Chapter XIX: Section 4: And be it further resolved, That the President of (2)

After having been forty-five days maintaining the blockade off
Vera Cruz, I anchored on the evening of the 7th instant under
Verde Island, where it had been my practice to take shelter from
the N. W. gales, which blow with such frequency and violence
along this coast at this season of the year. Soon after sunrise
the next morning, a sail having been descried from the masthead,
I immediately got under way, and commenced beating up between the
Verde Island and Pascoros reefs. In a short time I was enabled,
with my glass, to make out the strange sail to be a man of war,
whereupon I hoisted my number, and had the satisfaction in
fifteen or twenty minutes more to see the stranger show that of
the "John Adams." The wind, which had been blowing from the W. N.
W. when we got under way, gradually hauled to the northwest and
settled for a while at N. N. E. The barometer having fallen the
night previous to 29.80 in., and being still down, and the
weather looking still unsettled, I was apprehensive of a gale. As
soon, therefore, as the "John Adams" showed her number, I wore
round and ran down towards Verde Island, with a view of coming
to, and getting my vessel snug before the gale should come on.
When I had nearly approached the anchorage, the look-out at the
masthead cried "Sail ho!" a second time. On applying my glass to
the direction indicated from aloft, I perceived this second sail
to be a brig in the N. E., standing apparently for Vera Cruz (she
did afterwards run between the inner Anegada and the Blanquilla).
I immediately abandoned my intention of anchoring, as the gale
had not yet set in, and hauling on a wind, under top-sails and
courses, commenced to beat up the passage a second time, (p. 301)
with the view of placing myself between the strange sail
and the Port, to prevent the possibility of her running the
blockade, if she should be so inclined. I made one tack towards
the Pascoros reefs, and at the time of the catastrophe, was
standing on the larboard tack, with the northern point of the
Verde Island reef a couple of points on my lee bow. We were still
under topsails, courses, jib and spanker, and the Brig did not
appear too much pressed. I was myself standing on the lee
arm-chest, having just passed over from the weather quarter, and,
with my spy-glass in hand, was observing the reef on our lee bow
to see whether it were possible to weather it, or in the event of
our not being able to do this, to give timely notice to the
officer of the deck to tack ship. I had not been long in this
position before the officer of the deck, 2d Lieut. Jas. L.
Parker, remarked to me that he thought it looked a little squally
to windward. I immediately passed over to the weather side, and
as it looked a little darker than it had done, I ordered him to
haul up the mainsail, and brail up the spanker, and directed the
helm to be put up. These orders were promptly obeyed. Lieut.
Parker took the mainsail off her, and had got the spanker about
half brailed up, when the squall struck us. It did not appear to
be very riotous, nor was its approach accompanied by any foaming
of the water, or other indications which usually mark the
approach of heavy squalls. But the Brig being flying light,
having scarcely any water or provisions, and but six tons of
ballast on board, she was thrown over almost instantly, so far as
to refuse to obey her helm, the pressure of the water on the lee
bow rather inclining her to luff; seeing which, I directed the
helm to be put down, hoping that I might luff and shake the wind
out of her sails, until the force of the squall should be spent.
The quartermaster at the helm had hardly time to obey this order,
before the brig was on her beam ends, and the water pouring into
every hatch and scuttle. Being now convinced that she must
speedily go down unless relieved, I ordered the masts to be cut
away. The officers and men, who, with few exceptions, had, by
this time, gained the weather bulwarks of the vessel, immediately
began to cut away the rigging. But as this was a forlorn hope,
the brig filling very fast, and her masts and yards lying flat
upon the surface of the sea, I placed no reliance whatever on
their efforts. A few moments more, and I was convinced that, in
spite of all our exertions, she must inevitably go down in a very
short time. I accordingly turned my attention to the saving of as
many lives as possible. The boats secured in the grips amidships,
and the starboard-quarter boat, were already several feet under
water, so that it was impossible to reach them, but we succeeded
in disengaging the larboard-quarter boat from her davits, a small
boat pulling five oars, and dropped her, fortunately, to leeward
of the brig to prevent her being thrown upon the vessel's side,
and crushed by the sea. I ordered Midshipman F. G. Clark to take
charge of this boat, and with the purser, surgeon, and seventeen
men, make for Verde Island, if possible, and after having landed
all but the boat's crew, to return and save others. It was now
blowing a strong gale, with a heavy sea running, and I deemed it
imprudent to trust more men in so small a boat. Besides, I was
anxious to shove her off, before the vessel should sink, lest
there might be a rush for her, and no life at all should be
saved. I cannot refrain from expressing, in this place, my
admiration of the noble conduct of several of the men embarked in
this boat, who implored the officers by name to take their (p. 302)
places, saying they would willingly die by the wreck, if the
officers would but save themselves. Of course, none of the
generous fellows were permitted to come out, and they were all
subsequently safely landed, as they deserved to be. Midshipman
Clark fortunately succeeded in shoving off, and pulling some
twenty paces from the brig before she went down. When she was on
the point of sinking beneath us, and engulfing us in the waves, I
gave the order: "Every man save himself who can." Whereupon there
was a simultaneous plunge into the sea, of about sixty officers
and men, each one trying to secure some frail object that had
drifted from the wreck, for the purpose of sustaining himself in
the awful struggle with the sea, which awaited him. Some reached
a grating, some an oar, some a boat's mast, some a hen-coop, &c.,
but many poor fellows sprang into the sea to perish in a few
minutes, not being able to find any object of support. Lieut.
Parker and myself, being both swimmers, were fortunate enough to
reach one of the arm-chest gratings, which afforded us partial
support, but on which we should inevitably have been drowned, if
we had not, when we had swam some twenty or thirty paces, secured
an upper half port which came drifting by us. We lashed this with
lanyards attached to it to our grating, and thenceforth got along
much better. Midshipman Clark, after he had landed the officers
and men under his charge at Verde Island, shoved off a second
time, in obedience to the orders I had given him, at the imminent
peril of his life, for the gale was now blowing with such
violence, and the sea running so heavy, that it seemed impossible
that so small a boat could live, and skirted the Verde Island to
see if it were possible to rescue any of us from the waves. His
efforts were rewarded with partial success, as he picked up
Lieutenant Parker and myself and one of the seamen. As soon as I
landed I sent Midshipman Clark out again, who ventured as far
from the island as he thought his boat would live, but this time
he returned unsuccessful, having been able to descry no floating
object whatever. Lieutenant Claiborne saved himself on a small
hatch about two feet square, used for covering the pump-well, and
which he found floating near the wreck. He was thrown with great
violence upon a reef near Sacrificios, but fortunately escaped
without serious injury. As strange as it may appear to you, there
could not have elapsed more than ten minutes between our being
struck with the squall and the total disappearance of the
"Somers." I feel that I would not be doing justice to the
officers and men who were under my command on this melancholy
occasion, if I were to close this report without bearing
testimony to their uniform coolness and self-possession under the
trying circumstance under which we were placed, the alacrity with
which they obeyed my orders, and when all was over the generosity
with which they behaved to each other in the water, where the
struggle was one of life and death. I have thus concluded what I
had to say in relation to the causes of the disaster, and our own
exertions; but with heartfelt acknowledgments, it remains for me
to inform you of the gallant and feeling manner in which all the
foreign men-of-war lying at Sacrificios came to our rescue. They
hoisted out and manned boats immediately, and at the hazard of
their lives, put out towards the wreck. They were at first driven
back by the violence of the wind and sea, but renewed their
efforts upon the first lull, and had the unhoped for satisfaction
of saving fourteen more of our unfortunate companions. To Captain
Lambert, of the English frigate "Endymion;" Captain (p. 303)
Frankland, of the English corvette "Alarm;" Commander Matson, of
the English brig "Daring;" Captain Dubut, of the French brig
"Mercure;" Captain de Labédoyère, of the French brig "Pylade;"
and Captain Puente, of the Spanish corvette "Louisa Fernandez;"
who all sent boats, and supplied us with clothing, and hospitably
entertained us on board their ships, we owe a lasting debt of
gratitude.

