"The enemy's whole line of intrenchments and batteries will be
attacked in front, and at the same time turned, early in the day
to-morrow, probably before ten o'clock A.M. The second (Twiggs's)
division of regulars is already advanced within easy turning
distance toward the enemy's line. That division has instructions to
move forward before daylight to-morrow and take up position across
the national road, in the enemy's rear, so as to cut off a retreat
toward Jalapa. It may be re-enforced to-day, if unexpectedly
attacked in force, by regiments--one or two--taken from Shields's
brigade of volunteers. If not, the two volunteer regiments will
march for that purpose at daylight to-morrow morning under
Brigadier-General Shields, who will report to Brigadier-General
Twiggs in getting up with him, or to the general in chief if he be
in advance. The remaining regiments of that volunteer brigade will
receive instructions in the course of this day. The first division
of regulars (Worth's) will follow the movement against the enemy's
left at sunrise to-morrow morning. As already arranged,
Brigadier-General Pillow's brigade will march at six o'clock
to-morrow morning along the route he has carefully reconnoitered,
and stand ready, as soon as he hears the report of arms on our
right, or sooner, if circumstances should favor him, to pierce the
enemy's line of batteries at such point--the nearer the river the
better--as he may select. Once in the rear of that line, he will
turn to the right or left, or both, and attack the batteries in
reverse; or, if abandoned, he will pursue the enemy with vigor until
further orders. Wall's field battery and cavalry will be held in
reserve on the national road, a little out of view and range of the
enemy's batteries. They will take up that position at nine o'clock
in the morning. The enemy's batteries being carried or abandoned,
all our divisions and corps will pursue with vigor. This pursuit may
be continued many miles toward Jalapa until stopped by darkness or
fortified positions; consequently the body of the army will not
return to this encampment, but be followed to-morrow afternoon, or
early the next morning, by the baggage trains of the several corps.
For this purpose the feeble men of each corps will be left to guard
its camp and effects, and to load up the latter in the wagons of the
corps. A commander of the present encampment will be designated in
the course of this day.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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