The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-05-26

A'"i'e'o!'l VI paiis, lea Dy the gallant Har
ney, whose noble bearing ELECTED the ap
plause ofthe whole army. His conspicuous
and stalwart frame at the head of his brig.
ade, his long arm waving his men on 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, he
led the columns, whose front lines melted
before the cnemy,s fire like snow flake in
torrent, and staid not their course until
teapng over the rocky beariers and bayo-
netting their gunners, they drove the enemy
pell nell from the fort, delivering a deadly
fire in their ranks, from their own guns, as
they hastily retired This was truly GAL
liant deed, worthy of the Chevaier Bayard
of our army, as the intrepid Harney is well
styled, Gen. Scott, between whom and Col.
Harvey there had existed some coolness,
rode up to the Colonel after this achieve
ment, and remarked to him, "Col Harvey.
[ cannot adequately y express my admiration
of your gallant achievement, but at the
proper time shall take great pleasure in
thanking you in proper terms" Harncy.
with modesty of true valor, claimed the
praise as due to his officers and men. Thus
did the division of the gallant veteran
Iwiggs carry the main position of the cne-
my occupy the fort which commanded the
road.-lt was here the enemy received their
heaviest loss, and their General. Vasqucz,
was killed. A little after, General Worth
having. by great exerslons. passed the steep
and craggy heights on the cnemy's left.
summoned a strong fort in the rear OF the
CtorrO tn cprrau1or r'l,:e ,,,,,
by large force under General Pnzon,
mulatto officer Of considerable ability and
courage, who seeing the Cerro carried.
thought prudent to surrender, which he did,
with all his force. Gen. Shields was not 50
fortunate in the battery which he attacked
and which was commanded by General
La Vega. A heavy fire was opened on him,
under which the fort was carried with some
loss, by the gallant Illnoisians. under Baker
and Bennett, supposed 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 completely ralyzed, and at
the last accounts was in lingering state
On the enemy's right, Gen. Pillow com
menced the attack against the strong forts
near the river.
The Tennesseeans, under Haskell, led
the column: and the other volunteer regi-
ments followed. This column unexpected
ly encountered heavy fire from masked
battery, by which Haskcll's regiment was
nearly cut TO pieces, and the other volunteer
regiments were severely handled. General
Pillow Withdrew his men, and was prepa-
ring for another attack when the operations
at the other points having proved success
ful, the enemy concluded to surrender
Thus the victory was complete. and four
Generals and 5000 men were taken priso-
ners by our army. One of their principal
Generals and large number of ether Off
GERS killed. The Mexican force on this oc-
casion certainly exceeded our own. The
Mexican officers admitted that Santa Anna
had 5000 men in the lines, and 5000, in
cluding 1900 ianccrs: outside Of the en-
treanchments. General Scott's force was
about 5000, Gen. Quitman's brigade not
having arrived in lime to take part in the
engagement. Gen. Ampudia was second
in command Of the Mexicans, and superin-
tended the operations Of the enemy. When
the Cerro was carried he was seen retreat
ing on fine white charger, his hat falling
off as he goloped away. Many of the
Mexicans made their escape by bye path
which runs Off from the main road between
the Cerro and the fort carried by General
Worth. AS to Santa Anna and Canalzo,
they retreated in time to escape by the main
road. Their conduct was regarded as most
cowardly. Some of the Mexican officers
who were taken prisoners, do not hesitate
to attribute their defeat to the cowardice or
corruption Of Santa Anna. The force oil
the enemy was composed Of the best soldiers
The infantry that fought so well at Buena
Vista, all the regular artiIlerits of the repub
lie, including several able naval officers
were present. Some of The officers whom
Gen. Scott released at the capitulation Of
Vera Cruz, without extorting the parole on
account of their gallantry, were found
among the killed and wounded.
Agallant young officer named Halzinger
a German by birth, who extorted the admi
ration of our army, in the bombardmento
Vera Cruz, by seizing Il flag which was
cut down by our balls, and holding it up ir
his hand until staff could be prenared. haG