The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-11-17
Extracts from The Disrq Of an Officer
ofMe Uaited States .ArmJ at Monte

Extracts from The Diary Of an Officer
ofMe Uaited Sates .arml al Monte
req.
"September 2l.-A day 10 be noted
henceforth in history. The night Of the
Goth being dark and rainy, and conse-
quenhy favorable for operations, our bat
terry of 24-pound howitzers and the NOR
tar were established in hollow opposite
the main work, and at about thirteen hun
dred Yards off, with orders TO open on
the old Cathedral, which is strongly for
tilted, so soon as we should hear the fire
from Gen. Worth's division. Accor-
dinghy at 7 o'clock we commenced throw
ing shells. The enemy returned il pretty
briskly with round shot, and soon got the
range OF our pieces. While in this po-
sition we lost one man and hcrse. At
about A. M. the 1st and Sd Infantry
and Baltimore Battalion, under Col. Gar
land, advanced on our left and engaged
the enemy, who occupied an advanced
redoubt and the hedges and houses III the
suburbs Of the town. The Tennessee
Regiment was sent forward TO his sup
port. This brought on general action.
and in succession the Ohio, Mississippi,
and 4th Regiment of u. S. Infantry,
RidgeIy's and Bragg's batteries, were
thrown forward. The enemy had flank
fire of artillery from their main work on
the troops as they advanced. and direct
fire from The town and batteries. The
extreme right battery Of four guns was
carried with the bayonet, the enemy de-
sorting their guns with the utmost precipi-
tation. The first division, composed of
the Ist Infantry, Baltimore Battalion, Sd
and 4th Infantry, charged past this bat
terry, and, passing another battery and
several breastworks still in the hands OF
the enemy, charged into the heart of the
town, followed BY Bragg's battery. This
was fatal mistake. Without any def
nite object in view, they found themselves
in network of Notifications, exposed to
a murderous fire of grape and musketry
from the hedges and houses on their right
and left, front and rear, along the narrow
streets in which they were penned up
! The consequence was that they were
terribly cut up. The Sd and 4th Infantry
will hardly muster company strong
! The Baltimore Battalion lost COL Wat
son, and was, like the rest Of the com.
mand for the time, scattered. Bragg
battery, unable TO man9uvre, or even turn
in the narrow streets, suffered severely in
men and horses. The remnant Of this
devoted band was recalled, and rallied in
the ravine in which our battery was stu.
ated. At this time our guns (24-pount
howitzers) were ordered to advance anC
support Ridgely's guns that were PLAYING
on the second battery, exposed 10 CALLING
fire of musketry and shells. One was
put into the road and opened with shells
spherical case and canister, at about two
hundred yards. | served and pointeo
this gun for upwards of half an hour, an,
during that time was the mark for thei
fire. had one ball through the collar O
my coat, and one through the skirt. Nj,
horse was shot through the shoulder. an,
finally mortally wounded through tn,
head under me. How | escaped is in
comprehensive. | thank God for hi
mercy. We occupied this position an
kept up an incessant fire until late in tn
afternoon. when the troops were all with
drawn, except the lst and the remnant G
the Sd and 4th infantry, who occupie
! the battery taken from the enemy, an
; strengthened it, working all night.'