The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-10-12
THE BISHOPS PALACE ST0RMED.
SPECIAL DISPATCHES.
Hasty Sketch of the Operations of the Army of
Invasion before Monterey, from the 18th
to oath September.

mittcd to this city.
again triumphant, and additional glory is added
to our already victorious arms
The intelligence is taken from the New Orleans
Picaysne Extra, dated Sunday morning, Oct 4,
which was received there by the steamer James
L. Day, from Point Isabel.
On the 10Th, Gen. Taylor arrived before Mon
terey with force of about 5000 men.
After accommodating the city at about 1860 or
1000 yards from the Cathedral Fort, during which
time he was fired upon from its batteries, his force
was encamped at the Walnut Springs, three miles
short of the city
This was the nearest position at which the army
could obtain supply of water, and beyond the
enemy's batteries.
The remainder of the 10Th was occupied by the
engineers in making reconnoissances of the city
batteries commanding the heights.
On the 10th, Gen. Worth was ordered with his
division to move by circuitous route to the right
to gain the Saltillo road, west of the town, and
to storm the heights above the Bishops Palace,
which vital point appears to have been strangely
neglected by the Mexican commander
Circumstances caused his halt on the night OF
the Goth, short of the intended position. On
the morning of the 2lst instant, he continued his
route, and after an encounter with a large body
of the enemy's cavalry and infantry, supported by
artillery from the heights, he repulsed them, with
loss, and finally encamped, covering the passage
of the Saltllo road.
1t was here discovered, that besides the fort at
the Bishops Palace, and the occupation OF the
heights above it, two forts, on commanding emil
nences on the opposite side OF the San Juan river,
had been fortified and occupied.
These two latter heights were then stormed and
carried, the guns of the last fort that carried
being Immediately turned, with plunging fire,
upon the Bishops Palace.
On the same morning, the 2ls;, the first division
irregular troops, under Gen. Worth, and the vo-
lunteer division under Gen. Butler, were ordered
under arms, to make diversion to the left of the
town in favor of the important operations of Gen.
Worth. The 10 inch mortars and two "a pound
howitzers had been put in battery the night Of the
10th, on a ravine, 140O yards distant from the
cathedral fort, or citadel, and were supported By
the fourth regiment of infantry.
Ats A. M, on the 2lst, the order was given for
this battery to open upon the citadel and town.
And Immediately after, the first division with the
Sd and 4th infantry in advance, under Col. Gar
land, were ordered to reconnotre and skirmsh
with the enemy on the extreme left of the city,
and should prospect of success offer, to carry the
most advanced battery.
This attack was directed by Major Mansfield,
engineer Capt Williams, typographical engi-
neer; and Major Kinney, Or. Master to the Texas
division.
A heavy fire from the first battery was imme-
diately opened upon the advance, but the troops
soon turned it, entering and engaging with the
enemy in the streets of the city, having passed
through an incessant cross fire from the citadel
and the first and second batteries, and from the
infantry who lined the parapets, streets and house
tops of the city.
The rear of the first battery was soon turned,
of the works, killed or dslodged the artillery and
f,
try Immediately in its rear.
The first division was followed and supported
by the Mississippi, Tennessee and first Ohio regi-
ments.
The two former regiments being the first to
scale and occupy the fort, the success of the day
stopped.
The Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ohio regi-
ments, though warmly engaged in the streets OF
the city for some time after the capture of the
first battery, and its adjoining defences, were
unable, from exhaustion, and the loss they had
sustained, to gain more advantage.
A heavy shower of rain also came up to cause
a suspension OF the hostities before the close of
the day. The Sd, 4th and LIST infantry and the
Baltimore battalion remained as the garrison of
the captured position, under COL Garland, assist
ed b.; the Ridgey batteries.
Two IL Founders, one FOUNDER and one how
i,zer were captured in this fort; 3 officers, and
some 20 or 80 men taken prisoners. One of the
II Founders was served against the second fort,
and defended with captured ammunition during
the remainder of the day by Captain Ridgley.
The storming parties of Gen. Worth's division
also captured two Founders, which were also
Immediately turned against their former owners
On the morning of the I'D, Gen. Worth con-
tinned his operations, and portions of his division
stofmed and carried successfully the heights
above the Bishops Palace. Both were carried
by command under Captain vinton, Sd Artil-
lery.
In these operations the company OF LOUISIANA
troops, under Captain Blanchard, performed ell
fective and gallant service, and part OF Captain
Vinton's command
Four pieces Of artillery, with good supply OF
ammunition, were captured in the Bishops raiacs
this dav. some of which were Immediately turned
,,,o, ,hc e,c,nv,s defcnces in the city.