The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-10-22
THE ASSAULT ON MONTEREY. :

The capture OF Monterey ADDS yetanoiner
to the brilliant achievements which have sig
naIlzed the career of ZACHARY TAYLOR du-
ring the Mexican war. Palo Alto, Resaca
de la Palma and Monterey--felds of honor
and of glory for the American arms--tro-
phies of we'll earned fame, Of hard fought
battles of splendid triumphs. The last Crowns
the veteran and his troops with the laurels
due to an exploit which from the time Of The
occupation of Matamoras, became the great
and apparently final object ofthe campaign.
It's, accomplishment, though unhapply at
The cost of many brave aud gallant men,
proves that old ''Rough and Ready" has full
filled his promise, and that the confidence
which the American people have continued
10 repose in him as the master spirit OF the
war, is not misplaced.
In examining The details of This obstinate
and sanguinary contest which was maintain
ed for three days with unfaltering bravery,
we feel thai something more than ordinary
and general praise is due TO the volunteer
troops. They did wonders. Raw and I'M
disciplined, with no practical knowledge of
the art Of war, having never faced squad
ron in the field, their very first trial was one
which usually tests The valor and the discip-
line, the habits of obedience and The cool
contempt Of danger of regular soldiers.
Yet they shrunk not from peril ;Bor qualed
before the muTderous fire that ihinned their
ranks on all sides. The dangers of battle
in an open field where the shock Of armies is
met face TO face, and where death is conffon.
! ted, with the power almost of seeing by whom
the fatal blow is struck, are far less appall-
ing, far less disheartening to the young and
i inexperienced soldier. than The secret pers
which environ him, when compelled TO at
tack hidden and protected foe, and exposed
! TO be shot down by an adversary securely
entrenched behind walls and baslons. The
highest attributes Of courage are needed in
an assault upon concealed garrison, be-
cause at every step the number Of assaants
is liable TO be diminished by an effecfual FIRE,
while nothing can be gained and no injury
inflicted upon the foe, until the ramparts ara
reached and the hostile troops dslodged
from their sEelter.-Such evidences of coli
lected bravery are always worthy encomium,
and when given by militia, by volunteers
who flush their maiden swords for the first
time, they should call forth The warm and
uusinled panegyric of the people,, Honor
and praise, say we, 10 the regular troops, for
they did their duty and fulfilled the expec-
talion of the country. Triple honor and
praise TO the volunteers, for they went be-
yond just expectation, and covered. them
; selves with glory, by their admirable constan-
J cy, dauntless heroism and nhexible firmness.
II Lee; us do the Mexicans justice. All
D accounts prove that their resistance was as
D determined and obstinate as The attack OF our
] troops was terrible and overwhelming.
: Though literally unable TO Withstand the
}. overpowering impetuosity Of our army, they
+ retired conduct is the more gallant, as they
e had not like us the prestige of victory TO-
e cheer them on they lacked the moral force
s which animated Us, and could only confde
: in their numerical superiority and their solid
e and well fortified entertainments. Doubtless
n their display of courage was not lost upon
y Gen. TAYLOR, and i; may we'll be presumed
a that in granting them terms so much more
e liberal than are usually accorded, be was in
+ luenced, amongst other considerations, by a
0 sense of respect Tor brave men who were
n conquered but not cowards. sl7e
+ The murmur of disappointment at the
II clemency of the victor which has occasions
9 ally been uttered, seems to Us misplaced and
}. unreasonable. Gen. TAYLOR is not the man
o TO act without good and substantial motives.
g After having routed The Mexicans at all
e points, and compelled them to concentrate
S in the main plaza,i IS mot 10 be supposed
d that the fear OF further effusion Of blood
e would have made him decline final assault.
s Had his object been merely 10 beat the Mex
/ leans thoroughly, he could doubtless, have
t. effected il with few hours more of hard
d 6ghling:~ He had, however, other views, and
e beyond doubt was ac1ihg-ia conformity
with the Instructions of-the Government in
If accepting capitulation upon conditions SO
" favorable 10 the eReny. Though specuia
!. ton is necessarily. VANCE upon this sah;ecr.
!. lthe conjecture ia nlansihla that b. nnar