The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-11
We give, this evening, letters from the New
Orleans Commercial Times, which were crowded
out Of our columns last night
Correspondence Of tbs Commercial Times.
CAMP NEAR MosrEREr, (Mexico,)

Il
| Carr NEAR MosrEREr, (Mexco,)
1T. October -, 1916
In this letter hope TO bring matters and things
up TO date. There are many circumstances that
could DO mentioned, which are omitted, but viii be
| referred 10 hereafter 90 .,r.4
After the cspitulalion was signed the Mexcans
began to squabbe about the meaning of IT, and sew
eral things were conceded that were not intended,
particularly in relation to the battery Of cannon. FL
nally, on the 25lh September, the Mexican flag was
lowered az the citadel, under a salute from their
guns and ours Immediately raised In It's place, salu-
ted by twenty-one guns and three cheers from all
hands. Il was also raised, successfully the forts
Tenena and Rincon del Diablo, with salutes and
| cheers and Monterey was ours.
IL We are now transporting provisions
for the army from Camargo, and if this lins Of
march into the interior is 10 be continued Il will still
be necessary to do SO. We have il is true got the
enemy out of a stronghold, but lnrned him loose
with arms in his hands TO seek another, and bound
ourselves not to follow him for eight weeks; so that
| he may have ample time TO make preparations
against attack These the fruits Of our victory,
independent Of the lustre thrown upon our arms by
the gallant conduct Of our~bfcers and soldiers mos-
tened by the blood Of Ave hundred brave men, and
dimmsd by the tears Of thousands for the fate OF
those who are entombed in the streets and fields in
and around Monterey.
As my appreciation is a matter Of little moment,
merit public approval, will be harmless No man
who saw Gen. Taylor in the various positions OF
danger be was To- can doubt his possession Of that
cool and deliberate courage essential 10 command
ing officer No one attempts 10 withhold from Gen.
Worth all praise for the skill and gallantry he dis
played. He comes up TO my ideas Of what gener.
al in the field should be-calm and methodical in
the formation Of his plans, bold energetic and eour-
| ageous in the execution Of them. Whilst others
showed the qualities Of the soldier, he proved him
self possessed of the skill and gsantry OF the gen.
eral sincerely regret he does not know how TO
use victory, as well as to gain IT, His influence,
suspect, dictated the unfortunate terms Of the Ca
| pitulAtion.
In the operations on the right, Gen. Worth was
we'll sustained by Col. Persifer F. Smith, Of your
city, now in the United States service His mette
| as gallant officer has been we'll tried and proved
to be Of the pures standard Il is no doubt source
of pleasure, to him and his friends, to know that
whilst many complaints were urged in consequence
Of many Of the appointments in the new rife regi-
ment, not one, within my knowledge, has been d.
reced towards him. Military capacity and soldier
ly qualities, it is admitted, he possesses. Lieut..
Col Childs, Capt. G. F. Smith, and Lieut. Deas, OF
the artillery battalion, were pre-eminent in their
corps, was Capt Miles, Of the 7th infantry, Cap
tain Blanchard and hts lieutenanIs, (Ihe Messrs.
Nichols Of the company Of louisiana volunteers,
did their duty as brave officers, and, doubt not,
many others did so unknown TO me.
On the left, the fighting was Of a different and
more sanguinary character than on the right. IL
was there the enemy had their heaviest force, and
every point could be reinforced promptly Nearly
every house a fortress, and shot we're flying in
every quarter from invisible enemies Il was in the
lower part Of the town, and the plain, that four
hfths of our men were killed and wounded. There
Col Garland led the LIST division into the fight and
commanded all Of IL that in the town on the 2lst
Of September; and, whilst officers and men were fall
ing by scores around him, displayed that species Of
cool and undauned courage rare, that enables the
man to overcome his warmest feelings Of friendship
and carries the officer on to his duty and 10 face the
storm of battle when his judgment tells him he gains
nothing by the contest; and when repulsed to again
return with the same unhnchng to the charge.
Lieut.. Col. Wilson and Capts. Backus and La
motto, Of the LIST infantry, gave additional proofs of
their courage and zeal. The latter was severely
wounded Major Lear Of the Sd infantry, fell se-
yerely wounded, while at the head Of his regiment,
CALAMITY leading II into action, and the bloody test
monials left the field prove the indomitable cour-
age and perseverance of the survivors Of this gallant
tand. There are scarcely officers enough left in it
TO have one for each company. The 4th infantry
also did its duty manfully. The grave that contains
the bodies Of the gallant Col Watson and Lieuts.
Hoskins and Woods, who fell on the 2lst and that
which closes to-day over the remains Of Lieut.. r.
II. Graham, speak trumpet tongued" in behalf of
their comrades, whilst Brevet Major Graham and
other survivors, yet live to repeat their gallant efforts
on some other field. Major Mansfield, of the en-
gneers, manifested the perfect Indifference to
danger, as did Col. Kenney, of the Texas corps,
who accompanied him into the town, This gentle
man conspicuous for his activity and courage
in battle, he had proved himself jealous and capa-
BILE in providing the means Of bringing the army into
the field and supporting 1t there.
In the volunteer corps, Generals Quitmann and
Hamer, and Col. Davis, all gave proofs of possess
ing high qualifications as officers. Col. Campbell,
in Leading on and ralyng his regiment when in con-
fusion, under hot fire, proved himselfa gallant
soldier He was well sustained by Lieut. Colonel
Anderson. The severe wounds of Colonel Mitchell,
Lieutenant Colonel McClung, and Major Alexan.
der grove that they in the thickest of the fight
doing then duty.
In the Texas corps of mounted men, Generals
Henderson and Lar.r manifested the greatest de-
liberation and courage. Co..onels Hays and Woods,
Lieutenant Colonies Walker anu Myrck, and Ma
ors Chevalie and Scurry, all behaved well. There
occasions offered for any acts Of individual
gallantry.
The nature of the service afforded but little chance
for the light artillery to do much. Lieut.. Colonel
Duncan had the best opportunity, and proved again
he deserved the aurels won at Palo Alto When
ever called on, Major Ridgely and Captain Bragg,
with their commands, did all in their power, and
evinced capacity that will yet be felt on farer
field
The Dragons did not get opportunity to draw
a sword in anger during the whole ime-a circum-
stance that chafed them good deal. All the COM
fort can give them Is to "nurse their wrath and
keep it warm" to be poured out hereafter.
Ii is not customary to mention the names of pn-
va,e individuals in the official reports, although in
the fight; it is therefore proper to state that Colonel
Bale Peyton was with Gen. Worth in all his opera
tons, and conducted himself most CALAMITY, as am
informed. Capt G. Mason Graham, of Red river,
acted as aid to Col Garland, and behaved very hand
somely. His horse shot under him, and he
was not in the second attack on the town.
The Mexican mounted corps encamped about the
town, began to move off on the 25th OF September,
as did part of the baggage train of mules General
Ampudia on the Goth, left with two heavy brigades
of infantry, part of the artillery and some cavalry
His column mustered 2, 500 men at least, probably
more. He took the road to SaltilIo, On the 9Th
and 2sth, divisions equally as numerous marched in
the same direction The most motley collection of
men, women, and children white and copper-col-
ored, with dogs, cats, game-cocks, parrots and
thousand other things, mounted on horses mules,
and donkeys, or on foot, accompanied each column,
There never was so mixed multitude. The fol.
lowers were almost as numerous ma the army and