Plate 062b

Plate 062a

Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to British, French, and Spanish Officers, etc.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States is hereby authorized and requested to cause suitable gold and silver medals to be prepared and presented to the officers and men belonging or attached to the French, British, and Spanish ships of war in the harbor of Vera Cruz, who so gallantly and at the imminent peril of their lives, aided in rescuing from a watery grave many of the officers and crew of the United States brig Somers.

Approved March 3d, 1847.

Lieutenant Semmes to Commodore M. C. Perry.

U. S. frigate Raritan,
Anton Lizardo, December 10, 1846.
To
Commodore M. C. Perry,
Second in command, Home Squadron.

Sir: It becomes my painful duty to inform you of the loss of the U.S. brig Somers, late under my command, and of the drowning of more than half of her crew. The details of this sad catastrophe are briefly as follows:

After having been forty-five days maintaining the blockade off Vera Cruz, I anchored on the evening of the 7th instant under Verde Island, where it had been my practice to take shelter from the N. W. gales, which blow with such frequency and violence along this coast at this season of the year. Soon after sunrise the next morning, a sail having been descried from the masthead, I immediately got under way, and commenced beating up between the Verde Island and Pascoros reefs. In a short time I was enabled, with my glass, to make out the strange sail to be a man of war, whereupon I hoisted my number, and had the satisfaction in fifteen or twenty minutes more to see the stranger show that of the "John Adams." The wind, which had been blowing from the W. N. W. when we got under way, gradually hauled to the northwest and settled for a while at N. N. E. The barometer having fallen the night previous to 29.80 in., and being still down, and the weather looking still unsettled, I was apprehensive of a gale. As soon, therefore, as the "John Adams" showed her number, I wore round and ran down towards Verde Island, with a view of coming to, and getting my vessel snug before the gale should come on. When I had nearly approached the anchorage, the look-out at the masthead cried "Sail ho!" a second time. On applying my glass to the direction indicated from aloft, I perceived this second sail to be a brig in the N. E., standing apparently for Vera Cruz (she did afterwards run between the inner Anegada and the Blanquilla). I immediately abandoned my intention of anchoring, as the gale had not yet set in, and hauling on a wind, under top-sails and courses, commenced to beat up the passage a second time, with the view of placing myself between the strange sail and the Port, to prevent the possibility of her running the blockade, if she should be so inclined. I made one tack towards the Pascoros reefs, and at the time of the catastrophe, was standing on the larboard tack, with the northern point of the Verde Island reef a couple of points on my lee bow. We were still under topsails, courses, jib and spanker, and the Brig did not appear too much pressed. I was myself standing on the lee arm-chest, having just passed over from the weather quarter, and, with my spy-glass in hand, was observing the reef on our lee bow to see whether it were possible to weather it, or in the event of our not being able to do this, to give timely notice to the officer of the deck to tack ship. I had not been long in this position before the officer of the deck, 2d Lieut. Jas. L. Parker, remarked to me that he thought it looked a little squally to windward. I immediately passed over to the weather side, and as it looked a little darker than it had done, I ordered him to haul up the mainsail, and brail up the spanker, and directed the helm to be put up. These orders were promptly obeyed. Lieut. Parker took the mainsail off her, and had got the spanker about half brailed up, when the squall struck us. It did not appear to be very riotous, nor was its approach accompanied by any foaming of the water, or other indications which usually mark the approach of heavy squalls. But the Brig being flying light, having scarcely any water or provisions, and but six tons of ballast on board, she was thrown over almost instantly, so far as to refuse to obey her helm, the pressure of the water on the lee bow rather inclining her to luff; seeing which, I directed the helm to be put down, hoping that I might luff and shake the wind out of her sails, until the force of the squall should be spent. The quartermaster at the helm had hardly time to obey this order, before the brig was on her beam ends, and the water pouring into every hatch and scuttle. Being now convinced that she must speedily go down unless relieved, I ordered the masts to be cut away. The officers and men, who, with few exceptions, had, by this time, gained the weather bulwarks of the vessel, immediately began to cut away the rigging. But as this was a forlorn hope, the brig filling very fast, and her masts and yards lying flat upon the surface of the sea, I placed no reliance whatever on their efforts. A few moments more, and I was convinced that, in spite of all our exertions, she must