The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-18
INSPECTION GENERALS DEPARTMENT,

L INSPECTION GENERALS DEPARTMENT,
alapa, April oath, 1s47.
GENERAL: On the 9TH instant had the honor to lay
before you the paroles of honor by which the Mexican
troops. captured by the army under your immediate COM
mand at Vera Cruz and the Castle St Juan Uloa,
enlarged have now the satisfaction Of enclosing The
paroles of those captured at the pass OF Cero Gordo
the 18th instant to wit:
L. The original paroles Of honor Of three general off,
GERS two others being accounted for below, together
with similar paroles from one hundred and eighty
other officers Of all grades,
osa g .6 {. f e sn oo Sy q ss i
CORPS prisoners of war; respectively, undr their CON-
mand binding them not to serve during the war unless
duly exchanged These rolls embrace two thousand eight
hundred and thirty-seven (2S37) namesthe rank and
file OF the army.
g. A copy Of the parole Of Gen. Pnson-a translation
of the sameand list Of all others on parole, numbering
in all. two hundred and lightweight officers.
A. Copies OF the several papers referred to above in No.
| 2, to wit: the paroles for the rank and file.
Besides the above, enclose an original paper signed
fourteen other officers OF various grades, who declined
giving their paroles not to during the unless
exchanged but pledged themselves as the paper shows
to report prisoners of war to the American commander
at Vera Cruz, who instructed under your orders
them the Castle ST. Juan dUoa, send them,
they preferred it, to the United States
separate list of these 10 officers is also furnished
think proper to remark, with regard to the operations
at Cerro Gordo that by turning the left flank of the
my, and sorming the principal hill occupied by him.
the morning Of the 18th inst his force diydedal
of the batteries east Of the hill being separated from the
main body Of the army encamped on the Jaapa road
west of the hill.
All of the positions of the enemy were commanded by
the hill itself which was believed BY the Mexicans to be
inaccessible to our troops. The hill being sormed and
aken the main body of the enemy fled in the utmost con-
fusion, and but very few were taken prisoners Many
of the troops in the batteries at the time, made Their
escape in the hills. throwing away their arms.
Mexican officer assured me that less than 500
thus escaped from single battery OF those in the
batteries who laid down their arms than thousand
conrved to escape their march from the field Of battle
to Plan del Rio some five miles or more along circu.
ous road bounded by woods and ravinesand hence the
number Of prisoner parole is diminished to about 1900
men, exclusive of officers. And although this may not
ranted in saying that the defeat was as complete as
was unexpected by the enemy--that he was utterly de-
stroyed captured routed spreading and conser
nation throughout the country.
have the honor TO be, very respectfuly YOUR obedmk
servant, +. A.. HITCHCOCK,
Lieut. Col. A. Inspector General
Major General WINFIELD SooTT, Generals Chief, ia
HEADQUARTERS % DIVISION or REcvLARs,
April 10, lsi7
SIR: have the honor to report. for the information
the genera; the operations Of my division
regulars against the enemy on the 7th instant
Preacng this report, will state that arrived at Plan
del Rio on the nth instant The advanced guard Of
dragons, under Col Harvey, having driven from the
place body Of the enemys ancers, then encamped my
division Tor the night intending the following day 2n
Ito thorough reconnaissance of his position and
practicable to make an effective attack all his works
Deeming lmprachcable to advance, with advantage
beyond the position which had gained during the re-
cOnnolssance the 18th (being some three and ha
miles from water) withdrew my main force to my od
camp keeping up strong picket to retain the ground
had passed over intending on the following morning
he 18TH at O'Clock, to make the attack with effect
: Two bngades Of volunteers, under the command q
Bng'r Gents Pillow and Shields, respectively, arrived
at my camp on the 18th instant Major General Pae
son, United States volunteers having reported SICK,
assumed command Of the whole. The volunteers wish
ing to participate in the fight and being much broken
down IRON the recent march from Vera Cruz, though
proper, at the suggestion OF Genls Pillow and Shields
to defer the attack day. Having done and hay
ing matured plan OF attack and assigned to each d
SION its duty, was overtaken by order OF Major yen
Patterson after night on the 13h TO suspend all u,ns
offensive operations until the arrival Of the geneIa,nn
chief, or until ordered by himself, Gen Patterson!
Agreeably to this arrangement received, the evening
OF the 10th, verbal orders from the general-in-che
proceed on my hne Of operations on the right OF the
tional road AT II O'Clock. m,I got in position, M
right oil my column being about 700 yards from the enc
my's main work Lieut. Gardners company, 18th inlaa
Try, was then detached to observe the enemy from m
first commanding height on my left In short time
strong recommending skrmishing party observes
approaching towards him, having reserve large force
in all numbering about two thousand. Lieut.. Gardqe
held his position under heavy fire until reeye,a ars
With this force Col Harvey cleared the two hills in IRON
OF the enemys main work. and held the position
intended Tor our heavy battery. which esabisheJ
during the night under the direction of Captain Lee,
the engineer, corps. During this evening Brig Gen
Shields joined me with his brigade OF volunteers, CON,
posed OF two Illinois regiments under Coils Baker an
foreman, and one New York regmest, commanded
On the morning OF the 1sth when our heavy guns
opened. Col Harvey, having been reinforced by the
and 9TH infantry, pushed forward his skirmshng parties
ground, and under most calling and destructive IRE
tins command advanced with steadiness and regularly