Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/331

Rh storming party designed to attack the battery on the extreme right, moved towards the position where he was ordered to make the assault. The 1st Tennessee, Colonel Campbell, was directed to support the column under Colonel Wynkoop, and the 2nd Pennsylvania, Colonel Roberts, the party commanded by Colonel Haskell.

As the column headed by Colonel Haskell advanced to the attack, they encountered a resistance which they had not anticipated. The fire of seven pieces of heavy artillery was turned upon them, and effected terrible execution. They pressed on undismayed, through dense thickets of underbrush, until they came within range of the enemy's musketry. With an energy and steadiness worthy of experienced soldiers, they still continued on their course, regardless of the havoc made among their number. At length the fire became too terrible, and the party were compelled to retire. General Pillow being severely wounded, Colonel Campbell assumed the command of the brigade, and commenced making his dispositions for a second attack. Colonel Wynkoop, in the meantime, had arrived in front of the battery on the bank of the river, when all further operations were suspended by the capture of the hill of Cerro Gordo. The advanced works of the enemy were now exposed to a fire from the rear which would soon have demolished them; a white flag was therefore displayed over the intrenchments, and this portion of the enemy, now cut off from the main body, surrendered themselves prisoners of war.

Upon the extreme right the brigade under General Shields, consisting of the 3rd and 4th Illinois, Colonels Foreman and Baker, and the New York regiment, Colonel Burnett, were more successful. Crossing a ravine