In conclusion, I respectfully request that at as early a date as
convenient you will order a Court of Inquiry to investigate my
conduct in this unfortunate affair.

R. SEMMES, _Lieutenant commanding_.

No. 62. (p. 304) PLATE LXIII.

_1847._

Major General Winfield Scott. [Rx]. Vera Cruz. Cerro Gordo.
Contreras, etc.

MAJOR-GENERAL SCOTT.

[_Mexican Campaign._]

In a pendant: MAJOR GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. Undraped bust of General Scott, facing the left. Fifteen stars on each side. Exergue: RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS MARCH 9. 1848. S. ELLIS DEL. (_delineavit._) On the edge of bust, C. C. WRIGHT, F. (_fecit_).

Six crowns of laurel and oak intertwined; in each the name of one of the Mexican victories of General Scott: VERA CRUZ. CERRO GORDO. CONTRERAS. SAN ANTONIO & CHURUBUSCO. MOLINO DEL REY. CHAPULTEPEC. In the centre is the taking of the capital, CITY OF MEXICO, which General Scott is observing on horseback. G. C. HUMPHRIES DEL. (_delineavit._) C. C. WRIGHT FECt. (_fecit_).

SALATHIEL ELLIS was born in Vermont in 1806, and followed his parents to St. Lawrence County, New York. He became a portrait painter, cameo cutter and die sinker. He settled in New York city about 1842, and designed the obverses of the medals awarded to General Taylor for Buena Vista, and to General Scott for Mexico; he engraved the obverses of the medals of Presidents Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan, and Lincoln, and also of that given to Cornelius Vanderbilt.

G. C. HUMPHRIES, who designed the reverse of this medal, died in London, England.

_____

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 305)

_Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to General Scott._

_Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled_: That the
thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Winfield
Scott, Major-General commanding-in-chief the army in Mexico, and
through him to the officers and men of the regular and volunteer
corps under him, for their uniform gallantry and good conduct,
conspicuously displayed at the siege and capture of the city of
Vera Cruz and castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, March 29, 1847; and in
the successive battles of Cerro Gordo, April 18; Contreras, San
Antonio, and Churubusco, August 19 and 20; and for the victories
achieved in front of the city of Mexico, September 8, 11, 12, and
13; and the capture of the metropolis, September 14, 1847; in
which the Mexican troops, greatly superior in numbers, and with
every advantage of position, were in every conflict signally
defeated by the American arms.

_Resolved_, That the President of the United States be, and he is
hereby, requested to cause to be struck a gold medal, with
devices emblematical of the series of brilliant victories
achieved by the army, and presented to Major-General Winfield
Scott, as a testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress
of his valor, skill, and judicious conduct in the memorable
campaign of 1847.

_Resolved_, That the President of the United States be requested
to cause the foregoing resolutions to be communicated to
Major-General Scott in such terms as he may deem best calculated
to give effect to the objects thereof.

Approved March 9, 1848.

_____

_General Scott to the Secretary of War._

To the Honorable Headquarters of the Army,
William L. MARCY, Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. March 12, 1847.

