The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-12
THE SIEGE OF MONTEREY

81 FIRST OFFICIAL REfpRT
We find ia the Cincinnati Advertiser the follow
ing Official report made 20 General Taylor OF the
part taken by the Ohio regiment IN the battles OF
Monterey. We copy them below. These reports
and letters were brought by Major William r.
Johnson, eommissary of the hrsI regiment Of ONO
volunteers:
Return Of Major JohasOn-Rs Elections upon the battle
Official statement of COLOnd Weller, commanding Isl
Ohio regimeat-FaH and accurate hist Of killed and
t1ounded.
a-s HEADsvaRrERs ARsr OF occUrArIoE,
MExIcO, September 81, 1886
DEAR BAOUGH: lwrote you on the 25th by Gen.
Taylors express, giving the general outlines of the
battles Of the Goth, 2lst 22d, and 23d. No infona-
ton is in my possession changing the details given
YOU The killed and wounded do not appear to
have been as great as was apprehended The loss,
however, in proportion 10 the whole force engaged,
will make the taking of Msnierey as sanguine in the
extreme.
| have been furnished by DR.. Chamberlain, for
publication, copy Of the official report Of the loss
Of the Ohio regiment This will be highly interest
ing To those who have friends hero, also send you
copy Of Colonel Weler's official report of the sc-
ton Of his regiment which will enable you to judge
how far its gallantry ought to be subject Of admi
ration and pride to those at home. ..a0r"
COLONEL wELLERs REPORT
have the honor to report that the first regiment
led by its commanding officer Colonel A. NJ
MitchelD unto the attack made on Monterey on the
2lst instant. Notwithstanding the CALLING fire to
which they were exposed, for many hours, from
the batteries Of the enemy the loss has been much
less than was anticipated The Whole force brought
INTO action, exclusive Of commissioned officers, was,
as near az can be ascertained, three hundred and
seventy.
Soon after the column reached the city, and near
one OF the enemy's batteries, my immediate com
mandes then al its head leading the charge reesiV.
ed severe wound in the leg, compelling him to
tire from the field
The battalion remained some time exposed to
CALLING fire in front and upon each flank, from the
enemy's batteries The FIRE thus terrible from par
TALLY concealed batteries, the locations Of which
could not be asesItained until Immediately among
them, and apparently increasing in number at every
hre, ordered to retire from the streets into
an open ground, giving US a position less exposed,
and with better opportunity Of obtaining know
edge ef the enemy's actual position.
The extent Of our impression upon the batteries
Of the enemy though severe, cannot be precisely
known. A continual FIRE was kept up by our
troops, who exhibited the coolest ntrepidity and
bravery, though exposed to batteries beyond their
reach, and by an almost invisible foe.
When the troops were in position upon the plain
large body OF ancers were in the distance ad-
yancIng with great speed. We took position under
cover Of brush fence, and arranged in line. Our
a
tar, at distance, drove them with precipitation and
some confusion, int the fort; not, however, until
they had speared several Of our wounded, as they
lay helpless on the ground
Our battalion was again remArched 10 the streets
Of the town 20 sustain one Of our own batteries and
after remaining in this position till night were
marched from the field into camp having been ex.
posed to the fires of four or FIVE batteries for
Ave or SIX hours. The men, worn down and ex
hausted from the days fatigue, were ordered TO re-
main in camp the whole of. the 22d On the morn
ing OF the 23d, again took the field and were Or
dered IN position to sustain Captain Webster's bat
teres and subsequently into the fort which fell
into our hands on the first day, and which itself
was exposed to the range Of several Of the enemys
batteries and forts We kept possession Of this
fort until the succeeding day (2lth } when we again
were relieved and ordered into camp.
Too much credit cannot be gwen to the officers
and men under my command for the gallant and
chlyalric in which they acquitted themselves
during the engagement. They proved satisfactorily
that in their hands the reputation Of Ohio will never
be touched, and that whenever an opportunity is
presented, they will be fund ready and willing to
maintain IT, regret say II at in the battle OF the
2lst, Adjutant A. w. Armstrong was severely
wounded in the leg, making amputation of the limb
necessary; LIST Lieut.. Hett, Of company H. was kill
ed; LIST Lieut.. Niles, Of company E, was severely
wounded, and Capt. George OF the I'd rifle, and
Lieut. Motter, of company B. slightly wounded
The total killed. wounded and missing is ffty-two;
detailed statement Of which herewith send you
II is proper to remark that company F, under Lieut.
Beaugrand, had been detailed as q guard for the
camp, and of course not in the actions.
am, sir very respectfully, your obedient sery't,
JOHN b. WELLER,
Lieut.. Colonel lst regiment Chic volunteers.
Brig Gen. HAMER,
lst Field Brigade of Volunteers.