American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-10-31
FURTHER NEWS FROM ARMY.

n ~ .
.ETTERs FROM BALTIMORE VOLUNTEERS
AT M0NTEREY-CAPT PIPER'S LOSS ONE
4 KILLED AND TWO WOUNDED.
The letter below, is from Capt james Piper,
commander Of one of The Baltimore volunteer
Companies, which distinguished itself in the late
brilliant engagement, from which 1t will be
een that he had one man killed and two more
8 wounded. The letter of Capt. Piper will be
great relief to those Of our citizens who have
elatives or friends attached to his noble corps
Correspondence of the Baltimore Clipper)
MONTEREY, Sept. rs.
Gentlemen: | thank Providence am alive
and unhurt, after passing through one of The
hardest battles ever fought by any nation. We
Rrrived at this place OIL Saturday, the 9th inst,
pad the Mexican army opened fire on US as we
counter-marched and encamped, three miles
from the city, for the purpose of preparing to
attack them The city Of NJ nterey is stuat-
led in valley, between two mountains, run
ming nearly east and west. On the north. west
side is a hill overlooking the city, on which is
the Bishops Palace, but now fort; there arc
from to 10 small batteries, mounting from 4
to guns, and covering to 500 infantry each.
In the centre of the city is large fort, mount.
ing, il is said, SO pieces of artillery, some of
large calibre, and occupied by from 5000 to
Z, 900 infantry and lancers.
The Cathedral, about half mile to tho left
Of the fort, was occupied by about 900 infan-
try, and had or pieces of artillery on the
roof. In the houses IN the public square, there
were stationed at least 1000 troops, making
the strength of the Mexican army at least l2,-
900 TO $4,000 and from so TO 80 pi, ces of al
tilery.
The plan ofattack being completed, on Sun
day afternoon, Gen. Worth with the I'd Dlvis-
ion, started around the foot Of the mountain
for the purpose Of attacking the opposite slGe of
the city. The list Division, to which we were
attached, and Gen Butler, with the Volunteers
in the centre, marched on Monday, down
through the chappafel TO attack battery on
the LETT OF the city, under a heavy cannonade,
and when we cane within 100 yards of the bat
tory, anxiously awaiting the order to charge,
they opened upon US heavy fire of musketry,
but our brave htlle battalion moved on undauil-
ted. Just at that time Rldgely's battery passed
ON towards the city, and we were ORDERED to
follow them. We then moved off by fl INK
IN doubl' quick time towards the route taken
by our battery. We then charged the first
1 Mexican battery at the entrance of the town
! and drove them off we then charged into the
CITY, following our battery under heavy fire of
grape and canister from three Mexican batte-
ries, the big fort, and thousands of infantry,
the balls flying thicker than "haiL in hail
Storm" Ridgely's battery was compelled to
retire, not being able to gel position under so
heavy hire. But we rushed on determined 10
Conquer or die, charging up to the cannon
.mout' 8 1t was here, the brave, gallant, and
noble Malsoa fell, urging hIs men on to VIC
terry.
He was shot flst under the guns of then
battery .oiih aluskei ball through The neck, cut
ting his jag,,tar gein.. He was the only officer in
our battalion that was injured Just at this
time we found the shot 80 hot, that we forced
our way through the yards of the houses to The
suburbs of the city, aud there the lunceis at
tempted TO cut off our retreat. Our men Jump
ed ever brush fence and popped them off of
their horses like shooting at black birds. We
then charged fort or battery in hollow aud
then scaled the walls on ladder, one going
up at a time, and took possession, Capturing SO
prisoners, one an American!
In the afternoon, Gen. Worth got possession
of the Bishops Palace, and 80 pieces of Arul-
lery, and opened fire with their own runs
and ammunition on the town, keeping il w
all night. During the night he succeeded in
placing mortar on the monntlin opposite the
centre of the town, and before day commenced
throwing bombs into the city. The army on
this side by this time, having gained posses
sion of4 or batteries, kept up an incessant
fire, the balance of our troops were working
their way into the city by cutting holes thro'
the houses, in order to cover from The FIRE of
the Big Fort and Cathedral, but all the while
picking off Mexicans from the tops ofthe hou-
sea- and from the walls of the Fort and Cathe-
DIAL. On Thursday morning they captuIated
| lost one man, named Patrick O'Bren, kill
ed, and FIRST Sergeant William F. Powelson,
and private George Harold, wounded, both in
the arm with musket shot. The entire loss OF
our army, is abou. 500 killed, wounded aud
missing, and the Me&,ean loss is ve,y lnrge,
and difficult TO come at, A larger proportion