Sir: The colors of the United States were triumphantly planted
ashore, in full view of the city and castle, and under the
distant fire of both, in the afternoon of the 9th inst. Brevet
Brigadier-General Worth's brigade of regulars led the descent,
quickly followed by the division of United States volunteers
under Major-General Patterson, and Brigadier-General Twiggs'
reserve brigade of regulars. The three lines successively landed
in sixty-seven surf-boats, each boat conducted by a naval
officer, and rowed by sailors from Commodore Conner's squadron,
whose lighter vessels flanked the boats so as to be ready to
protect the operation by their cross-fire. The whole army reached
the shore in fine style, and without direct opposition (on the
beach), accident or loss, driving the enemy from the ground to be
occupied.

The line of investment, according to General Orders, No. 47, was
partially taken up the same night; but has only been completed
to-day, owing to most extraordinary difficulties: 1. The environs
of the city, outside of the fire of its guns and those of the (p. 306)
castle, are broken into innumerable hills of loose sand, from
20 to 250 feet in height, with almost impassable forests of
chapparal between; and 2. Of all our means, of land
transportation: wagons, carts, pack-saddles, horses and mules,
expected to join us from Tampico and the Brazos, weeks ago, but
fifteen carts and about one hundred draught-horses have yet
arrived. Three hundred pack-mules are greatly needed to relieve
the troops in taking subsistence alone, along the line of
investment of more than five miles, as, at present, our only
depot is south of the city. On the cessation of the present
raging norther, which almost stifles the troops with sand,
sweeping away hills and creating new, I hope to establish a
second depot north of the city, which will partially relieve the
left wing of the army.

In extending the line of investment around the city, the troops
for three days have performed the heaviest labors in getting over
the hills and cutting through the intervening forests, all under
the distant fire of the city and castle, and in the midst of many
sharp skirmishes with the enemy. In these operations we have lost
in killed and wounded several valuable officers and men. Among
the killed I have to report Brevet Captain Alburtis, of the
United States 2d Infantry, much distinguished in the Florida war,
and a most excellent officer. He fell on the 11th inst., and
Lieutenant-Colonel Dickenson, of the South Carolina Regiment, was
badly wounded in a skirmish the day before. Two privates have
been killed in these operations, and four or five wounded. As yet
I have not been able to obtain their names.

As soon as the subsistence of the troops can be assured, and
their positions are well established, I shall, by an organized
movement, cause each brigade of regulars and volunteers to send
detachments, with supports, to clear its front, including
sub-bourgs, of the enemy's parties, so as to oblige them to
confine themselves within the walls of the city.

I have heretofore reported that but two-sevenths of the
siege-train and ammunition had reached me. The remainder is yet
unheard of. We shall commence landing the heavy metal as soon as
the storm subsides, and hope that the five-sevenths may be up in
time.

The city being invested, would, no doubt, early surrender, but
for fear that, if occupied by us, it would immediately be fired
upon by the castle. I am not altogether without hope of finding
the means of coming to some compromise with the city on this
subject.

So far, the principal skirmishing has fallen to the lot of
Brigadier-General Pillow's and Quitman's brigades. Both old and
new volunteer regiments have conducted themselves admirably.
Indeed, the whole army is full of zeal and confidence, and cannot
fail to acquire distinction in the impending operations.

To Commodore Conner, the officers and sailors of his squadron,
the army is indebted for great and unceasing assistance, promptly
and cheerfully rendered. Their co-operation is the constant theme
of our gratitude and admiration. A handsome detachment of
marines, under Captain Edson, of that corps, landed with the
first line, and is doing duty with the army.

_March 13th._ The enemy, at intervals, continues the fire of
heavy ordnance, from the city and castle, upon our line of
investment, both by day and night, but with little or no effect.

The norther has ceased, which has renewed our communication (p. 307)
with the storeships at anchor under Sacrificios. We shall
immediately commence landing the few pieces of heavy ordnance,
with ordnance stores, at hand, and hope soon to have the
necessary draught mules to take them to their positions. Any
further delay in the arrival of those means of transportation
will be severely felt in our operations.

I have the honor to remain, Sir, with high respect, your obedient
servant,
Winfield SCOTT.

_____

_General Scott to the Secretary of War._

To the Honorable Headquarters of the Army,
William L. MARCY, Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. March 23, 1847.

Sir: Yesterday, seven of our 10-inch mortars being in battery,
and the labors for planting the remainder of our heavy metal
being in progress, I addressed, at two o'clock P.M., a summons
to the Governor of Vera Cruz, and within the two hours limited by
the bearer of the flag, received the governor's answer. Copies of
the two papers (marked respectively A and B) are herewith
enclosed.

It will be perceived that the Governor, who, it turns out, is the
commander of both places, chose, against the plain terms of the
summons, to suppose me to have demanded the surrender of the
castle and of the city; when, in fact, from the non-arrival of
our heavy metal, principally mortars, I was in no condition to
threaten the former.

On the return of the flag with the reply, I at once ordered the
seven mortars, in battery, to open upon the city. In a short time
the smaller vessels of Commodore Perry's squadron, two steamers
and five schooners, according to previous arrangement with him,
approached the city within about a mile and an eighth, whence,
being partially covered from the castle, an essential condition
to their safety, they also opened a brisk fire upon the city.
This has been continued uninterruptedly by the mortars, and only
with a few intermissions, by the vessels, up to 9 o'clock this
morning, when the commodore, very properly, called them off from
a position too daringly assumed.

Our three remaining mortars are now (12 o'clock A.M.) in
battery, and the whole ten in activity. To-morrow, early, if the
city should continue obstinate, batteries Nos. 4 and 5 will be
ready to add their fire; No. 4 consisting of four 24-pounders and
two 8-inch Paixhan guns, and No. 5 (naval battery) of three
32-pounders and three 8-inch Paixhans: the guns, officers, and
sailors, landed from the squadron; our friends of the navy being
unremitting in their zealous co-operation, in every mode and
form.

