The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-03
INCIDENTS AT MONTEREY.
From the Savannah Georgian
OUR GALLANT ARMY.

We have been politely favored with the following
extracts of private letter from one oil the brave
officers Of our army, who was conspicuous IN the
conflict of arms at Monterey. We congratulate
his friends that no lives 10 wear the laures
which his grateful countrymen will entwine around
the bravery of the heroic soldiers Of the republic,
who were The compeers Of Taylor Worth, DC, IN
planting the stars aud stripes on the heights OF Mon
terey. - ... .. ....
Extracts from the letter.
The next morning we continued our march, ana
Just as our column passed by, their heavy gun
from the height opened on u.s. Every ball
was fred at my battery, and they few thick around
us. Lieutenant Martin, who came after with the
second section had one horse killed. As the head
Of the troops advanced, they were charged severely
by fine body of lancers, but they failed, and were
scattered over the plain and sides Of the mountain,
and then commenced the prettiest Skrmish that
could be imagined. The infantry and artillery DIS
mounted were displayed IN open order, ana the
lancers in their dashing uniforms, were scattered
over the whole side Of the mountain, the rifles and
muskets cracking in every direction, and from time
to time you would horse dash along freed from
the weight of his rider 10 few moments the bat
teries were ordered to the 'front.' and established on
the side Of the mountain, and opened their fire on
| some troops TO the right Of the palace. We were
so employed about twenty minutes, when we
ceased fling and were resting. At this moment the
enemy opened FIRE from 9-pound battery on
| high hill, The first and second shot passed over
| our heads-the next struck rock close by Irons
and myself, who we're sitting on our horses talking
about the afair-threw the pieces of rock and sand
| in our faces and bounding over the heads Of our
men and horses, buried itself in the mountain side
This was getting little too warm. General Worth
then moved the army down the road, and in about
two hours, sent a heavy column under Captain
Smith, to storm the battery. This movement was
watched with the most intense anxiety, as our safe
y ty and success were enlisted. They had deep
stream to cross, and high and almost perpendcu-
lar mountain to ascend. In about two hours they
made their appearance on the side OF the mountain,
| which the enemy then developed in hre. An hour
more and they reached the brow, The enemy fled
from their gun, which was instantly seized, and
turned on battery they had in redoubt, lower
down the hill. The very first shot struck the muz-
zle Of the gum broke it, and turned it round, when
the infantry rushed in, and the enemy fed.
General Worth then moved his force back
| where we encamped for the night, and the next
morning (22d) at day-break column sent To
storm the work on the high hill; Just the sun
rose we saw the gallant fellows mount the cres-a
terrible fre--a shout-and the work was ours.
| About 10 o'clock, we had howitzor dragged up
the mountain, and opened on the Bishops Palace.
They stood 1t for some time but as II got too hot for
them, they drew up their infantry and lancers in
| front OF Il and made charge on our troops, who
| met it with shout and drove them down the hill
like sheep, entered the castle, and in moment the
stars and stripes aoated in place Of the tri-coor.
lOuT OdteIts were lntH away on tue anu DcHlS
planted, opened the low grounds at our feet-the
enemy soon vanished, and all was quiet. Not even
the hurry and excitement of the hgbt could distract
attention from the gorgeous magnifcence of the
scene that here burst upon the eye. But other pens
| than mine must assume the task Of description. |
| forgot to mention that on the evening Of the 2ls
Gen. Taylor attacked on the other side Of the town
a battery, and the next morning our spirits were
damped by hearing that he had only succeeded by
the sacrifice OF 300 or 400 men, while we had not
lost in all, killed and wounded, 90 We remained
during the night, and the next day fred some shot
and shells on the town, Towards evening, we saw
| from the smoke and firing that Gen Taylor had
made another attack, and we're then ordered into
the town. We advanced up the street, and soon
saw some cavalry ahead, and pitched few balls
into them. In about fifteen minutes, there was one
continued blaze Of fire, and came to small plaza
where two streets come together. The top Of every
house crowded, and perfect shower of musket
balls fell in every direction; then showers Of grape
The advance Of our troops was slow, but sure; and
the next morning they sent offers Of captulation,
which the general accepted In an hour afterwards,
oes were strolling about the unconeerned
as though they had nothing to complain of on either
side. They hre miserable devils They had up
wards of 10000 men; we between 5000 and G 900
| Their position such that they ought to have
maintained it with 500.