Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-05-21
Letter from the Army.
wehave been politely favored with the following inter.
estns extracts from letter Just received from Young
Virginia officer attached To Con Scou's army:

We have been politely favored with the following inter-
estns extracts from letter Just received from Young
Virginia officer attached to Con. Sco,t's army:
JAIAPA. Mexico. April 25. 1917.
last wrote To from Plan del Rio, near Ceuo & otdo
the day OF and after the victory of our ,r,ons
over the Aiexcan tortured nj the ct Cerro Gordo-
THIS last Is high hill something in the shape of sugar
loaf, that rises alone the surrounding hills n, base
being nearly round and its height being about 800
The highway passes Immediately the of this hill but
before reaching through gorye in the moun
tans that best by recOecunc the road
West Point from the wharf the pain on the down
hill side place another bill like that on the opposite side
make the road winding, that you see more than
POO yards at time; stretch it the length of miles,
then orufy the plain side the whole length; suppose pre-
cPice behind these iorfcatons that the only way TO
reach them Is To approach by the 'front.' then cut ont the
Cro~'s-nesi Imounain along the ravne diminish II by
threeiourhs every way, and place 1t in Parks Gardon
isolated; behind this place hills steep and of les. and
less height you ccede; the top Of the Crossnest
with cannon. put 5000 the top along the sides
5000 the lines along the road 5000 more behind
the hill as reserye-snd You have idea the ma
and strength OF the enemys position Put AGAINST
these half OF the number ignorant Of the positions and
strength Of their enemy and OF the features Of the country
also, and you will have conception Of the relative situa
tons OF our and the Mexican forces.
We first had discover the strong points of their p,si
iion In doing this we lost valuable lives Then we
were obliged To cut road three miles long over
the mountains, approach the highest which was
also the principal After this was done hill !, cIo
musket range OF the FORT be sormcd TO let US get
near enough 10 storm the foi sel This was done the
sl!it raNlne lnterpOSCd between
and the height which was covered the top and sides
with treble the numbers had ssail them strengthen
ed by bresstNorAs and armed with five pieces OF
The odds against tremendous but our men had
the inspiration OF former and looked upon th
odds much addition the glory OF victory and went
TO their work IN the confidence OF success There was no
wayerngi bat under 4 mlrde.ous fire. they advanced
nmbhng down one side OF the GOO decp) and
climbing the other reached the first heasiwork drove the
Me1cans from u, leaped Itrusied the next cutting
down all opposition, mounted with shout and in Eve MI
hefg ~.
were flying, their coors down, up and the can
non that had made such hayOc among was turned on
the rei'eatng and Gisoganzed multitude that had So a,e
m good order been m possession and Of them This
Poni gained the day ours and al an hours con-
terence some 4uOO men, who manned the works being a.
mercy, surrendered discretion Our los was le
400 killed aud wounded, while that Of the Mexic,us
cannot be learned; there 300 Of them wounded now
here, many dressed the field and their dead Law in
heaps on the h and scattered along the road to tbs
place. on which they were killed during pursuit. Their
srrny dispersed the four winds OF heaven-3OOO
Lancers led By Santa Anna alone escaped soldiers and
they and be, for hono sake had better died on the field
They kept aloof from the fight exposed 10 sin
gle ball, and He'd the momeni the main bill was carried
without stopping to see vine her It retaken.
The battle Was won the lsih. On the l9tA all the
PRISONERS, men and officers we're released parole one
OF divisions marchsd for this same day leaving
The ground aboui sunrs-. The Mexicans left about o.
clock but being without load overlook our troon
and twas curious spectacle two armies that had
50 lately been opposed deadly hostility moving together
inermnged, the IN good order armed and equipped
the other rabbl5 unarmed and disorder outnumperne
their eonquerors two 10
THIS city Il certainly beautiful independent Of eomoari-
delightfully."- situated the Mexico well but
the paved, and enjoying climate unsurpassed for
comfort and healhuIness The buildings are in the Su,n
ISL STYLE cold and orbidGng the exterior with but one
entrance through massive door always kept locked En-
ter tins, however and you introduced into hide nara
disc Of verdurc and perfumes. To every house there is
court generally surrounded with apartments always with
wall the whole space except walk each side planted
with beautiful and varegl'ed flowers, Interpreted with
shrubbery.
Fro't being unknown perpetual yerdure s and every
nook and corner has us flower always blooming while me
walls and caves Of the piazza hung vines and air
plants.
Fancy yourse.f entering Th5rburns hot-house in the
depth OF winter from covered street. and YOU will
imagine the delight with which Of those scenes
after entering the cold walls that the dismal portals made
colder still.
The people OF different clas from any have seen
They are areF, and have refinement and more intel
IIgence Than those Of the lower country.
There IL intense hostility in ali parts OF the country
Here, Just now II Is eSsspernej because Of victory at
Ceo GoFdo' and cannot but respect the feeling towards
the enemies aud eonquerors Of their county.