inevitably go down in a very short time. I accordingly turned my attention to the saving of as many lives as possible. The boats secured in the grips amidships, and the starboard-quarter boat, were already several feet under water, so that it was impossible to reach them, but we succeeded in disengaging the larboard-quarter boat from her davits, a small boat pulling five oars, and dropped her, fortunately, to leeward of the brig to prevent her being thrown upon the vessel's side, and crushed by the sea. I ordered Midshipman F. G. Clark to take charge of this boat, and with the purser, surgeon, and seventeen men, make for Verde Island, if possible, and after having landed all but the boat's crew, to return and save others. It was now blowing a strong gale, with a heavy sea running, and I deemed it imprudent to trust more men in so small a boat. Besides, I was anxious to shove her off, before the vessel should sink, lest there might be a rush for her, and no life at all should be saved. I cannot refrain from expressing, in this place, my admiration of the noble conduct of several of the men embarked in this boat, who implored the officers by name to take their places, saying they would willingly die by the wreck, if the officers would but save themselves. Of course, none of the generous fellows were permitted to come out, and they were all subsequently safely landed, as they deserved to be. Midshipman Clark fortunately succeeded in shoving off, and pulling some twenty paces from the brig before she went down. When she was on the point of sinking beneath us, and engulfing us in the waves, I gave the order: "Every man save himself who can." Whereupon there was a simultaneous plunge into the sea, of about sixty officers and men, each one trying to secure some frail object that had drifted from the wreck, for the purpose of sustaining himself in the awful struggle with the sea, which awaited him. Some reached a grating, some an oar, some a boat's mast, some a hen-coop, &c., but many poor fellows sprang into the sea to perish in a few minutes, not being able to find any object of support. Lieut. Parker and myself, being both swimmers, were fortunate enough to reach one of the arm-chest gratings, which afforded us partial support, but on which we should inevitably have been drowned, if we had not, when we had swam some twenty or thirty paces, secured an upper half port which came drifting by us. We lashed this with lanyards attached to it to our grating, and thenceforth got along much better. Midshipman Clark, after he had landed the officers and men under his charge at Verde Island, shoved off a second time, in obedience to the orders I had given him, at the imminent peril of his life, for the gale was now blowing with such violence, and the sea running so heavy, that it seemed impossible that so small a boat could live, and skirted the Verde Island to see if it were possible to rescue any of us from the waves. His efforts were rewarded with partial success, as he picked up Lieutenant Parker and myself and one of the seamen. As soon as I landed I sent Midshipman Clark out again, who ventured as far from the island as he thought his boat would live, but this time he returned unsuccessful, having been able to descry no floating object whatever. Lieutenant Claiborne saved himself on a small hatch about two feet square, used for covering the pump-well, and which he found floating near the wreck. He was thrown with great violence upon a reef near Sacrificios, but fortunately escaped without serious injury. As strange as it may appear to you, there could not have elapsed more than ten minutes between our being struck with the squall and the total disappearance of the "Somers." I feel that I would not be doing justice to the officers and men who were under my command on this melancholy occasion, if I were to close this report without bearing testimony to their uniform coolness and self-possession under the trying circumstance under which we were placed, the alacrity with which they obeyed my orders, and when all was over the generosity with which they behaved to each other in the water, where the struggle was one of life and death. I have thus concluded what I had to say in relation to the causes of the disaster, and our own exertions; but with heartfelt acknowledgments, it remains for me to inform you of the gallant and feeling manner in which all the foreign men-of-war lying at Sacrificios came to our rescue. They hoisted out and manned boats immediately, and at the hazard of their lives, put out towards the wreck. They were at first driven back by the violence of the wind and sea, but renewed their efforts upon the first lull, and had the unhoped for satisfaction of saving fourteen more of our unfortunate companions. To Captain Lambert, of the English frigate "Endymion;" Captain Frankland, of the English corvette "Alarm;" Commander Matson, of the English brig "Daring;" Captain Dubut, of the French brig "Mercure;" Captain de Labédoyère, of the French brig "Pylade;" and Captain Puente, of the Spanish corvette "Louisa Fernandez;" who all sent boats, and supplied us with clothing, and hospitably entertained us on board their ships, we owe a lasting debt of gratitude.

