General Santa Anna arrives at Cerro Gordo--Engagement at
Atalay--General Orders No. 111--Reports from Jalapa--Report of
engagement at Cerro Gordo--Occupation of Perote--Account of a Mexican
historian--General Santa Anna's letter to General Arroya--Delay of the
Government in sending re-enforcements--Danger of communications with
Vera Cruz--Troops intended for Scott ordered to General
Taylor--Colonel Childs appointed governor of Jalapa--Occupation of
Puebla--Arrival of re-enforcements--Number of Scott's force.
General Santa Anna had arrived at Cerro Gordo on April 9th. General
Scott, on his arrival, ordered (on the morning of the 11th)
reconnoissances to be made on the Mexican left by Captain Robert E.
Lee, which were resumed on the 16th. These reconnoissances determined
the order of attack, which was to make a demonstration with the
commands of Generals Pillow and Shields on the Mexican right, and
press the mass of the army on their right. This movement being
successful, the enemy's communications would be cut off. In the
meantime the Mexicans were busily engaged in greatly strengthening
their positions.
General Scott had not intended to attack the enemy in the absence of
Worth's division, which had not yet arrived. A movement of Lieutenant
Franklin Gardner, re-enforced later by the mounted rifles under Major
Edwin Vose Sumner and a battalion of the First Artillery under
Lieutenant-Colonel Childs, to occupy a position near the base of the
Atalaya, provoked a sharp conflict. General Santa Anna, being at the
front, ordered re-enforcements. Colonel Thomas Childs withdrew, having
advanced under a misapprehension. The American loss was ninety-seven,
killed and wounded. General Scott returned to Plan del Rio and issued
the following order:
"HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
"PLAN DEL RIO, _April 17, 1847_.
"GENERAL ORDERS NO. 111.
"The enemy's whole 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's)
division of regulars is already advanced within easy turning
distance toward the enemy's line. That division has instructions to
move forward before daylight to-morrow and take up position across
the national road, in the enemy's rear, so as to cut off a retreat
toward Jalapa. It may be re-enforced to-day, if unexpectedly
attacked in force, by regiments--one or two--taken from Shields's
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 in getting up with him, or to the general in chief if he be
in advance. The remaining regiments 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 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 toward Jalapa until stopped by darkness or
fortified positions; 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 feeble 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 battery 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 Adjutant General_".
The engineer train and troops under Lieutenant George Brinton
McClellan having arrived, additional batteries were placed in
position. General Santa Anna, believing that the Americans would
attack his right, made his dispositions accordingly. Following are
General Scott's reports of the battle made to the Secretary of War:
"HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, PLAN DEL RIO,
"FIFTY MILES FROM VERA CRUZ, _April 19, 1847_.
"SIR: The plan of the attack, sketched in General Orders
No. 111 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 accouterments. 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 Jarrero, La Vega, Noryuga, and Obando. A sixth
general, Vasque, was killed in defending the battery (tower) in the
rear of the line of defense, the capture of which gave us those
glorious results.
"Our loss, though comparatively small in number, 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 this moment. The field of operations covers many
miles, broken by mountains and deep chasms, and I have not a report
as yet from any division or brigade. Twiggs's division, followed by
Shields's (now Colonel Baker's) brigade, are now near Jalapa, 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--that fled before our right had carried the
tower, and gained the Jalapa 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 First-Lieutenant F.B. Nelson and
Second-Lieutenant C.G. Gill, both of the Second 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 his arm, but
not disabled; and Major R. Farqueson, Second Tennessee, H.F. Murray,
second lieutenant, G.T. Southerland, first lieutenant, W.P. Hale,
adjutant, all of the same regiment, severely, and First-Lieutenant
W. Yearwood mortally wounded. And I know, from personal observation
on the ground, that First-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 saw also at the same place, severely
wounded, and Captain Patten, Second United States Infantry, lost his
right hand. Major Sumner, Second United States Dragoons, was
slightly wounded the day before, and Captain Johnson, Topographical
Engineers (now lieutenant colonel of infantry), was very severely
wounded in reconnoitering some days earlier. I must not omit to add
that Captain Mason and Second-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 three hundred and fifty. In
the pursuit toward Jalapa (twenty-five miles hence) I learn we have
added much to the enemy's loss in prisoners, killed, and wounded. In
fact, I suppose this 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 Jalapa 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 First Artillery under
the often-distinguished Brevet-Colonel Childs, the Third Infantry
under Captain Alexander, the Seventh Infantry under
Lieutenant-Colonel Plympton, and the Rifles under Major Loring, all
under the temporary command of Colonel Harvey, Second 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 First
Artillery, Third and Seventh Infantry, the enemy's flag still
flying, and after some minutes of sharp firing finished the conquest
with the bayonet. It is a most pleasing duty to say that the highest
praise is due to Harvey, 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's lines toward the batteries
below, sent out Colonels Harvey 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 advanced forces toward Jalapa. Brigadier-General Pillow and his
brigade twice assaulted with great daring the enemy's lines 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 Ampudia, and some
six or eight thousand men, escaped toward Jalapa just before Cerro
Gordo was carried and before Twiggs's division could reach 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 can not afford to detach a heavy body of
horse and foot, with wagons, to accompany them to Vera Cruz. Our
baggage train, though increasing, is not yet 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, with subsistence, ten to one, than we shall find again
out of the same body of men in ranks opposed to us. Not one of the
Vera Cruz prisoners is believed to have been in the lines at Cerro
Gordo. Some six of the officers highest in rank refused to give
their paroles, except to go to Vera Cruz, and hence, perhaps, to the
United States.
