American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-11-23
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES FROM GEN
TAYLOR.
HRADoVARTRRs ARMY OF OCCUPATION, }
L,nrnn mar M.IuIntnu ILni O LaIG I

/ Cdnp near hOhteItyj OCI b, ic4o'
Sir:-I have now the honor to submit de-
tailed report of the recent operations before
Monterey, resulting in the capltulation of that
city.
The information received on the route from
Cerralvo, and particularly the continual ap-
pearance in our front of the Mexican cavalry,
which had slight skirmish with our advance
f. at the village of Ramas, induced the belief, as
we approached Monterey, that the enemy
would defend that place. Upon reaching the
neighborhood Of the city on the morning of the
18th of September, this belief was fully con-
frmed. 1t was ascertaned That he occupied
the town in force; that a large work had been
constructed commanding all the northern APP
proaches; and that the Bishops Palace and
some heights in its vicinity near the Saltlo
road, had also been fortified and occupied with
troops and artillery. 1t was known from in
formation previously received, that the east
eTn approaches were commanded by several
small works in the lower edge of the city.
The confguration of the heights and gorges
in the direction Of the SaltlIo road, as visible
from the point attained by our advance on the
morning of the 10Th, led me to suspect that it
was practicable to turn all the works in that
direction, and thus cut the enemy 3 line Of COM
muncation. After establishing my camp at
the "Walnut Springs" three miles from Mon
terey, the nearest suitable position, it was, &C
cordlngly, my first care to order a close recon-
noissance of the ground in question, which was
executed on the evening OF the 18Th by the
engineer officers under the direction of Major
Mansfield A reconnaissance of the eastern
approaches was at the same time made by Cap
tain Williams, tOpogfa phlcal engineers. The
examination made by Major Ma ST sid proved
the entire practlcabity Of throwing forward
column to the Saltllo road and lnus turning
the position Of the enemy. Deeming this To be
an operation oil essential Importance, orders
were given to BIeveL Brig. Gen. Worth, com
handing the second division, 10 ma, ch with his
command on the goth; to turn the hIll OF the
Bishops Palace; to occupy position on the
SaliIlo road, and TO carry the enehy's delach-
ed works III that quarter, where pracr lcabie.-
The fist regiment OF Texas mounted volun-
teeTs, under command of Col. Hays, was asso-
ciated with the second division On this service
Captain Saunders, engineers, and lieutenant
Meade, Typographical engineers, were also or
dered to report to Gen, Worth for duty with
his column.
At2 o'clock, p. m, on the 20lh the second
division took up It's march. 1t was soon dis
covered by officers who were accommodating
the town, and communicating to Gen. Worth,
VI
that the enemy was throwing renforcements
towards the Bishops Palace and the height
which commands it. To divert hs attention
as far as practicable, the first division under
Brgadier General Twiggs, and field division
of volunteers, under Major General Butler,
were displayed in front OF the town until dark
Arrangements were made at the same time It.
place in battery during the night, at suitable
distance from the enemy'S man work, the cita-
del, two "a FOUNDER hoWtzers, and l0.lnch
mortar, with view to open fire on the fol-
lowing day, when proposed to make diver
sion in favor of General Worth's movement.
The Ath infantry covered this battery during The
night. Gen. Worth had in the meanwhile
reached and occupied for the night, dcten-
sve position just without range OF battery
above the Bishops Palace, having made re-
connoissanCe as far as Seltillo road
Before proceeding to report the operations of
the 2lst, and following days, beg leave to
state that shall mention in detail only those
which were conducted against the eastern ex-
tremty of the city, OF elsewhere, under my i'm
mediate direction, referring yo or the p riuu-
lars OF Gen. Worth's operations, which were
entirely de- ached, 10 his own full report trans
mitted herewith
Early on the morning of the slst, received
d
past o'cIockthe night before, suggesting what
l had already intended, a strung diversion
against the centre and left of the town TO favo-
MS enterprise against the heights in rear. The
infantry aud artillery of the LIST DIVISION and
the field division Of volunteers, were ordered
under arms and took the direction of the clty.
leaving one company of each regiment as a
camp guard The Cd Dragons, under Lieut..
Col, May, and Col. Woods's regiment # Texas
mounted volunteers, under the immediate d.
recton OF Genera! Henderson, were directed
to the right to support Gen. Worth, ir Reces-
saTy, and 10 make an Impression, if practeable
upon the upper quarter of the Guy. U3,n No.
preaching the mortar battery, the LIST and 81
regiments Of infantry and battalion of BaI,i
more and Washington volunteers with Cant.
Braggs field bIllery-tbe whole under the
command OF Lieut.. Col. Garlud-were direct
go towards the lower part OF the town, with !
orders 10 make strong demonstrations and !
carry one OF the enen' y advanced works, If Il I
could De done without too heavy loss. Nj Dr /
Mansfield, engineers, and Capt Williams and
Lieut.. Pope, Typographical engineers, accom-
panied this column, MAJOR Mansfield beng
charged with its direction, and the designation
OF pohts OF attack. In the meantime the NOR
tar, served BY Capt. Ramsay, of the ordnance,
and the howItzer battery under Capt Webster,
80 a''N'e'y y, hou oPeheu tielr IRE upon ,he cl-
tadel, which was deliberately sustained, and
answered from the work. Gen Buffers dlyi.
sion had now taken npa position IN rear Of this
battery, when the discharges OF art,llery, ming
LED finally with rapid fire of small arms
showed that Lieut.. Garland's command had
become warmly engaged. | now deemed ii
necessary TO support this attack, and accord
ingly ordered the 4th intahtry and three regi-
gents OF Gen Buffers division to march at
once by The left flank in the direction of the
advanced work at the lower extremity of the