The Second Division was to be reinforced by General Shields’ brigade of Volunteers.
“The First Division of Regulars will follow the movement against the enemy’s left at sunrise to-morrow morning.”
“Hi! Dat’s us,” Pompey announced. “We gwine to be dar fo’ the leavin’s.”
General Pillow’s brigade of Volunteers was to attack from the front, or the river side, as soon as he heard the sounds of battle in the north.
“The enemy’s batteries being carried or abandoned, all our divisions and corps will pursue with vigor. The pursuit may be continued many miles, until stopped by darkness or fortified positions, toward Jalapa. 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.”
General Scott therefore was confident. He had no notion of being beaten; he made no mention of what to do in case that his troops were driven back. All his order read: “Go ahead.”
“Twiggs has the honors this time,” Lieutenant Smith remarked. “Why, that old fire-eater will capture the whole bag before the rest of us ever catch up with him!”
The Second had a good head start, at least. Then, shortly after noon, a wave of heavy gunfire rolled in from the northwest—the direction taken by the Twiggs division. Great clouds of smoke welled up, three miles distant; the heights of Cerro Gordo were veiled, and the smoke extended down and rose again.
The Second Division was in battle! General Scott evidently had expected this. In about an hour the long roll beat for General Shields’ brigade, in the Volunteer camp; out they went, at quick time—the Second New York and the Third and Fourth Illinois, and three twenty-four-pounders.