Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-06-07

that,
the mos devoted ehi'alry, when msdreecd would only
achieve an honorable mattyrdom.
To the Public.
Certain impressions which arc abroad with the public in
reference TO the operations OF the brigade OF Gen Pillow
the battle Of Cefro Gordo require Of the under
signed officers OF the I'd Regiment Tennessee Volunteers
simple statement OF facts. 1t will be that the
ment differs materially from the which here
Ioiore reached the public and that the idea
Of the military talents OF Cen Pillow by no means com
pmenIay TO that officer But the undersigned utterly dis
claim any other motive IN making this publication than such
from desire do Justice 10 Others and TO have
justice for themselves. They unwilling to accord 10
the undesirable the privilege OF yielding the brave men
they commanded only that questionable reputation
which often attaches 10 who have been engaged
unsuccessiu enterprise unless be shown that bill
ties were required OF them.
On the evening OF the l7th April last Gen Scott pomu-
gated 10 the his orders for the the ensuing
day. To Gen'l Twiggs division with Shields brigade.
assigned the duty carrying the height Cero Cor
do OF turning the enemys left wing and securing the ia
pa road, IN his 10 intercept his while
Gen Pillow 10 march "aJng the he had carefully
econnolIered and stand ready, he heard the
report OF small arms on our ghi circumstan-
should favor him, pierce the enemys line bate
es-th. nearer the river the better he may select
Gen Pillows plan OF attack arranged by himself as
follows: The command OF Col Haskell, supported by Col
Roberts, I'd Pennsy lyana Volunteers, assal No
the centre heldwork the enemy's right while at the
moment No |. on the right OF the enemy's
line, to be attacked by Col Wynkoop, LIST Regiment
Volunteers, Campbell. D
the LIST Tenncsseeans.
The right the enemy extended from the left OF the ia
npa road TO the IN the mountains through which the
fiyer flows. Along This line the enemy had established
himself three different heights, divided from each other
by almost impossible Each Of these three heights
were strengthened by admirably constructed ieldworks
known TO engineers As No /, 9 and g. These works
manned by upwards OF 5000 men, 1900 Of whom &C.
cuped the GENITAL field work.
There be doub, but that Gen. Santa Anna re-
lying on the great natural strength Of ero Gordo and the
apparent impassabiy OF the ground his left had not
taught himself 10 believe that Cen Scott would endeayOr
TO his position there but that he had strengthened his
right under the impression that to be the great point
OF attack
On the morning Of the lsh the brigade of Gen Pillow
moved by him from the camp in the following order
Col Wyukoop IN front, followed by Col Haskell behind
whom came Sol Campbell, while Col Roberts brought up
the Dyergng from the Jslspa road the left near
o the he!dworks, the regiments moving in the order
each by the right flank, entered path leading
point the centre Of the enemys line of works. In
this order the brigade moved the scene OF action
Continuing along tho path, the right OF Col Wynkoops
gmeni had reached point OF nsng ground about $50 yards
from the enemy, when Gen Pillow fearful that the enemy
had either discovered him would do 1t, suddenly with
drew Col Wynkoop by the left flank. filing him by the left
flank square off the left from the path and directed him
the which Immediately on the left Of the
path and form his line Of battle parallel with the enemys
works under Of the hill end chlpaa and hold him.
sell IN readiness 10 assault No |.
While Col. WYnkoop executing this order rapid
y the Tuggedness OF the ground would allow him.
