Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-11-27

cord, ana necessary 10 TlSnl UNDERSTANDING VI
the character and services OF my people
The Texas mounted men arrived at Monterey
in advance of the balance OF the army, (being
honored with that posilion,) and displayed them
selves on the plain in front of the city, with The
expectation of immediate battle-an expectation
founded upon some demonstrations of The foe
The enemy, however soon evincing an indlspo-
silion 10 bring on general engagement my Tor
ces, after some accommodating, retired, under
your orders, 10 the place OF encampment, TO await
The arrival Of The balance of the army This was
on the 18Th OF September.
In obedience to your orders, the first regiment
OF my command was placed on The 10Th ult,
under the control OF Gen. Worth; and am proud
that ii had The honor OF cooperating in all the
brilliant operations OF that distinguished officer.
An official account Of his bold and successful
attack upon the upper part of the city has, no
doubt. been already furnished vou; and the essen
lia services rendered by The Texas troops upon
that occasion, cannot be otherwise than source
OF exceeding qualification TO me, as Texan, as
well as an Americana qualification which is
greatly heightened by the reflection that The me-
rils of that gallan, band are fully appreciated by
Yourself, as well as by the talented and high spI-
ri,ed officer (Gen. Worlh) whose military genius
guided their yalor and conducted 10 victory.
On The oIst ull. was ordered, with my second
regiment 10 The support oil General worm; but,
on arriving al the gorge oil The mountain, re-
ceived instructions TO countermarch and reJoin
The forces under your immediate command,
which had commenced an assault upon lone OF The
enemy's slronsholds near the lower parl OF The
city. Before could arrive, however, at The
theatre OF action, The point assailed was trium.
phanlly carried; and my men had the Notifying
disappointment OF moi sharing the dangers and
articipa in the pl0Ty OF the Qdv.
Hoslililies mol being resumed on the 22d, the
regiment was variously employed during the day
in visiting the Caldarere road, reconnoerinS The
suburbs Of The city, and counting conflict with
The mounted rancheros and lancers, who, il was
supposed, might be encouraged 10 meet US BY their
superior numbers This, however, they careful
ly avoided; and,the regiment continued its system
OF vigilance until the morning OF The 3d. when
was ordered by yourse l. repair 10 the sup
port Of General Quitman, who was in rot en-
gagement with the enemy in the lower part OF he
city. My union with him was effected under Sc
we're FIRE OF The foe; bul, on reaching The place oil
action, was pleased 10 hnd his troops IN good
heart, holding the enemy al bay, though greatly
fatigued BY esenl and previous tolls. My first
order to my men was to enter The houses, scale
the walls, and fight the enemy in his own way
that is, under cover and from the tops Of the
houses. The order was promptly obeyed; and IN
this manner-working through The walls and
shooting from the parapet roafs-we c"nlnued u
advance upon the enemy, driving him from enc
square 10 another, until We arrived within short
distance Of the church and grand plaza, where
the largest portion OF the enemys iofce was con-
ereeated Every foot was sharply contested by
the foe; and nothing bur The unflinching Courage
and unefri1g shot u OH men, enab ed us 10 pro.
eress against a force 50 vastly superior IN num-
l. Ez~lt - q 49,
commenced ab III IL O'clock in tie forenoon, and
coninned without cessation urnl they were called
of By your order, towards the close of The day.
They retired with RELUCTANCE, from perfect con.
tiience in their ability 10 continue their onward
movement. and 70 hold the city as far as they
might extend their capture. Our loss, under ne
circumstances was surprisingly small, being only
one killed AMI fiv. wounded. That Il the enemy
IS not known; hut We have reason 10 believe that
il was considerable, not only lIom their own ac-
acknowledgements hut also from tae signs OF blood,
as well as from the TACT, that cur men seldom FREQ
except with great deiberaion, and only where an
object was in view.
have no observations to offer upon The events
oil the day, further than 10 express my unbound
ed admiration Of the indonilable courage and
perseverance exhibited in The attack; and 10 re.
