The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-06

vision moved on that day, and on the following Pat
terson's, under the temporary command of Pillow,
followed. On the l4th, Gen. Scott received private
dispatches informing him that the enemy was con-
centrating in force to oppose him at some point be-
tween Puente Nacional and Jalapa. This informa-
tion was forwarded by special express to the ad-
vance, but both Twiggs and Pillow had received
ton. None was made on the road to Plan del Rio
by Gen. Santa Anna, who had taken post at Ccrro
Gordo, and was awaiting the arrival of the Ameri-
can army. The different divisions, as they came up,
were halted at Plan del Rio, and during several
days Reconnaissance were pushed to close vicinity
of the enemys works. The general disposition for
the attack had been early determined upon by the
General-nChief after his arrival at Plan del Rio,
and il was intended that General Pillow should lead
the columns against the enemy's right.
The pass Of Cerro Gordo, properly so called, ex-
tends for about mSe along the road, which in that
vicinity forms angle with the base Of the hill of
Cerro Gordo, its salient being given to the west
Within this angle was erected the lines of Mexican
entertainments three ridges extended from the sa-
lent of the angle towards the east and the extrem-
tiles of each were fortified by works completely COM
handing the road, as well as any route which might
be found between it and the rocky banks of the Rio
del Plan. The right wing Of the Mexican army
garris0ned these entertainments while the left was
about the western extremity of the pass and on the
hill OF CerTo Gordo, which commanded view OF the
whole country, and all entertainments of the Next
can position. Strong Mexican reserves were to the
rear of the pass and Cerro Gordo.
The order Of battle issued by the General-nC Chief
on the 18th of April, contemplated the turning of
the whole position by the right with Twigg's divi
sion and Shields Brigade, while Pillows brigade
should assault the strong lines of entertainments
the Mexican right.
Battery No. ]. at the extremity of the ridge
nearest the precipitous banks of Ell Rio del Plan,
was divided from No. by ravine; No. was "A
strong field work with two saents having, besides.
two commanding works in the rear. The ravine
which interviewed between No. and ;, q
h,fth late
ted to deliver flank fire upon any force assault
ing No. 2. The whole ground in front of the lines
was of exceeding difficulty, being broken and rocky,
and covered with growth TROPICAL shrubbery
serious impeachment to any advance, and utterly
precluding distant view of the works General
Pillow having been informed of the probable dispo-
sition of his command, had labored for several
preceding days in endcaN orng to complete recon-
noissance, and in the performance of this duty
several times barely escaped from the pckets of the
enemy. But the reconnaissance could not be
pushed close to deveope all the deences of the
Mexican position, all the impedments to be
overcome by an assaulting force.
The troops which were to turn the Mexican left
having advanced some distance on their route
the afternoon Of the l7th and batteries against the
different Mexican positions having been located
during the night, the dispositions were made early
on the following morning for the final assault. The
troops OF Twiggs command were disposed to assault
and turn Cerro Gordo, while Pillows brigade and
Worth's division marched from Plan del Rio, the
former to take position for the assault and the lat
ter to remain in reserve. Near the mouth of the
pass, Pillow diyerged from the main road, and
moved to the front of the Mexican batteries by
mountain path, which. though the only one leading
to the position, SO broken and rocky rs to adj
nit only of the passage of troops by the flank The
intention of the Brigader General was, to assault
what in the obscurity Of the Mexican positions APP
peared to be an angle connecting batteries Nos.
and2, at once upon each flank. The Second Ten
nessee regiment, reintorcedby company of Ken
lucky, and one of Pennsy lyania, and supported by
the Second was to form the assault
ing column of the American right, while the First
Pennsy lyanians, supported BY the First Tennes-
scans, was to attack from the left, nearer the
banks Of the Rio del Plan For the execution Of
these operations, the Second Tennessee regiment
was placed in the advance, and moved to its
positions the First Pennsylyanians followed it with
instructions to proceed on to its post opposite
the Mexican right. and the supporting forces
to have been within distance before the assault
commenced. But the nature of the ground, and the
obscurty Of the Mexican position, bliged the troops
to come under fire while in process of formation.
The second Tennessee regiment being in advance.
the first to receive it, and although it stood to
its ground with heroic bravery. yet the moment
critical and dangerous. Seventeen guns from front
and TANKS were opened by the enemy, in full and
uninterrupted play, and as the men falling ra-
pidly, and the fire having commenced at Cerro
Gordo Pillow ordered the Immediate assault by the
troops already in position, while in person he has
tened 10 the left Of the attacking column. The Sc
cond Tennessee regiment dashed rapidly forward at
battery No. ,, through the tangled chapparal, and
over rocks and line of abbaters, which obstruced
the approach. But the Mexican fire was heavy, and
natural difficulties prevented the approach of the
supporting force. well as the speedy assault Of the
Pennsylanians the right. Under the terrific
storm of shot, shell, and canister, Pillow, while
pushing across the ravine to the front Of battery
No. j, fell wounded: and meanwhile, notwthstand-
ing the noble gallantry of the Second Tennessee
regiment the advance from the left had been
checked, ana under the severe fire of the enemy,
broken in its formation by its movement over diff
fcult ground, with its lieutenant colonel and ma
ior, SIX other commissioned officers. and fear
ful number of subordinate rank, upon the field
dead wounded. and under the orders Of
its Colonel Haskell to retreat. the regiment
was falling back in some disorder. The
Colonel set the example with an alacrity unworthy
of his gallant regiment. The movements thus de-
layed, Col. Campbell, Of the First Tennessee regi
ment, was ordered by Pillow to bring up the sup
porting forces and reform them for another and
decisive assault But before the troops could be
disposed in the confusion resulting from Haskelfs
retrogade movement, the fire which had ragged on
the American right about the position Of Cerro
Gordo had ceased. and the enemy finding his retreat
cut off. and that Pillow about to the at
tack, threw out white flag in token Of surrender,
which was soon after accepted and under the escort
of Pillows troops the Mexican opposing forces
marched prisoners Of war to the village Of Plan
del Rio. In this assault the principal loss fell upon
the Second Tennessee regiment and two companies
of achievements The First Tennesseans, who had
fought so nobly at Monterey, although coming into
action supporting force yet suffered severely,
but their constancy and valor was in keeping with
their previous conduct and with that devotion with
which the soldiers Of their heroic State have ever
upheld her own and their country's honor.
The check which the Second Tennessee regiment
met with, was necessarily matter Of deep regret,
but though it lost ground az body, it can never be
said that it lost honor. For the list Of killed and
wounded shows too plainly how constantly the men
and subordinate officers stood to their ground. and
had their colonel acted with like gallantry he too
would have deserved the warriors wreath of fame
But whether conscious of his own bad conduct or
not he chose some time afterwards to lay the respon
sibilty Of his retreat at the door Of his com
mandeT the same commander, who in his feeling of
pride in his State, and in charity for the man, had
wished that nothing should appear against officer
in command of regiment of Tennesseeans, and had
included him in the general concentrations well
earned by his gallant regiment.
The attack upon General Pillow, in connection
with this matter, and the effect which il had, of
bringing to light the bad conduct Of him who made
it, is too recent to have passed from the remem-
brance Of his fellow. citizens. The vindicaton of
-