all his commanders for signal
services. Col. Harvey coming up with the rifle
regiment and first artillery (also paris of his bri-
gade) brushed away the enemy and occupied The
height on which, in the night, was placed bal
terry OF one 4-pouuder and Two M-pound howit-
GERS under the superintendent of Capt. Lee, en-
eineers, and Lieut. Hagner, ordnance. These
guns opened next morning, and were served with
.illery, Lieut.. Hagner, (ordnance) and Lieut..
Seymour, LIST artillery.
The same night, with extreme toll and difficulty,
under the superintendence oil Lieut. Tower, en-
eineers. and Lieut. Laidley ordnance, an 6-inch
howi,zer was put in position across the river, and
opposite to the enemys right battery. detach-
ment Of four companies, under Major Burnham
New York volunteers, performed this credilaole
service, which enabled Lieut.. Ripley, I'd artillery,
in charge OF the piece, TO open timely hre In
that quarter
Early on the 18th the columns moved 10 the &C.
neral attack, and our success was speedy and de-
cisiye. Pillows brigade, assauting the right OF
the entertainments, although compelled TO retire,
had the effect have heretofore stated. Twiggs
division, slorming the strong and vital point OF
Ceuo Gordo, pierced the centre, gained command
OF all The entertainments, and cut them of from
support. As our infantry Colonel Riley's bfi-
gade) pushed on against the main body OF The enc
my, the guns oflheir own fort were rapidly turned
10 play on that force, (under the immediate COM
mand of General Santa Anna, } who fled in con-
fusion. Shields brigade, bravely assaulling The
left. carried the rear battery five guns) on The
Jalapa road, and aided materially in completing
the route OF the enemy.
The part taken by The remainder Of our forces,
held in reserve 10 support and pursue, has already
been noticed.
The moment The fate OF the day was decided
the cavalry and Taylor's and Walls field bat
teries were pushed ON towards Jaapa IN advance
Of the pursuing columns OF infantry -Twiggs'
division and the brigade OF Shields, (now under
Col. Baker)-and Major Gen. Patterson was
sent 10 lake command of them. In the hot pur-
suit many Mexicans were captured or slain be-
fore our men and horses were exhausted py the
heat and distance.
The TOUT proves to have been complete-the
re,realine army, except small body Of cavalry
being dispersed and utterly disorganzed. The
immediate consequences have been our posses
sion of this imporlan, city, The abandonment OF
The works and artillery at La Hoya, The next
formidable pass between Vera Cruz and the CAPT.
tal. and the prompt occupation by WoThs d.
vision ofthe fortress of Pero,e, (second only 10
San Juan de Ulloa,) with its extensive arma
ment of sixty-six guns and mor!ars, and It's large
supplies OF n,aleTlel. To Gen. WORMS report,
annexed, refer for details.
have heretofore endeavored 10 do justice 10
the skill and courage with which the attack on
The height of Cerro Gordo was directed and exc
cu,ed, naming the regiments most distinguished
and their commanders, under the lead oil Colonel
Harvey. Lieut. G. w. Smith led the engineer
company as part of the stoTming force, and is
noticed with distinction.
The reports OF this assault make favorable
mention Of many, in which can well concur,
having Witnessed the daring advance and perfect
s,eadiness Of the whole. Beside those already
named. Lieut.. Brooks, Sd infantry, Lieut.. Mac
donald, ID dragons, Lieut. Vaadorn' I'm infan-
.y-al acting staff officers-Capt. Magruder,
irst Artillery, and Lieut.. Gardner, 7th infantry,
seem 10 have won especial praise.
Col. Riley's brigade and 'ralcotrs rocket and
howilzer battery, were engaged on and abou, the
heights, and bore an active part.
The brigade so calamity led by Gen. Shields,
and. after his fall by Col Baker, deserves high
commentator TOR its fine behavior and success
Colonies Foreman and Burnett, and Maj. Harris,
commanded The regiments; Lieut. Hammond, 50
artillery. and Lieut.. Davis, Illinois volunteers,
constituted the brigade staff. These operations,
hid from nv view by intervening hills, were not
fully known when my first report was hastily
written.
Brieadier General Twiggs, who was in the
immediate command OF all the advanced forces,
has earned high credit by his Judgment, spirit,
and energy.
The conduct Of Coils. Campbell, Haskell and
Wynkoop, commanding the regiments OF Pill
lows brigade, is reported in terms OF strong APP
nrobation by Major General Patterson. ! re-
Commend for q commission, Quarermaster Ser
peant Henry, of the 7th infantry, (already known
n the army for intrepidily on former occasions,
who hanled down the national standard OF The
Mexican fort.
In expressing my Indebtedness for able assist
apce 10 Lieutenant Colonel Hitchcock, acting
inspector general, 10 Majors Smith and Turn
bull. The respective chiefs Of engineers and topo
graphical engineers-to their assistants, Lieu
tenants Mason, Beauregard, Stevens, Tower, G
w. smith, Mcclellan, engineers, and Lieu'en
ants Derby and Hardcastle, Typographical engi
neers-to Captain Allen, chief quarlermasler
and Lieutenant Blair, chief commissary-ane
hsgne5 and nadlsy M %s,
snec;al mention of the services of Captain r
E Lee, engineers. This officer, greatly dis
,;nouished al the siege of Vera Cruz, was again
indeIa tieable during these operations, in recon
noissances as daring as laborious, and OF the ut
most value Nor was he less conspicuous IL
planning batteries, and in conducting columns Il
Iha;r siafinns nnder the heavy fire OF the enemy