became marks of sarcasm that were only meted out
according to their grade and humiliation. The enemy, now masters of
our camp, turned their guns upon the fugitives, thus augmenting the
terror of the multitude that crowded through the defile and pressed
forward every instant by a new impulse, which increased the confusion
and disgrace of the ill-fated day."

General Scott reports the strength of his army at Cerro Gordo at eight
thousand five hundred, the killed and wounded four hundred and
thirty-one, of which thirty-three were officers and three hundred and
ninety-eight enlisted men. His estimate of the Mexican force was
twelve thousand. The prisoners captured were about three thousand, and
the killed and wounded between one thousand and twelve hundred.
Forty-three cannon and three thousand five hundred small arms were
captured. On the morning of the 22d the army moved to and occupied the
town and castle of Perote without resistance.

General Santa Anna now retired to Orizaba, where he was met by many
distinguished citizens. He addressed a letter to the _ad interim_
President, General Arroya, as follows:

"ORIZABA, _April 22, 1847_.

"MY ESTEEMED FRIEND: The dispatch which I have forwarded to
the Minister of War will already have informed you of the events
which occurred on the 18th inst. The enemy made an extraordinary
effort to force the pass, and, exasperated by the repulse he had
experienced the day before, and because he knew his ruin was
inevitable unless he succeeded, attacked me with his entire army,
which was not less than twelve thousand men. He put everything on
the hazard of the die, and the cast was favorable to him. I do not
regard the cause of the nation as hopeless, if it will defend its
honor and independence as circumstances may require. I presume you
have taken all proper measures for the public safety, and first of
all for that of the capital. I shall be able to aid it very soon if
it will defend itself. At present I have with me five hundred men
and four guns, and there is no doubt but I shall collect in a few
days a force equal to that I rallied at Cerro Gordo. I only require
that you send me some money through the medium of bills of exchange,
as I find it impossible to raise a dollar. We must, my friend, not
give up ourselves as lost, and, before God, you shall see that I
will make no treaty with the enemy which