The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-10-27
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES OF GEN.
TAYLOR.


SIR: | have the honor to report that
the troops under my command including
the mounted volunteers from Texas,
marched from Marin on the 18th, and
encamped before Monterey on the 10Th
instant. 1t was immediately discovered
that the enemy occupied the town in force
and had added greatly to It's strength by
Gortiiying the approaches and command
ing heights. A close reconnaissance was
made the same evening by the officers of
engineers and topograp hical engineers on
both ilanks of the town. and 1t was deter
mined from the information procured TO
occupy the Saliilio road in rear OF the
town, carrying, il practicable, the several
fortified eminenccs in that direction. The
I'd division Of regular troops, and a por-
ton Of Col. Hays regiment of mounted
volunteers, was accordingly detached un-
der Brigadier Gen Worth on This service
at noon on the ooh. 4 ten-inch mortar
and two 2f-poGnder howiizers were
placed il battery during the nigh; TO play
upon the citadel and town. At 7 O'Clock
these guns opened and continued delib-
crate fire. which was returned. To create
still further diversion in favor Of Gen.
Worth's movement, tie remainder OF the
force. except camp guard, was display
ed in the centre and lefl Of the town. The
inlaniry and one battery Of the lst divis-
ion made strong demonstration Oh the
iott, and soon became so closely engaged
that | moved forward the volunteer di-
vision uHder Maior Gen. Butler its sup
port, leaving one battalion lst kentuck-
y to cover the mortar battery. A close
contest then ensuet, which resulted in the
capture Of one strong battery of four
guns, which with come adjacent defencer,
our troops now occupy. 4 garrison was
left to hold lhis position. & the remainder
Of the force returned to camp.
In the mean time Gen. Worth had en-
gagged the enciny early in the morning,
and defeated hin with considerable loss.
in the course Of the day two of the bat
ierics in rear ofthe town were carried By
siorrning parties Of the % division.
and third was carried this morning at
dawn Of day. The Bishops Palace oc-
cupied the only remaining height in rear
of the town, and Is completely command
ed by the works already carried. Gen.
Worth's division occupies the Saltillo
road, and cuts off all succor or support
from the interior. | must reserve a more
minute report of the important operations
of Yesterday until those Of the different
commanders are rendered, and also until
a typographical sketch of the country can
be prepared.
| regret to report that our success has
not been obtained without severe loss, 10
be attributed in good measure 10 the ar
dor of the troops in pressing forward.
no returns Of killed and wounded have
YET been received, nor is il known what
corps of Gen. VI orth's division have suG-
fered mosi.In the other,porlionof thearmy
of first, third. fourth regiments Of infan-
try, and regiment of Tennesse volunteers
have sustained the greatest loss.
Here follows list OF officers who
were killed and wounded, which we omit
because it has been already published
| need hardly add that the conduct Of
our troops, both regulars and volunteers,
throughout the operations, has been eve
ry thing that could be desired. The part
which each corps contributed to the sue
cesses of the day will appear more fully
in future reports. To Major Generals
Butler and Henderson. and BFigadler
Generals Twiggs and Worth, command
ing divisions, must express my obliga-
tions for the efficient support which they
rendered-partieulariy So 10 Brigadier
Gen. Worth, whose services, from his
detached position, have been most con-
splcHous.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obe-
dicnt servant,
4. TAYLOR,
Major General L. S.A. commanding.
The Adiutant General of the Army