The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-03
MONTEREY, MEXICO,

- s"# I wrote Won let
| ter from camp at Cerralvo; and believe men
toned that it was pretty generally thought there
would be no fig htng here After leaving Cerravo we
took up our line Of march through the mountain
passes, surrounded by some of the most beautiful
scenery in the world. On encamping the second
night, the mail reached US, and brought me ------'s
letter, dated, think, in August (for destroyed il
before going into battle) The next day we reached
town called Marine which was deserted BY a
body of the eneny's troops the advance Of ours.
We remained there all day, for the whole army to
concentrate. From the belfry of the church we
could see Monterey, about twenty-five miles dis
tant. The rising and setting of the sun on the
mountains exceeded in beauty anything | have
seen; and lovers of the beauties Of nature
was indeed hailed with delight You will no doubt
read descriptions Of our march In the papers from
ADLER pens than mine, as several contributors to diff
erent newspapers accompany the march. On the
second days march from Marine, and about six or
eight miles from here, ears were saluted by
the firing of artillery. 1t afterwards proved to
be the guns from the town firing upon General
Taylor, with the advance guard who were rec
onnoltring the place This, of course settled
all doubts with regard to fight. The town was
evidently fortified, and strongly, too, proved on
closer observation. The strength Of the enemys
forces could not, of course, be known, but sup
posed to be large, or they would not make stand
The army encamped that night about three miles
from the town, little stream called the Walnut
Springs. The army had been previously divided
into three divisions: the Let under General Twiggs,
the I'd under General Worth, and Sd under Gen.
Butler. On Sunday, the Goth instant, the Cd d.
vision, consisting Of the artillery battalion 9Th in
antry, 9Th and 7th infantry one company of Louis
lana volunteers, two battaons oflight artillery and
some Texas rangers marched out Of camp to take
up position In the rear of the town preparatory
storming the fortified hills and Bishops Palace
next morning. We marched until near night when
a very heavy rain commenced and drenched us all
10 the skin; soon after we halted for the night and
lay on the ground shivering with cold was for
tunato enough to get my cloak; brother officer and
a stone for pillow, and the broad canopy Of
heaven over us, endeavo,ed to get some rest At
daylight we again commenced our march and soon
being IN range of the enemies guns, they com
menced throwing round shot and shells us, but for
some time did no damage. Soon the head Of our
column came up with body of Mexican troops,
consisting of lancers and infantry. After slight
resistance and some loss, they fed, and with some
delay we still continued our march The road was
directly under their fire, and they took pretty good
advantage of il; their shot fell all around De and
one officer Captain McKeave, 9th infantry was
killed and several men wounded. We were then
moved out of reach Of their fire, and soon after two
hills from which they had been firing at us were
stormed and taken thus ended the operations on
| our side of the town the first day. Our loss was
very trlhing indeed. On the other side Of the town
our loss was very great--some nine or ten officers
OF the regular army were killed, and do not know
| how many volunteers. A great number wounded
| also. Inc loss among the men was also very
great; have not heard the exact number. .3sF
That night was on guard on the road lead;ns
INTO the town. Il dark az pitch rained near.
oil night was cold, hungry, fat gued, and wet