Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-11-11
FROM THE vIcKsBURG SENTINEL.
CAMP NEAR MONTERREY. Sept. %


hasten to inform you that we have over
taken the enemy at Monterey, and they
are gone. They did not leave, however,
at our approach, nor were they so easily
whipped as we anticipated. We arrived
here on the 10Th inst. which was Saturday.
Sunday we rested, while Taylor and his
officers were busiIy engaged in making
observations, and surveying the town.
Monterey Is accessible from three points
only-east, west, and north. The noun
talns on The south are impossible, and hide
their heads In the clouds. The other two
mountains, which are not so high, are
more easy of access, lie north east and
west-thus forming the three entrances TO
town above alluded 10. Our approach
was from the north. On Sunday evening,
the 10th, Gen. Worth passed over the
mountain northwest Of town, and took
possession of the entrance from the west.
This was point at which the enemy had
not anticipated an attack, and consequent
ly the weakest. Who guided Worth thro'
the mountain have not learned. Mon
day, the 2lst, the Sd Regiment of Infan-
try and the Baltimore bows, under Gen
Twiggs, commenced moving tor town, fol-
loved by Gen. Quiiman's Command of Vo-
lunteers. Gen. Twiggs bore down on,
and attempted to take By storm, fort ST.
tuated at the east end OF The town, which
guarded the easterly pass. from the city.
This battery also raked the entrance from
the north. [ shall not attempt in this
To give you Il general description of the
fights of the 2lst, 22d, and 23d. as the
facts as transpired are not in my posses
sion. | will therefore only inform you
what part the Mississippi boys took in the
fight, &c.
AT haIf-past seven on the 2lst, we were
drawn up IN order of battle north east of
the city, within range. of the tweIve-poun-
ders of the enemy: the Tennessee troops
on the left, we on the right, and still far.
Their on our left, Twiggs' command was
stationed. We remained in this position
about fifteen minutes, amused by the mu-
sic of roundshot whstling over our heads
and by the by, speaking of heads, reminds
me of lodging, and if we did not do some
Of the tallest, or rather the lowest lodging
that was ever made by a man, you can
take me. as Crowder says, for two and a
half. About eight O'Clock, Twiggs bore
down on the fort with his BaltImoreans,
who, after discharging a few shots and at
tempting charge, were repnlsed with
considerable loss. Our Brigade was then
put in motion for the purpose of sustaining
Twiggs, and arrived on the ground few
moments after the repuse. Tne Tennes
see Regiment passed 10 the left of the fort
| leaving us exposed 10 the full blast of the
guns OF the fort in front, and The rakme
fire of one on our right, and within thirty
FIVE or forty yards of the fort in our front
In this position we gave them three rounds
OF Mississippi lead, which drove the men
from their guns, and caused many Of their
heads 10 drop behind the breast.works 10
rise no more. At this monochrome eager
| y watched for by our two brave CON-
manders, Davis and McClung, the CON-
mand charge" was given, aud then with
traiLed arms. led on by Davis and Ne
! Chung, forward marched The sslssippi-
ans, all earger TO be the first on the enc
my's ramparts. AT our approach the
Mexicans fled, leaving only twenty FIVE
behind, who were taken prisoners; and
to McClung belongs The honor of being
the first on the enemy's baltlements at
Monterey. The first fort being gained
on sped Davis und McClung in pursuit OF
the enemy, side by side until they came
to the second fertilization after bursting
open door, Nc. and Davis entered at the
same time. McClung, while entering,
with his sword waving over his head, call.
ing on the enemy to surrender, received a
shot in The left side, which at the time was
considered mortal; but am happy to in.
form you that he is now doing well, and
will probably recover. Nc. was taken 10
place of safety; and these Rife Charg.
ing MississiPpIans were led on by The
gallant Davis, against The third. Battery
Our advance was now slow, as we were ex
posed not only to the fire from the fort
but to that from the houses on our right
and from a ravne on our left. We how
ever succeeded in driving them back, af
Ter about three hours hard fighting. We
took house after house, and wall after wall
until we got position "a which we coulC
bring our rifles to bear on The fort with eff
iect, when TO our modification. aud IN,
chagrin of Davis we were ordered to re
tire.
1 We however maintained the ground gain
ed the first day, and on the morning @
the 22d, Worth stormed and took two for
uticallons IN the west end of town; an
on The morn'ng of the Odd, we wer
again put in motion, and advanced on tn
fort that we had retreated from on th
2lst, which we found vacated, the enem
having left it the night previous Davi
then led US into the city, where We Tough
for seven hours, advancing nearly to In
j public SQUARE. their general Rendezvous