Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/83

Rh the fire of the enemy in front and to the cross-fire of the forts and batteries.

The fight was tremendous for a short time, and finally the enemy gave way on all sides. Three thousand men with field and other officers surrendered. A large amount of small arms, ordnance and batteries were taken. Six thousand of the enemy gained the rear of our army on the Jalapa road and were pursued. We lost two hundred and fifty killed and wounded, and among the latter was General Shields. The Mexican loss was about one hundred more than ours, besides those taken prisoners. We captured thirty pieces of cannon, much ammunition, and the private baggage and money chest of Santa Anna, containing twenty thousand dollars. On the 19th, Jalapa, and on the 22d, Perote, were taken without opposition.

Nothing prevented our men from being utterly destroyed but the steepness of the ascent under which they could shelter. But they sought no shelter, and onward rushed against a hailstorm of balls and musket-shot, led by the gallant Harney, whose noble bearing elicited the applause of the whole army. His conspicuous and stalwart frame at the head of his brigade, his long arm waving his men on to the charge, his sturdy voice ringing above the clash of arms and din of conflict, attracted the attention and admiration alike of the enemy and of our own men. On, on, he led the columns, whose front lines melted before the enemy's fire like snow-flakes in a torrent, and staid not their course until leaping over the rocky barriers, and bayonetting their gunners, they drove the enemy pell mell from the fort, delivering a deadly fire into their ranks, from their own guns, as they hastily retired.

General Scott, between whom and Colonel Harney there had existed some coolness, rode up to the colonel