Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1852-08-24
Gbc DaiIp Direinian.
SKETCH or THE
LIFE OF GEN. SCOTT.

sCorT's DEPARTURE roR TIE CITY OF MEXICO.
Scott now prepared 10 advance upon the city
of Mexico. With only 5000 men, he at once
pressed forward upon the road TO the capitol
Passing over sixty miles of level country he
came upon the FIRST of the ascending slopes,
over which extends the road To the table land
upon which the city of Mexico stands. at an
elevation Of 1900 feet above the level Of the
waters of the Gulf The road AT this point
passes over u stream, aud winds among the
gorges Of precpitous hills.
sToRMING OF cERRo GoRDo."
Santa Anna, who had just returned from the
field of Buena Vista, had here collected all The
forces he could MUSTER and was posted upon
these heights. Cannon were placed in battery
ON all the commanding emnenccs on both
sides of the road Highest above them ali rose
the brstling hill Of Cerro Gordo strongly Toni.
fed, and protected at its base by heavy stone
delences. On these heights. thus defended by
thirty nine pieces Of artillery, the Mexican
general had ntrenchod himself at the head of
$4,000 troops The attack upon this apparent
ly imprcgnable position was planned by Goao-
raj Scott with mastorly skill. He determined
upon assaultng it in flank and rear as ell os
in front; and to accomplish this object he open
ed a road, over country almost impossible
nun ictho anu 'iuppuidii l'i u bIothltb VI
several miles, A heavy force under GeneraI
Twiggs had penetrated by this road, tho day
before the main attack, and captured, after a
severe struggle. "A commanding height in The
neighborhood OF Cerro Gordo. The position
was, however, maintained by our troops with
great difficulty The Mexicans made three
desperate attempts 10 disodge our force, but
each time they were repulsed with heavy loss
On the next morning, the 18th of April, the
attack on the whole of the enemy position was
ordered. The defence was determined and
bloody. But our troops, animated by the pres
ence OF, and feeling the fullest confidence in
their distinguished leader, advanced under a
terrific fire against the enemy. They rapidly
Hooked up the heights, and intrepidly sur.
mounted every obstacle that the ingenuity of
Santa Anna had added 10 the natural dclcnccs
Of his position, displaying the most sturdy re-
solution and invlncibe mpetuosity. The Nlcxl-
cans were forced from their guns at the point
of the bayonet, and driven with resistless ener-
gy from their securest defonces. The hill of
Cerro Gordo was assaulted in front by Colonel
1larney, who, with his men, performed prodi
gies OF vaIor Santa Anna was here in person,
and barely escaped by flying one of the
mules attached to his carriage. General Scott,
who was close at hand in all the conflicts of
the day. and often exposed 10 imminent dan
ger met Colonel llarney on the height of Ger
ro Gordo, just etihe time Of his gallant achieve
ment and publicly expressed his admiration Of
the spirit and courage displayed hy him in
leading the assault The officers spoke " ith
enthusiasm Of the calm and soldjerly bearing
of their gallant commander, during all the dan
gers of the furious and underwriting dis
charges Of the artillery from the heights while
the battle ragged. by twelve o'clock the enc
my was driven from his position, totally rout.
ed, and was in full flight along the road TO la
lapu, whittier our troops followed in close pur-
suit. La this acton, ono Of the most remarka-
bic Of the war, Scott captured 3 900 prisoners,
1000 stand oi arms 43 pieces Of artillery. and
a large quantity OF ammunition. Santa Anna's
carriage, containing his wooden leg and a large
sum Of specie, also fell into tho hands Of the
victors. The loss Of the Americans in killed
and wounded was 13l. That of the Mexi-
cans Computed at 1000 to 200.
CAPTURE OF JALAPA AND SURRENDER or PERoTE.
General Scott continued his rapid march
with his small, but conquerng army, and on
the 10Th the advanced corps, under General
Patterson, entered the city of Jalapa, 80 miles
from Ccrro Gordo. On the 2nd of April,
Worh's division advanced upon Perote, 40
mics distant, whose celebrated fortress, with
its powerful armament, surrendered at discre
lior. This surrender covered &C pieces OF
cannon, 1000 cannonballs $4,000 bombs
and hand grenades and 500 nuskcrs.
CITY OF PUEBLA TAKEN.
Santa Anna escaped to Puebla with the
remnant Of his army, now scattered in all d-
recions by the force of the blow struck at
Cerro Gordo. WortI's division was again
pushed on until it came within Is miles of Pu-
ebla. Here it was menaced by Santa Anna,
" no appeared at the head of 5000 cavalry
This troop was soon dispersed, however, by
few well directed rounds from our batteries
The discontinued foe fed 10 Puebla, but could
make no stand. and evacuated it on the fol
lowing day. On the morning Of the 10Th of
May the American troops entered Puebla, q
city Of 10000 Inhabitants, without resistance
where they halted, and proceeded to fortify
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