In conclusion, I respectfully request that at as early a date as convenient you will order a Court of Inquiry to investigate my conduct in this unfortunate affair.

R. Semmes, Lieutenant commanding.

Plate 063b

Plate 063a

Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to General Scott.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Winfield Scott, Major-General commanding-in-chief the army in Mexico, and through him to the officers and men of the regular and volunteer corps under him, for their uniform gallantry and good conduct, conspicuously displayed at the siege and capture of the city of Vera Cruz and castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, March 29, 1847; and in the successive battles of Cerro Gordo, April 18; Contreras, San Antonio, and Churubusco, August 19 and 20; and for the victories achieved in front of the city of Mexico, September 8, 11, 12, and 13; and the capture of the metropolis, September 14, 1847; in which the Mexican troops, greatly superior in numbers, and with every advantage of position, were in every conflict signally defeated by the American arms.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, requested to cause to be struck a gold medal, with devices emblematical of the series of brilliant victories achieved by the army, and presented to Major-General Winfield Scott, as a testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his valor, skill, and judicious conduct in the memorable campaign of 1847.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause the foregoing resolutions to be communicated to Major-General Scott in such terms as he may deem best calculated to give effect to the objects thereof.

Approved March 9, 1848.

General Scott to the Secretary of War.

Headquarters of the Army,
Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz,
March 12, 1847.
To the Honorable
William L. Marcy,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: The colors of the United States were triumphantly planted ashore, in full view of the city and castle, and under the distant fire of both, in the afternoon of the 9th inst. Brevet Brigadier-General Worth's brigade of regulars led the descent, quickly followed by the division of United States volunteers under Major-General Patterson, and Brigadier-General Twiggs' reserve brigade of regulars. The three lines successively landed in sixty-seven surf-boats, each boat conducted by a naval officer, and rowed by sailors from Commodore Conner's squadron, whose lighter vessels flanked the boats so as to be ready to protect the operation by their cross-fire. The whole army reached the shore in fine style, and without direct opposition (on the beach), accident or loss, driving the enemy from the ground to be occupied.

The line of investment, according to General Orders, No. 47, was partially taken up the same night; but has only been completed to-day, owing to most extraordinary difficulties: 1. The environs of the city, outside of the fire of its guns and those of the castle, are broken into innumerable hills of loose sand, from 20 to 250 feet in height, with almost impassable forests of chapparal between; and 2. Of all our means, of land transportation: wagons, carts, pack-saddles, horses and mules, expected to join us from Tampico and the Brazos, weeks ago, but fifteen carts and about one hundred draught-horses have yet arrived. Three hundred pack-mules are greatly needed to relieve the troops in taking subsistence alone, along the line of investment of more than five miles, as, at present, our only depot is south of the city. On the cessation of the present raging norther, which almost stifles the troops with sand, sweeping away hills and creating new, I hope to establish a second depot north of the city, which will partially relieve the left wing of the army.

In extending the line of investment around the city, the troops for three days have performed the heaviest labors in getting over the hills and cutting through the intervening forests, all under the distant fire of the city and castle, and in the midst of many sharp skirmishes with the enemy. In these operations we have lost in killed and wounded several valuable officers and men. Among the killed I have to report Brevet Captain Alburtis, of the United States 2d Infantry, much distinguished in the Florida war, and a most excellent officer. He fell on the 11th inst., and Lieutenant-Colonel Dickenson, of the South Carolina Regiment, was badly wounded in a skirmish the day before. Two privates have been killed in these operations, and four or five wounded. As yet I have not been able to obtain their names.

As soon as the subsistence of the troops can be assured, and their positions are well established, I shall, by an organized movement, cause each brigade of regulars and volunteers to send detachments, with supports, to clear its front, including sub-bourgs, of the enemy's parties, so as to oblige them to confine themselves within the walls of the city.

I have heretofore reported that but two-sevenths of the siege-train and ammunition had reached me. The remainder is yet unheard of. We shall commence landing the heavy metal as soon as the storm subsides, and hope that the five-sevenths may be up in time.

