Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-05-19

cans, and superintended the operations Of the
enemy. When the Cerro was carried he was
seen retreating on fine white charger, his hat
falling off as he gallopped away. Many of the
Mexicans escaped by a bye path which runs off
from the main road between the Cerro and the
fort carried by Gen. Worth. As to Santa Anna
and Canalizo, they retreated in time to escape
by the main road. Their conduct was regarded
as most cowardly. Some of the Mexican Off
GERS who were taken prisoners, do not hesitate
to attribute their defeat to the cowardice or cor
ruption of Santa Anna. The force of the enc
my was composed of their best soldiers. The
infantry that fought so well at Buena Vista, all
the regular artillerists of the Republic, inclu-
ding several able naval officers, were present.
Some Of the officers whom Gen. Scott released
at the capitulation Of Vera Cruz, without ex-
torting the parole on account of their gallantry,
were found among the killed and wounded. A
gallant young officer named Halzinger, Ger
man by birth, who extorted the admiration of
our army in the bombardment of Vera Cruz,
by Selling flag which was cut down by our
balls, and holding it up in his hand until staff
could be prepared, had been released by Gen.
Scott without parole. He was found among
the desperately wounded at Cerro Gordo. The
enemy's loss, in killed and wounded, was about
as large as our own. But in ADDITION to this, they
lost 5000 prisoners and some of their best Off
GERS. Our army captured about 30 pieces Of
beautiful brass cannon, Of large calibre, and
mostly manufactured at the Royal Foundry Of
Seville. A large quantity of fixed ammunition,
OF very superior quality, was also taken. The
private baggage and money chest of Santa Anna,
containing $4,000, was also captured. The lat
ter was delivered over to the Pay Department.
The volunteers who were employed in carrying
the specie into camp, cracked many joke oyer
the prospect OF being soon paid off in Mexican
coin, and Tree OF expense to Uncle Sam.
When our forces had carried the various posi-
tons of the enemy, and the road was cleared,
Gen. Twiggs started in hot pursuit of the fug-
tive Snnta Anna, and pressed close upon his
heels. A strong position, five miles west of Ger
70 Gordo, fortified and defended by fine bat
terry of long brass guns, was abandoned by the
enemy and occupied by our troops. Gen. Twiggs
bivouacked within three miles of the lovely
town Of Jalapa.
In concluding our imperfect sketch of this
brilliant achievement, we cannot sufficiently ex-
press our admiration of the extraordinary deeds
of our gallant army and able General. Scarcely
a month has elapsed since our troops, under
Scott, landed on the enerny's shores. In that
time, strong walled city has been captured, to-
gether with an impregnable fortress--a pitched
battle has been fought under the most unfavora-
bic circumstance, and against the most formida-
BILE natural deiences-twelve thousand prisoners
have been taken, including some half dozen
general offcers-500 splendid cannon, and an
immense amount Of munitions of war; have been
added to the national trophies. Truly, such re-
suits are glorious testimonials of the valor Of
our soldiers, and Of the Skill gallantry and per-
severance Of the accomplished General who led
them.