"The small arms and their accouterments 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 many pieces of artillery--all bronze--which we
have captured. It would take a brigade and half the mules of this
army to transport them fifty miles. A field battery I shall take for
service for 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 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 Jalapa
early to-morrow. We shall not probably 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.
"P.S.--I invite attention to the accompanying letters to President
Santa Anna, taken in his carriage yesterday; also to his
proclamation issued on hearing that we had captured Vera Cruz, etc.,
in which he says: 'If the enemy advance one step more, the national
independence will be buried in the abyss of the past.' We have taken
that step.
"W.S.
"I make a second postscript, to say that there is some hope, I am
happy to learn, that General Shields may survive his wounds. One of
the principal motives for paroling the prisoners of war is to
diminish the resistance of other garrisons in our march.
"HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, JALAPA, _April 23, 1847_.
"SIR: In forwarding the reports of commanders which detail
the operations of their several corps against the Mexican lines at
Cerro Gordo, I shall present, in continuation of my former report,
but an outline of the affair; and while adopting heartily their
commendations of the ardor and efficiency of individuals, I shall
mention by name only those who figure prominently, or, from
position, could not be included in those subreports. The field
sketch herewith indicates the position of the two armies. The
_tierra caliente_, or low level, terminates at Plan del Rio, the
site of the American camp, from which the road ascends immediately
in a long circle among the lofty hills, whose commanding points had
all been fortified and garrisoned by the enemy. His right,
intrenched, rested on a precipice overhanging an impassable ravine
that forms the bed of the stream; and his intrenchments extended
continuously to the road, in which was placed a formidable battery.
On the other side the lofty and difficult heights of Cerro Gordo
commanded the approaches in all directions. The main body of the
Mexican army was encamped on level ground, with a battery of five
pieces, half a mile in rear of that height toward Jalapa. Resolving,
if possible, to turn the enemy's left and attack in rear while
menacing or engaging his front, I caused daily reconnoissances to be
pushed, with the view of finding a route for a force to debouch on
the Jalapa road and cut off retreat. The reconnoissance, begun by
Lieutenant Beauregard, was continued by Captain Lee, engineers, and
a road made along difficult slopes and over chasms out of the
enemy's view; though reached by his fire when discovered, until,
arriving at the Mexican lines, further reconnoissance became
impossible without action. The desired point of debouchure, the
Jalapa road, was not therefore reached, though believed to be within
easy distance; and to gain that point it now became necessary to
carry the heights of Cerro Gordo. The disposition in my plan of
battle--General Orders No. 111, heretofore inclosed--were
accordingly made. Twiggs's division, re-enforced by Shields's
brigade of volunteers, was thrown into position on the 17th, and was
of necessity drawn into action in taking up the ground for its
bivouac, and the opposing height for our heavy battery. It will be
seen that many of our officers and men were killed or wounded in
this sharp combat, handsomely commenced by a company of the Seventh
Infantry under Brevet First-Lieutenant Gardner, who is highly
praised by all his commanders for signal services. Colonel Harvey,
coming up with the Rifle Regiment and First Artillery (also parts of
his brigade), brushed away the enemy and occupied the height, on
which, in the night, was placed a battery of one twenty-four pounder
and two twenty-four-pound howitzers, under the supervision of
Captain Lee, engineers, and Lieutenant Hagner, ordnance. These guns
opened next morning, and were served with effect by Captain Steptoe
and Lieutenant Brown, Third Artillery, Lieutenant Hagner (ordnance),
and Lieutenant Seymore, First Artillery. The same night, with
extreme toil and difficulty, under the superintendence of Lieutenant
Tower, engineer, and Lieutenant Laidley, ordnance, an eight-inch
howitzer was put in position across the river and opposite to the
enemy's right battery. A detachment of four companies under Major
Burnham, New York volunteers, performed this creditable service,
which enabled Lieutenant Ripley, Second Artillery, in charge of the
piece, to open a timely fire in that quarter.
