Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-05-25

frequent and close observations on The enemy.
position, and il was ascerained that he had iori
ned himself ON range OF hills for two miles in Z
mountain pass, and that The last OF his works wa:
on Inc Cerro Gordo which, from its position ano
deiences, was considered almost impregnabe. o.
the morning OF the l7h the ID DIVISION under the
command OF Brig. Gen. Twiggs, was directed lc
turn the enemy by the right flank, and was or.
dered by that officer 10 seize and maintain all The
heights in the neighborhood of the Cerro Gordo
which, from their proximity and position, might be
OF advantage in an attack on that fortress
Shortly after the column turned off TO the right
from the main road, Brevet Isl Lieu, +. Gardner
7h infantry, was directed, with his company, to
move to the crest of hill on the Left and 10 watch
the enemy's movements. While in the execution
of this order, Lieut.. Gardner became engaged with
The enemy, but he gallantly maintained his posi-.
ton against fearful odds, until he was succored
BY The rihemen under Major Sumner, and the ar.
tillcry under Col. Childs, who drove the enemy
after severe conflict, from their first position, and
continued the pursuit until they made a second
stand on hill near the Cerro Gordo, within The
range Of their grape and canister, and from which
our troops suffered severe loss but the hill was
storned and carried, and afterwards maintained
although The enemy made three successive charges
10 regain il. A portion OF the troops under Col
Chids, led on by their zeal and impeuosity,
rushed down the hill 10 The ascent OF The Cerro
Gordo but as an attack was not intended al that
time, they were recalled and joined Gen. Twigss.
The rifles and 7lh infantry slept on the hill, and
10 that point were brought, in the night, "a.
FOUNDER and two 24-howiZers, which, al 7o'clocE
10 the morning, commenced cannonade on The
euemy's fortifcaion on the Cerro Gordo. Early
in the morning was reinforced by four compa.
mics LIST artillery, under Lieut.. Col. Childs, and
six companies, 81 infantry, under Capt. Alexan-
der, and Immediately gave directions 10 the dill
ierenl commanders 10 prepare their troops for
storming CerIo Gordo. The rifles were directed
TO move to The left in the ravne and 10 engage the
enemy; and Instructed Maj Loring that, as soon
as discovered;lhat he had commenced the al
tack, would move forward the slormins lorce
which was about to organize. The It'll inian.
try was formed on the right, the &c infantry on
the le, and the artillery was formed in rear OF The
infantry, with orders TO support il. Observing
that large force was moving from the left on
the main road, towards the Cerro Gordo, DEEM
ed it prudent 10 advance at once, and immediate
ly ordered The charge 10 be sounded without wait
ing for the fire OF the rifemen. The enemy pour
ed upon my line most CALLING fire OF grape. can
MISTER and muskelry, from different positions
around the hill; but my troops advanced intrepid
ly and as steadily as on parade. cannot speak
TOO ardenlly OF their animation, zeal and courage
under such trying circumstances, and without
which they never would have surmounted The
natural and artificial obstacles which opposed
their progress Around the hill, about sixty
yards from the foot, there was breastwork Of
stone, which was filled with Mexican troops
who offered an obstinate resistance, conlinu-
ing TO FIRE until the troops reached The breast.
Nd tuhor flr faU
were crossed. Beyond this, and Immediately
around the fort, there was another work, from
which our advance was again obstinalely oppo-
sed; but the troops Immediately surmounted il,
carried the tort, pulled down the Mexican flag,
and planted our colors amid the proud rejocngs
OF our troops. Agreeaby 10 instructions, the
rifles moved 10 the lett, where they became en-
gagged with succoring force, but which they
held in check, notwithstanding most CALLING
fire from the enemy's entertainments and from the
muske,ry in front. After The enemy's cannon had
been captured, / directed Captain Magruder to
take charge of the pieces, and 10 direct their fire
upon The enemy, which he executed with zeal and
ability. II is also due 10 Lieutenant Richardson
10 state that, as soon as he came into The fort, he
look possession OF one of The enemy'S guns, and,
with his men, promptly turned it with great effect
upon The enemy. also directed Lieutenant Co.
