The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1846-12-19
Official Correspondence.
CAMP BEFORE MoNTRREy,}
Senfemher %. 1916

CAMP BEFORE MoNTRREy,}
September 20, 1916
Generat-In addition to my report to Majo
General Butler of the action of the 2lst inst:
! now have the honor to report the transac
T tons of my brigade on the 22d inst, followed
up by the attack upon the city of Monterey on
the 23d September last.
Being ordered on the morning of the 22d to
relieve Col. Garland's command, which had
during the preceding night occupied the re-
doubt and Notifications taken on the 2lst, my
command marched from their encampment
about 9 O'Clock in the morning. Col. Camp
bell, of the Tennessee regiment, being indis-
posed from the fatigue and exposure Of the
preceding day, the command of his regiment
devolved on 1t. Col. Anderson. Both regi-
ments were much reduced by the casualties Of
the preceding day, and the necessary details for
the care of the wounded. The march neces-
sarily exposed the brigade for short distance
to severe fire of artillery from the works still
in possession of the enemy on this side of the
city, and from the cross fire of the CITADEL
We were not allowed to reach our post without
some loss. Private Dubois, of Capt. Crump's
company Of Mississippi rifemen, was killed,
and two men of the same company wounded
before entering the works. The redoubt and
adjacent works being occupied by my brigade
and Lieut.. Ridgely's battery, portion OF the
troops were engaged under the direction of
Lieut. J. M. scarrett, of engineers, in strength
ening our position on the side next to town.
At intervals during the whole day until 9
O'Clock at night, the enemy kept up from their
Notifications and from the citadel discharges
of shell, round shot, and grape. 1t was in the
forenoon of this day that by the aid of our
glasses, we were presented with full view of
the storming of the Bishops Palace by troops
under Gen. Worth on the heights beyond tn.
city The shout by which our brave volunteers
greeted the display of the American flag on
the palace, was returned by the enemy from
their works near us by tremendous fire of
round shot and grape upon US without effect
During the day plans of assault on the ada
cent Mexican works were considered Of, but
in the evening my attention was drawn to a
line of about 500 Mexican infantry at some
of this force, amounting to nearly three times
our effective numbers, and which appeared to
be posted for the protection of the works, in
duced mo to give up all idea of forcing the
works without re-infofcements. During the
night several "Reminiscences were made with
details of Capt. Whitfeld's company in the
direction of the redoubt "El Ciablo" FIRE.
quent signals between the different posts of
the enemy during the night kept us on the
alert; and at the first dawn of day on the 23d,
it was discovered that the enemy had abandon
ed, or were abandoning, the strong works near
est to us. Col. Davis, with a portion of his
command, supported by 1t. Colonel Anderson,
with two companies of the Tennessee regiment
were ordered to take possession of the works.
This was promptly done The enemy had
withdrawn their artillery during the night, and
nothing of value fell into our hands but some
prisoners and ammunition. From this work,
which commanded view of the cathedral and
portion of the great plaza of the city, we
perceived another half-moon or triangular re-
doubt in advance of US, and on our right, which
appeared to be Immediately connected with
heavy stone buildings and walls adjoining the
block of the city. Having reported my obser-
vations to the commanding general, who had
approached the field of our operations. re.
ceived permission to advance upon the defen-
ces of the city in this direction, and, if deemed
practicable, to occupy them. 1t was sufficient
ly apparent th-t all the approaches to the city
on this side were strongly fortified. Wishing
to proceed with caution, under the qualified
permission of the commanding general, sent
out party of rifemen, under Lieut.. Graves,
to reconnoitre, supporting them at some dis
lance by company of Tennessee infantry,
under Capt. McMurray. Some active move
ments of the enemy in the vicinity induced me
to halt this party, and to order out Col. Davis,
with two companies of his command and two
companies of Tennessee troops, to advance on
these works. As the troops advanced, armed
men were seen flying at their approach. Upon
reaching the redoubt which had attracted our
attention, we perceived that it was open, and
exposed to the fire of the enemy from the stone
buildings and walls in the rear. 1t was, there
fore, necessary to select another position less
exposed. Posting the two companies of in
iantry, in position to defend the lodgment we
had effected, l directed Col. Davis to post his
command as he might deem most advantageous
for defence or active operations, intending he.e
to await further orders OF endorsements. In
the place several shots were
fired at Col. Davis by the enemy, and several
files Of the nhemen who had advanced to the
slope Of a breastwork (No. y which had been
thrown across the street for the defence of the
city, returned the fire. A volley from the enc
my succeeded. Our party having been rein
forced by additions from the riHemen and in
fantry, brisk firing was soon opened on both
sides, the enemy from the house tops and para
pets attempting to drive us from the Judgment
we had effected. A considerable body Of the
enemy, securely posted on the top of large
building on our left, which partially overlook
ed the breastwork No. I, continued to pour in