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 in