Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-12-02
Letter from Col. Davis.
MISSISSIPPI VS.. TENNESSEE.
BRIERrIELp, Nov. l6, 1916.

ment OF the conduct of the Mississippi Regi-
ment in the seige at Monterey.
Secure in the consciousness of its gal
liant and valuable services, even without
such restraint, should probably have re.
NAMED silent and allowed the official re.
ports of commanders to reach an unbias.
ed public.
But by the publications of others,
question has been prematurely raised as
TO the capture Of the first Fort at the east
and Of the city on the 2lst September
De!errng 10 some subsequent period full
account, wilIlnow only present some of
the main facts bearing upon this event
In the forenoon of The 2lst September
a part of gen. Twiggs' division made a
demonstration upon the advanced work at
the east end of Monterey--gen. Buffers
division from the position occupied heard
the firing of small arms, but were not in
sight OF the combatanis, when three
Regiments, to-wit, the Tennessee, the
Mississippi and the Ohio, were put en-
route in the direction of the firing, which
was obliquely to our left and front.
After we had proceeded short distance
the Ohio Regiment was diverged 10 the
front, and the Tennessee and Mississippi
Regiments continued their line of march
in the order named, and moving by flank.
During the whole march we were expo
sed TO cross fire Of artillery. A round
shot rakng the Tennessee Regiment
made great havoc, but did not check the
advance.
The firing of small arms which had at.
tracted US, ceased, and when we halted
before the Fort ard fronted 10 ii, a small
body OF troops in the undress of our ''reg.
uars' was standing in such position as
to mask the right companies of the Mis-.
sissippi Regiment. pointed out the fact
TO Brig, Gen. Quitman commanding in
person, and the closing or other movement
oil the Tennessee Regiment having crea,
ted an interval on our left, it was agreed
that ] should occupy it. We were within
T the effective range of the enemy's fire
but beyond that Of our Rifles. therefore
executed a movement which gained
ground to the front and left and when the
Regiment was again formed into line, the
troops who had stood upon my right were
gone.
The attacking force now consisted Of
the Tennessee and Mississippi Regiments.
The latter on the right, was directly in
front Of the Fort
A deep, wide embrasure (Which seems
to have been used as sally porl) was i'm.
mediately before our fifth company, num-
boring from the right; the piece of artilIe
ry which belonged to this embresure was
run behind the parapet. We commenced
firing, advancing; the men were directed
TO select their objects and aim as sharp
shooters. Their fine rifles told upon the
enemy so that in short time, say Ten
minutes, his fire was SO reduced as to in.
dictate the propriety of charge. had
no instruction as TO the plan, no knowl.
edge of any sustaining troops except the
A Tennesseans on our left, and seeing moth
ing to justify delay, gave the order to
charge.
Lieutenant Col. McClung led the com.
pany before the embrasure at full speed
upon it, the TANKS ran, converging TO this
line of approach; which was over a smooth
piece of ground from which the corn had
been lately cut. When the movement
commenced, saw Col. Campbell direct
ing his Regiment IN some flank man9uvre
thereafter do mol recollect to have look
ed back, and did not see him; but | have
been informed that he led his Regimen
E by flank
When | crossed the ditch our Lieut.
Colonel was the only man upon the par
apet. | sprung into the embrasure be-
side Lieutenant Patterson of our Regi
ment. The defence oflhe place was aban
Z, doned; the last of its garrison were crowd
= ing out Of the sally port atthe other ex
tremIty; we pursued them, firing upor
them as they fled 10 a fortified stone build
: ing in earof the Fort, and across a stream
: to a fort still further 10 the rear.
When saw Col. Campbell's letter IRE
Gently publishedD claiming for his Regi
Q ment the credit Of storming this fort, car
G rying il at the point of the bayonet, an,
o giving to the Mississippi Regiment tn
/. merit Of only having sustained him, m.
p surprise at such an arrangement OF tn
!, Regiments, was only equaIed by tina
which | felt at learning that the bayone
n had been put in requisition No one cou
' go upon the ground, examine the position
i Of the Regiments and the condition of tn
It parapet and ditch of the fort, and the sur
i face over which il was necessary TO ap
proach, without coming at once to the con
d cIuson, that our Regiment must have en-
;, tered the tort first, or falered in the charge
o Why this claim has been put forth III
h not for me to determine. Ii is Improba
l. Bile, unjust, injurious to us, and unnece;
IS sary to our comrades in that attack, whe
If the conduct Of the whole was the propert
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