The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-11-17

iefty, anu ucItHce Vi tne cdpituidtiOiI, aiO
from the pen of Col. BALE PEYToN:
MONTEREY SEPT. 25. 1876.
Ny DEAR SIR: After most obstinate
and sanguinary conflict, which was con-
tinued from day to day for five days, Gen.
Ampudia capitulated this city on the 24th
instant Our loss IN killed and wounded
has been extremely severe, not less than
500. amongst whom are some of the
most valuable officers of the regular army,
as well as volunteers.
The first regiment of Tennessee volun-
teers, commanded by Col. Campbell,
suffered more severely, perhaps, than any
other which was engaged during the siege
having had twenty-seven killed on the
fed, and seventy-seven wounded, some
of them mortally, and many of them Sc
rously, and this out of force of only
$40 men. Notwithstanding this tremen-
dous loss, the regiment charged under the
lead of lis gallant colonel and other Otli-
GERS, and was the first regiment which
stormed the fort, mounted the breast
works, and unfurled the stars and stripes
upon its walls, amidst perfect hailstorm
of balls which was pouring upon 1t.
These Mexican towns and fortresses
are incredibly strong. and few men fight
better from house-tops and behind stone
walls, Or are more adroit in the use of
stationary artillery than the Mexicans.
fn these actions Gen Taylor had, all told,
about 5000 men, while Gen. Ampudia's s
force consisted of 10000 infantry and
cavalry, besides militia, rancheros, &c.
/ Gen. Taylor had eighteen pieces OF ar
tllery,of which seventeen were heldpieces
while Gen Ampudia had forty-four pieces
thirty-eIght of which, with two standards
of colors, are now in our possession.
Our army arrived before Monterey the
morning of Saturday, the 10Th instant,
and about half-past eight o'clock, while
accommodating the outworks of the city. a
ball, discharged from twelve-pounder,
struck near Gen. TAYLOR and staff, and
bounded with terrible velocity over his
! head. at which the old hero did not change
a muscle or even bat his eve. This day,
the 10th, was spent in making reconnois-
sances of the place and its various out
posts. amidst good deal of firing on the
part of the Mexicans, from cannon and
short gun called an escopette, which
carries large ball to a distance of 500
or 600 yards.
On Sunday, the Goth, Gen. Worth
was detached bv Gen. Taylor, i'll COM
mand ofthc second division of the regular
army (about I,500 strong) and Col.
Hays regiment of Texas Rangers, (con-
sisting of 400. men, with view OF
turning the city and occupying the Saltil-
10 road, for the purpose OF cutting off the
enemy's supplies and reiniorcements,
which were daily expected under Gen.
Santa Anna. The division performed the
matchmaking a road, filling bitches,
&c.-a distance of about six or seven
miles, and reached the vicinity of the
enemy in the evening, about five O'Clock.
when the General, with an escort from
Col. Hays Rangers, was fired on by the
batteries placed on the heights, and also
by corps of the enemy's light troops,
who were sent through a cornfeld TO cut
off his party.
From this time until the appearance oi
the white flag, on the evening of the 9th
! the division of the army commanded by
Gen. Worth, was necessarily engaged
and was ever uccessful-never for one
moment hesitating or falterng-putting
to rout the enemy's cavalry on the plains
driving his infantry through the chaparra
and from the house-tops. scaling immense
heights, capturing guns, and storming for
tresses which were not only deemed inn
pregnable but which seemed to be al
most inaccessible. And, best of all, these
brilliant exploits were performed with tho
loss OF fourteen killed and fity-six wound
ed; and during the four days contest there
occurred not the slightest error or mistake
on the part of the commanding general
nor was there at any time the least falter
inc or hesitancy on the part of the off
GERS and men-regulars and volunteers
in executing his orders. Indeed, 1t Is
difficult to determine which is mos
worthy of admiration, the wisdom ant
energy displayed by the able and accom-
plished commander, or the gallantrv ant
ardor with which he was sustained by
those under his command.
! When the difficulties and apparently
insuperable obstacles are considered,
venture the assertion that the series o
successes obtained by the division unde
Gen. Worth's command. in the recen
operations against Monterey, will bear
favorable comparison with the proudes
: achievements Of the American arms. Ill
was,opposed by greatly superior force
which was well served with artillery. AM
posted upon the highest peaks of tn
Sierra Madre. He stormed heights, too
three pieces of artillery, turned them o.
the enemy, and with these and the aid @
one Of his own pieces-whIch he cor