"Early on the 18th the columns moved to the general attack, and our
success was speedy and decisive. Pillow's brigade assaulting the
right of the intrenchments, although compelled to retire, had the
effect I have heretofore stated. Twiggs's division, storming the
strong and vital point of Cerro Gordo, pierced the center, gained
command of all the intrenchments, and cut them off from support. As
our infantry (Colonel Riley's brigade) pushed on against the main
body of the enemy, the guns of their own fort were rapidly turned to
play on that force (under the immediate command of General Santa
Anna), who fled in confusion. Shields's brigade, bravely assaulting
the left, carried the rear battery (five guns) on the Jalapa road
and aided materially in completing the rout of the enemy. The part
taken by the remainder of our forces held in reserve to support and
pursue has already been noticed. The moment the fate of the day was
decided, the cavalry and Taylor's and Wall's field batteries were
pushed on toward Jalapa in advance of the pursuing columns of
infantry. Twiggs's division and the brigade of Shields (now under
Colonel Baker) and Major-General Patterson were sent to take command
of them. In the hot pursuit many Mexicans were captured or slain
before our men and horses were exhausted by the heat and distance.
"The rout proved to have been complete, the retreating army, except
a small body of cavalry, being dispersed and utterly disorganized.
The immediate consequences have been our possession of this
important city, the abandonment of the works and artillery at La
Hoya, the next formidable pass between Vera Cruz and the capital,
and the prompt occupation by Worth's division of the fortress of
Perote (second only to San Juan de Ulloa), with its extensive
armament of sixty-six guns and mortars and its large supply of
material. To General Worth's report, annexed, I refer for details.
"I have heretofore endeavored to do justice to the skill and courage
with which the heights of Cerro Gordo were attacked, naming the
regiments most distinguished, and their-commanders, under the lead
of Colonel Harney. Lieutenant G.W. Smith led the engineer company as
part of the storming force, and is noticed with distinction. The
reports of this assault make favorable mention of many in which I
can well concur, having, witnessed the daring advance and perfect
steadiness of the whole. Besides those already named, Lieutenant
Brooks, Third Infantry, Lieutenant Macdonald, Second Dragoons,
Lieutenant Vandorn, Seventh Infantry (all acting staff officers),
Captain Magruder, First Artillery, and Lieutenant Gardner, Seventh
Infantry, seem to have won special praise. Colonel Riley's brigade
and Talcott's rocket and howitzer battery were engaged in and about
the heights and bore an active part. The brigade so gallantly led by
General Shields, and after his fall by Colonel Baker, deserves high
commendation for its fine behavior and success. Colonels Foreman,
Burnett, and Major Harris commanded the regiments. Lieutenant
Hammond, Third Artillery, and Lieutenant Davis, Illinois volunteers,
constituted the brigade staff. These operations, hid from my view by
intervening hills, were not fully known when my first report was
hastily written. Brigadier-General Twiggs, who was in immediate
command of all advanced forces, has earned high credit by his
judgment, skill, and energy. The conduct of Colonels Campbell,
Haskell, and Wynkoop, commanding the regiments of Pillow's brigade,
is reported in terms of strong approbation by Major-General
Patterson. I recommend for a commission Quartermaster-Sergeant
Henry, of the Seventh Infantry (already known to the army for
intrepidity on former occasions), who hauled down the national
standard of the Mexican fort. In expressing my indebtedness for able
assistance--to Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock, acting inspector
general; to Majors Smith and Turnbull, and respective chiefs of
engineers and topographical engineers; to their assistant
lieutenants, Lieutenants Mason, Beauregard, Stevens, Tower, G.W.
