e, 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.

"P.S.--I invite attention to the accompanying letters to President
Santa Anna, taken in his carriage yesterday; also to his
proclamation issued on hearing that we had captured Vera Cruz, etc.,
in which he says: 'If the enemy advance one step more, the national
independence will be buried in the abyss of the past.' We have taken
that step.

"W.S.

"I make a second postscript, to say that there is some hope, I am
happy to learn, that General Shields may survive his wounds. One of
the principal motives for paroling the prisoners of war is to
diminish the resistance of other garrisons in our march.

"HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, JALAPA, _April 23, 1847_.

"SIR: In forwarding the reports of commanders which detail
the operations of their several corps against the Mexican lines at
Cerro Gordo, I shall present, in continuation of my former report,
but an outline of the affair; and while adopting heartily their
commendations of the ardor and efficiency of individuals, I shall
mention by name only those who figure prominently, or, from
position, could not be included in those subreports. The field
sketch herewith indicates the position of the two armies. The
_tierra caliente_, or low level, terminates at Plan del Rio, the
site of the American camp, from which the road ascends immediately
in a long circle among the lofty hills, whose commanding points had
all been fortified and garrisoned by the enemy. His right,
intrenched, rested on a precipice overhanging an impassable ravine
that forms the bed of the stream; and his intrenchments extended
continuously to the road, in which was placed a formidable battery.
On the other side the lofty and difficult heights of Cerro Gordo
commanded the approaches in all directions. The main body of the
Mexican army was encamped on level ground, with a battery of five
pieces, half a mile in rear of that height toward Jalapa. Resolving,
if possible, to turn the enemy's left and attack in rear while
menacing or engaging his front, I caused daily reconnoissances to be
pushed, with the view of finding a route for a f