commenced
Col Haskell IN position. THIS he did by directing Colonel
Haskell rest his right the right Of the pah extending
his left square of 10 the left form his line of battle
parallel with the centre hedwork Of the enemy. By this
mahWuyro il will be perceived that the ranks Of Col Has
kes command reversed the front rank becoming the
aud the right Of tho regiment its left While this
vel order in the process Of execution and before the
Independent company Of Kentucky volunteers under Capt
Jno 5. Williams and Capt. Charles MAYORS company Of
Pennsylvania volunteers, which the 9th and 9th com
plnes had got into position, the enemy opened his fire
upon M proper remark here that the command Of
CJ Haskell consisted Of his own regiment and OF Captain
williams Kentucky company and Capt Nayl0Ts company
Of Pennsylvania yOlunteers) The general immediate
Iy ordered the assault. The answered the order
with shout and advanced rapidly, aud with the great
est enihusasm in the direction OF the enemy who
totally ed from them by the density Of tho cha
p1rrl Progressing steadily in the face Of dead
" and incessant fire for more than $50 yards,
rugged and stony ascent the command emerged from the
ehapaa into the open space before the works from which
toe cnapaal had been feled for nearly 200 yards and
LETT lying the ground Here greeted by
pieces Of artillery Immediately in front Of us No. opened
0ne Of TANKS with two guns, No. 3 the other
with three, wne small pieces extension OF the
f-doubt behind No. kept time with the others. This
terrible fire rendered still terrible by the help Of
1900 muskes, which drove haisorm Of bullets into the
faces of the they approached. Nothing daunted
however, they continued the assault until they had ap
preached enough % the works perceive their great
strength the number Of the enemy and the madness
Of Advancing further without orders from their officers they
commenced giving way before the FIRE and retiring the
where they quickly reformed Tor another
assault They did not commence this retrORrade
meat however until they had perceived that every field
officer but the colonel had fallen, until Of tho commanders
of companies, two had fallen dead third moflhy and
fourth dargerousy wounded. 10 say nothing Of the leu
tenants 10 command, killed aud wounded, and Of the
awful havoc among their comrades. In lees than three
miruics Of less h1n 900 men. about 30 had been killed
and wounded, many Of whom fell in forty yards Of the
works.
Hero two inquiries naturally present themselves Whore
vas Col Wynkoop that ho vas not ass1ulung No. 2
Where Col, Roberts that hc supporting Col.
ll1fksH' Col WyrkO y, speaking Tor himself auswon
the tfs inquiry lie declares that he ordered not %
advance from boo position until ordered % DO ~ by Cen.
Pillow. either through Of Die aids or BY concerted
ngni lie s'atos that he received order, heard
~ ugn1l If be had assaiiod No. 30 would have been
better or Then the guns there, instead Of annoying
flank would have been directed NJ him. No. 10
fact Inc rea point Of auacE II the whole brigade had
sailed ihIt work. DO would have been easily cauod. Then
could have turned hs guns the enemy and at
'arknR him In reverse, have driven hun from the field
This roay what Gen. Scott desired Gen. Pillow 10
do, u ,DcumsfoHess flp0rsd him. with proper opp,fu-
nifty "t1 pierce the cucmy,4 line of batteries"
The second inquiry answered by The order In which
lhe regiments wore moved 10 tho scene Of seton Cent
Pillow had actually piced Col ilaskel between Col Wyn-
ko1p an Gu Campb Do, who o. support Col WyukOOp
and Col Campbell bstweeu Col Haskell and Col Robcfs
who 20 support Haskell! Moving as the regiments did
| By hink tOllOmeIy along n narrow dehlo, oiion in
single file % will be readily perceived what crest Dis
there between the tssaung and the supporting
regiments In isct when tho command Of Col Haskell fe
lfncd 70 hf spot ION whence " conmeuceu Ne a4aut
Col Campbts regiment IN the act Of fling past ha
point Tor the purpose Of gaining s position IN rear Of Co
WynkoOp, while Col Roberts si IN rear Of Col Camp
/ bell, and Of course had reached that point.
TT generally believed that Gen Pillow led the ssssul
on No 2. Tho Genors neither led nor followed IN tha
assault So far odvsod he did not advance anl
nearer TO the enemys ae than the point from whence h
tssault commenced. We do not make this statement be
ciuso deny Cen Pillow personal courage gaI'an
t,aing IN acuon--we sfo willing yield him both; vi
| simply correct the
one inquiry and We drop this painful subjeeu Why d.