Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/122

116 Saturday, April 17, 1847.—This morning the balance of Gen. Twiggs' division left for the field of action. This division is composed mostly of riflemen, regulars and dragoons. They are to take a position for the purpose of planting Gen. Twiggs' artillery. About 10 o'clock,, we heard the roaring of artillery, and in between we could hear the rattling and the sharp crack of the rifles. Our advance at first was partly repulsed. At this Gen. Twiggs instantly formed his men in different position, placing them under the command of Col. William S. Harney, and charged on the heights, which was done with a yell, driving the enemy from their position and holding it. The Mexicans rallied and made a desperate attempt to retake their lost position. They charged upon our men with great bravery, but were just as bravely repulsed, with heavy loss. Our riflemen made every ball tell. Not satisfied with this, they (the enemy) made several attempts to retake their much regretted lost position, but with still less success and with heavy losses. The ground all around the hill was strewn with dead and wounded Mexicans.

In the evening Gen. Twiggs sent word that he had carried his intended position, and is now safely on the hill, throwing up breastworks and planting his battery, and that he (Gen. Twiggs) will be ready for action to-morrow morning. Maj. Sumner and ten others were reported killed, and twenty wounded in to-day's fight. Late this evening, some of Gen. Twiggs' wounded soldiers arrived in camp with sorrowful and painful looks. They are part of Gen. Twiggs' division, and were wounded while driving the Mexicans from a hill.

The heights of Cerro Gordo—and, in fact, all around here—are covered with large forest trees, and in some places with stunted mesquit and thickets of prickly chaparral, cactus plants, etc., which makes it difficult for soldiers to pass through or gain positions.

This evening, on dress parade, orders from Gen. Scott were read to us by Col. Wynkoop, stating that we should be ready to storm the batteries assigned to Gen. Pillow at 6 o'clock