Mobile register and journal., 1846-12-01
FROM MONTERREY.
Official Despafches from Gen. Taylor. II

lamp near mohtefey, Ocf. ,. ISiG. SIR:-I have now ths honor to submit a detailed report of the recent operations before Monterey re 'utng Tn the exploitation of that city.
 l The information received on the route from Ger. rayalo, and particularly the continual appearance i, our iIont Of the Mexican ca,ary, which had a sligh skirmish with advance at the village of Ramas induced ihe beiie as we approached Monterey tlia the enemy would defend that place. Upon reaching tho nsghborhood O the city on the morning of the | i9th of September, this belief was fully confirmed IL was ascertained that he occupied the town in force; that llrge work had been constructed com. lnandIng all the northern approaches and that the | Bishops Palace and some heights in its viciuii, near the Salllllo road had also been fortified ana | occupied with troops and artillery. It was known Irnm information previously received that the e.stei approaches were commanded by several small works | in the lower edge of Ils city.
 The conhguration q" the heights and gorges in the direction o the Salto road as visible lrom the point attained by our advance on the morning of theal 9h led me to suspect that IL practicable to turn all | the works in that direction, and thus cut the enc. my's line oi communication. After establishing my camp at the "Walnst Spring." three miles from Monterey, the nearest suitable position, it was ac cordnglr, my first care 10 order close Ieconnois. sauce of the ground is question which was execu. ted on tho evening ot the l9t by ihe engineer off cers under ihe direction of Major Mansfield. A reconnoisance of the eastern approaches was at ls same lime made by Captan Williams, topograpbi-
 
 Mansfield proved the entire practicablity of throw. ing forward a column to the 5aiillo road and thus turning the position Of the enemy. Deeming this to te an operation of essential importance, orders were given io Brevet Brigadier General Worth comma nd- log the second division, to march with his command on the 2Oh; to turn the hill ol ihe Bishops Palace to occupy position the Saltio road, and 10 car " the eneny's detached works in that quarter, where practicable. The first regiment of Texas mounted volunteers, under lhe command Of Colonel Hays, was assoc lated with the second division on this service. Capl. Sanders, eng gineers, and Lieut. NJ ade, topographcal engineers, were also ordered 10 report 10 General Worth for duty with this co. luun.
 Al ? o'clock, p. m, on the Both the second diyis- ion took mp it's march. IL soon discovered, by ofhcers who were reconnoiieing the town, and com municated to Gen. Worth, that his movement had been preserved, and that the enemy was throwing reinforcements towards the Bishops Palace and inc heighlhs which command it. To divert his atten- ton as far as practicable, the first division under Brlgadiar General Twiggs, and field division of vol unteers, under Major General Butler were dspIaved m front of the towa until dark Arrangements were made al the same time to place in battery du ring the night, al Hsuitable distance from the enc my's main work the citadel, two 2I pounder howi,. gers, and a 10 Inch mortar, with view to open \ fire on the following day, when proposed 10 make diversion in favor oi General Worth's movement The 4th infantry covered the battery during the night. Gen. Worth had in the meantime reached and occupied for the night, defensive posiisu just without range of battery above the Bishops Pal ace, having made a reconno ossanca as far as the Saliillo road.
 Before proceeding to report the operations of the 2lsl. and following days, beg leave to state that shall mention m deiail only those which were con. duciad against the eastern extremity of tho city, or elsewhere under my immediate direction, referring you for tho particulars of Gen Worth's operations which were entirely detached. to his own full rept Fl transmitted herewith.
 Early on the morning of the Fist, I received a note from Gen. Worth written al hall past o'clock the ngln before, suggesting what had already in- tended, strong diversion against the centre and lef of ihe town to Favor his enterprise against ihe heights in rear. The infantry and artillery of tho ist division, and the field division of volunteers, were ordered under arms, and took the direction of the ciis, leaving one company Of each regiment n eanp guard. The second dragons under Lieut.. Col. May, and Colonel Woods regiment of Texas mounted volunteers, under ihe immediate dreciion Of Geseral Henderson, were directed to the right to support Gen. Worth, if necessary, and to make an inprcssion, II practicable upon lhe upper quarter of ihe city. Upon approaching ibs mortar battery tine lst and Sd regiment of oantry and battalion of Baltimore a"d Washington volunteers, with Captaiu Bragg's field battery-ihe whole under the command of Lieut.. Col. Garland-were directed towards the lower part e the town, with orders to make strsng and carry one of tho snen,'s ad vanced works if itcould be done without too heavy loss. Major Mansfield, engineers, and Capt. Vii. liams and Lieut.. Pope, typographical engineers, ac this column, Major Man.feld being charged with its direction, and the designaton of points of attack. In the meantime the mortar, ser,- ed by Capt Ramsey, of the ordnance, and the how ,tzer battery under Capt Webster. 1st artillery. had opened 'bsr fire upon the citadel. .whck was dehhsr- ateiy sustained, and answered from the work. Gen. Buffers division had nov taken up a position m rear of this battery when he discharges of artillery mingled finally with rapid fire of small srms show.