The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-10


important military achievement Every additional par
cuar Of this battle which reaches deeply
impress upon the mind the remarkable combination of
military skill and daring by which the great triumph has
been One of the most remarkable features of this
action is, as strikes US, the complete and comprehen
sive arrangement beforehand OF the means and mode of
making the victory, when should be won, avail
able. Strongly entrenched, as the enemy were, in a Sc
ries of Notifications ascending above the other from
the Plan del Rio to the height of Cerro Goro it must
have appeared most difficult if not impossible to dsodge
them in succession from each of their strong positions
and yet retain any considerable portion OF own troops
in sufficient freshness aud vgor pursue and follow up the
victory The display of generashp by which these
suits were secured, strongly commend itself to the
admiration OF the country.
The following very clear and animated account OF the
battle, from the pen of Capt Hughes of the Topographic
cal engineers, find in the "Daily Delta" OF May 3D.
This genemans sketches of his typographical observa-
tons in Mexico already familiar to the readers of the
Union and have attracted very general admiration for
their precise and vivid description OF the scenes which
they portray. The characteristics will be found in
the following account of the battle. Capt Hughes
says the Delta" sis the very able and intelligent officer
who accompanied General Wool on his march from San
Antonio to Moncova and rendered important services
the army and the country by his valuable Reconnaissance
OF the important part of Mexico through which Woos
column marched His descriptions have been published
the papers OF the country and commanded great aten
ton and admiration at the time. To Capt Hughes be-
longs the high distinction OF having selected the position
occupied by General Taylor at Buena Vista On the oc-
casion OF encampment of Woors division Buena
Vista, Capt Hughes struck with the advantages
which this position presented for defence and suggested
to General Wool 10 occupy it in Santa Anna ad-
vanced upon him. In the late battle of Ceuo Gordo,
Capt Hughes acted conspicuous and useful part
in his appropriate sphere and after the battle he accom-
panied the captured Mexican officers to Vera Cruz.
From him gather the following particulars of the
Battle OF Cerro Gordo.
On the arrival OF the other divisions OF the army at the
encampment OF General Twiggs the 10th OF April
General Scott after taking reconnaissance OF the enc
my's works determined TO storm them. The position
occupied by the enemy regarded by them impreg
nabe, and truly 10 any other than American soldiers,
must have appeared lnsurmounabe and impractcabe
undertaking to carry by storm, it BY strategy
The road from Vera Cruz, as it passes the Plan del
Rio which is wide rocky bed OF large stream is
commanded by series OF high Cliffs rising one above
the other, and extending several miles, and all well fo
fed The road then debouches to the right, and curyng
around the ridge, passes over high cliff which is
petey enfaded by forts and batteries This ridge is the
I commencement OF the Terra Templada the upper or
mountainous country The high and rocky ravine of the
river protected the right flank of the position, and
ries of most abrupt and apparently impossible mountains
and ridges covered their left Between these points, run
ming distance of two three miles, succession of
strongly fortified forts brsted at every turn, and seemed
to defy all bravery and skill The Cero Gordo COM
manded the road gentle decnaiion, like gacis for
nearly mean approach IN that direction impos-
sble A front attack must have terminated in the al
most entire humiliation OF our army. But the enemy
expected such attack conding the desperate valor
OF and believing that was impossible to turn
their position 10 the right or left Gen Scott, however,
with the eye of skful general perceived the trap for
him. and determined TO avoid it. He therefore had road
cut TO the right TO escape the front fire from the
Cerro, and turn his position the left flank This
movement made known to the enemy by deserter
| from camp. and consequently large increase of
force under Gen Vega sent to the forts their left
Gen Scott to his flank movements the 18th of
April ordered forward Gen Twlggs against the fort on
the steep ascent, front and little TO the left of the
Cero Col Harvey commanded TINS expedition, and at
the head of the rifles and attachments OF infantry
and artillery carried this position under heavy fire of
grape and musketry Having secured this position in
front and near the enenys strongest ratification and
having by incredible labor elevated of large guns
TO the top OF the FORT Gen. Scott prepared 10 follow up
his advantages demonstration was made from this
position against another fort in the rear and
the Cerro but the enemy were considered too strong,
and the undertaking abandoned A like demonstra-
ton made by the enemy
On the next day, the 18th, Gen. Twiggs was ordered
forward from the position he had already captured against
the fort which commanded the Cerro. simultaneously
an attack on the Notifications the enemy's left was
10 ne Oy TenS Oftn DIVISION, VINO
moved in separate columns whilst Gen Pillow advanced
against the strong forts and difficult ascens the right
of the enemys position The enemy, fully acquainted
with Gen. SCOTS intended movement had thrown large
bodies OF men into the various positions TO be attack
The most serious enterprise was that OF Twggs, who
advanced against the main fort that commanded the
Cero. Nothing be conceived more difficult than this
undertaking. The steep and rough character OF the
ground, the constant fire OF the enemy in front, and the
cross fire OF the forts and batteries which enfaied
lines, made the duty assigned TO General Twiggs
one of SURPRISING difficulty. Nothing prevented
our from being utterly destroyed but the
steepness of the ascent under which they could shell
against hailstom of'bas and musket shot, led by the
gallant Harvey, whose noble bearing elected the APP
pause of the whole army. His conspicuous and stawa
frame al the head of his brigade, his long waving
his to the charge, his sturdy voice ringing above
the clash OF and din OF conflict attracted the atten
army On, on, he led the columns, whose front lines
melted before the enemys fire like flakes IN tor
rent, and stad not their until leaplng the
rocky barriers and bayonetng their gunnes 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
Chevale Bayard OF army, the intrepid Harvey is
well styled Gen Scott, between whom and Col Harvey
there had existed some GOODNESS, rode up to the colonel
after this achievement, and remarked to him, Col Har
ney, cannot adequately express my admiration OF
your gallant achievement, but at the proper time shall
take great pleasure in thanking you in proper terms
Harvey with the modesty of true valor, claimed the
vision of the gallant veteran Twiggs carry the main po
son of the enemy, and occupy the fort which command
ed the road 1t here the enemy received their heavi
est loss and their General Vasquz, killed little
AFTER Gen Worth having, by great exeons passed the
steep and craggy heights the enemys left summoned
Of So