The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-20
800
THE BATTLES OF MONTEREY.


ey Of its achievements. We have published crowd
of private letters upon it. but the public CURIOSITY Is
not yet sataied. We have been waiting win great
anxiety day after day, mail after mall for the oih-
cia detailed dispatches but they have not yet ar
rived to this hour % O'Clock Whether the eve
ning's mail will bring them TO Washington, We
know not In the absence of the official letters, we
seize the opportunity of laying before our read
ers very long, minute, and interesting letter,
with which we have been favored by friend
in Washington, to whom it is addressed. IL
is from an officer Of the regular service-''not
unknown to fame"-belongins to the seventh
regiment Of infantry, who was by the side Of
Major Brown at the very moment when he was
struck by the fatal bomb she'll We agree with our
correspondent, that though not designed for the
public eye yeti is deeply interesting as 1t paints
SO infinitely the perfectly soldier-like manner in
which the whole of the ID division under General
Worth was maneuyred in the face Of the enemy
FROM MONTEREY, NEW LEON.
We eneamped at the Walnut Springs; and recon-
noissances having been made on the 20Ih, council
of war was held and our division, composed OF the
artillery battalion, 5lh and 7th infantry, and Banch-
ards company Of Louisiana volunteers, with two or
three companies Of mounted Texans, were ordered
20 be ready to move at a moments notice. Monte
rey is naturally the strongest position could have
imagined; and believe that five thousand Amer-
cans could hold il against the whole Of Mexico. In
the plan Of attack, Il determined that the sec
ond division, under General Worth, should make a
demonstration in rear Of the town, on the Saltillo
road for the purpose of cutting of the retreat OF
the enemy If attempted, and, il not, to advance to
the assault Of the two heights occupied in force by
the enemy, to take the Bishops Palace, a strongly
fortified and commanding positions ard, II success
ful, to advance on the town. Attwo o'clock on the
20lh, the second division wus on the march; and
making deIour to the right in sight Of the enemy,
We advanced, out Of range Of his cannon, TO within
a mile Of the Arroyo Topa, which runs along the
foot OF the ridge south Of the town. In advancing,
reconnaissance was pushed forward, composed Of
mounted rangers, accompanied by General Worth
and staff; which reconnaissance was ended by D
demonstration Of the enemy in front, who fired on
the party at long distance, without doing any
harm. Within mile Of the Arroyo we slept on
our arms. At daylight, On the Doth, the division
advanced, the fifth infantry and some mounted ran
gers beng Jeff guard the train Of the division and
artillery In our advance we were compelled, from
the position Of The heights, TO advance within reach
OF the eneuly's howllzers throwing shells, and other
gum throwing round shot from the height on the
slope Of which is situated the Bishops Palace
THIS heigh was occupied in force by the
enemy, whom we had the day before, In
our advance, proceeding from the Palace to occupy
IT, This firing shortly discontinued from the
height on US, but was kept up on the 5th infantry
behind US with the train, short time after day.
light large body of the enemy's cavalry (lancers)
were en- IN front; and having made an Intellectual
change, which was received by our Texans without
any loss on SIDE the enemy's cavalry retreated
short distance. The Texans then dismounted
and engaged them on foot, supported by body Of
light infantry under Capt. Smith, who drove the
Nj xicans back with considerable loss On our side
fyFn lev dad Az hair alFu cd
they bad to ascend a slight elevation, and Duncan
brought his gurs into battery, pouring the round
shot among them, which tumbled horses and riders
in every direction, Duncan throwing his balls over
the heads Of our This caused total
route, and the Mcxicars lost a colonel OF cavalry
and eight or ten men. 1t is said that the re-
maindGI of this cavalry returned to join the
Mexican force. The infantry was now thrown for.
ward, and in this manner we advanced 10 the road
that leads out Of Monterey to Saltlo and the only
one by which the enemy could retreat in that dlrec
lion. Here We halted being formed in line of bat.
Sle perpendicular to the road; the 7th infantry and
Blanchards company being thrown in column up
the rosd, to guard against a charge Of cavalry; and
a party Of skirmish' r., under Lieut.. McLaws, be-
ing thrown out in 6"nt II was evident now thai
the enemy was preparing battery on the height
the right side Of the Arroyo Topa. The skirmish-
ers being recalled the whole line Of battle form
ed having retired about two hundred yards parties
OF skirmishers being thrown out each side of the
road. The enemy now opened his lire on us with
round shot from the height on the right side of the
Arroyo Tops; and we found ourselves in effective
range. Capt McKavett, 9Th infantry, was killed by
a round shot Instantly. The whole division was
now in effective range of this battery, the shot
falling all around u.s. At this time the 5th
infantry came up with the train, which, with
MackalI's battery, much exposed to
the fire. I'VE were all now burning with
dor to storm that height, and were sadly dsappolnt-
ed when the division at this time ordered 10 re-
tire the road out of range of this battery. During
this movement we were much exposed to the enc
my's fire. and at this time Col, Bays's regiment of
mouGtea Texans arrived to strengthen our division.
The retrograde movement ended by the divi
sion being thrown into line of battle, and a short
respite was given when we had time to get some
thing to eat. In a short time Gen. Worth detached
Capt. G. f. Smith, with 400 men, including Nc
Cullough's company ofrangers foot, to storm the
height on the right side of the Arroyo Topa, and in
short time after the 7th infantry was detached to
support his command. Not knowing what direction
Capt. Smith had taken to approach the height, we
advanced with the 7th with grea. caution, through
cornfeds, and under Of the hedges in the most
direct route to the foot the hill where it was impos
sble to arrive without being perceived by the enemy
on the height who no sooner observed US, than they
poured on u shower Of grape, and line of fire
from at least 900 men, with escopettes, from the
top Of the height The balls fell around US like hail.
but far off that they were nearly spent
Under this fire il necessary to descend in single
file the stcep left hank of the Arroyo, the rv
er, which was deep, and SO rapid that in crossing
it, my feet were swept from under me, and fell
We had then to proceed at least $50 yards under this
fire, and strange to say, none of our were
wounded; but ours is, in this respect, the luckest
regiment in the service. We were now under COW
of the hill, expecting to hear Capt Smiths attack,
and awaiting it, to advance to his support; but not
hearing from him, Capt. Miles, who commanded the
7th, determined to engage the enemy, thinking 1t
would be well to attract his attention from Capt
Smith, who might be advancing to attack at another
point For this purpose party was detached under
Lieut.. CAN'T, TO ascend the hill and skirmish with
tho enemy. This command drew heavy fire on
them from the enemy, but succeeded in driving him
back. Lieutenant CAN'T was relieved by an
other party under Lieutenant Little, who
cended still higher, driving the enemy TO the top
of the hill, having two of his men wounded. This
party was again relieved by one under Lieutenant
Gardner, who assembled nearly to the top Of the HILL
driving the enemy before him. The Texans, under
Mccullough, hearing our engagement, rushed to
where we were and Can't Miles ordered McCul-