The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-21
. FROM MONTERREY.
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES FROM GENERAL
Hl hlstf TAYLOR
HEADaUARrERs ARnY OF occvrArIos,
CAmP MEAN MONTEREY, Oct. ., 1916

HEADQUAhfEks ARMY OtCSrhioss
CAmP .EAn MosTEREr, Oct y, 1870
STA: have now the honor TO submit detailed
report Of the recent operations before Monterey re-
sulting in the capitulation Of that city
The information received the route from Corral
vo, and particularly the continual appearance IN our
front Of the Mexican cavalry, which had slight
skiTn,ish with our ads at the village OF Ramas,
induced tbs belief as approached Monterey, that
The enemy would defend that place. Upon reach
inc the neighborhood OF the city the morning OF
the 18th Of September, this belief was fully CONFIRM
ed. II was ascerained that he occupied the town
in force; that large work had been constructed
commanding all the northern approaches; and that
the Bishops Palace and some heights IN its vicinity
rear the Saltllo road had also been fortified and oc
cupied with troops and artillery IL was known
from information previously received that the east
ern approaches were commanded by several small
works iu the lower edge Of the city.
The confguration Of the heights and gorges IN the
direction Of the Saltillo road, visible from the
point attained byour advance on the morning OF the
18th led me 10 suspect that II was practicable 10
turn all the works in that direction, and thus cut the
epemy's line Of Communication. Alter establishing
my camp at the "Walnut springs" three miles from
Monterey the nearest suitable position, IL was, ac-
eordingly, my fret to order close reconnois-
sance Of the ground in question, which was executed
on the evening Of the 18th by the engineer Of
hcers under the direction Of Major Mansfield A
reconnaissance of the eastern approaches was at the
same time made by Capt. Williams, topograph-
ical engineers The examination made by Major
Mansfield proved the entire practicability OF throw
ing forward column to the Saltilo road, and thus
turning the position Of the enemy Deemng this
to be an operation OF essential importance orders
were given to Brevet Brig. Gen. Worth, command
ing the second division, 10 march with his command
on the Goth; to turn the hill Of the Bishops Palace;
10 occupy a position the Sato road, and TO car
nv the enemy's detached works in that quarter,
where practicable. The first regiment Of Texas
mounted volunteers, under command Of Col. Hays,
was associated with the second division this
vice. Capt. Sanders, engineers, and Lieut.. Meade,
typographical engineers also ordered TO report
TO Gen. Worth for duty with his column.
At 2 o'clock, p. m, on the 10Th the second divi-
sion took up its march. Ii soon discovered, by
officers who were accommodating the town, and com
municated TO Gen. Worth that its movement had
been perceived, and that the enemy throwing
renforcemeuts towards the Bishops Palace and the
height which commands IL. To divert his attention
rs far as practicable, the first division, under Brga-
der General Twiggs, and field division Of vol
nnteers, under Major General Butler, were
displayed in front Of the town until dark. Arrange
ments were made at the same time to place in bat
terry during the night at q suitable distance from the
enemys main work, the citadel, two 24-pounder
howitzers, and l0-inch mortar, with view to open
fire on the folio wing day, when proposed TO make
diversion in favor Of General Worths movement.
The 4th infantry covered this battery during the
night. Gen. Worth had in the meantime reached
without range Of a battery above the Bishops Pal
ace, having made reconnaissance as far as the Sal
lilo road
Before proceeding to report the operations of the
2lst and following days, beg leave to state that
shall mention in detail only those which we're con-
Quoted against the eastern extremity Of the city, or
elsewhere, under my immediate direction, referring
you for the particulars Of Gen Worth's operations,
which were entirely detached, to his own full report
transmitted herewith.
Eel, h., ptn0o Of fhaO aH IL
from General Worth, written at halfpast 3 o'clock
the night before, suggesting what had already in
tended strong diversion against the centre and len
Of the favor his enterprise against the heights
in The infantry and artillery of the LIST divis-
ion, and the field division Of volunteers, were Or
dered under and took the direction Of the city,
leaving one company of each regiment as a camp
guard. The I'd dragons, under Lieut.. Col May,
and Col Woodss regiment of Texas mounted VOL
unteers, under the immediate direction of General
Henderson, directed to the right to support
(Ien. Worth, il necessary, and to make an impress
non, if practicable upon the upper quarter of the
city Upon approt wing the mortar battery, the lst
and Sd regiments OF infantry and battalion Of Balti-
more and Washington volunteers, with Captain
Bragg's field battery-the whole under the command
of Lieut.. Col. Garland-were directed towards the
lower part of the town, with orders make strong
demonstrations, and carry one Of the enemy's ad-
vanced works, if it could be done without too heavy
loss. Major Mansfield, engineers and Capt. Will
companied this column, Major Mansfield being
charged with its direction, and the designation OF
points of attack. In the meantime the mortar,
ed by Capt. Ramsay, Of the ordnance, and the how
itzer battery under Capt Webster lst artillery had
opened their fire upon the citadel, which was delib.
erately sustained, and answered from the work
Gen. Buffers division had now taken up position
in of this battery when the discharges Of artl-
lery, mingled finally with rapid fire Of small arms,
showed that Lieut.. Garland's command had become
Lee ~uaA IL -
support this attack, and accordingly ordered the 4th
infantry and three regiments of General Buffers
division to march at by the left flank in the
direction of the advanced work at the lower exrem-
ity Of the town, leaving one regiment 1st Ken.
tucky) to cover the mortar and howitzer battery.
BY some mistake, two companies of the 18th infantry
did receive this order, and consequently did not
Join the advance companies until some time after.
wards. 7 E..g f
Lent Col Garand's command had approached
the town in direction to the right Of the advanced
work mo. ~ at the northeastern angle of the city
and the engineer officer, covered by skirmishers had
succeeded in entering the suburbs and gaining
cover. The remainder of this command now ad 2
vanced and entered the town under heavy fire of
artillery from the citadel and the works on the left
and of musketry from the houses and small works
in front. A movement to the right was attempted
with view to gain the Of No. 1, and carry that
work, but the troops were much exposed to a
fire which they could not effectually return and
had already sustained such loss particularly
in officers, that it deemed best to withdraw
them to more secure position Capt. Backus, Is,
infantry, however, with portion of his own and
other companies, had gained the roof Of tannery,
which looked directly into the gorge Of No. /, and
from which he poured most destructive FIRE into
that work and upon the strong building in its rear
This FIRE happily conceded 10 point of time with the
advance of portion of the volunteer division upon
No. |, and contributed largely to the fall Of that
strong and important work
The three regiments Of the volunteer division
under the immediate command Of Major General
Butler, had in the meantime advanced in the direc.
ton Of No. 1. The leading brigade, under Briga-
der General Quitman, continued it's advance upon
that work, preceded by three companies Of the 4,h
infantry, while General Butler, with the lst Ohio
regiment, entered the town to the right. The COM
panies ofthe 4th infantry had advanced within short
range Of the work, when they were received by a
fire that almost in one moment stuck down one
third Of the officers and men, and rendered it neces