between Vera Cruz and the capital, and the prompt occupation by Worth’s division of the fortress of Perote (second only to San Juan de Ulloa), with its extensive armament of sixty-six guns and mortars and its large supply of material.  To General Worth’s report, annexed, I refer for details.

“I have heretofore endeavored to do justice to the skill and courage with which the heights of Cerro Gordo were attacked, naming the regiments most distinguished, and their-commanders, under the lead of Colonel Harney.  Lieutenant G.W.  Smith led the engineer company as part of the storming force, and is noticed with distinction.  The reports of this assault make favorable mention of many in which I can well concur, having, witnessed the daring advance and perfect steadiness of the whole.  Besides those already named, Lieutenant Brooks, Third Infantry, Lieutenant Macdonald, Second Dragoons, Lieutenant Vandorn, Seventh Infantry (all acting staff officers), Captain Magruder, First Artillery, and Lieutenant Gardner, Seventh Infantry, seem to have won special praise.  Colonel Riley’s brigade and Talcott’s rocket and howitzer battery were engaged in and about the heights and bore an active part.  The brigade so gallantly led by General Shields, and after his fall by Colonel Baker, deserves high commendation for its fine behavior and success.  Colonels Foreman, Burnett, and Major Harris commanded the regiments.  Lieutenant Hammond, Third Artillery, and Lieutenant Davis, Illinois volunteers, constituted the brigade staff.  These operations, hid from my view by intervening hills, were not fully known when my first report was hastily written.  Brigadier-General Twiggs, who was in immediate command of all advanced forces, has earned high credit by his judgment, skill, and energy.  The conduct of Colonels Campbell, Haskell, and Wynkoop, commanding the regiments of Pillow’s brigade, is reported in terms of strong approbation by Major-General Patterson.  I recommend for a commission Quartermaster-Sergeant Henry, of the Seventh Infantry (already known to the army for intrepidity on former occasions), who hauled down the national standard of the Mexican fort.  In expressing my indebtedness for able assistance—­to Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock, acting inspector general; to Majors Smith and Turnbull, and respective chiefs of engineers and topographical engineers; to their assistant lieutenants, Lieutenants Mason, Beauregard, Stevens, Tower, G.W.  Smith, McClellan, engineers, and Lieutenants Derby and Hardcastle, topographical engineers; to Captain Allen, chief quartermaster, and Lieutenant Blair, chief commissary, and to Lieutenants Hagner and Laidley, ordnance, all actively employed—­I am compelled to make special mention of the services of Captain R.E.  Lee, engineers.  This officer greatly distinguished himself at the siege of Vera Cruz, was again indefatigable during these operations, in reconnoissance as daring as laborious, and of the utmost value.  Nor was he less conspicuous