Smith, McClellan, engineers, and Lieutenants Derby and Hardcastle,
topographical engineers; to Captain Allen, chief quartermaster, and
Lieutenant Blair, chief commissary, and to Lieutenants Hagner and
Laidley, ordnance, all actively employed--I am compelled to make
special mention of the services of Captain R.E. Lee, engineers. This
officer greatly distinguished himself at the siege of Vera Cruz, was
again indefatigable during these operations, in reconnoissance as
daring as laborious, and of the utmost value. Nor was he less
conspicuous in planting batteries and in conducting columns to their
stations under the heavy fire of the enemy. My personal
staff--Lieutenants Scott, Williams, and Lay, and Major Van Buren,
who volunteered for the occasion--gave me zealous and efficient
assistance. Our whole force present in action and in reserve was
eight thousand five hundred. The enemy is estimated at twelve
thousand or more. About three thousand prisoners, four or five
thousand stands of arms, and forty-three pieces of artillery are
taken. By the accompanying return I regret to find our loss more
severe than at first supposed, amounting in the two days to
thirty-three officers and three hundred and ninety-eight men--in
all, four hundred and thirty-one, of whom sixty-three were killed.
The enemy's loss is computed to be from one thousand to one thousand
two hundred. I am happy in communicating strong hopes of the
recovery of the gallant General Shields, who is so much improved as
to have been brought to this place.
"Appended to this report are the following papers:
"(A) General return by name of killed and wounded.
"(B) Copies of report of Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock, acting
inspector general (of prisoners taken), and accompanying papers.
"(C) Report of Brigadier-General Twiggs, and subreports.
"(D) Report of Major-General Patterson and report of brigade
commanders.
"(E) Copy of report of Brigadier-General Worth announcing the
occupation by his division of the castle and town of Perote without
opposition, with an inventory of ordnance there found.
"I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most
obedient servant,
"WINFIELD SCOTT."
A Mexican historian gives the following account of the close of the
battle: "General Santa Anna, accompanied by some of his adjutants, was
passing along the road to the left of the battery, when the enemy's
column, now out of the woods, appeared on his line of retreat and
fired upon him, forcing him back. The carriage in which he had left
Jalapa was riddled with shot, the mules killed and taken by the enemy,
as well as a wagon containing sixteen thousand dollars received the
day before for the pay of the soldiers. Every tie of command and
obedience now being broken among our troops, safety alone being the
object, and all being involved in a frightful whirl, they rushed
desperately to the narrow pass of the defile that descended to the
Plan del Rio, where the general in chief had preceded, with the chiefs
and officers accompanying him. Horrid indeed was the descent by that
narrow and rocky path, where thousands rushed, disputing the passage,
with desperation, and leaving a track of blood upon the road. All
classes being confounded, military distinction and respect were lost;
and badges of rank became marks of sarcasm that were only meted out
according to their grade and humiliation. The enemy, now masters of
our camp, turned their guns upon the fugitives, thus augmenting the
terror of the multitude that crowded through the defile and pressed
forward every instant by a new impulse, which increased the confusion
and disgrace of the ill-fated day."
General Scott reports the strength of his army at Cerro Gordo at eight
thousand five hundred, the killed and wounded four hundred and
thirty-one, of which thirty-three were officers and three hundred and
ninety-eight enlisted men. His estimate of the Mexican force was
twelve thousand. The prisoners captured were about three thousand, and
the killed and wounded between one thousand and twelve hundred.
Forty-three cannon and three thousand five hundred small arms were
captured. On the morning of the 22d the army moved to and occupied the
town and castle of Perote without resistance.
General Santa Anna now retired to Orizaba, where he was met by many
distinguished citizens. He addressed a letter to the _ad interim_
President, General Arroya, as follows:
"ORIZABA, _April 22, 1847_.
"MY ESTEEMED FRIEND: The dispatch which I have forwarded to
the Minister of War will already have informed you of the events
which occurred on the 18th inst. The enemy made an extraordinary
effort to force the pass, and, exasperated by the repulse he had
experienced the day before, and because he knew his ruin was
inevitable unless he succeeded, attacked me with his entire army,
which was not less than twelve thousand men. He put everything on
the hazard of the die, and the cast was favorable to him. I do not
regard the cause of the nation as hopeless, if it will defend its
honor and independence as circumstances may require. I presume you
have taken all proper measures for the public safety, and first of
all for that of the capital. I shall be able to aid it very soon if
it will defend itself. At present I have with me five hundred men
and four guns, and there is no doubt but I shall collect in a few
days a force equal to that I rallied at Cerro Gordo. I only require
that you send me some money through the medium of bills of exchange,
as I find it impossible to raise a dollar. We must, my friend, not
give up ourselves as lost, and, before God, you shall see that I
will make no treaty with the enemy which will dishonor us or put us
in worse condition. Write to me when convenient, and reckon always
on the poor services of your most affectionate friend, who wishes
you every happiness. A.L. DE SANTA ANNA."