iieTate the regret experienced by men al being
called upon, in The height OF success and comb
dence, 10 retire from The field OF their operations
A sense of duy constants me also 10 public
acknowledgment ot The good conduct OF The COM
mand with which had been ordered 10 co ope-
rate. Gen. Quiunan, however, brave and ex-
celent officer, will do justice TO The merits OF his
own men. Col. Davis Of that command am
told was The first TO receive and return The shot OF
the enemy; and was among the last 10 retire
from The contest. | had The pleasure OF his com
pany during the greater part OF the hight, and am
proud OF the opportunity Of bearing testimony 10
his gallant conduct. beg leave also, under the
authority OF Gen. Lamar, 10 compliment Lieut..
Thomas, OF The artillery, and his brave men, Tor
The bold advance and efficient management Of The
gun under his charge. When ordered 10 retire,
he reloaded his piece, fired farewell Shot al the
loe, and returned Eve hope without oss) under a
shower of bullets. Special praise is due 10 the
young soldier who levced The gun, for the cool
and deliberate manner wi which he executed his
duty amds, The most imminent danger His name
is mol known.
In The distribution Of honors among my own
people, am sensible Of the responsibility OF The
TASK, and oil the great difficulty of executing il 10
The satisfaction of all. That some should &C.
complish more than others, is law OF nature
II may be the result not ST. much OF superior
merit as Oh mere superiority in physical strength
occasions like the present, where all did their
duty, and did il well, il would seem 10 BE- proper
and Just that their fame shou. be common one.
For this reason, and other considerations, ] must
avoid the indulgence OF individual euosy alto
selher, except so tar as il may lie inseparablc
from an exposition OF The conduct oi my staff,
which feel bound 10 make, inasmuch as | am
in some degree responsible 10 The public for their
behavior. Major Clarke, my junior aid, who
had rendered himself useful TO me on many oc-
casions, was an active officer, CONDUCTED himself
in battle with the true spirit OF The Solder, and
had Tie honor OF being Il 6rsl in The regiment 10
enter The city. lie was rapidly followed by MI.
Walter VIM, "a worthy gentleman, and 4 sol
dier OF San Jacinto) who was connected with my
military family as the secretary Of General
Lamar. During The hottest OF the contest he was
frequently by my side, and also acted with Major
Clarke in The transmission Of my ORDERS in
the face oil many pels. General Burleson, my
senior aid had accompanied the command Of
Gen. Worth, and acquired fresh laurels for him
sell, and added new lus're 10 The arms Of Texas
Gen. Lamar my division inspector, (acling also
as adinlant,) was mainly instrumental in caus-
ing my troops 10 be called into reqnisition. He
had accompanied Gen. Quitman in the occupan-
cy of point in the lower part OF The city, where
the battle commenced and il was al his sugges.
ZION lnll Il messenger WdS UespdlCUeu IOI NY
command. Ee was found in active cooperation
with the Mississippi and Tennessee troops, but
rejoined my regiment on its arrival. and acted
d uring the balance Of the fight with the Texans
Fully satisfied throughout with the conduct of
each, take this method OF returning them my
sincerest thanks, as well as my best wishes for
their welfare, and beg leave also 10 embrace the
opportunity Of rendering my gratitude and ADM,
ration 10 the whole force under my commanded
fcers and soltiers-tor the imporantservic rem
dered their country, and the noble manner in
which theT have sustained The honor and chiva-
~ Of their State.
In doing Justice 10 The living, let US not be for
seltu OF The dead. Among The fallen in my
command, we have been called upon TO mourn
the fate Of yourg officer who was The brightest
ornament of The service, the sou! Of honor and the
pride OF chivalry. He had long been employed
by The Cove nment Of Texas in defence Of Inc
Weslc:n frontier, q. The ander Of a corps
of mounted rangers; and probably no officer ever
performed his duty with more activity and en-