The city being invested, would, no doubt, early surrender, but for fear that, if occupied by us, it would immediately be fired upon by the castle. I am not altogether without hope of finding the means of coming to some compromise with the city on this subject.

So far, the principal skirmishing has fallen to the lot of Brigadier-General Pillow's and Quitman's brigades. Both old and new volunteer regiments have conducted themselves admirably. Indeed, the whole army is full of zeal and confidence, and cannot fail to acquire distinction in the impending operations.

To Commodore Conner, the officers and sailors of his squadron, the army is indebted for great and unceasing assistance, promptly and cheerfully rendered. Their co-operation is the constant theme of our gratitude and admiration. A handsome detachment of marines, under Captain Edson, of that corps, landed with the first line, and is doing duty with the army.

March 13th. The enemy, at intervals, continues the fire of heavy ordnance, from the city and castle, upon our line of investment, both by day and night, but with little or no effect.

The norther has ceased, which has renewed our communication with the storeships at anchor under Sacrificios. We shall immediately commence landing the few pieces of heavy ordnance, with ordnance stores, at hand, and hope soon to have the necessary draught mules to take them to their positions. Any further delay in the arrival of those means of transportation will be severely felt in our operations.

I have the honor to remain, Sir, with high respect, your obedient servant,

Winfield Scott.

General Scott to the Secretary of War.

Headquarters of the Army,
Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz,
March 23, 1847.
To the Honorable
William L. Marcy,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: Yesterday, seven of our 10-inch mortars being in battery, and the labors for planting the remainder of our heavy metal being in progress, I addressed, at two o'clock p.m., a summons to the Governor of Vera Cruz, and within the two hours limited by the bearer of the flag, received the governor's answer. Copies of the two papers (marked respectively A and B) are herewith enclosed.

It will be perceived that the Governor, who, it turns out, is the commander of both places, chose, against the plain terms of the summons, to suppose me to have demanded the surrender of the castle and of the city; when, in fact, from the non-arrival of our heavy metal, principally mortars, I was in no condition to threaten the former.

On the return of the flag with the reply, I at once ordered the seven mortars, in battery, to open upon the city. In a short time the smaller vessels of Commodore Perry's squadron, two steamers and five schooners, according to previous arrangement with him, approached the city within about a mile and an eighth, whence, being partially covered from the castle, an essential condition to their safety, they also opened a brisk fire upon the city. This has been continued uninterruptedly by the mortars, and only with a few intermissions, by the vessels, up to 9 o'clock this morning, when the commodore, very properly, called them off from a position too daringly assumed.

Our three remaining mortars are now (12 o'clock a.m.) in battery, and the whole ten in activity. To-morrow, early, if the city should continue obstinate, batteries Nos. 4 and 5 will be ready to add their fire; No. 4 consisting of four 24-pounders and two 8-inch Paixhan guns, and No. 5 (naval battery) of three 32-pounders and three 8-inch Paixhans: the guns, officers, and sailors, landed from the squadron; our friends of the navy being unremitting in their zealous co-operation, in every mode and form.

So far, we know that our fire upon the city has been highly effective, particularly from the battery of 10-inch mortars, planted at about 800 yards from the city. Including the preparation and defence of the batteries, from the beginning, now many days, and notwithstanding the heavy fire of the enemy, from city and castle, we have only had four or five men wounded and one officer and one man killed, in or near the trenches. That officer was Captain John R. Vinton, of the United States third Artillery, one of the most talented, accomplished, and effective members of the army, and who was highly distinguished in the brilliant operations at Monterey. He fell last evening in the trenches, where he was on duty as field and commanding officer, universally regretted. I have just attended his honored remains to a soldier's grave, in full view of the enemy and within reach of his guns.

Thirteen of the long needed mortars, leaving twenty-seven, besides heavy guns, behind, have arrived, and two of them landed. A heavy norther then set in (at meridian) that stopped that operation, and also the landing of shells. Hence the fire of our mortar batteries has been slackened since two o'clock to-day, and cannot be reinvigorated until we shall again have a smooth sea. In the mean time I shall leave this report open for journalizing events that may occur up to the departure of the steam ship-of-war, the Princeton, with Commodore Conner, who, I learn, expects to leave the anchorage off Sacrificios, for the United States, the 25th instant.

