Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-05-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Battle of Cerro Gordo.

OF the Typographical Corps. Capt. Hughes IS
the very able and intelligent, officer who accom-
panied Gen. Wool on his march from San Anto-
MO 10 Monclovia and rendered important serv-
ces 10 the army and the country by his valuable
reconnoisances OF The important part OF Mexico
through which WOODS column marched. His
descriptions have been published IN The papers oi
the country, and commanded great attention and
admiration al the time To Capt. Hughes be-
longs the high distinction Of having selected the
position occupied by Gen. Taylor al Buena WIS,
ia On the occasion of an encampment Of WOODS
Division near Buena Visa, Cap. Hughes was
struck with the advantages which his position
presented Tor defence, and suggested 10 Gen.
Wool TO occupy II 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
battle, he accompanied the captured Mexican OIL
fcers 10 Vera Cruz:
On the arrival OF the other Divisions Of the ar
nv at the encampmen Of Gen. Twiggs, on the
18th OF April, Gen. Scott, after taking recon-
noisance OF the enemy's works, determined 70
storm them. The position occupied by the ene-
my was regarded hy them as imp. egnable and
truly, TO any other than American soldiers, II
mus, have appeared an insurmountable and i'm
practicable undertaking 10 carry it by storm, or
lurn ii by strategy.
The road from Vera Cruz, as II passes The Plan
del Rio, which is wide, rocky bed of once
large stream, is commanded by series oil high
cliffs, rising one above the other ami extending
several miles, and all we'll fortified. The road
then debouches 10 the right, and curvins around
The ridge, passes over high elf, which is com-
pielely enhladed by forts and batteries. This
ridge is the commencement OF The Terra Tenn
plada, the upper or mountainous country. The
high aud rocky ravine OF the river protected lie
right flank OF the position, and series oi m,!sl
abrupt and apparently impossible mountains and
ridges covered their left Between these points,
running distance oil tNo or three miles, a sue
cession Of strongly fortified orls brstled al every
turn, and seemed 10 DEFY ali bravery and skill
The Cerro Goido commanded The road Oh
gentle declination, like elaci>; for nearly me
an approach in that objection was impossible. 4
front attack must have terminated n The almost
entire anninila,ion OF uuI army. But the enemy
expected such an attack, contiing in the Gespe-
rate valor Of our men, and believing that il MAS
impossible 10 turn their position 10 The right oil
left. General Scott, however, with The eve Of
skiltul General, perceiying the Trap sci for him.
determined TO avoid il. He therefore had
road cut 10 the right SO as 10 escape the front fire
from the Cerro, and turn his position on the e.r
flank This movement was made known 10 the
enemy b. a deser;er from our camp, aDd conse-
oueptly large increase OF force under General
Vega was sent to the forts on their lei. Geocfai
Scott, 10 cover his flank movements, on he /.
OF April, ordered forward General Twiss>
against the fort on the steep ascent IN :f"n, and
little 10 the lett Of The Ceno. Colonel Harne,
commanded this expedition, and al the head 0. tie
Rides, and some attachments OF Infantry and Ar
,illery, carried this position under heavy FIRE Of
grape and musketry. Having secured this posi-
non in front, and near the enemys sironse>, for
LITIGATION, and having by inciedibie labor elevated
one OF our largest guns 10 The top Of The tort, CT
neral Scot, prepared 10 follow u? his advantages.
A demonstration was made liom this position
against another strong tort IN The rear, and near
the Cerro but the enemy were considered too
strong. AMI The Undertaking "as esanaon=d. Il
like demonstration was made BY The enemy.
