The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-08-25
Confederates in the Mexican War
From the Memoirs Of Brig.-Gen. Gardner.

ward tho city OF Mexico On reach-
ing cerro Gordo, which Is tho point
where tho great national road leaving
the TERRA Caliente begins gradually
to climb into the moro elevated plateau
region. he found HIS progress opposed
by numerous and thoroughly well
organized Mexican army under General
Santa Anna
The approach to Cora Gordo was a
zigzag mountain ROAD. which wound its
way among the mountain spurs. forni-
daily fortified a, every turn by heavy
Mexican batteries
Captain Leo was cent to lead recon
noissanees with tho object OF discover
ms some more practically route for
the American army. Captain Lee. with
his usual energy, led his band OF
with the result that at the end of the
third day he reported at headquarters
the discovery CT = pass
The most that ne claimed for this
route was that II was possible for
4.-ht batteries and furnished a means
of advance without apprising the
enemy OF our approach. In point OF
fact IT might have been good going for
an army OF Rocky Mountain goats. but
for mere humans it furnished about as
tough scramble as could he well
| n
said that he would not have bel!oy ed
d goat could nave approached his army
from that direction. 80 iinpassable did
he regard this route
rnis OF course. gave an added ad b
vantage to General Scott IN Carrying
out rs plan. which was TO accomplish
en- unsuspec,cd approach on the ex-
IRENE left OF santa Anna's line O. dc
Tense. The more alnple,e tho sur
prise. tha greater the chance OF cap
turing the whole army of tho enemy,
except tho reserve posted mile Or
two higher W the road
In pursuance Of THIS plan. General
scott sent large force 70 scramble its
way along the mountain route. which
Tad previously been mad. as passable
a. possible. The approach was discov-
cred hy tho enemy before the Ameri-
cans mad qpi;e reached the Yoin, OF
vantage which was their aim. but
s'ill they had attained a position from,
which they we're able to storm tho
heights Of Cerro Gordo ana rout the
Mexican army. forcing Santa Anna to
retreat ana inflictinS severe loss on
tho MeNcans
Some interesting experiences have
been told me ny various ofncers en-
gagged ia this fight which. from all
accounts. WAS one of tho hottest and
'''N9' i"'r' eStthS cYhiilctS occurring on
| the march into tho interior
On one Of Lees r.connoissances he.
with his accustomed daring. had Ven
tured too far from his ..tnu,and. ana
suddenly discovered that he was quite
unsupported and literally in the Sosom
or his enemies. being in the midst u-
santa Anna's ms7 and IN vrry peril
Gus position Ne crawled under a
fallen tree lying near "a spring. where
tn" MeSicans constantly resorted for
water. The unfortunate location II
nus shelter kept his prisoner much
longer than was agreeable 10 him
tor parties OF Mexican soldiers kept
passing and repassing over the tree
ana even sat down upon II and carried
ON lengthy conversations. from which
ne might perhaps have gathered soma
valuable Information had he been het-
ter equipped with Spanish Undigni-
Nod as was his position. prudence
compelled him to retain il until night