Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/144

138 parties. It's singular that all the dead Mexicans are bloated up and turn black as soon as they are dead, this is on account of the Mexicans eating so much pepper.

After a couple of hours of hard work, we succeeded in getting the artillery down to the Second battery where we left it. The day being extremely hot and sultry, and having given our water and something to the wounded Mexicans, we of course were much exhausted from thirst, wanting something to eat and rest.

On our way back to camp, we visited the Mexican batteries that the Volunteer division, under the command of Gens. Patterson and Pillow, were to charge upon yesterday, we found them well constructed and mounted batteries; they commanded the whole sway of the surrounding hill, and no doubt had the Volunteer divisions charged upon these batteries there would not have been so many left to tell the tale of the battle of Cerro Gordo. These batteries were guarded and commanded by one of the best, bravest and most skilful officers in the Mexican army. Gen. La Vega.

There was also well constructed batteries in the rear of the front battery, called the reserve battery; that is, after the first one is captured or abandoned, they could fall back to the rear one. After examining both of these batteries, we all came to the conclusion that they were well planned. After we had seen and done all that could be done, we returned to camp, where we were informed that our actual strength, or number of soldiers engaged in the battle of Cerro Gordo, was about 8,500 men; and our loss in the two days' fight is 34 officers and 400 men, in all, 434 killed and wounded. There being 65 killed out-right in accomplishing this second grand victory of our army in Mexico.

The Mexican loss was about 300 killed and about 200 wounded. Thus counting the number of forces against us, the obstacles of art and nature that opposed our forces all over, the American army with skill and valor triumphed over a confident enemy with superior numbers and extraordinary