On the next day, the l8h, Gen. Twigss was
ordered forward from the position he had already
captured against the fort which commanded the
Cerro. simultaneously an attack on The toriifi-
cations on the enemy's leh was 10 be made hy
Gems. Shields and Wor,h's division, who moved
in separate columns, whilst General Pillow ad-
vanced against the strong forts and difficult as
cents on the RICH. OF the enemy's position. TIE
enemy fully acquainted with General SCOTS in-
tended movement had thrown large bodies ofmen
into the various positions 10 be attacked. The
most serious enterprise was that of Twigss, who
advanced agains, The main fort that commanded
the Cerro. Nothing caa be conceived more tii.
fcull than this undertaking. The steep and rough
character OF the ground, The constant FIRE OF the
enemy in front, ant The cross fife Of the forts and
batteries which enhladed our lines, made the duy
assigned TO Gen Twigss one of surprising dill
ticul,y. Nothing prevented our men from being
utterly destroyed, but the steepness of the ascent
under which they could shelter. Bu,,hey sought
no shelter and onward rushed against hail
storm o, balls led by the ealan, Harvey, whose
noble bearing eicied The applause O! The whole
army. His conspicuous ami stalwart frame al
the head Of bis brigade, mis- long ann waving his
men on to the charge, his staTdy voice ringing
above the clash OF arms and din o! conflict, al
trac,ed the attention and admiration alike o The
enemy and our own army. On, on he led the
columns, whose i.ont lines melted before the enc
my's fire like sncw fiase in torrent, and staid
no, their course until ieaFug over the rocky bar
riers and biyonetins their gunneEs, they drove
the enemy pell neil from the fort deliver
ing deadly fire in their ranks, from their
own guns, as they hastily retired. This waslruly
gallant deed, worthy 0! tie Chevaiier Bayard
OF our army, as the intrepid Harvey is we'll STYLED,
General Scott, between whom and Colonel Har
ney there had existed some cooiness rode up 10
The Co.ore after this achievement, and remarked
10 him-"Col. Harvey cannot now adequately
express mr. admiration OF your gallant achieve.
ment but al The proper time | s.a!i take great,
pleasure in thanking you in proper ierms" liar
ney, with modesly OF true valoF, Claimed he
praise as due 10 his officers and men. Thus dii
the main position OF the enemy and occupy the
fort which comma nded the road. |; was here the
enemy received their heaviest loss and their Ge-
neral, Yasquez, was killed. A lille after. Gen
Worth having, by great exerons, passed the
steep and cragsy heis on the enemy's leil sun
monel strong fort in the rear OF The Cerro 10
surrender. This tort was manned by large force
under Gen. Pinzon, mula 70 officer Of consde-
rable ability and courage, who seeing The Ce?ro
carried thought il prudent 10 surrender, which he
did, with all his force. Gen. Shields was not So
fortunate in the battery which he attacked, and
which was commanded BY Gen. La Vega. A
heavy FIRE was opened on him. under which the
fort was carried, with some loss, by the gallant
linoisians, under Baker and Bennett, sup
ported by the New Workers, under Burnett
Among those who fell under this fire was
the gallant General, who received grape
shot through his lungs, by which he was com.
pleely paralyzed, and, al The last accounts,
was in lingering state. On The enemy's
right, General Pillow commenced the attack
against the strong forts near the liver
The Tennesseeans, under Haskell, led the CO.
lumn, and the other volunteer regiments follow
ed. This column Unexpectedly encountered a
heavy fire from masked battery. BY which Has
kelfs regiment was nearly cut 70 pieces, and The
other volunteer regiments were severely handled.
Gen. Pillow Withdrew his men, and was prepar-
ing for another attack, when The operations the
other points having proved successful, The enemy
concluded 10 surrender. Thus the victory was
complete aud four Generals and atou, 5000 men
were taken prisoners by our army. One of their
principal Generals and large number of other
officers killed. The Mexican force on this occa-
sion certainly exceeded our own. The Mexican
officers admitted that Santa Anna had 5000 men
in the lines, and 5000, including 1000 lancers
outside ofthe entertainments Gen Scoil's force
was about 5000, Gen. Quilman's brigade DO, hav-
ing arrived IN time 10 take part in the engage.
mcnt Gen. Ampudia was second in command
of the Mexicans, and superintendent the opera
lions OF the enemy. When the Cero was car
ried, he was seen re,reaiins on fine bite char
ger, his hal falling of as he ealIoped away
Many OF the Me1cans escaped by bye-paih