So far, we know that our fire upon the city has been highly
effective, particularly from the battery of 10-inch mortars,
planted at about 800 yards from the city. Including the
preparation and defence of the batteries, from the beginning, now
many days, and notwithstanding the heavy fire of the enemy, from
city and castle, we have only had four or five men wounded (p. 308)
and one officer and one man killed, in or near the trenches. That
officer was Captain John R. Vinton, of the United States third
Artillery, one of the most talented, accomplished, and effective
members of the army, and who was highly distinguished in the
brilliant operations at Monterey. He fell last evening in the
trenches, where he was on duty as field and commanding officer,
universally regretted. I have just attended his honored remains
to a soldier's grave, in full view of the enemy and within reach
of his guns.

Thirteen of the long needed mortars, leaving twenty-seven,
besides heavy guns, behind, have arrived, and two of them landed.
A heavy norther then set in (at meridian) that stopped that
operation, and also the landing of shells. Hence the fire of our
mortar batteries has been slackened since two o'clock to-day, and
cannot be reinvigorated until we shall again have a smooth sea.
In the mean time I shall leave this report open for journalizing
events that may occur up to the departure of the steam
ship-of-war, the Princeton, with Commodore Conner, who, I learn,
expects to leave the anchorage off Sacrificios, for the United
States, the 25th instant.

_March 24th._ The storm having subsided in the night, we
commenced this forenoon, as soon as the sea became a little
smooth, to land shot, shells, and mortars.

The naval battery, No. 5, was opened with great activity, under
Captain Aulick, the second in rank of the squadron, at about 10
A.M. His fire was continued to 2 o'clock P.M., a little before
he was relieved by Captain Mayo, who landed with a fresh supply
of ammunition, Captain Aulick having exhausted the supply he had
brought with him. He lost four sailors, killed, and had one
officer, Lieutenant Baldwin, slightly hurt.

The mortar batteries Nos. 1, 2, and 3, have fired but languidly
during the day for want of shells, which are now going out from
the beach.

The two reports of Colonel Bankhead, chief of artillery, both of
this date, copies of which I enclose, give the incidents of those
three batteries.

Battery No. 4, which will mount four 24-pounders and two 8-inch
Paixhan guns, has been much delayed in the hands of the
indefatigable engineers by the norther that filled up the work
with sand nearly as fast as it could be opened by the
half-blinded laborers. It will, however, doubtless be in full
activity early to-morrow morning.

_March 25th._ The Princeton being about to start for
Philadelphia, I have but a moment to continue this report.

All the batteries, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, are in awful activity
this morning. The effect is, no doubt, very great, and I think
the city cannot hold out beyond to-day. To-morrow morning many of
the new mortars will be in a position to add their fire, when, or
after the delay of some twelve hours, if no proposition to
surrender should be received, I shall organize parties for
carrying the city by assault. So far the defence has been
spirited and obstinate.

I enclose a copy of a memorial received last night, signed by the
consuls of Great Britain, France, Spain, and Prussia, within Vera
Cruz, asking me to grant a truce to enable the neutrals, together
with Mexican women and children, to withdraw from the scene of
havoc about them. I shall reply, the moment an opportunity may be
taken, to say: 1. That a truce can only be granted on application
of Governor Morales, with a view to surrender. 2. That in (p. 309)
sending safeguards to the different consuls, beginning so far
back as the 13th inst., I distinctly admonished them,
particularly the French and Spanish consuls, and of course
through the two, the other consuls, of the dangers that have
followed. 3. That although at that date I had already refused to
allow any person whatever to pass the line of investment either
way, yet the blockade had been left open to the consuls and other
neutrals to pass out to their respective ships of war up to the
22d instant; and 4. I shall enclose to the memorialists a copy of
my summons to the Governor, to show that I had fully considered
the impending hardships and distresses of the place, including
those of women and children, before one gun had been fired in
that direction. The intercourse between the neutral ships of war
and the city was stopped at the last mentioned date by Commodore
Perry, with my concurrence, which I placed on the ground that
that intercourse could not fail to give to the enemy _moral aid
and comfort_.

It will be seen from the memorial that our batteries have already
had a terrible effect on the city (also known through other
sources), and hence the inference that a surrender must soon be
proposed. In haste,

I have the honor to remain, Sir, with respect, your most obedient
servant,
Winfield SCOTT.

_____

_General Scott to the Secretary of War._

To the Honorable Head-Quarters of the Army,
William L. MARCY, Vera Cruz, March 29, 1847.
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: The flag of the United States of America floats triumphantly
over the walls of the city and castle of San Juan d'Ulloa.

Our troops have garrisoned both since 10 o'clock; it is now noon.
Brigadier-General Worth is in command of the two places.

Articles of capitulation were signed and exchanged at a late hour
night before last. I enclose a copy of the document.

I have heretofore reported the principal incidents of the siege
up to the 25th instant. Nothing of striking interest occurred
till early in the morning of the next day, when I received
overtures from General Landero, on whom General Morales had
devolved the principal command. A terrible storm of wind and sand
made it difficult to communicate with the city, and impossible to
refer to Commodore Perry. I was obliged to entertain the
proposition alone, or to continue the fire upon a place that had
shown a disposition to surrender; for the loss of a day, or
perhaps several, could not be permitted. The accompanying papers
will show the proceedings and results.