March 24th. The storm having subsided in the night, we commenced this forenoon, as soon as the sea became a little smooth, to land shot, shells, and mortars.

The naval battery, No. 5, was opened with great activity, under Captain Aulick, the second in rank of the squadron, at about 10 a.m. His fire was continued to 2 o'clock p.m., a little before he was relieved by Captain Mayo, who landed with a fresh supply of ammunition, Captain Aulick having exhausted the supply he had brought with him. He lost four sailors, killed, and had one officer, Lieutenant Baldwin, slightly hurt.

The mortar batteries Nos. 1, 2, and 3, have fired but languidly during the day for want of shells, which are now going out from the beach.

The two reports of Colonel Bankhead, chief of artillery, both of this date, copies of which I enclose, give the incidents of those three batteries.

Battery No. 4, which will mount four 24-pounders and two 8-inch Paixhan guns, has been much delayed in the hands of the indefatigable engineers by the norther that filled up the work with sand nearly as fast as it could be opened by the half-blinded laborers. It will, however, doubtless be in full activity early to-morrow morning.

March 25th. The Princeton being about to start for Philadelphia, I have but a moment to continue this report.

All the batteries, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, are in awful activity this morning. The effect is, no doubt, very great, and I think the city cannot hold out beyond to-day. To-morrow morning many of the new mortars will be in a position to add their fire, when, or after the delay of some twelve hours, if no proposition to surrender should be received, I shall organize parties for carrying the city by assault. So far the defence has been spirited and obstinate.

I enclose a copy of a memorial received last night, signed by the consuls of Great Britain, France, Spain, and Prussia, within Vera Cruz, asking me to grant a truce to enable the neutrals, together with Mexican women and children, to withdraw from the scene of havoc about them. I shall reply, the moment an opportunity may be taken, to say: 1. That a truce can only be granted on application of Governor Morales, with a view to surrender. 2. That in sending safeguards to the different consuls, beginning so far back as the 13th inst., I distinctly admonished them, particularly the French and Spanish consuls, and of course through the two, the other consuls, of the dangers that have followed. 3. That although at that date I had already refused to allow any person whatever to pass the line of investment either way, yet the blockade had been left open to the consuls and other neutrals to pass out to their respective ships of war up to the 22d instant; and 4. I shall enclose to the memorialists a copy of my summons to the Governor, to show that I had fully considered the impending hardships and distresses of the place, including those of women and children, before one gun had been fired in that direction. The intercourse between the neutral ships of war and the city was stopped at the last mentioned date by Commodore Perry, with my concurrence, which I placed on the ground that that intercourse could not fail to give to the enemy moral aid and comfort.

It will be seen from the memorial that our batteries have already had a terrible effect on the city (also known through other sources), and hence the inference that a surrender must soon be proposed. In haste,

I have the honor to remain, Sir, with respect, your most obedient servant,

Winfield Scott.

General Scott to the Secretary of War.

Head-Quarters of the Army,
Vera Cruz, March 29, 1847.
To the Honorable
William L. Marcy,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: The flag of the United States of America floats triumphantly over the walls of the city and castle of San Juan d'Ulloa.

Our troops have garrisoned both since 10 o'clock; it is now noon. Brigadier-General Worth is in command of the two places.

Articles of capitulation were signed and exchanged at a late hour night before last. I enclose a copy of the document.

I have heretofore reported the principal incidents of the siege up to the 25th instant. Nothing of striking interest occurred till early in the morning of the next day, when I received overtures from General Landero, on whom General Morales had devolved the principal command. A terrible storm of wind and sand made it difficult to communicate with the city, and impossible to refer to Commodore Perry. I was obliged to entertain the proposition alone, or to continue the fire upon a place that had shown a disposition to surrender; for the loss of a day, or perhaps several, could not be permitted. The accompanying papers will show the proceedings and results.

