Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-11-18
Ampudia's account Of the Battle.

the North to the People ofthe three De
pdrfments.
Felio,1 Citsens:-Occupied before all
things else in providing for the defence o.
the rights and integrity Of the territory o.
our beloved Republic against the enc.
my that has invaded her soil, the Supreme
Government thought proper TO entrust &c
me the command Of the patriotic troops
destined on the Northern frontier to this
holy purpose. accepted, with enthusiasm,
the post assigned me, for the zeal with
which ] have ever defended the holy
cause Of the people is notorious 10 every
onel-and in the beginning OF the month
assumed the direction OF such means as
were in my power 10 repe! the advance Of
the enemy. But fearing that the charge
would prove too great for my feeble abili-
ties, solicited the worthy and most Elk.
cellent Senior Gen. Don Juan Neponu-
ceno Almonte 10 come and relieve me
from the command of the army, presu.
ming that the illustious canqueIer of
Panuco would on his return 10 Mexico re.
sumo the reins Of our National Govern.
ment.
On the 10Th inst. the enemy having ap.
peared in the vicinity Of Monterey and
encamped in the San Domingo woods
their camp being one league in length and
three leagues in circumference. | order
ed their movements to be carefully obser-
we'd, and hostilities to be commenced forth
with; the generals and other officers, who
were under my command, Of every branch
of the service, being all decicided to risk
combat rather than retreat
The redoubts of the Citadel and of
the new Cachedral opened their fires the
same day upon the enemy, who we're &C.
cupied during that and the succeeding day
in accommodating and preparing for the
attack.
On the 2lst, the assault was made by a
formidable body of their troops, chiefly of
the regular army, upon the bridge of the
Purisina and our redoubts Of the Teneria
and Rincon del Diablo, but they were
goriousIy driven back by our valiant We.
terans, with positive loss to our adverse
ries of fifteen hundred men.
On the morning of the 22d, Gen. Tay.
lor directed his columns of attack against
the Bishops Hill, an elevation comman.
ding the city, and although in their first ad
vance they were repused in skirmish,
a full brigade Of regular troops returned |
to the charge. Unfortunately two pieces
Of cannon and mortar, which defen-
ded the position, got out of order and
became useless, and, although as soon as
advised of it, | sent reinforcement of In
fantry, with two pieces of light artillery,
to their aid, it reached the hill too late;
the enemy had already succeeded in OBJ
tanning possession of the castle.
This accident compelled me 10 concen.
trate my force in the Plaza, in order to
present 10 the foe more vigorous defence,
and to repel, on the 23d instant, az was
done, the assaults made by them through
the streets and houses ofthe city. But as
under these circumstances, suffered great
scarcity of ammunition and provisions,
and in spite of the ardor with which the
entire Army, both regulars and auxiliares,
we're animated, proposed 10 the Ameri-
can General parley, which resulted in
an understanding BY which the honor of
the nation and the Army the personnel of
the division under my command, its arms
and equipments we're preserved.
This is true statement of the opera
tons of the campaign up TO the 24th inst,
and if an inadequate supply of means and
other circumstances have led TO this result,
we have yet no cause for moments dis
may, for the Republic will now put for.
ward all her elements of greatness; and
with one single victory, which we may, {
shall, and must obtain, will solve the pro- ;
blem definitely in favor Of our arms.
People of the East, the event which &C.
Cured at Monterey is Of little moment {
The fayorite general Of the Mexicans, the {
worthy and most excellent Senior Don An. {
tonic Lopez de Santa Anna will promptly
take charge, in person, Of the direction ,
'f the campaign; let the sacred fire of I
continue to burn in our bosoms, q
md without fail we will triumph over our (
enemies.
PEDRO DE AMPUDIA.
Headquarters, Saltillo, 29th Sept, 1916,