Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-05-20
From the NeW Orleans Delta, Nay 2.
Interesting Account Of the Battle Of Cerro
COrd0.


We are indebted to Captain Hughes, Of the To-
biographical Corps, for much valuable aud interest.
ing information relating 10 the late glorious victory
of Cerro Gordo. Capt. Hughes is the very able
and Intelligent, officer who accompanied Gen. Wool
on his march from San Antonio 10 Moncloga, and
rendered important services 10 the army and to the
country by his valuable reconnoisances Of the in-
portant part Of Mexico through which Wools col
umn marched. His descriptions have been publish
ed in the papers Of The county, and commanded
great attention and admiration at the time To
Captain Hughes belongs the high distinction Of hav
ing selected the position occupied by Gen. Taylor
at Buena Vista. On the occasion Of an encsmp-
ment Of Woos division near Buena Vista, Capt
Hughes was struck with the advantages which this
position presented for defence, and suggested to
Gen Wool to occupy it in case Santa Anna advan.
eed upon him In the late battle Of Cerro Gordo,
Capt Hughes acted conspicuous and most useful
part in his appropriate sphere, and after the battle
he accompanied the captured Mexican officers to
Vera Cruz. From him we gather the following
particulars Of
TnE BATTLE.
On the arrival Of the other divisions Of the arm,
at the encampment Of Gen Twiggs, on the 10Th
April, Gen. Scott, after taking reconnaissance
the enemy's works, determined to storm them. The
position occupied by the enemy was regarded BY
them as impregnable, and truly to any other thar
American soldiers, ii must have appeared an nsur
mountable and mpracticable undertaking to carry
it by storm, or turn il by strategy.
The road from Vera Cruz, as il passes the Pla
del Rio, which is wide rocky bed Of once larg
stream, is commanded by series Of high cliffs, rls
ing one above the other, and extending seyera
miles, and all well fortified The road then de
bouches to the right, and curving around the ridge
passes over high cliff, which is completely emilia
-
mencemcRt Of the Terra Templeda, the upper OF
mountainous country. The high and rocky rasin,
Of the river protected the right flank Of the position
and series Of most abrupt and apparently impas
sable mountains and ridges covered their lef.-
Between these points, running distance Of two o
three miles, asuccesslon of strongly fortified fort
bristied at every turn, aud seemed to defy all bra
very aud skill. The Cerro Gordo commanded III,
road on a single decnation, like glacis, for
ly mile-an approach in thai direction was impos
sble front attack must have terminated in III,
almost entire humiliation of our army. But tn
enemy expected such attack, contiding in tn,
desperate valor Of our men, and believing that !
was impossible TO turn their position To the RICH
or left. Gen. Scott, however, with The eye of !
skillful general perceived the trap set for him, and
determined to avoid it. He, therefore, had road
cut TO the right so as 10 escape the front IRE from
the Cerro, and turn his position on the lefi flank-
i MS movement was ntduc huoNU u tHt tHeIlt Dl
deserter from our camp, aud consequently larg
increase of force under Gen. La Vega. was sent l.
The forts on their left General Scott, to cover hi
flank movements, on the I7lh of April, ordered
forward General Twiggs against the fort on the
steep ascent, in front aud little 10 The let oil the
Cerro Colonel Harvey commanded this expedi-
ton, aud at the head of the rifles and some deach-
men,s of infantry aud artillery, carried this position
under heavy fire OF grape aud nlusketry. Having
secured this position IN front and near the enemy IS
strongest for,lfcation, aud having by incredible la.
Dor elevated Of our large guns TO the top of the
fort, Gen. Scott prepared 10 follow up his advan-
tapes A demonstrate was made from this posi-
ton against another strong fort IN the rear and
the Cerro, but the enemy were considered too
strong, and the undertaking abandoned A
like demonstration made by the enemy.
On the neat day, the 18th, Gen. Twiggs was
ordered forward from the position he had already
captured against the tori which commanded the
Ceno simultaneously an attack OH the foTihca-
tions on the enemy's Left was 10 be made by Gems.
Shields aud Wor,ll's division, who moved in separ.
ate columns, whilst Pillow advanced sgains, the
strong forts and difficult ascents on the right Of
the enemys position. The enemy. fully acquain-
ted with Gen. SCOTS intended movement, had
thrown large bodies Of men into the various posi-
lions 10 be attacked. The most serious enterprise
was that OF Twggs. who advanced o inst the
main fort that commanded the Cerro. Nothing
can be conceived more difficult than this undertake
ing The steep and rough character of the ground,
the constant fire of the forts aud batteries which
enflade our lines made the duty assigned 10 Gen
eral Twiggs one Of surprising difficulty Nothing
prevented our men from being utterly destroyed,
but the sieepness OF the ascent under which they
could shelter. But they sought no shelter, and on
ward rushed against hailsorm Of balls aud mus
ket shot, led by the gallant Harvey, whose noble
bearing elected the applause OF the whole army
His conspicuous aud salwart frame at the head Of
his brigade, 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 ar.
my. On, on, he led the columns, whose front lines
melted before she enemy's Ere like snow flakes in
torrent, aud stayed pot their course until esping
over the rocky barriers and bayouetting their gun
ners, they drove the enemy pe nell from the fort,
delivering deadly fire into their ranks, from their
own guns, as they hastily retired This truly
gallant deed worthy Of the Cheyalier Bayard Of
our army, as the intrepid Harvey is well styled
Gen. Scott between whom and Harvey there had
existed some coolness rode up to the Colonel after
this achievement, and remarked to him, Col, Har.
ney, cannot now adequately express my admira.
tion your gallant achievement but at the proper
time shall fake great pleasure in thanking you in
proper ierins" Harvey with the modesty Of true
valor, claimed The praise due 10 bis officers and
men. thus did .he division Of the gallant veteran
Twiggs carry the main position Of The enemy and
oecapy the fort which commanded the road. Ii
was here the eHemy received their heaviest loss and
their General Yasguez ~As killed. little after
Gen. Worth having by greai exertons passed the
steep and craggy heights on The enemy's left, sum