Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/328

280 ordered General Shields to cross a deep ravine on the right, and advance up its left bank with his brigade, against the Mexicans in the road. The skirmishing party sent up the hill in rear of the main work, were warmly engaged with the enemy in a short time, and two additional companies of the same regiment were detached in like manner. Captain Lee continued his course towards the national road with his escort, but the remaining companies of the 4th artillery, accompanied by General Twiggs, followed the movement up the reverse of Cerro Gordo, preceded by the skirmishers, who gallantly charged upon the enemy, and drove them from their positions. Colonel Riley also commenced ascending the hill with the remainder of the 2nd infantry.

A plunging and destructive fire of round shot, grape, canister, and musketry, was poured upon the party of stormers moving to the assault of Cerro Gordo in front. The section and rockets of Talcott's battery, under Lieutenant Reno, returned the fire with spirit and effect. The hill was steep and difficult of ascent. Loose craggy rocks, and tangled Chaparral, impeded the progress of the assaulting column. The tops of the smaller trees had also been cut off by the enemy, from four to five feet above the ground, and pointed down the hill, as an obstacle to the advance of an assailing force. A brief delay took place at the breastword near the foot of the height, but the bayonet did its work truly and well. The barrier was surmounted, and the stormers pushed on with redoubled zeal. The steepness of the acclivity rendered the fire of the enemy less sure and certain than it might otherwise have been; but it was sufficiently severe to make the stoutest hearth stand in awe, had they not been impelled and sustained by a