Yesterday, after the norther had abated, and the commissioners appointed by me early the morning before had again met those appointed by General Landero, Commodore Perry sent ashore his second in command, Captain Aulick, as a commissioner on the part of the navy. Although not included in my specific arrangement with the Mexican commander, I did not hesitate, with proper courtesy, to desire that Captain Aulick might be duly introduced and allowed to participate in the discussions and acts of the commissioners who had been reciprocally accredited. Hence the preamble to his signature. The original American commissioners were Brevet Brigadier-General Worth, Brigadier-General Pillow, and Colonel Totten. Four more able or judicious officers could not have been desired.

I have to add but little more. The remaining details of the siege; the able co-operation of the United States squadron, successively under the command of Commodores Conner and Perry, the admirable conduct of the whole army, regulars and volunteers, I should be happy to dwell upon as they deserve; but the steamer Princeton, with Commodore Conner on board, is under way, and I have commenced organizing an advance into the interior. This may be delayed a few days, waiting the arrival of additional means of transportation. In the mean time, a joint operation, by land and water will be made upon Alvarado. No lateral expedition, however, shall interfere with the grand movement towards the capital.

In consideration of the great services of Colonel Totten, in the siege that has just terminated most successively, and the importance of his presence at Washington, as the head of the engineer bureau, I intrust this despatch to his personal care, and beg to commend him to the very favorable consideration of the department.

I have the honor to remain, Sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant,

Winfield Scott.

Terms of Capitulation agreed upon for the surrender to the arms of the United States of America of Vera Cruz, the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa and their dependencies, with their armaments, munitions of war, garrisons, and arms.

I.

The whole garrison, or garrisons, to be surrendered to the arms of the United States of America, as prisoners of war, the 29th instant at 10 o'clock a.m., the garrisons to be permitted to march out with all the honors of war, and to lay down their arms to such officers as may be appointed by the general-in-chief of the United States army, and at a point to be agreed on by the commissioners.

II.

Mexican officers shall preserve their arms and private effects, including horse and horse furniture, and to be allowed, regular and irregular officers and also the rank and file, five days to retire to their respective homes, on parole, as hereinafter prescribed.

III.

Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in Article I, the Mexican flags of the various forts and stations shall be struck, saluted by their own batteries; and, immediately thereafter, forts Santiago and Conception and the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, occupied by the forces of the United States.

IV.

The rank and file of the regular portion of the prisoners to be disposed of, after surrender and parole, as their general-in-chief may desire, and the irregular to be permitted to return to their homes. The officers, in respect to all arms and descriptions of force, giving the usual parole, that the said rank and file, as well as themselves, shall not serve again until duly exchanged.

V.

All the materiel of war, and all public property of every description found in the city, the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, and their dependencies, to belong to the United States; but the armament of the same (not injured or destroyed in the further prosecution of the actual war) may be considered as liable to be restored to Mexico by a definite treaty of peace.

VI.

The sick and wounded Mexicans to be allowed to remain in the city, with such medical officers of the army as may be necessary to their care and treatment.

VII.

Absolute protection is solemnly guaranteed to persons in the city, and property, and it is clearly understood that no private building or property is to be taken or used by the forces of the United States, without previous arrangement with the owners, and for a fair equivalent.

VIII.

Absolute freedom of religious worship and ceremonies is solemnly guaranteed.

General Scott to the Secretary of War.

Headquarters of the Army,
Plan del Rio, 50 miles from Vera Cruz,
April 19, 1847.
To the Honorable
William L. Marcy,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: The plan of attack, sketched in General Orders, No. 111, forwarded herewith, was finely executed by this gallant army before two o'clock p.m. yesterday. We are quite embarrassed with the results of victory, prisoners of war, heavy ordnance, field batteries, small arms and accoutrements.

About three thousand men laid down their arms, with the usual proportion of field and company officers, besides five generals, several of them of great distinction: Pinson, Yarrero, La Vega, Noriega, and Obardo. A sixth general, Vasquez, was killed in defending the battery (tower) in the rear of the whole Mexican army, the capture of which gave us these glorious results.

Our loss, though comparatively small in numbers, has been serious. Brigadier-General Shields, a commander of activity, zeal and talent, is, I fear, if not dead, mortally wounded. He is some five miles from me at the moment. The field of operations covered many miles, broken by mountains and deep chasms, and I have not a report, as yet, from any division or brigade.

