CERRO GORDO, a mountain pass, 60 m. N.W. of Vera Cruz, along the Naticnal highway from the coast to the capital of Mexico. At this place, Maj.-Gen. Winfield Scott. in his ad vance from the gulf to Mexico City during the war between the United States and Mexico (1846-48), met his first stout resistance. The leading column commanded by Brig.-Gen. D. E. Twiggs had been stopped by fire from the frowning cliffs of Cerro Gordo (April 12, 1847). \'when Scott arrived upon the scene (April 14), he immediately ordered certain officers, among them Capt. Robert E. Lee, to make definite reconnaissances. Learning from these the dispositions of the enemy and knowing that there was but one highway westward, he formulated a plan for a wide turning movement in order to gain and attack the Mexican rear. Twiggs' division was to occupy La Atalaya, a prominent hill in front, without bringing on a general engagement. There he was to wait until Brig.-Gen. James Shields' brigade should complete a long de tour, when a simultaneous attack would be delivered. Brig.-Gen. G. J. Pillow's brigade was to oppose the batteries immediately in front. Scott's whole force numbered about 8.500 as against 12,000 to 18.000 Mexicans under Gen. Santa Anna. Twiggs' movement on April 17 upon La Atalaya was so impetuous as to bring on a premature assault upon El Telegrafo, the commanding position beyond. Although La Atalaya was taken as planned, the small group of Americans attacking El Telegrafo was repulsed. Before dark and the ensuing rain, Shields arrived in support of Twiggs. The next morning, April 18, the attack upon El Telegrafo being renewed, Col. W. S. Harney's troops, after a rugged climb under fire, took the crest by a gallant onslaught. Shortly thereafter Shields' appearance in the open at the Mexican left hastened Santa Anna's flight, already begun. Some 4o cannon, 40,000 mus kets and at least 5.00o prisoners were captured by Scott. The Mexican casualties have been estimated at about 1,1o0, whereas the American loss is given as 64 killed and 353 wounded.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.-J. H. Smith, The War with Mexico, vol. i. (1919) ; Bibliography.-J. H. Smith, The War with Mexico, vol. i. (1919) ; G. B. McClellan, The Mexican War Diary (1917) ; C. M. Wilcox, His tory of the Mexican War (1892) ; W. A. Ganoe, The History of the United States Army (1924) ; Original Correspondence and Reports in Old Files Section, adjutant general's office (Washington, D.C.) .
(W. A. G.)