The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-11

hope am happy to learn, that Gen Shields may sur
vve his wounds
One of the principal motives for paroling the prison.
Of Is to diminish the resistance Of other garri
sons in march w
Hon VIM L. MAxcY, Secretary of War
INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE.
From the New Orleans Delta. Naval
cal Corps for much valuable and interesting information
relating to 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
to Monclova and rendered important services to the ar
my and the country by his valuable reconnosances of
the important part Of Mexico through which Woos col
marched His descriptions have been published in
the papers Of the country and commanded great atten
tion and admiration at the time To Capt: Hughes be-
occupied by Cen Taylor at Buena Vista On the occa-
sion OF an encampment Of Woos Division near Bucna
which this position presented for defence suggested
to Gen Wool to occupy 1t in Santa Anna advanced
Hughes acted conspicuous and most useful part In his
sphere and after the battle he accompanied
the captured Mexican officers to Vera Cruz From him
we gather the following particulars Of
THE BATTLE.
On the arrival of the other divisions of the army at
the encampment Of Gen. Twiggs the 10th Of April,
Gen Scott, after taking Of the enemys
works determined to storm them. The position occu-
pied by the enemy regarded by them impregna-
ble and truly to any other than American soldiers Il
mast have appeared insurmountabe an practical
Ole to carry 1t by Storm turn 1t by stra
ssg x. ro.d from Var, c.n, >. :. ...... a.. r :,
no which wide rocky bed OF once large stream is
the other and extending miles and ali well fort
fed The road then debouches to the right and curv-
Ing around the ridge passes high cliff which Is
completely enladed by forts and batteries This ridge
Is the commencement Of the Terra Tempada the upper
Of the river protected the right flank position and
series Of most abrupt and apparently impossible
sns and ridges Sosssd their Left these
cesson Of strongly fortified forts bristed at every turn
and seemed to defy all bravery and skill. The Cerro
Gordo commanded the road gentle decnation, like
glacis for nearly mlean approach in that direction
was impossible. A front attack have terminated
in the entire humiliation of our army But the
enemy expected such attack eonfding In the dcspe-
rate vaer Of men, and believing that II was imposs
bic to turn their position to the right left Gen Scott
however with the eye Of skful general perceived the
trap set for him. and determined to avoid It, He there
FORE had road cut to the right escape front
nre from the Cerro, and turn his position the left
flank. This movement made known to the enemy
by deserter from camp, and consequently large
the forts their left General Scott to cover his
flank movements the 18th of April ordered forward
in front and little to the left of the Cerro Colonel
Harvey commanded this expedition mt the head of
the rifles and detachments of infantry and artillery
carried this position under heavy fire of grape and
musketry. Having secured this position in front and
the enemys strongest ratification and having by
incredible labor elevated Of large guns to the
top Of the fort Gen Scott prepared follow up his
yantages. A demonstration made from this posi-
ton against another strong fort in the rear and near
the Cerro, but the enemy considered too strong
and the undertaking abandoned. A like demon
straton was made by the enemy
forward from the position he had already captured
against the fort which commanded the Cerro Stimuli
taneousy attack the Notifications the enemy's
left to be made by Gems Shields and Worth's div
sion who moved in separate columns whilst Pillow ad-
vanced against the strong forts and difficult ascents
the right Of the enemys position. The enemy, fully
acquainted with Gen. SCOTS intended movement had
thrown large bodies of men into the positions to
attacked. The most serious enterprise was that of
Twggs. who advanced against the main fort that COM
manded the Cerro. Nothing can be conceived more
difficult than this undertaking. The steep and rough
character Of the ground the constant fire of the
enemy in trout and the of the forts and bat
teries which enfiladed lines made the duty assign
ed to General Twiggs Of SURPRISING difficulty No
thing prevented our men from being utterly destroy
ed but the steness of the ascent under which they
could shelter. But they sought shelter, and
ward rushed against haistOrm of balls and musket
shot, led by the gallant Harvey whose noble bearing
elected the applause Of the whole army His conspcu
oas and stawart frame at the head Of his brigade his
long arm waving his men to the charge his sturdy
aict 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 snemys
fire like snow fakes in torrent and staid their
course until leaping the rocky barriers and bayo
netting their gunners they drove the enemy pel nell
from the fort delivering deadly fire into their ranks
from their own guns, they hastily retired This was
truly gallant deed worthy OF the Chevalier Bayard of
our army the intrepid Harvey is well styled Gen
Scott between whom and Col Harvey there had existed
some GOODNESS rode to the Colonel after this achieve
ment, and remarked to him, Col Harvey cannot
achievement but at the proper time shall take great
pleasure in thanking you in proper terms" Harvey,
with the modesty Of true vaor claimed the praise as
due to his officers and men, Thus did the division of
the gallant veteran Twiggs carry the main position
the enemy and occupy the fort which commanded the
road 1t was here the enemy received their heaviest loss
and their General Vasquez, was killed. A little after,
Gen Worth having, by great exertions, passed the
steep and craggy heights the enemys left summoned
strong fort In the of the Cerro to surrender
This fort was manned by large force under General
Pinzon mulatto officer of considerable ability and
thouph
to surrender, which he did with all his General
Shields not fortunate in the battery which he at
tackled and which was commanded by General La Vega.
heavy fire was opened on him, under which the fort
was carried with loss by the gallant Illinosans
crs under Burnett Among those who fell under this
IRE was the gallant General who received Crane shot
through his lungs by which he completely paralized
and at the last accounts in lingering state On
the enemys right General Pillow ced the attack
against the strong forts near the river The
ans, under Haskell led the column the other voun-
teer regiments followed This column unexpectedly en-
countered heavy fire from masked battery by which
othsr vongt was nearly cut to pieces and the
General Pillow withdrew his men, and was preparing
for another attack when the operations the other
points having proved successful, the enemy con-
cluded to surrender Thus the victory was complete
and four Generals and about 5000 were taken pri
soncrs by our army One Of their principal Generals
and large number of other officers killed The Next
force this occasion certainly exceeded our own
The Mexican officers admitted that Santa Anna had
5000 in the lines and 6oOo including 1000 ancers
outside OF the entertainments Gen Scotts force was
about s000 Gen. Qultman's brigade having arrived
In time to take part In the engagement Gen. Ampudia
was second In command of the Mexicans superin-
tended the operations Of the enemy When the Cerro
carried he was seen retrcatng on fine white chare
err his hat falling of as he galloppcd away. Many Of
the Mexicans escaped by bye path which of from
the main road between the Cero and the fort carried
by Gen. Worth. As to Santa Anna and Canalizo they
reiterated in time to escape by the main road Their
ponduct was regarded as most cowardly Some Of the
Mexican officers who taken prisoners, do not
hesitate to attribute their defeat to the cowardice
corruption Of Santa Anna. The force Of the enemy
vas composed OF their best soldiers The infantry that
fought well ut Bucna vists all the regular artille.
rsts OF the Republic, including several able naval
omccrs, were present. Some Of the officers whom
Scott released at the capitalization of Vera Cruz
WITHOUT extorting the parole account Of their gal
namay, were found among the killed and wounded
who extorted the admiration of our army in the
pomoardment OF Vera Cruz, by seizng flag which was
oown Dy our balls and holding IL up his hand
I'll could be hadb releasad no (:ou