Twiggs' division, followed by Shields' (now Colonel Baker's) brigade, are now at Xalapa, and Worth's division is en route thither, all pursuing, with good results, as I learn, that part of the Mexican army, perhaps six or seven thousand men, who had fled before our right had carried the tower, and gained the Xalapa road.

Pillow's brigade alone is near me at this depot of wounded, sick, and prisoners; and I have time only to give from him the names of 1st Lieutenant F. B. Nelson, and 2d Lieutenant C. J. Hill, both of the 2d Tennessee foot (Haskell's regiment), among the killed, and in the brigade one hundred and six, of all ranks, killed or wounded.

Among the latter, the gallant Brigadier-General himself has a smart wound in the arm, but not disabled; and Major R. Farqueson, 2d Tennessee, Captain H. F. Murray, 2d Lieutenant G. T. Sutherland, 1st Lieutenant W. P. Hale, Adjutant, all of the same regiment, severely, and 1st Lieutenant W. Yearwood, mortally wounded. And I know, from personal observation on the ground, that 1st Lieutenant Ewell, of the Rifles, if not now dead, was mortally wounded in entering, sword in hand, the intrenchments around the captured tower.

Second Lieutenant Derby, Topographical Engineers, I also saw, at the same place, severely wounded, and Captain Patten, 2d United States Infantry, lost his right hand. Major Sumner, 2d United States Dragoons, was slightly wounded the day before, and Captain Johnston, Topographical Engineers (now Lieutenant-Colonel of Infantry), was very severely wounded some days earlier while reconnoitering. I must not omit to add that Captain Mason, and 2d Lieutenant Davis, both of the rifles, were among the very severely wounded in storming the same tower.

I estimate our total loss, in killed and wounded, may be about two hundred and fifty, and that of the enemy at three hundred and fifty. In the pursuit toward Xalapa (25 miles hence), I learn, we have added much to the enemy's loss in prisoners, killed and wounded. In fact, I suppose his retreating army to be nearly disorganized, and hence my haste to follow, in an hour or two, to profit by events.

In this hurried and imperfect report I must not omit to say that Brigadier-General Twiggs, in passing the mountain range beyond Cerro Gordo, crowned with the tower, detached from his division, as I suggested the day before, a strong force to carry that height, which commanded the Xalapa road at the foot, and could not fail, if carried, to cut off the whole, or any part of the enemy's forces, from a retreat in any direction.

A portion of the 1st Artillery, under the often distinguished Brevet-Colonel Childs, the 3d Infantry, under Captain Alexander, the 7th Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Plympton, and the Rifles, under Major Loring, all under the temporary command of Colonel Hamey, 2d Dragoons, during the confinement to his bed of Brevet Brigadier-General P. F. Smith, composed that detachment. The style of execution, which I had the pleasure to witness, was most brilliant and decisive.

The brigade ascended the long and difficult slope of Cerro Gordo, without shelter, and under the tremendous fire of artillery and musketry, with the utmost steadiness, reached the breastworks, drove the enemy from them, planted the colors of the 1st Artillery, 3d and 7th Infantry, the enemy's flag still flying, and, after some minutes' sharp firing, finished the conquest with the bayonet.

It is a most pleasing duty to say that the highest praise is due to Harney, Childs, Plympton, Loring, Alexander, their gallant officers and men, for this brilliant service, independent of the great results which soon followed.

Worth's division of regulars coming up at this time, he detached Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Smith, with his light battalion, to support the assault, but not in time. The general, reaching the tower a few minutes before me, and observing a white flag displayed from the nearest portion of the enemy towards the batteries below, sent out Colonels Harney and Childs to hold a parley. The surrender followed in an hour or two.

Major-General Patterson left a sick bed to share in the dangers and fatigues of the day; and after the surrender went forward to command the advance forces towards Xalapa.

Brigadier-General Pillow and his brigade twice assaulted with great daring the enemy's line of batteries on our left; and though without success, they contributed much to distract and dismay their immediate opponents.

