The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-19

III HEADQUARTERS VOLUNTEER DIVISION
h Jaapa, April26 1917
SIR have the honor to state, supplement to III.
report made BY me 10 the general-n-chief on The S1i
instant that after the action OF the 18th OF April as soon
as the dragons effected junction with the main body
the army upon the Jalapa road IN obedience TO iniu
moved with them rapidly as possible IN pursuit Of the
enemy.
AT Corral Falso, overlaking Bngadier General Twggs
directed him TO follow with his division, part al
which was returning Late in the afternoon arrived
at FL Encerro where the exhausted state OF the cavaT
horses compelled me to remain for the night
Capt Blake, with squadron OF Dragons CONTINUED
the pursuit for some miles, and returned with seven
The ed Dragons, under Major Beall and company n
the ST Dragons, under Capt kearney, exhibited grea
activity and zeal in the pursuit. which was very seye
on both horses and men.
Colonel Baker had advanced near Encerro with small
portion of Shieds's brigade, time previous my ar
rival blu, had retired when the battery Of the I'd dvso
On the morning of the 10th, leaving Brgadier Genea
Twiggs in command Of the infantry and artillery moved
on with the dragoons and entered Jalapa with depu
ton from its authorities, who had come out TO mpo
protection for the inhabitants OF the city.
am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
K PATTERSON Maj Gen. U. s A.
Capt H. l.. Scorr, A. A, A. G., Headquarters Of Army
Jalapa, Aprit 81, lsi'.
SIR: have the honor to submit the following repu
of the operations OF the Sd brigade during the action
"Ceno Gordo y
command of Brig Gen. Shields, and, in compliance with
instructions from Major General Patterson, commanding
volunteer division to reinforce Gen Twiggss division
operating on the right OF the Cerro Gordo pass.
II reached the position OF that division about ococ
on the evening OF the 7h too late to share in the bril-
liant action OF that day During the greater portion oil
the night, almost the entire brigade was occupied m
placing in battery 24-poundef siege gun and two "a
powder howitzers, which labor they performed with
great spirit and zeal.
At daylight, on the morning Of the 18th, the brigade
under arms, and moved al early hour to turn the
Cerro Gordo, and attack the extreme left OF the enc.
mys position the Jalapa road. This effected ovd
very difficult ground, through thick chappara and un
der CALLING fire from the enemy's guns on the heights
Upon approaching the main road the enemy found
upon, and near IT. with field battery oil six guns, sup
ported by a large force OF infantry and cavalry.
Whilst forming for the attack and under heavy fe
from the enemys guns, Brig Gen Shields, who had GAL
lany led his command, fell, severely, if not MORALLY
wounded.
| then directed company to deploy as skimishes,
and ordered charge upon the enemy's line, which was
accomplished with spirit and BY those compapss
which were enabled from the nature of the ground TO
make the advance. They were promptly and galanty
supported by the remainder Of the 4th regiment OF Hill
nois volunteers under Major Harris The Sd regimeno
Illinois volunteers under Col Forman, and the New
York regiment under Col Burnett being ordered by me
to move forward the right and left and upon the enc
my the rout became complete at that point, and the
my fled in great confusion leaving his guns baggage
large amount OF specie, provsion and camp equipage
our hands.
By your direction three companies OF the New York
regiment, under Major Burnbam, were detached on the
nth instant, at Plan del Rio 10 report to Brig General
Pillow, for the purpose OF assisting establish heavy
battery the enenys right, TO operate that flank OF
his position, IN connexion with the LIST brigade OF vo
teers these companies performed this arduous duty with
great ZEAL and reoined the brigade at Jalapa the 10th
instant. stft
A detachment of one company from each regimentwas
II
battery, and assist IFS advance duty that
pshed with great promptness and resolution under the
enemy's fire.
am under obligations to Colonels Foman and Bul.
nett and Major Harris, for the GOODNESS, prompt.
ness and gallanry with which they carried into exeu.
iton the several dispositions of their commands TO the
staff OF my regiment Capt Post A. G s and
Adl1tant Fondy as also to the staff Of the Brigade Lieut.
T. NJ Davis, A. D. c., for their assistance in performing
the various duties assigned them.
have to regret the loss of Lieut. Murphy, 18th Hi
nois volunteers, and Lieutenant Cowardin, OF 4h Hi
nos volunteers. who fell bravely dscharging their duty
Lieutcnants Scott and Johnson, 18th Illinois volunteers
fell severely wounded, in front of their companies whilst
charging the enemy's batteries.
Capt Pearson, New York regiment, and Lieuenans
Natby and Foman 4th Illinois volunteers were slightly
wounded and Lieutenant Rose, I'D Illinois VOLUNTEERS,
was severely wounded, in the discharge of their several
duties.
The loss in killed and wounded in the brigade wasS
follows 18th regiment Illinois volunteers, six officers and
forty-two commissioned officers and prvates 81
regiment of Illinois volunteers, one officer and fifteen
on-commssioned officers and prvates New York regt
ment, one officer and five privates return Of ID.
Killed and wounded will accompany the report II Affords
me pleasure to express my high admiration OF the good
conduct. GOODNESS, and steadness of every officer ana
man OF the brigade, and to say that, from the
ment to the end of the action they deserved my unqua
flied commendation
have the honor TO be your obedient servant,
E. d. BAKER,
Col Com "a Bripade Volunteer Division
First Lieut.. WIN. II. French, A. A. A. g.,
Volunteer Division.
HEADQUARTERS Sd BRrc. Vol. DIVISION