STORMING OF THE HEIGHTS. 331 siding into a calm confidence that with such men, and led by such officers, victory is as certain as that the sun shines, or the water flows. Nor was this confidence misplaced. Onward they rushed, impelled by the double consciousness, that the eyes of the Generalin-chief were upon them, and of the terrible consequences that would follow a disastrous issue. Harney led the way, -conspicuous above all others by his full military uniform, and his commanding stature. Waving his sword, and calling on his men to follow, he rapidly ascended, in full view of the enemy, while his cheering voice infused into the breasts of his command the same energy and dauntless enthusiasm which animated his own. It was a race for glorious renown, wherein each strove to be foremost. The front ranks fell, but the survivors still pressed on; and still, above the thunder of the war, rose high, distinct, and clear, the voice of their intrepid leader. Near the crest of the hill, and encircling the Tower, another breastwork was to be carried. It was done;- and then, swarming up the walls of the fort, they bayoneted the artillerists at their guns, and drove the desperate enemy from his central defence down the steep sides of the hill, in utter and irremediable rout. Lieutenant Ewell, the first to mount the breastworks, here fell mortally wounded. Lieutenant Van Dorn killed two Mexican soldiers with his own hands. Captain Magruder promptly turned the captured guns upon the flying foe. Sergeant Henry of the 7th infantry hauled down the Mexican standard,— while almost simultaneously with the scaling of the walls, the colours of the 1st artillery and the 3d and 7th infantry were planted upon them amidst the deafening cheers of the conquerors. Such was the famous storming of Cerro Gordo. In a little while, having been delayed by the rugged character of the route it had to traverse, Worth's division arrived, and shortly afterwards, the nearest batteries below surrendered. The remainder of the division of Twiggs was equally successful. The Second Brigade, under Riley, after moving some distance on the enemy's left, cleared the foot of the ridge, which was infested with their skirmishers, and then attacked the reverse of Cerro Gordo, gaining the crown of the hill at the same moment that the First Brigade reached it from the front. After the capture, both brigades joined in the pursuit. The volunteers, under Shields, were moving upon the extreme left of the enemy. Upon approaching the Jalapa road, a battery of five pieces was discovered, in front, supported by a large force of cavalry and infantry. While forming his men for the attack, Shields fell dangerously wounded, and Colonel Baker of the Illinois regiment assuming the command, charged the enemy's lines, supported by the 3d and part of the 4th Illinois volunteers, under Harris and Falman, and the New York regiment, under Colonel Burnett, when the enemy, already disheartened by the fall of Cerro Gordo, and being threatened at the same time by a detachment of the 2d infantry, upon his right, after a few random shots scattered in all directions, leaving his guns, baggage, specie, provisions, and camp equipage, in the hands of the victors. On the enemy's right, Pillow was less fortunate. After encountering many obstacles and delays, he took up his position in front of the river batteries, and attempted to carry them by assault; but a murderous enfilading fire opening upon him, he was compelled to fall back with considerable loss. A second time he attempted the assault, with a storming force composed of the 2d Tennessee regiment, and a company each from Pennsylvania and Kentucky, all under the command of Colonel Haskell, an officer already distinguished by his gallant |