American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-11-02
Correspondence of the Baltimore Clipper. !
MONTEREY, Mexico, Sept. 90, 1876.


MONTEREY, Mexico, Sept. 90, 1896
GentIemen:- march of II days from
Camargo, General Taylor's former Head-quar-
ters the American Army came within sight Of
Monterey on the 9th. The highly pictures
que appearance of the city, situated as it is, at
the base of chain of mountains reaching to
the clouds, almost Perpendicularly in its rear,
and hanking it on its right and left with de-
fences, heretofore considered mpregnable, was
heightened by the many stories so fondly ut
tered by every patriotic "Mexicano," Of the
bravery fits former defenders, and when with
in mile Of its FIVE forts, its Bishops Palace
and Cathedral, armed with heavy ordnance,
we understood that our Commander in Chief
came very near being killed by the fist dis
charge of heavy round shot. The countenan-
ces Of our men frightened up, believing that
we were Immediately to engage our long
sought enemy. Our Commander in Chief
however, Immediately ordered counter
march, and we retired about three miles from
the city, over level plain, and encamped.
Sunday night, the 20lh, our Battalion, IN
company with others, were ordered down near
the city to cover our men engaged in erecting
batteries for our mortars, and which duty was
promptly performed without serious difficulty
In the mean time, Mexican had been taken
under very suspicious circumstances, and who
feigned intoxication. Prompt and energetic
means were Immediately taken to gain nfor-
nation from him, when strange TO say, consd-
erng himself Gin extrems," and valuing his
head more than his country, he promised to
lead the American Army, by secret pass, to
the rear Of the town. Judge of the enemy s
alarm and surprise to find General Worth with
two Brigades, early Monday morning, the ever
memorable 2lst of September, attacking them
ia the rear by the Satillo road while the great
body of the American Army were assaulting
them at every point in an opposite drec-
ton. ...
Our little Battalion were ordered to ap-
proach the city at the South east or lower end,
defended by three forts, lanyard armed
equally formidable, a dstlery dotted with In
fantry, Rliemen, and four Founders, while the
yards were crammed with lancers. The word
"chaIge" was given after we had stood their
fire about five minutes, and onward we rushed
with shout that ranked the foe, for he pour
ed into and over us consta mt stream OF bomb,
round shot, canister, grape, musket balls and
esquepette. We could see the large shot plain
ly and kept bright look out for them, rush
ing on 10 the fort like devils, without any sup
port rom Artillery whatever, some even with
out bayonets, rushing up to walls fifteen to
twenty feet high and five foot thick, with a
ditch around them ten or fifteen feet deep
Soon to our surprise, when within few feet
of the fort, and when many of our men and
others had been wounded, we heard "Battalion
by the rght-fank and file-left2" away we
rushed between two forts into the teeth Of ano-
Their down town, every house and street of
which was barricaded and fortified.
Our Battalion Colour Sergeant had the good
right arm, which clasped the Stars and Stripes,
shot away. The orderly of c company had
his head blow Forty or fifty feet high in the arm
and many brave fellow either bit the dust or
now bears honorable marks of his proves on
that day upon his person. Twice we charged
down town-Col Watson, with the most un-
daunted bravery, leading OH and encouraging
his men, was repeatedly urged to be more pru-
dent, but no, his eye beaming with patriotic
enthusiasm, his bosom swelling with pride, as