Yesterday, after the norther had abated, and the commissioners
appointed by me early the morning before had again met those
appointed by General Landero, Commodore Perry sent ashore his
second in command, Captain Aulick, as a commissioner on the part
of the navy. Although not included in my specific arrangement
with the Mexican commander, I did not hesitate, with proper (p. 310)
courtesy, to desire that Captain Aulick might be duly introduced
and allowed to participate in the discussions and acts of the
commissioners who had been reciprocally accredited. Hence the
preamble to his signature. The original American commissioners
were Brevet Brigadier-General Worth, Brigadier-General Pillow,
and Colonel Totten. Four more able or judicious officers could
not have been desired.

I have to add but little more. The remaining details of the
siege; the able co-operation of the United States squadron,
successively under the command of Commodores Conner and Perry,
the admirable conduct of the whole army, regulars and volunteers,
I should be happy to dwell upon as they deserve; but the steamer
Princeton, with Commodore Conner on board, is under way, and I
have commenced organizing an advance into the interior. This may
be delayed a few days, waiting the arrival of additional means of
transportation. In the mean time, a joint operation, by land and
water will be made upon Alvarado. No lateral expedition, however,
shall interfere with the grand movement towards the capital.

In consideration of the great services of Colonel Totten, in the
siege that has just terminated most successively, and the
importance of his presence at Washington, as the head of the
engineer bureau, I intrust this despatch to his personal care,
and beg to commend him to the very favorable consideration of the
department.

I have the honor to remain, Sir, with high respect, your most
obedient servant,
Winfield SCOTT.

_____

_Terms of Capitulation agreed upon for the surrender to the arms of the United States of America of Vera Cruz, the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa and their dependencies, with their armaments, munitions of war, garrisons, and arms._

I.

The whole garrison, or garrisons, to be surrendered to the arms
of the United States of America, as prisoners of war, the 29th
instant at 10 o'clock A.M., the garrisons to be permitted to
march out with all the honors of war, and to lay down their arms
to such officers as may be appointed by the general-in-chief of
the United States army, and at a point to be agreed on by the
commissioners.

II.

Mexican officers shall preserve their arms and private effects,
including horse and horse furniture, and to be allowed, regular
and irregular officers and also the rank and file, five days to
retire to their respective homes, on parole, as hereinafter
prescribed.

III.

Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in Article I, the
Mexican flags of the various forts and stations shall be struck,
saluted by their own batteries; and, immediately thereafter,
forts Santiago and Conception and the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa,
occupied by the forces of the United States.

IV.

The rank and file of the regular portion of the prisoners to (p. 311)
be disposed of, after surrender and parole, as their
general-in-chief may desire, and the irregular to be permitted to
return to their homes. The officers, in respect to all arms and
descriptions of force, giving the usual parole, that the said
rank and file, as well as themselves, shall not serve again until
duly exchanged.

V.

All the _materiel_ of war, and all public property of every
description found in the city, the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa,
and their dependencies, to belong to the United States; but the
armament of the same (not injured or destroyed in the further
prosecution of the actual war) may be considered as liable to be
restored to Mexico by a definite treaty of peace.

VI.

The sick and wounded Mexicans to be allowed to remain in the
city, with such medical officers of the army as may be necessary
to their care and treatment.

VII.

Absolute protection is solemnly guaranteed to persons in the
city, and property, and it is clearly understood that no private
building or property is to be taken or used by the forces of the
United States, without previous arrangement with the owners, and
for a fair equivalent.

VIII.

Absolute freedom of religious worship and ceremonies is solemnly
guaranteed.

_____

_General Scott to the Secretary of War._

To the Honorable Headquarters of the Army,
William L. MARCY, Plan del Rio, 50 miles from Vera Cruz,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. April 19, 1847.

Sir: The plan of attack, sketched in General Orders, No. 111,
forwarded herewith, was finely executed by this gallant army
before two o'clock P.M. yesterday. We are quite embarrassed with
the results of victory, prisoners of war, heavy ordnance, field
batteries, small arms and accoutrements.

About three thousand men laid down their arms, with the usual
proportion of field and company officers, besides five generals,
several of them of great distinction: Pinson, Yarrero, La Vega,
Noriega, and Obardo. A sixth general, Vasquez, was killed in
defending the battery (tower) in the rear of the whole Mexican
army, the capture of which gave us these glorious results.

Our loss, though comparatively small in numbers, has been
serious. Brigadier-General Shields, a commander of activity, zeal
and talent, is, I fear, if not dead, mortally wounded. He is (p. 312)
some five miles from me at the moment. The field of operations
covered many miles, broken by mountains and deep chasms, and I
have not a report, as yet, from any division or brigade.

Twiggs' division, followed by Shields' (now Colonel Baker's)
brigade, are now at Xalapa, and Worth's division is en route
thither, all pursuing, with good results, as I learn, that part
of the Mexican army, perhaps six or seven thousand men, who had
fled before our right had carried the tower, and gained the
Xalapa road.

Pillow's brigade alone is near me at this depot of wounded, sick,
and prisoners; and I have time only to give from him the names of
1st Lieutenant F. B. Nelson, and 2d Lieutenant C. J. Hill, both
of the 2d Tennessee foot (Haskell's regiment), among the killed,
and in the brigade one hundred and six, of all ranks, killed or
wounded.

Among the latter, the gallant Brigadier-General himself has a
smart wound in the arm, but not disabled; and Major R. Farqueson,
2d Tennessee, Captain H. F. Murray, 2d Lieutenant G. T.
Sutherland, 1st Lieutenant W. P. Hale, Adjutant, all of the same
regiment, severely, and 1st Lieutenant W. Yearwood, mortally
wounded. And I know, from personal observation on the ground,
that 1st Lieutenant Ewell, of the Rifles, if not now dead, was
mortally wounded in entering, sword in hand, the intrenchments
around the captured tower.