The prisoners were all paroled, and the sick and wounded sent to
Jalapa, where they were comfortably provided for.
General Scott was impatient at the delay of the Government in sending
him re-enforcements. He feared that his communications with Vera Cruz
might be cut off. The time of enlistment of the twelve months'
volunteers would soon expire, and he desired to discharge them in time
to leave the coast before the prevalence of the yellow fever.
He received information on April 27th that some one to two thousand
recruits of the ten regiments recently provided for by Congress had
been ordered to Brazos, and that every effort would be made to
re-enforce General Taylor. The Secretary of War had ordered troops
originally designed for General Scott to the relief of General Taylor,
without notice to General Scott.
On May 4, 1847, he issued an order to the volunteer troops whose term
of enlistment was about to expire, complimenting them for their
services, but announcing his intention to discharge them. He then
addressed the Secretary of War, saying: "To part with so large and so
respectable a portion of the army in the middle of a country which,
though broken in its power, is not yet disposed to sue for peace; to
provide for the return home of seven regiments from this interior
position at a time when I find it difficult to provide transportation
and supplies for the operating forces which remain, and all this
without any prospect of succor or re-enforcements in perhaps the next
seven months, beyond some three hundred army recruits, presents
novelties utterly unknown to an invading army before. With the
addition of ten or twelve thousand new levies in April and May, asked
for, and until very recently expected, or even with the addition of
two or three thousand new troops destined for this army, but suddenly,
by the orders of the War Department, directed to the Rio Grande
frontier, I might, notwithstanding the unavoidable discharge of the
old volunteers--seven regiments and two independent companies--advance
with confidence upon the enemy's capital. I shall nevertheless
advance, but whether beyond Puebla will depend upon intervening
information and reflection."
The army, having received supplies of medicines, ammunition, clothing,
salt, etc., made preparations to move. Colonel Childs was appointed
governor of Jalapa, and a sufficient garrison left with him. General
Twiggs was ordered to march to Perote. General Worth had occupied
Perote on April 22d. The army then occupied Puebla, where during their
prolonged stay the troops were daily drilled, but were given
permission to visit the ancient city of Cholula and the adjacent
country. This city in the time of Cortez had a population of one
hundred and fifty thousand, but was now a hamlet containing a small
population and the ruins of its ancient glory. General Scott relates
that while in this region, "coming up with a brigade marching at ease,
all intoxicated with the fine air and scenery, he was, as usual,
received with hearty and protracted cheers. The group of officers who
surrounded him differed widely in the objects of their admiration,
some preferring this or that snow-capped mountain, others the city,
and several the pyramid of Cholula that was now opening upon the view.
An appeal from all was made to the general in chief. He promptly and
emphatically replied, 'I differ from you all. My greatest delight is
in this fine body of troops, without whom we can never sleep in the
halls of the Montezumas, or in our own homes.'"
The first re-enforcements to arrive were eight hundred men, under
Lieutenant-Colonel James Simmons McIntosh, escorting a train. They
were delayed by an attack of the enemy near Jalapa, but, being joined
by Brigadier-General George Cadwallader with a portion of his brigade
and a field battery, the enemy was soon driven. Major-General Gideon
J. Pillow arrived next with a thousand men, and on August 6th
Brigadier-General Franklin Pierce joined with two thousand five
hundred men.
General Scott felt compelled, on account of his reduced numbers, to
order the garrison, under Colonel Childs at Jalapa, to join him. His
force now was (including late re-enforcements) about fourteen thousand
men, including two thousand five hundred sick in hospitals, and six
hundred convalescents too feeble for duty. These convalescents and the
same number of effective troops were left as a garrison under Colonel
Childs, who was appointed commandant of the city of Puebla. This
necessitated the almost total abandonment of the protection of his
lines to his base at Vera Cruz, and communications to his Government.
As Scott expressed it, "we had to throw away the scabbard and to
advance with the naked blade in hand."