lionel Plympton, at the same time, 10 move with
his regiment into the Jalapa road, 10 cut of the
snemy's retreat, which he promptly executed,
and maintained his position until The forts and
orces OF The enemy had surrendered. such 70
'lain, L~. know. ap ins:s'-S. anH ha 49,,
sor further particulars would respectfully re-
er the commander Of the division to The reports
If The different commanders OF regiments which
are herewith enclosed. Ii is now my delicate
iury 10 refer 10 The different acts OF personal gall
aniry displayed by individual officers, non-com-
nis.oned officers, aud privates; and as many OF
hese did not come under my own observation,
would again refer the commander OF Inc DIVISION
othe different reports of the regimenta command
RS with The hope that the merits OF all, however
humble their situation, may be properly brought
,efure the notice OF the government 10 Colonei
plympton, Col. Chlds, Major Sumner, MAJ. Lo-
ing, and Capt. Alexander, my especial thanks
are due for their GOODNESS zeal, and gallantry,
and for the promptilude with which, on all occa-
sions. they executed my orders. Capt. Steploe,
Sd artillery, Lieut.. Hagner, and Lieutenant Keno,
Ordnance Department, and Lieut.. Seymour, oil
he artillery rendered efficient service in The ma
naeemen, OF the artillery on The hill. Lieut.. u.
w. Smith, Of The engineers, with his company,
rendered very efficient service in his own depart
,neut as well as in sorming OF The tort. The con-
luct of Capt. Mason, of The rides who was SO
unfortunate as TO lose his leg, came under my per-
sonal obselv walton, aDd il is not the hrsi ume
have had an opportunity Of Witnessing his cool
ness and inirepidity in danger. Capt Masrndef's
gallanlry was conspicuously displayed On seVetai
Occasions. and he rendered me efficient service
lament 10 refer to the death OF Lieutenant Ewell,
whose gallant demeanor, throughout The several
engagements with the enemy, attracted my spe-
cial notice AMI who fell in The breaswork nobly
leading his mcnto victory. Particular mention
is due 10 Capt Hanson and Lieut.. Gardner Tor
galanry. Maj. cambridge, whose
GOOD conduct has been conspicuous on so many
occasions since the war with Mexico, was The Sc
cond cffcesin rank in hisAegiment, and deserves
nv warmest appreciation for his gallantry and
promp,itude. Especial thanks are due 10 my
personal staff, Lieutenant Van Dorm, 1h in
iantry, Lieutenant Oaks, ID dragons, and Lieu
tenant Derby, Typographical Engineers, Tor
the efficient aid which the rendered me oolh
days in transmitting my orders, and for the 'ndi-
vidual sallan,ry hich they uniformly displayed.
Lieut.. Derby WIS wounaed, and Lieut.. Van
Dorm killed 1--WE Mexican soldiers at the breast
work with his own hands. i have been reluctant
10 mention the names OF any, where all acted
with so much energy, zeal and intrepidity; no
doubt many behaved as those l have mentioned,
bu, who did not come under my observation; and
| know that all if occasion had offered, would
have gladly embraced the opportunity for perso-
nal distinction. In The Two days, had in my
brigade, including the Sd Infantry, officers kill
ed, 8 wounded; % non-commssioned officers and
private. killed, It's non.commissionedo officers and
priva,es wounded. The officers killed in my
command are Lieu,s. Ewell and Davis, of the RI
f. ;sai sDq q Mel AM, D. a. Maury and
A. Gibbs, of the rifles; Lieuls J. N. Ward and
B. E. Bee, Sd infantry; Lieut.. NJ T. J; Dana, IN
infantry, and Lieut.. Derby, typographical eng'-
neers.
Ihave the honor to be, very respectfully. your
obedient servant, WIN. >. HARNEf,
Col. ID dragons, comdg LIST brigade.
Ii. W.T.. Fl. Books A. A. A. G., I'd division.
Mr.. TREDwAY'S DESTRUCTIVE are
authorized 10 slate (says The Lynchburg Republic
CAM that MIR. Tredway's large majority in Patrick
was mol the result OF auegahty in the returns OF
any of The precincts OF that county, as has been
~uS~.d h,,t 80 tho orI,ioI majority rpcpivPd hV