Second Lieutenant Derby, Topographical Engineers, I also saw, at
the same place, severely wounded, and Captain Patten, 2d United
States Infantry, lost his right hand. Major Sumner, 2d United
States Dragoons, was slightly wounded the day before, and Captain
Johnston, Topographical Engineers (now Lieutenant-Colonel of
Infantry), was very severely wounded some days earlier while
reconnoitering. I must not omit to add that Captain Mason, and 2d
Lieutenant Davis, both of the rifles, were among the very
severely wounded in storming the same tower.

I estimate our total loss, in killed and wounded, may be about
two hundred and fifty, and that of the enemy at three hundred and
fifty. In the pursuit toward Xalapa (25 miles hence), I learn, we
have added much to the enemy's loss in prisoners, killed and
wounded. In fact, I suppose his retreating army to be nearly
disorganized, and hence my haste to follow, in an hour or two, to
profit by events.

In this hurried and imperfect report I must not omit to say that
Brigadier-General Twiggs, in passing the mountain range beyond
Cerro Gordo, crowned with the tower, detached from his division,
as I suggested the day before, a strong force to carry that
height, which commanded the Xalapa road at the foot, and could
not fail, if carried, to cut off the whole, or any part of the
enemy's forces, from a retreat in any direction.

A portion of the 1st Artillery, under the often distinguished
Brevet-Colonel Childs, the 3d Infantry, under Captain Alexander,
the 7th Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Plympton, and the
Rifles, under Major Loring, all under the temporary command of
Colonel Hamey, 2d Dragoons, during the confinement to his bed of
Brevet Brigadier-General P. F. Smith, composed that detachment.
The style of execution, which I had the pleasure to witness, was
most brilliant and decisive.

The brigade ascended the long and difficult slope of Cerro Gordo,
without shelter, and under the tremendous fire of artillery and
musketry, with the utmost steadiness, reached the breastworks,
drove the enemy from them, planted the colors of the 1st (p. 313)
Artillery, 3d and 7th Infantry, the enemy's flag still flying,
and, after some minutes' sharp firing, finished the conquest
with the bayonet.

It is a most pleasing duty to say that the highest praise is due
to Harney, Childs, Plympton, Loring, Alexander, their gallant
officers and men, for this brilliant service, independent of the
great results which soon followed.

Worth's division of regulars coming up at this time, he detached
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Smith, with his light battalion,
to support the assault, but not in time. The general, reaching
the tower a few minutes before me, and observing a white flag
displayed from the nearest portion of the enemy towards the
batteries below, sent out Colonels Harney and Childs to hold a
parley. The surrender followed in an hour or two.

Major-General Patterson left a sick bed to share in the dangers
and fatigues of the day; and after the surrender went forward to
command the advance forces towards Xalapa.

Brigadier-General Pillow and his brigade twice assaulted with
great daring the enemy's line of batteries on our left; and
though without success, they contributed much to distract and
dismay their immediate opponents.

President Santa Anna, with Generals Canalizo and Almonte, and
some six or eight thousand men, escaped toward Xalapa just before
Cerro Gordo was carried, and before Twiggs' division reached the
national road above.

I have determined to parole the prisoners, officers and men, as I
have not the means of feeding them here, beyond to-day, and
cannot afford to detail a heavy body of horse and foot, with
wagons, to accompany them to Vera Cruz. Our baggage train, though
increasing, is not half large enough to give an assured progress
to this army.

Besides, a greater number of prisoners would, probably, escape
from the escort in the long and deep sandy road without
subsistence, ten to one, than we shall find again, out of the
same body of men, in the ranks opposed to us. Not one of the Vera
Cruz prisoners is believed to have been in the lines of Cerro
Gordo. Some six of the officers, highest in rank, refuse to give
their paroles, except to go to Vera Cruz, and thence, perhaps, to
the United States.

The small arms and accoutrements, being of no value to our army
here or at home, I have ordered them to be destroyed, for we have
not the means of transporting them. I am, also, somewhat
embarrassed with the pieces of artillery, all bronze, which we
have captured. It would take a brigade, and half the mules of our
army, to transport them fifty miles.

A field battery I shall take for service with the army; but the
heavy metal must be collected and left here for the present. We
have our own siege-train and the proper carriages with us.

Being much occupied with the prisoners and all the details of a
forward movement, besides looking to the supplies which are to
follow from Vera Cruz, I have time to add no more, intending to
be at Xalapa early to-morrow. We shall not, probably, again meet
with serious opposition this side of Perote; certainly not,
unless delayed by the want of the means of transportation.

I have the honor to remain, Sir, with high respect, your most
obedient servant,
Winfield SCOTT.

_____

_General Orders No. 111._ (p. 314)

Headquarters of the Army,
Plan del Rio, April 17, 1847.

The enemy's line of intrenchments and batteries will be attacked
in front, and at the same time turned, early in the day,
to-morrow, probably before ten o'clock A.M.

The second (Twiggs') division of regulars is already advanced
within easy turning distance towards the enemy's left. That
division has instructions to move forward before daylight
to-morrow and take up a position across the national road in the
enemy's rear, so as to cut off a retreat towards Xalapa. It may
be reinforced to-day if unexpectedly attacked in force, by
regiments, one or two taken from Shields' brigade of volunteers.
If not, the two volunteer regiments will march for that purpose
at daylight to-morrow morning, under Brigadier-General Shields,
who will report to Brigadier-General Twiggs, on getting up with
him, or the general-in-chief, if he be in advance.

The remaining regiment of that volunteer brigade will receive
instructions in the course of this day.

