Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-10-15


forts and deences east of the city had been entirely
abandoned by the enemy, who, experimenting ano-
ther assault on the night OF the 22nd, had retired
from all his deiences to the main plaza and its i'm
mediate vicinity. A command of two companies Of
Mississippi and two of Tennessee troops were then
shrown into the streets to reconnoitre and soon be-
came very holly engaged with the enemy-These
were soon supported by Col. Woods regiment OF
mounted Texas Rangers dismounted, by .Braeg's
Light Battery and the 3rd Infantry the enemy's
fire was constant and uninterrupted from the streets
house tops, barricades, Sc, &C., in the vicinity OF
the plaza The pieces of Braggs battery were
also used with much effect far into the heart of the
city.-This engagement lasted the best part of the
day, our troops having driven the scattered parties
OF the enemy, and penetrated quite to the defences
oil the main plaza. The advantage thus gained. il
was not considered necessary TO hold, as the enemy
had permanently abandoned the city and its defen-
ces except the main plaza, its immediate vicinity,
and the Cathedral fort or Citadel. Early in the
afternoon (same day. Gen. Worth assaulted from
the Bishops Palace the west side of the city, and
succeeded in driving the enemy and maintaining his
position within short distance OF the main plaza
on that side of theciy towards evening the mortar
had also been planted in the Cemetery enclosure,
and during the night did great execution in the cir
cumscribed camp of the enemy in the plaza-Thus
ended the operations of the 23d.
Early on the morning of the 24th, a communica-
ton was sent to Gen. Taylor, from Gen. Ampudia,
under flag, making an offer of capitulation, To
which the former refused to accede, as it asked
more than tho American commander would under
any circumstances grant at the same time a de-
mand to surrender was in reply made upon General
Ampudla-l IL M. was the hour at which the ac-
ceptance or non-acceptance was to be communicated
to the American General. AT III A. NJ, the Mex
lean GENERAL sent, requesting personal conference
with Gen. Taylor, which was granted; the princi-
pal officers of rank on either side accompanying
their Generals After several offers in relation to
the capitulation Of the city made on either side and
refused, at half past p NJ, Gen. Taylor arose and
saying he would give Gen. Ampuda one hour to con-
slider and accept refuse, left the conference with
his oilcersat the expiration of the hour the dis
charge oil the mortar was to be the signal for the
recommencement of hostilities. Before the expira-
ton OF the hour, however, an officer was sent OH
the part of Gen. Ampudia, to inform the American
General that to avoid the further cfusion of blood
and the national honor being satisfied by the cxer
lions OF the Mexican troops, he had after consuta
ton with his General Officers, decided to capitulatc
accepting the offer Of the American General
The terms fcaptulaton Were in effect as follows
That the officers should be allowed to march out
with their side arms.
That the Cavalry and Infantry should be allowed
TO march out with their arms and accoutrements.
That the Artillery should be allowed to march
out with one battery of six pieces and twenty rounds
of ammunition
That all other munitions of war and supplies
should be turned over to board of American off
GERS appointed to receive them.
That the Mexican Army should be allowed Sc
ven days to evacuate the city, and that the Ameri
can troops should not occupy it until evacuated.
That the Cathedral, Fort or Citadel, should be
evacuated at 10 A. NJ, next day. (25th) the Mexi
cans then marching out and the American garrison
marching in The Mexicans allowed to salute their
flag when hauled down.
That there should be an amstice of eieh, weeks.
during winch time neither army should pass line
running from Rlnconada through Linares and San
Fernando.
This lenient offer of the American General was
dictated with the concurrence of his Generals and
by motives OF good policy and consideration for the
good defence Of their city by the Mexican Army
hated-Cap Williams, Typographical Engl-
nneers; Lieut. Ierrett, LIST Infantry: Capt. l.. N
Morris, Sd do; Capt. Field, So do Major Barbour.
Sd do; Lieut.. Irwin, Sd do; Lieut. Hazlitt, Sd do:
Lieut. Hoskins, 4th do; Lieut.. Woods, 4th do !;
Capt. Mckavett, Sth do; Col. Watson Baltimore
Battalion; Capt Battlem, LIST Tennessee Regiment:
Lieut.: Putnam, LIST do do; Lieutenant in Ger
man Company.
Wounded Major Lear, Sd Infantry, severely ::
Capt. cambridge, Sd do, very slightly; Lieut. r.
H. Graham, 18th do, severely; Capt Lamotte. LIST
do, slightly; Lieut.. Dilworth, LIST do, severely
Major Abercrombie, LIST do, slightly: Lieut.. VAIN
wright, 9Th do slightly; Lieut.. Rossell, 5th do.
slightly; Lieut. Potter, 9TH do, slightly; Major
Mansfield, Engineers, slightly Gen Butler. Vol
unteer Division, slightly; Col. McClung, Missis-
sippl Regiment, severely; Maj. Alexandra, Tennes
see Volunteers; Lieut.. Allen, do. do; Lieut. Scud-
der, do. do; Lieut.. Nixon, do do Capt bowler.
Mississippi Regiment; Lieut. Thomas, Texas Re-
giment; Lieut.. Armstrong, Ohio Regiment. severe
y; Captain Gillespie, Texas Rangers. mor,alv
wounded, since died Col. Mitchell, Ohio Volun-
teers, slightly.