Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-05-15
DESPATCH FROM GEN. SCOTT.

DESPATCH FROM GEN. SCOTT.
The following interesting despatch from General
ScoTT, has been received at the War Department,
and officially published
HgApaUARTERs Amy,
Plan del Ro SO miles from Vera Cruz, april 10, ls47.
SIR The plan OF attack, skeched in General Orders No
ILL., published in Saturdays National ntegencer here
with, finely executed by this gallant army before
o'clock NJ yesterday We quite embarrassed with the
results OF victoypsoneIs Of war, heavy ordnance field
batteries, small arms and accoutremens About 900 men
laid down their arms with the usual proportion Of field and
company officers besides five generals several Of them Of great
distinction Pinson Jarero La Vega Norega and Obando
sixth general Vasquez, killed in defending the battery
ower the OF the whole Mexican army, the capture
OF which gave us those glorious results.
Our loss though comparatively small in numbers has been
serious Bgadier General Shields, commander Of activity
ZEAL and talent, is, fear if dead, MORALLY wound
ed He is some five miles from me at the moment. The
field Of operations covered many miles, broken by noun
ais aud deep chasms and have not report yet from
any division OF brigade Twggss division, followed by
ehieIdss (now Col Bakers) brigade. a
Xsap& and Wors division is in route fhhss, OIL purzung
with good results as learn, that part Of the Mexican
perhaps thousand who fled before our right
had carried the tower and gained the Xaapa road Pillows
brigade alone this depot Of wounded, sick, and
prisoners and have time only give from him the OF
let Lieutenant r. Nelson, and I'd G. G. Gill; both Of the
I'd Tennessee foot Haskes regiment among the killed.
and in the brigade LOG, Of all ranks, killed or wounded
Among the latter the gallant Bgader General himself has
smart wound in the arm, but not disabled and Major K
Farqueson, I'd Tennessee Captain H. f. Murray, ID Lieut.
q. L. Sutherland, LIST Lieut.. W. p Hale (adjuan) all Of
the regiment severely, and lst Lieut. W. Yearwood
MORALLY wounded And know, from personal observation
on the ground that LIST Lieutenant Ewe Of the rifles if not
now Dead MORALLY wounded in encrng sword IN hand
the entertainments around the captured tower Second Lieut.
Derby, typographical engineers also saw the place.
severely wounded and Captain Paen, I'd United States in
any, lost his right hand Major Sumner I'd United States
Dragons slightly wounded the day before, and Captain
Johnston typographical engineers now lieutenant colonel Of
nfantry very severely wounded days earlier while
recommending must not omit to add that Captain Mason
and I'd Lieutenant Davis both Of the rifles among the
very severely wounded in stoming the same tower esi-
mate total oss in killed and wounded may be about $50
and that of the enemy $780, In the pursuit towards Xaapa
(25 miles hence) learn have added much to the enemys
loss in prisoners killed. and wounded In fact suppose his
retreang army to he nearly dsoanzed and hence my haste
to follow in an hour two, profit by events ,aaH
In this hurried and imperfect report must not omit to say
that Bgader General Twiggs, passing the mountain range
beyond Cero Godo crowned with the tower detached from
bis division, suggested the day before, strong force TO
carry that height which commanded the Xaapa road at the
foot and could not fail fcared TO cut off the whole or any
part of the enemys forces from retreat in any direction
portion Of the LIST artillery under the distinguished
Breyet Colonel Chs the Sd infantry, under Capt Aexdn
DER the 9TH infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel Plymton, and
the rifles under Major Lorng, oil under the temporary
mand of Colonel Harvey, I'd Dragons, during the conne
ment to his bed Of Brevet Brgader General F. Smith,
composed that detachment The style Of executions which
had the pleasure TO witness, brilliant and decisive
The brigade assembled the long and difficult slope Of Cerro
oro without shelter and under the tremendous fire OF ar
ery and musketry, with the utmost seadness reached the
breaswok drove the enemy from them planted the coors
of the LIST artillery, Sd and 18th nfantry-the enemys flag still
Ayingand, after minutes of sharp firing finished the
conquest with the bayonet.
is most pleasing duty that the highest praise
due to Harvey, Chs, PIymton, Long Alexander their
gallant officers and men, for this brilliant service Independent
Of the great results which soon followed.
Worths division of regulars coming up at this time he
detached Brevet Lieutenant Colonel @. F. Smith, with his
light battalion to support the assault, but in time. The
General reaching the tower few minutes before me, and
observing white flag displayed from the portion he
enemy towards the batteries below Colonies Harvey
and Chlds hold parley. The surrender followed in
hour or two.
Major General Patterson left sick bed TO share in the dan
gers and tgues Of the day, and after the surrender went
forward to command the advanced forces towards Xaapa
Bigader General Pillow and his brigade twice assaulted
with great daring the enemys line of batteries left and
though without they contributed much to distract and
dismay their immediate opponents. .a.
President Santa Anna, with Generals Canalzo and Al
monte and six eight thousand men, escaped towards
Xaapa just before Ceuo Gordo carried and before
Twiggs's division reached the national road above.
have determined to parole the prisoners-oficers and
men-as have the OF feeding them here beyond
to-day, and afford to deach heavy body of horse
and foot with wagons, accompany them to Vera Cruz
Our baggage tran though increasing not yet half large
enough TO give an progress this army Besides
greater number Of prisoners would probably escape from the
the long and deep sandy road without subsistence
ten to onehat shall find again, out Of the same body
Of men, in the ranks opposed to Not of the Vera
Cruz prisoners is believed have been the lines Of Ceo
ordo Some six Of the officers highest in rank refuse
give their paroles except 10 go to Vera Cruz and thence
perhaps to the United States. FEY.
The small arms and their accoutremens being of value
our army here home have ordered them TO be des
troyed for we have the Of transporting them
am also somewhat embarrassed with the pieces Of arl-
ery-all bronze-which have captured II would take
brigade and half the mules Of this army transport them
fifty miles "A field battery shall take for service with the
army but the heavy metal must be collected and left here
for the present We have siegetran and the pro-
per carriages with
Being much occupied with the prisoners and all the de-
which are TO follow from Vera Cruz, have time add
moreintending to be at Xaapa early to We shall
not probably again with serious opposition this side Of
Peroe-certainy not unless delayed by the want Of the
means Of transportation
have the honor 10 remain, with high respect your
most obedient servant, WINFIELD SCOTT.
r. s. invite attention the accompanying letter To- Pre-
sent Santa Anna, taken in his carriage yesterday also
his proclamation, issued hearing that had captured
Vera Cruz, &c, in which he says the enemy advance
step more, the national Independence will be buried in
the abyss Of the past" We have taken that step. WIS
make second postscript say that there is hope,
am happy to learn, that General Shields may survive his
wounds. ust5F
One Of the principal motives for parong the prisoners Of
is to diminish the resistance Of other garsons in
march. VS..
Hon. WIN. L. Manor, Secretary Of War