Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-12-03
BATTLE OF MONTERREY.
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES FROM GEN
TAYLOR.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OccUPATIoN,2
CAMP NEAR MONTEREY, Oct Q, 1876.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION
CAMP NEAR MONTEREY, Oct. 9, 1886
SIR have now the honor to submit detailed
report of the recent operations before Monterey re-
suitlng in the captulaon of that city.
The information received on the route from Ger
Falvo and particularly the continual appearance in
our front OF the Mexican cavalry, which had n
slight skirmish with our advance at the yillare of
Ramas, induced the belief, as we approached Mon
terey, that the enemy would defend that place
Upon reaching the neighborhood OF the city on the
morning of the 10Th of September, this belief was
fully confirmed. 1t was ascertaincd that he occu-
pied the town in force that large work had been
constructed commanding all the northern approach
es and that the Bishops Palace and some heights
in its vicinity the Satllo read, had also been
fortified and occupied with troops and artillery. 1t
was known from information previously received
that the Eastern approaches were commanded by
several small works in the lower edge of the city
The conhguraon of the heights and gorges in
the direction of the Saltllo road, visible from the
point attained by our advance the morning of the
18th, led me to suspect that it was practicable to
turn all the works in that direction, and thus cut
the enemys line of communication. After estab-
fishing my camp AT the ''Walnut Springs,' three
miles from Monterey, the nearest suitable position
1t was accordingly, my first TO order close re-
connosance of the ground in question, which was
executed on the evening of the 10Th by the enpi-
A reconnaissance of the Eastern approaches was at
the same time made by Capt. Williams, topoora-
| phIcal engineers. The examination made by Mai.
Mansfield proved the entire practcabty of throw
| ing forward column to the Satlo road. and thus
turning the position of the enemy. Deeming this
to be an operation of essential importance, orders
were given to Brevct Brig. Gen. Worth. command
| ing the second division, to march with his com
mand on the Goth to turn the hill Of the Bishops
! Palace to occupy position the Saltillo road
and TO carry the enemy's detached works in that
quarter where practicable The first regiment Of
! Texas mounted volunteers, under command of Col
Hays, was associated with the second division or
| this service. Capt Sanders, engineers, and Lieut.
Meade. typographical engineers, were also ordered
to report TO Gen. Worth for duty with his columns
| AT O'Clock, p M, on the 20th, the second d.
| vision took UP its march 1t was soon discovered
| by officers who were accommodating the town. ant
communicated to Gen. Worth, that its movement
had been perceived, and that the enemy was throw
ing reiniorcemens towards the Bishops Palace and
/ the height which commands it. To divert his at
tentlOn as far as practicable, the first division unde
! Brlgadier General Twiggs, and field division of vo
lunteers, under Major Gen. Butler were displayed
! in front Of the town until dark. Arrangements
were made at the same time to place in battery du
ring the night, at n suitable distance from the enc
my's main work. the citadel, two N-poundcr how
tiers, and l0-iuch mortar. with view to open
fire on the following day, when proposed TO maxi
a diversion in favor Of General Worth's movement
The 9TH infantry covered this battery during tn
night. Gen Worth had in the meantime reache,
and occupied for the night, defensive position jus
without range of battery above the Bishops Pa