Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-11-25
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.
HrAOev,Rrras fnlD prunos vorvsrrrK'.


Monterey. September 30, 1876.
Sra, Pursuant the instructions Of tho major general
commanding. on the 2ist inst at abou,s O'Clock, m
marched my division (wih the exception OF company
from each infantry regiment left guard the campl and
placed in order OF ba,e under cover, immediately in
Of the and howitzer battery, my left resting
the main road Monterey. had been position but
short time when received the generals further orders
speedily practicable with the three regiments
to the support Of Gcp.Twiggs division then Engaged
attempt carry the enemys first battery left. To
expedite this movement. marched three rcgi-
mens commanded respectively by Coils. Davis Campbell,
and Mitchell by the LETT flank leaving Col ormsby TO
tain the batteries. Finding the rifle regiment 'front.' that
Of Col Campbell was ordered to take ts place. The
last mentioned regiments constituting Gen. Quitmans field
brigade, he took the immediate command Of them, and
moved OIL with spirit and prompness in the direction nd
Gated by the enemy's line OF fire. Having Gen. Quit
mans brigade fairly motion. turned my attention TO
that OF General Hamer; now consisting Of the Ohio rcg
ment only Pursuing tho instructions OF the major
raj lfet my way gradually, without knowledge OF the
localities into that part OF the city bordering the
mys continuous line OF batteries, assaed every
heavy fires in front aud flank. After having ravcrsed sew
eal squares met Major Mansfield the engineer who had
conducted the movement oi Gen. Twiggss division on
the first battery. lie informed OF the failure OF
that attack, and advised the withdrawal OF my command
there could longer be any object in advancing further
warning NJ the time that IL | advanced must
tire that would sweep all before IL. knowing the
commanding be but short distance in the
rear galoped back and communicated this information
consequence Of which he the order To reirogade
and the movement commenced accordingly. In a
short ume however, IL known that Gen. Quitnan's
brigade had not only sormed the battery in question: but
had also carried stone house of considerable
nccted with the first and occupied by the
The direction OF Gen. Hamers brigade was at once
changed and the city reentered by another route which,
alter about half hours march under destructive fire,
brought 1t within, hundred yards OF the onemys
second fort called I'll Diablo very slight
suced convince that this position ord-
nary strength Still, feeling its importance, after consult
ing with part OF my staff Its practcabily had
solved attempt carrying by storm, and in the act
OF directing the advance, when received a wound which
compelled 10 halt Col Mitchell the same time
wounded the head OF his regiment his adiutant
The falling fast under the convergng fires Of at
least three distinct batteries that continually swept
tefyening space through which II
The loss blood too wound rendered il neces.
say that should quit the field and had discovered at
second glance that the position covered by heavy
fire OF musketry from other works directly rear that
had IN the first hasty examination. Under all
these discouragements reluctantly compelled,
surrenderng the command. 10 advise withdrawal OF
the troops less exposed position. There is possbi.
that the work might have been carried but without
excessive loss and carried feel assured would have
been unenable.
Accordingly, the division, under Gen Hamer on whom
devoyed the command. moved to position the
captured fort and within sustaining distance Of field
batteries the left The troops remained in and near this
position, and under fire Of the enemys batteries until late in
~
refer TO Gen Hamer's report.
in with no little pride and qualification that bear ties.
tmony of the ga,Ianuy and general good conduct Of my
command Were proof wanting, IiOurniul is 20 be
found in the suDIoned return Of the casualties oil the dav
That par, OF my division properly in the field did not
coed 100, II which number full oEehh killed or
wounded The fact that troops for the FIST time under fire
should have SUITE rcd such loss without shrinking in con
uucus struggle Of than houlS agains;
sheltered aud inaccessible zoe finds but few pataes uni
is al itself euiogium 10 which need add. That
nd palian
than others in where oil brave there
be doubt: and leave those better qualified from
their situations than myself the pleasing though delicate
task OF reporting upon their respective merits.
OF my brigaders, however II proper that shonld my
self speak Gen. Hamer placed a situa ion where
nothing brilliant could be achieved but which every
imperaively demanded prudence and calm. unbend
ing courage. II is but justice him say that found
him equal 10 the emergency.
Gen. Quilman had before him field in which military
genius and skill called into requstOn aud honors
could be fairly won and but echo the general voice IN
saying that he nOby awaited himself Of the occasion.
My special thanks due MAJ l. Thomas, assistant
adju,ant general Gen. A. Sidney Johnston vi Texas
acting inspector general, and Lieut. e. w. Lay, aid-de-
camp who not only displayed gaanty and GOODNESS
but by their professional skill activity, aid energy,
dered valuable service throughout the action. After my
withdrawal, they remSined with the ;ioOps in the field.
Surgeon R. P. Hunt, my volunteer abide camp. ais
evnced great cooness, and conveyed promptly the orders
cOnhded him.
On my way back camp found the Kentucky regi-
men under command Of Col Ormsby, drawn up fine
der repe threatened charge from large body Mexi
cavalry then in view Though necessarily kept from
the field OF proper, they occupied imporant
position, and had two men wounded in defending 1t.
make mention OF the movements Of Capt WebsteT's
howitzer battery, which Withdrawn from my division
and placed under charge Of the chief oil artillery
Enclosed the reports Of Big Generals hamer and
Qmman OF the operations OF their respective brgades al
3d. statement detail Of the loss sustained by the diy-
sion.
am, sir, very respectfully,
Your OOedient servant,
WO BUTLER,
MAJ Gen Comd'g Field Div. Vol
Maj w Bliss,
Asst AdJt General,
Headquarters Army Of Occupation,
Monterey, Mexico.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION VOLUNTEERS,
Camp Monterey, Sept 25th, l5I6.