President Santa Anna, with Generals Canalizo and Almonte, and some six or eight thousand men, escaped toward Xalapa just before Cerro Gordo was carried, and before Twiggs' division reached the national road above.

I have determined to parole the prisoners, officers and men, as I have not the means of feeding them here, beyond to-day, and cannot afford to detail a heavy body of horse and foot, with wagons, to accompany them to Vera Cruz. Our baggage train, though increasing, is not half large enough to give an assured progress to this army.

Besides, a greater number of prisoners would, probably, escape from the escort in the long and deep sandy road without subsistence, ten to one, than we shall find again, out of the same body of men, in the ranks opposed to us. Not one of the Vera Cruz prisoners is believed to have been in the lines of Cerro Gordo. Some six of the officers, highest in rank, refuse to give their paroles, except to go to Vera Cruz, and thence, perhaps, to the United States.

The small arms and accoutrements, being of no value to our army here or at home, I have ordered them to be destroyed, for we have not the means of transporting them. I am, also, somewhat embarrassed with the pieces of artillery, all bronze, which we have captured. It would take a brigade, and half the mules of our army, to transport them fifty miles.

A field battery I shall take for service with the army; but the heavy metal must be collected and left here for the present. We have our own siege-train and the proper carriages with us.

Being much occupied with the prisoners and all the details of a forward movement, besides looking to the supplies which are to follow from Vera Cruz, I have time to add no more, intending to be at Xalapa early to-morrow. We shall not, probably, again meet with serious opposition this side of Perote; certainly not, unless delayed by the want of the means of transportation.

I have the honor to remain, Sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant,

Winfield Scott.

General Orders No. 111.

Headquarters of the Army,
Plan del Rio, April 17, 1847.

The enemy's line of intrenchments and batteries will be attacked in front, and at the same time turned, early in the day, to-morrow, probably before ten o'clock a.m.

The second (Twiggs') division of regulars is already advanced within easy turning distance towards the enemy's left. That division has instructions to move forward before daylight to-morrow and take up a position across the national road in the enemy's rear, so as to cut off a retreat towards Xalapa. It may be reinforced to-day if unexpectedly attacked in force, by regiments, one or two taken from Shields' brigade of volunteers. If not, the two volunteer regiments will march for that purpose at daylight to-morrow morning, under Brigadier-General Shields, who will report to Brigadier-General Twiggs, on getting up with him, or the general-in-chief, if he be in advance.

The remaining regiment of that volunteer brigade will receive instructions in the course of this day.

The first division of regulars (Worth's) will follow the movement against the enemy's left at sunrise to-morrow morning.

As already arranged, Brigadier-General Pillow's brigade will march at six o'clock to-morrow morning along the route he has carefully reconnoitered, and stand ready as soon as he hears the report of arms on our right, or sooner if circumstances should favor him, to pierce the enemy's line of batteries at such point, the nearer the river the better, as he may select. Once in the rear of that line, he will turn to the right or left, or both, and attack the batteries in reverse; or, if abandoned, he will pursue the enemy with vigor until further orders.

Wall's field battery and the cavalry will be held in reserve on the national road, a little out of view and range of the enemy's batteries. They will take up that position at nine o'clock in the morning.

The enemy's batteries being carried or abandoned, all our divisions and corps will pursue with vigor.

This pursuit may be continued many miles, until stopped by darkness or fortified positions, towards Xalapa. Consequently the body of the army will not return to this encampment, but be followed to-morrow afternoon, or early the next morning, by the baggage trains of the several corps. For this purpose, the feebler officers and men of each corps will be left to guard its camp and effects, and to load up the latter in the wagons of the corps. A commander of the present encampment will be designated in the course of this day.

As soon as it shall be known that the enemy's works have been carried, or that the general pursuit has been commenced, one wagon for each regiment and one for the cavalry will follow the movement, to receive, under the direction of medical officers, the wounded and disabled, who will be brought back to this place for treatment in general hospital.

The Surgeon-General will organize this important service and designate that hospital, as well as the medical officers to be left at it.

Every man who marches out to attack or pursue the enemy will take the usual allowance of ammunition and subsistence for at least two days.

By command of Major-General Scott.
H. L. Scott,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.