The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-28
DISPATCHES ACCOMPANYING
GENERAL SC0TT'S LAST LETTER.
DETAILS
OF THE
OPERATIONS BEFORE VERA CRUZ.
DETAILS
sc. SC. &c.

OPERATIONS BEFORE VERA CRUZ.
sc. sc. sc.
HEADQUARTERS ap BRIGADE THE ARMY,
Camp at vergara near Vera Cruz, March Is, Is47.
sn,-I have the honor to report the occurrences in
which my brigade has been concerned since the COM
mencemen Of the march from the place of debarkaton
until now.
of the 18th instant, the regiment of mounted rhemen
loading After passing the position of the LIST brigade,
the LIST squadron OF remen composed OF the companies
of Captains Loring and Mason, under the command of
Major Sumner I'd Dragons, was sent forward adj
guard took the direct way over the hills but this being
impossible for the artillery the rest Of the brigade with
the pieces obliged to make detour to the left On
passing the position of General Pillows brigade Brcvet
Captain Aburts I'd infantry and one private of rifle
men, were kilsd by round shot, and two privates
beyond the position occupied by the volunteers
opposed by the enemys light troops, whom he drove OF
and halted small ranch when the rest of the bril-
gade joined him and proceeded to clear the ground to
be occupied by my brigade.
The advance drove the enemy's skrmshers before it,
receiving without loss their fire, until it arrived at the
Orizaba road On passing the road party Of horse
perceived stationed on it to our left Captain
Sanderson's company mounted rifemen detached to
attack them being supported by Capt simonsons com
two captainsone Of lancers and the other OF the
ary guard Of Jaapa, named j. Patos. In this affair,
Private Weller, Of Capt Sandersons company,
vcrely wounded in the thigh by an cscopette ball.
Having driven these parties all Off the brigade took
its position in lne extending far towards the ia
|
would allow, and bivouacked till tho morning Of the
18TH when took up the line of march towards the
| sea-Major Sumner again commanding the advanced
guard composed of the left wing of the rifle regiment
Making considerable detour to the left avoid
ponds OF water arrived about noon on the great road
leading to the city of Mexico On coming out here 1t
Roberts company mounted raemen leading, party of
mounted men was discovered. After a short skirnish
the enemy were dispersed my men receiving injury.
The head Of the column arrived at its present position
the beach at the village of Vergara about two and
half miles from Vera Cruz tow minutes after twelve
| O'Clock,
would commend to particular notice tho conduct
OF Major Sumner I'd dragons. His skill and GOODNESS
inspired those under his command with the fullest
fdencc and gave to them the bearing of old soldiers
The officers and men OF all the companies engaged gave
An important mail which had the honor to transmit
the Of the army this morning by Captain
Taylor. was taken last night by Captain Magruder LIST
artillery who in command Of Of the supporting
companies sent out Yesterday morning to skirmish in
the front Of my brigade towards the city. The mail
| carrier was shot ut, and is supposed to have been
wounded: His horse hat, and cloak left the
along with these effects. Captain Magruder deserves
praise r0 MS zeal and good conduct I'd in this affair
| OF my brigade up to this date.
|
| l. Brevet Capt. Alburtis I'd infantry, llth
First Sergeant Blake, 4h artillery company F. 18TH
3. Private Cunningham, company A, rifemen, 18th.
| WOUNDED.
| l. Lieut.. Davidson, ID infantry slightly 18th
= Lance Corporal Sprouso, company +, I'd infantry,
| severely, llth
3, Private Neil company B. mounted raemen, slight
ly, 18th.
4, Musician Rene, company B, LIST artillery, severe
| ly, llth
g. Private Stephen, company F. ath artillery severe
8. Private Weller, company B, mounted riaemen se-
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedent servant,
| d. f.. TWIGGS,
| Drigadier General u. $. A.
Capt II. l.. scorr, A. A. A. G.
! DIVISION HEApeuARrrRs, CAMP WAsHrsGros,
| Near Vera Cruz March IL. 1877.
