The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-11
Defence. and attack of Monterey.

Defenees and attack OF Monterey.
We have published variety of letters this memo
rable achievements but the following, from very young
and highly educated and promising officer gives pic
turesque yet correct description of the city and its
uenchments, as any that have seen. Ii bril-
liant achievement throughout The scene Of the action,
in which he bore prominent part was full of danger,
and the most fatal gallant troops In the corps
which he attached man in every five was either
killed or wounded
THE BATTLE-GROUND.
MONTEREY, Oct 7, 1916.
MY DEAR -: Various reasons prevented me from
writing during the late exciting times. will not
attempt to give you description of battles, the field
OF operations being extensive that but small portion
of the events OF the three days were within my own i'm
mediate observation The official dispatches made up
from the reports Of all engaged will give uster ideas
than could any individual account.
1--WE pitched camp (the army numbering about
5000 before Monterey the 10th ult The circum-
stances which determined the position OF camp were
such to fX US at greater distance (say three and a.
half miles) than was desirable from the scene OF action
The city and It's surrounding scenery perhaps
surpassed for beauty by any inland position in the world
The peculartes Of its location such 10 render any
accurate reconnaissance OF the defences OF the town i'm
practicable without absolutely entering the enemys lines,
and encounterng formidable fires OF muskeTy well
artillery This fact Is important to be remembered IN
Judging of our operations.
THE 10Th and goth were occupied in "Reminiscences
under heavy cannonade from the advanced works. Gen
Worths column moved the Goth to turn the left, which
the weak side Of any may be styled OF the town
the deiences IN that quarter consisting OF series OF
heights TO capture the first OF which to gain COM
mand OF the rest 1t will be seen that on the right the
case was reversed.
ION the morning OF the 2lst, Twggs's division of reg
uars moved in upon the town, Ignorant OF the localities,
and encountered formidable system OF defences the
military art is capable OF deyslng, with slight eXeep-
ton, arising from the nature OF the ground independent
OF the houses, leach of which strong fort Of solid
masonry, and all connected by high stone walls there is
system OF strong works arranged TO rake all the
approaches TO any one OF the senes and TO converge their
fire upon any point assaed without at all interfering
with each other and yet such their relative position
that any one when taken, would be covered by desuc
tive fires from those In rear-the works which formed the
base OF the system being mpregnabe to any other mode
OF attack than that by regular approaches The most ad
vanced work. however, of the series being on small
emnence, is not completely covered by those in its
as TO be absolutely untenabe when taken, though
its approaches perfectly swept, and when occupied it
Is within the effective range of roundshot and shells
from the principal works (he ctaeD the plain. II
upon this advanced redoubt that the regulars first
moved Such was its strength, and so deadly the fires
that covered its approaches that commander would
have felt justified in making attack on It's front while
there appeared possibility of turning the lgnor-
ant, OF course of what awaited them beyond, this i'll
faed division moved further n and encountered the still
deadier fires have described sustaining, without
chance of etectng anything tremendous loss in proper
ton 10 Its small numbers very large proportion OF the
officers were killed They in this situation, con-
slderaby advanced in the town. when General Butler ar
rived with three regiments to their support. Qunan
brigade inclined to the left and attacked in front the
work described the first OF the SERIES carrying it with
desperate vaor, and not without loss. This
work retained by thenceorh the garrlsons, daily
relieved having to sustain continual bombardment from
the citadel though unable to return II from want Of ar
lery OF sufficiently long range The Ohio regiment was
led by General Butler INTO the town near the point &c
which Twiggss division had advanced. The nature OF
that position, and the hopeessness of any effort in that
quarter, was communicated and induced retrograde
movement towards the position of Qutmans brigade. In
formation of the capture OF the first work induced our
general TO reenter the town IT, and attempt the cap
tue OF the second Entering the streets in that quar-
ter, accordingly our column was met by heavy fires
OF grape and canister from piece rakng the street
and by crossfres of musketry and artillery from the
adjacent works Our troops stood steadily these fires
from unseen foe General Butler having with his stat
entered the enclosure, yards open towards the work
but walled the side OF the streets) and reconnored
the position resolved to storm it. AT the moment when
about to lead the column, he was fortunately wound
ed in the leg say Fortunately for himself because he
must have been killed, and for the troops because or
subsequent examination, it is evident to all that the
work, if taken, could not have been held five minutes
1t must be ecolected perfectly Ignorant of the
localities and OF the defences, being Obstruced
by walls houses, hedges, and the dense growth OF the
gardens.
This wound compelling the general to withdraw, il
was reso ved to withdraw the troops to less exposed
and helpless position. They took position neal
the captured fort and within sustaining distance of ou
field batteries While moving out charge of Mexican
ancers made very pretty thing to look at but easily
epused Our division remained under fire OF the enemy
batteries all day, frequently crossing and recrossng with
the rest OF General Buffers stan renamed Ill the Held
until the capitulaon was concluded on the oath Twill not
attempt give you the history of the Odd and 3d. what
have said being intended to illustrate only the nature OF
our battles. We lost that day in division of about
,OOO 2ls killed and wounded.
"After gained possession of the town, General But
Ter brought in. We have fine house and garden
market is toerably good, but the Mexcans suf-
ered to exact the most eXtravagant prices from My
observations have convinced that what thought the
we'll Judged policy of our government with regard TO
this will not answer. They prescribe no bounds to
the pecunay exactons OF the inhabitants in the sale OF
their produce the government and individuals pay three
four times the market value of every commodity and
yet not the slightest advance has been made in their good
WILL We have to contend against Spanish prIdea pride
which kindness will never conciate though the strong
may repess the exhibition of its unconqueabe hatred
Acting out our policy make approaches to peace.
So long the country does suffer- the citizens and
soldery, maefactors and vagabonds they have to
mourn their loss and their place is easily supplied For
every advantage gained by treasury is bed to
amount ten times its value We have yet no in
dcaon of peace dmnution of the spirit of resist
ance.
"In speaking only of that part of the city where was
engaged, have omitted to give you idea of the I'M
strength of the whole The houses are all strong
forts OF great sZe not scattered in towns, but
each square covered by one building All are of solid
masonry, windows and doors stouy defended with iron
and heavy timbers. The garden walls are generally
loophoed and the fiat roofs of the houses afford parapes
Solid walls of masonry barrcaded all the Streets pro-
tected by deep bitches the irrgatng canals The
of the town forms continuous wall of masonry with
out presenting an assalabe point Fory-one pieces of
artillery, ammunition without limit, 5000 regulars, and
about 1000 irregular troops of defending the
town, which should have suffced to hold il against
10000 men, without the erection of single work, so