The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-11-17

I iHflUCiDie SplFitS WHO SLOTtneu lneSS
! heights, he reduced that stronghold of the
enemy and drove him into the city, upon
which he turned the guns he had captured.
He bivouacked his force for the night on
! the bleak mountain, and the next day,
after bombarding the town, he conducted
his forces into the streets amidst a..shower
OF balls discharged at his person. He
was seen every where, directing every
thing. driving the enemy from his batter
les, forcing him from street 10 street and
house to house, until night ended the con-
fict. He maintained his position IN the
city, placed ten-inch morter in one OF
the stronly fortified squares, to direct
which he placed that gallant and sklliul
officer Major Munroe, with instructions to
fire shell weighing ninety Pounds) eve
ry half hour during the night. This du-
ty was performed with terrible effect,
almost every shell falling in the plaza,
where the enemy's forces were collected
to the number of 1000 or 5000 men,
He had made every necessary prepara-
ton for pursuing his advantages the next
day, even to placing some of his artillery
on the tops of high buildings, which
would command and sweep the house
tops from which the enemy fought.
/ Such was the state of preparation
when Gen. Ampudia capitulated the city,
rejecting equal honor upon the military
skill Of the head which conceived, and the
indomitable energy of the gallant spirits
! who executed the plan of operations.
Our most serious loss occurred on the
2Ist, when Gen. TAYLOR only intended to
make diversion in laver of Gen. Worth,
who was engaged in the attack on the
other side of the tewn, but owing TO the
ardor and impetuosity of the troops, they
verv soon became involved in general
engagement, which Gen. Taylor felt
bound to sustain. This excess of cour-
age involved melancholy consequences,
but it is surely most excusable weak
ness. if it he weakness, to display an ex-
cess of ardor in the field OF battle.
The volunteers from the different States
behaved in the most handsome manner
They have won for the citizen soldier the
admiration and applause Of the officers
and soldiers of the regular army, who
speak of their conduct in the highest
terms of appreciation and eulogy. A
mongst the volunteers none have shOne
more conspicuously than the lst Regl-
ment of Texas mounted riflemen, com
manded by that Chevalier Bayard, Col
lJ. G.. Havs, better known as Jack Hays
This corps, from the Colonel to the Pri-
vate, has fully sustained its former repu-
tation. In the first affair in which Gen.
Worth's division was engaged on the
morning of the 21st, Col. Hays, with
several companies of his mounted rifle
men, were thrown forward TO open the
ball. which he did most beautifully, en-
countering and shooting in the presence
of the General the Colonel of dragons
who commanded the encmy's forces.-
In scaling heights, stOrmlng batteries, ano
clambering over walls and house tops
the voice of the gallant Colonel and the
reports Of the unerrng rifle OF the Ran
ger were ever hoard in the van. The
courage and constancv and suborCllnatlon
Of this corps is the theme Of admiration
in the army.
But my object is narrative not eulogy
1t is not necessary for me to 60 into de-
tail in relation to the terms acc0dred to the
Mexican army in the capitulatlon, as yor
will have seen ihe articles, or the sub
stance thereof. published in the newspa
pers ere this reaches YOU. II any one
not acquainted with the facts of the case
should object that our Commanding Gen
oral has granted terms too favorable to the
retiring army, let it be remembered thai
our invincibe little army had already sui
fered severely IN barring the bOsoms OF ouI
hest citizens and hravest officers and sol
dicrs TO the batteries of an unseen Toe
that the CITY was still immensely strong
in its defences; that the Mexican army
was double that of our own; that thlS
army was in possession of the strongest
nart oc \ CITY each hausc Of which Is {
fortress within itself: that each remaining
street was barricaded, and most of then
defended by cannon; and that when drlv
en- from the city the Mexican army pos
sessed a fortress called the citadel, OF I'M
mense capacity and great strength, tt
which the whole army could have retired
To have taken this work without siege
train. as we were, by assault, would have
cost us very dearly. independently o
these considerations. our provisions were
growing short and our ammunition was
quite limited. We were far removed
from our supplies and reiniorcements
while he enemy might have been rein
t forced at any moment. And lastly, th'
! policy avowed by our Government doe
{ not incuIcate tile idea that this is to be
, vindictive or exterminating war agalns
the people Of Mexico, bat on the contrary
to conquer peace, or, IN other "ofdS' : :
: whip Mexico TO her own satls,ac'''u' s W
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