Sir: In accordance with instructions from the head
| lie | hay now To
what part was taken by division in the operations of
III: 10th and nth instant being tho first and second
On the morning of the 10th, my division moved from
the point of landing below tho city in ~ W. direction
pied by Brig Gen Worths brigade, which formed the
right Of the line detached Brig Gen Pillow, with the
regiments from the heights overlooking Laguno NAL
ibran to disodse the enemy who held old building
Of III and ut the time brought the crest Of the
most advanced sand hill one piece of Capt Taylors field
fire upon tho magazine large strong stone build
ing in rear of city, which also occupied by the
| enemy.
few 6pounder shot we'll delivered, sufnccd to drive
from the magazine the party who upied IT, and
moments after, Gen Pillow, having penetrated the chap
para encountered the Mexican infantry in the vicinity
Of the ruined building, where after sharp firing he
drove them with loss, officer and three having
been left the field He now opened his way through
the chapparal and pushing with the LIST Tennessee
regiment, Col Campbel) gained possession Of the
IN when were .odna large plumber OF signal
shot Leaving Col. Campbell to hold this point he
moved on with the I'd Tennessee regiment (Col Has
kell and the LIST Pennsylvania regiment Col Wynkoop
against body. Of cavalry and infantry occupying the
railroad at its intersection with the Meden road Here
the enemy was again driven, and he pursued
through dense chapparal, and n rugged country
to the crest of the hills W. of the city On hills
tho enemy rallied and made show Of resistance but he
was compelled as before to retire as our troops steadily
advanced until completely routed he sought shelter
der the guns OF city The two regiments last named
although exposed to IRE from the guns Of the cit BIZ
vodacked ON these heights.
Gen Pillow speaks in the highest terms of the conduct
OF the officers and mon Of the Tennessee and Pennsylva
mia regiments and the officers of his personal staff
Early on the morning of the 18th ordered Brig. Gen
Qui tman with the Georgia and South Carolina regi
ments and companies Of the Alabama regiment to
relieve tho Tennesseeans and who had
been without water during the night also directed
Brig Gen. Shields with the New York regiment aud
three companies Of the fourth Illinois regiment to
forward and hold himself in readiness to take his posi-
ton as soon rs had reconnotred the ground then
moved forward with Quitman's brigade At the moment
this brigade was relieving the regiments above named
while the batteries Of city opened brisk
ON our position. The Mexican infantry were firing ut
throw forward party Of rhemen under Capt Davis Of
tho Georgia regiment, to bring engagement at
closer directing that he should be supported
Lieut. Col Dickenson and Major GLADDEN. Of the South
Carolina regiment, with two companies each) against
charge of lancers who lowered upon their right and
front The disposition was Handsomely executed and
very spirited kirmish cnsued which resulted driving
the enemy with loss every other OCCASION aud
horses and arms Of three ancers brought in by
Capt Davis. regret, In this affair, to report Lieut.
Col. Dickcnson among the wounded.
The same day n small detachment Of the New York
regiment Gen. Shields brgadel engaged with about
equal number Of the enemy whom they drove the
city Again the I3th scouting party of the same
regiment attacked by detachment Of lancsrs,
whom they defeated with the loss OF two men
In all these affairs every ofncer and man engaged dis
charged his duty with gallantry and steadineys My
thanks particularly due to Brig Gen O. j. Pillow
| and Brig. Gen J. A. Quitman.
am under many obligations to the officers Of my per-
sonal stan, Major Geo A Mccall Asst Adj. Gem Bvt.
Major j. J. Abercrombie, and Lieut. s. Williams abide
camp and Lieut. r. O. r. Bcaurcgard, Of the corps Of
engineers. Capt J. G.. McCleand and Lieut.. George
Meade, typographical engineers, doing duty with my d
vision also to Captains Dier and Lauman Of the gene
raj star who kindly joined me the occasion. All
these &C. emen for considerable time exposed to
q severe fire. and rendered valuable service.
subjoin list Of the killed and wounded Of my div