Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-10-31

Juan Schaefer. In few minutes our color sergeant
old Hart past with his right shattered (t has since
been amputated and in few minutes there came our bat
talon ag borne by of the color guards-our gorou
stars and stripes and note this, that the first American
iag IN the city of Monteeyan honor which know be-
longs to our battalion.
When | the flag, notwithstanding the novelty of tn,
around me, thrill of pleasure shot through me- and
felt could die, for had made up my mind to die anC
no there thought for that he would ge
out alive, and most Of them did The firing still con
tnued without the slightest ntemssion whilst remained
at this memorable corner which perhaps for GeeT
minutes When ordered to charge up the
slight hesitation manifested by both regulars and voun
eers but the officers sprang the front in double file being
alongside of Col. Watson.
Weadvanced, suppose, about fifty yards when Col Gar
land, OF the army ordered us to retire We still advanced
and he again ordered TO retire, adding this tme good
order. now became separated from Col Watson and ne
him again He took the left hand side of the street.
and the right hand, and when had reached the open field
where he had first ordered to lie down. joined by
Lieut. Aquith, who, to my inquiry, answered that he had
just left the Colonel and supposed that he would soon be with
Seeing other officer around me- rallied the battalion
remember that the firing just hot and incessant
now as it had been at the s and led them down make
another attack the fort having made up my mind take
or die in the attempt.
Imagine my surpse-a agreeable one confess--to
find the fort in possession having been captured by the
Mississippi and Tennessee regiments when turned its fire
US as we charged into the town. have not the slightest
doubt that the charge made by the first infantry and
battalion into the city which made the Mexcans retreat from
the fort
was ordered to shelter my men from the fire. and await
further orders took them in the ditch and then canbered
over the rampars to take look at what going My
appearance greeted with dozen of musketballs
which accelerated greatly reogade movement, and sat
down quietly with ten feet Of dirt between and
shot This the first spot had been in in which was
out of fire for than hours and was nearly exhaust
ed. One of my came up and reported to me the
death of poor Col Watson, whom he had fall from
musket-shot through the neck.
Ao fhar 81,
city, inclined good deal to the left and became separated
from the main body of the battalion and company with
Lieutenant Bowie, who remained with him. he another
column advancing to the attack joined them with the few
he had with him, and fell few moments afterwards He
met with gallant soldiers death, his face the foe. His
loss dpored by all who knew his generosity of heart and
chvaly of character His loss me, individually great
but to the battalion it is eparabIe. know not how we will
get along without him. We have much, very much
tend against and have had left home But of
all this more
We had been in the ditch for about quarter of an hour
when Capt Rdgeys battery up also for shelters but
his appearance the signal for the castle open upon us
which killed of his horses the very first shot, and wound
ed of my We ordered support Captain
Bnggs battery, which had taken position off the Lam
who had sailed intercept what they thought was
our retreat We killed five six of them, and the fled
back to the city.
We again ordered the fort to be ready for another
attack on the CITY, Again the castle opened and every
shot told, and never was glad in nv life as when got
into the old ditch. But short-ved qualification for
regiment of Mexican infantry firing Captain Web
ste battery and their balls raked the whole fort ditch and
ALL We then ordered to join the Ohio Kentucky, and
Tennessee troops which forming the plain for
Their attack the city.
The attack not made although was burning to have
revenge and from the time last left the ditch until we we're
ordered back to the camp by General Twggs
stanty under fire, being in open view and fair Of the
artillery in the gray castle. under first General and
then under another until became completely worn out as
well as my command, which had remained faithfully with
-,
and mind but thankful to God for preserving my life through
the perils Of the day.
Thus terminated battalion was concerned one
of the longest and boodies battles fought this CONT
nen and, strange say, battalion only lost killed
and twenty wounded. had about thirty-eght my
company in the fight, and two killed and three wound
ed yet every Of those that escaped has told he did
expect live through the day. and of them had their
clothes struck by the balls
cannot realize that my loss small completely were
ranks raked by the shot, Above, below alongside be-
legs and arms where the balls whsted and howl
ed The air seemed pieces by the quantity that the
tey hurled and would be childish to tell you ho,c
close they to and what and how many escapes
had Others will hereafter tell you of the first days light
Monterey, and tell you that in that fight and
posed to shot for nine hours.
have thus given you hasty and digested account of
my doings the 2lst could fl fifty pages if were.
give you detail Of the whole weeks work which resulted in
the capture of this important town but will stop Short for
my back aches from writing this my knees. OF my
own company | cannot say enough. lore them. They
stuck to through every phase Of fortune and Of them,
he dying told to write to his father and tell him
!" he died like true patriot"
letter from Mr.. CALVIN GoppARD, belonging to one Of
the District companies dated Monterey, September ~ after
announcing his own safety, says
"We had about thirty men killed and wounded in our
battalion. Col. Watson brave a lived
Sergeant Truscott had his head shot off by ball
We have idea Of the loss Of the Mexcans they carried
their off fast they fell Gen. Taylor sent in to
bury Dead but the Mexcans refused permission. The
Lances killed the wounded whenever they got chance
Lieut. Boyle led like and gallant soldier. Capt
Waters is safe. Tell L. Fitzgerald that Thomas is SAFE He
acted like Tell John Porter that the two Murphys
safe. James Williams is also safe he would have writ
ten, but had paper.
"Tell James Shrcve that Jim Darkey anegro boy, follow
ed Lieut. Boyle through the battle, with his muske Capt
Bronaugh sends his best respects Lieut. Bell joins with him.
"Te Mr. j. L. Norris that his brother struck with
grape shot in the side Another bullet hit him in the face
but he is walking about the latter only knocked the skin off,
Puo COW wEucI Anvru mrs