The first division of regulars (Worth's) will follow the movement
against the enemy's left at sunrise to-morrow morning.

As already arranged, Brigadier-General Pillow's brigade will
march at six o'clock to-morrow morning along the route he has
carefully reconnoitered, and stand ready as soon as he hears the
report of arms on our right, or sooner if circumstances should
favor him, to pierce the enemy's line of batteries at such point,
the nearer the river the better, as he may select. Once in the
rear of that line, he will turn to the right or left, or both,
and attack the batteries in reverse; or, if abandoned, he will
pursue the enemy with vigor until further orders.

Wall's field battery and the cavalry will be held in reserve on
the national road, a little out of view and range of the enemy's
batteries. They will take up that position at nine o'clock in the
morning.

The enemy's batteries being carried or abandoned, all our
divisions and corps will pursue with vigor.

This pursuit may be continued many miles, until stopped by
darkness or fortified positions, towards Xalapa. Consequently the
body of the army will not return to this encampment, but be
followed to-morrow afternoon, or early the next morning, by the
baggage trains of the several corps. For this purpose, the
feebler officers and men of each corps will be left to guard its
camp and effects, and to load up the latter in the wagons of the
corps. A commander of the present encampment will be designated
in the course of this day.

As soon as it shall be known that the enemy's works have been
carried, or that the general pursuit has been commenced, one
wagon for each regiment and one for the cavalry will follow the
movement, to receive, under the direction of medical officers,
the wounded and disabled, who will be brought back to this place
for treatment in general hospital.

The Surgeon-General will organize this important service and (p. 315)
designate that hospital, as well as the medical officers to
be left at it.

Every man who marches out to attack or pursue the enemy will take
the usual allowance of ammunition and subsistence for at least
two days.

By command of Major-General Scott.
H. L. SCOTT,
_Acting Assistant Adjutant-General_.

_____

_General Scott to the Secretary of War._

To the Honorable Headquarters of the Army,
William L. MARCY, Tacubaya, at the Gates of Mexico,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. August 28th, 1847.

Sir: My report, No. 31, commenced in the night of the 19th
instant, closed with the operations of the army on that day.

The morning of the 20th opened with one of a series of
unsurpassed achievements, all in view of the capital, and to
which I shall give the general name: _Battles of Mexico_.

In the night of the 19th, Brigadier-Generals Shields, P. F.
Smith, and Cadwallader, and Colonel Riley with their brigades,
and the 15th Regiment, under Colonel Morgan, detached from
Brigadier-General Pierce, found themselves in and about the
important position, the village, hamlet or _hacienda_, called
indifferently, Contreras, Ansalda, San Geronimo, half a mile
nearer to the city than the enemy's intrenched camp, on the same
road, towards the factory of Magdalena.

That camp had been, unexpectedly, our formidable point of attack
in the afternoon before, and we had now to take it, without the
aid of cavalry or artillery, or to throw back our advanced corps
upon the direct road from San Augustin to the city, and thence
force a passage through San Antonio.

Accordingly, to meet contingencies, Major-General Worth was
ordered to leave early in the morning of the 20th, one of his
brigades to mask San Antonio, and to march with the other six
miles, via San Augustin, upon Contreras. A like destination was
given to Major-General Quitman and his remaining brigade in San
Augustin, replacing, for the moment, the garrison of that
important depot with Harney's brigade of cavalry, as horse could
not pass over the intervening lava, etc., to reach the field of
battle.

A diversion for an earlier hour (daylight) had been arranged the
night before, according to the suggestion of Brigadier-General P.
F. Smith, received through the engineer, Captain Lee, who
conveyed my orders to our troops remaining on the ground,
opposite to the enemy's centre, a point for the diversion or the
real attack, as circumstances might allow.

Guided by Captain Lee, it proved the latter, under the command of
Colonel Ransom of the 9th, having with him that regiment and some
companies of three others, the 3d, 12th, and Rifles.

Shields, the senior officer of the hamlet, having arrived in (p. 316)
the night, after Smith had arranged with Cadwallader and Riley
the plan of attack for the morning, delicately waived
interference; but reserved to himself the double task of holding
the hamlet with his two regiments (South Carolina and New York
Volunteers) against ten times his numbers on the side of the
city, including the slopes to his left, and in case the enemy's
camp in his rear should be carried, to face about and cut off the
flying enemy.

At three A.M., the great movement commenced on the rear of the
enemy's camp, Riley leading, followed successively by
Cadwallader's and Smith's brigades, the latter temporarily under
the orders of Major Dimick of the 1st Artillery, the whole force
being commanded by Smith, the senior in the general attack, and
whose arrangements, skill and gallantry always challenge the
highest admiration.

The march was rendered tedious by the darkness, rain, and mud;
but about sunrise, Riley, conducted by Lieutenant Turner,
Engineer, had reached an elevation behind the enemy, whence he
precipitated his columns; stormed the intrenchments, planted his
several colors upon them, and carried the work, all in seventeen
minutes.

Conducted by Lieutenant Beauregard, Engineer, and Lieutenant
Brooks of Twiggs' staff, both of whom, like Lieutenant Tower,
had, in the night, twice reconnoitred the ground; Cadwallader
brought up to the general assault two of the regiments: the
Voltigeurs and the 11th, and at the appointed time Colonel
Ransom, with his temporary brigade, conducted by Captain Lee,
Engineer, not only made the movement in front, to divert and to
distract the enemy, but, after crossing the deep ravine,
advanced, and poured into the works and upon the fugitives many
volleys from his destructive musketry.

