“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 force to debouch on the Jalapa road and cut off retreat.  The reconnoissance, begun by Lieutenant Beauregard, was continued by Captain Lee, engineers, and a road made along difficult slopes and over chasms out of the enemy’s view; though reached by his fire when discovered, until, arriving at the Mexican lines, further reconnoissance became impossible without action.  The desired point of debouchure, the Jalapa road, was not therefore reached, though believed to be within easy distance; and to gain that point it now became necessary to carry the heights of Cerro Gordo.  The disposition in my plan of battle—­General Orders No. 111, heretofore inclosed—­were accordingly made.  Twiggs’s division, re-enforced by Shields’s brigade of volunteers, was thrown into position on the 17th, and was of necessity