In the mean time Smith's own brigade, under the temporary command
of Major Dimick, following the movements of Riley and
Cadwallader, discovered, opposite to, and outside of the works, a
long line of Mexican cavalry, drawn up as a support. Dimick
having at the head of the brigade the company of Sappers and
Miners, under Lieutenant G. W. Smith, engineer, who had conducted
the march, was ordered by Brigadier-General Smith to form his
line, faced to the enemy, and in a charge against the flank,
routed the cavalry.

Shields, too, by the wise disposition of his brigade and gallant
activity, contributed much to the general results. He held masses
of cavalry and infantry, supported by artillery, in check below
him, and captured hundreds, with one general (Mendoza), of those
who fled from above.

I doubt whether a more brilliant or decisive victory, taking into
view ground, artificial defences, batteries, and the extreme
disparity of numbers, without cavalry or artillery on our side,
is to be found on record. Including all our corps directed
against the intrenched camp, with Shields' brigade at the hamlet,
we positively did not number over four thousand five hundred rank
and file; and we knew by sight, and since, more certainly, by
many captured documents and letters, that the enemy had actually
engaged on the spot seven thousand men, with at least twelve
thousand more hovering within sight and striking distance, both
on the 19th and 20th. All, not killed or captured, now fled with
precipitation.

Thus was the great victory of Contreras achieved; one road to the
capital opened; seven hundred of the enemy killed; eight hundred
and thirteen prisoners, including, among eighty-eight (p. 317)
officers, four generals; besides many colors and standards;
twenty-two pieces of brass ordnance, half of large calibre;
thousands of small arms and accoutrements; an immense quantity of
shot, shells, powder, and cartridges; seven hundred pack mules,
many horses, etc., etc., all in our hands.

It is highly gratifying to find that, by skillful arrangement and
rapidity of execution, our loss, in killed and wounded, did not
exceed, on the spot, sixty; among the former the brave Captain
Charles Hanson, of the 4th Infantry, not more distinguished for
gallantry than for modesty, morals, and piety. Lieutenant J. P.
Johnstone, 1st Artillery, serving with Magruder's battery, a
young officer of the highest promise, was killed the evening
before.

One of the most pleasing incidents of the victory is the
recapture, in their works, by Captain Drum, 4th Artillery, under
Major Gardner, of the two brass 6-pounders, taken from another
company of the same regiment, though without the loss of honor,
at the glorious battle of Buena Vista; about which guns the whole
regiment had mourned for so many long months! Coming up a little
later I had the happiness to join in the protracted cheers of the
gallant 4th on the joyous event; and, indeed, the whole army
sympathizes in its just pride and exultation.

The battle being won before the advancing brigades of Worth's and
Quitman's divisions were in sight, both were ordered to their
late positions: Worth, to attack San Antonio, in front, with his
whole force, as soon as approached in the rear by Pillow's and
Twiggs' divisions; moving from Contreras, through San Angel and
Coyoacan. By carrying San Antonio, we knew that we should open
another, a shorter and better road to the capital for our siege
and other trains.

Accordingly, the two advanced divisions and Shields' brigade
marched from Contreras, under the immediate orders of
Major-General Pillow, who was now joined by the gallant
Brigadier-General Pierce of his division, personally thrown out
of activity, late the evening before, by a severe hurt received
from the fall of his horse.

After giving necessary orders on the field, in the midst of
prisoners and trophies, and sending instructions to Harney's
brigade of cavalry (left at San Augustin) to join me, I
personally followed Pillow's command.

Arriving at Coyoacan, two miles by a cross road, from the rear of
San Antonio, I first detached Captain Lee, Engineer, with Captain
Kearny's troop, 1st Dragoons, supported by the Rifle regiment,
under Major Loring, to reconnoitre that strong point; and next
despatched Major-General Pillow, with one of his brigades
(Cadwallader's), to make the attack upon it, in concert with
Major-General Worth on the opposite side.

At the same time, by another road to the left, Lieutenant Stevens
of the Engineers, supported by Lieutenant G. W. Smith's company
of sappers and miners, of the same corps, was sent to reconnoitre
the strongly fortified church or convent of San Pablo, in the
hamlet of Churubusco, one mile off, Twiggs with one of his
brigades (Smith's, less the Rifles) and Captain Taylor's field
battery, were ordered to follow and to attack the convent. Major
Smith, senior Engineer, was despatched to concert with Twiggs the
mode and means of attack, and Twiggs' other brigade (Riley's) I
soon ordered up to support him.

Next (but all in ten minutes) I sent Pierce (just able to (p. 318)
keep the saddle) with his brigade (Pillow's division),
conducted by Captain Lee, Engineer, by a third road a little
farther to our left, to attack the enemy's right and rear, in
order to favor the movement upon the convent, and to cut off a
retreat toward the capital. And finally, Shields, senior
brigadier to Pierce, with the New York and South Carolina
Volunteers (Quitman's division), was ordered to follow Pierce
closely, and to take the command of our left wing. All these
movements were made with the utmost alacrity by our gallant
troops and commanders.

Finding myself at Coyoacan, from which so many roads conveniently
branched, without escort or reserve, I had to advance for safety
close upon Twiggs' rear. The battle now raged from the right to
the left of our whole line.

Learning on the return of Captain Lee, that Shields in the rear
of Churubusco was hard pressed, and in danger of being
outflanked, if not overwhelmed, by greatly superior numbers, I
immediately sent under Major Sumner, 2d Dragoons, the Rifles
(Twiggs' reserve) and Captain Sibley's troop, 2d Dragoons, then
at hand, to support our left, guided by the same engineer.

About an hour earlier, Worth had, by skillful and daring
movements upon the front and right, turned and forced San
Antonio: its garrison, no doubt, much shaken by our decisive
victory at Contreras.