Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-12-10

plaza, composed Of light troops slightly extended
with orders to mask the men whenever practicable
TO avoid those points swept by the enemy's artille
ito press on to the first plaza, Capelia; to ge
hold Of the ends of streets beyond then enter the
buildings, and by means OF picks and bars break
through the longitudinal section of the walls work
from house to house, and, ascending the roofs, to
place themselves upon the same breast hepht with
the enemy Light artillery by sections and pieces,
under Duncan, Roland, Mackall, Martin. Hays.
Irons, Clarke, and Curd, followed at suitable inter
walls, covered by reserves To guard the pieces and
the whole operation against the probable enterprises
OF cavalry upon our left. This was efiectually
done by seizing and commanding the head of every
cross street. The streets were, at different and
well chosen points, barricaded by heavy masonry
waiis' win cnbrasnres for one or more guns, and
IN every instance well supported by cross batteries
These arrangements of defence gave TO our opera
lions al tins moment complicated character, de-
handing much care and precaution; but the work
went on steadily, simultaneously and successfully
Aoout the time our assault commenced the fire
ceased IRON our iorce in the opposite quarter. Dis
engaged on the one side, the enemy was enabled
to SHIFT men and guns to our quarter. as was soon
| manifested by accumulation Of fire. AT dark we
had worked through the walls and squares and
reached to within one block OF the great plaza eay
ing covered way In our Tear-carried large
building which lowered over the principal defences,
and during the night and ensuing morning, crown
ed It's roof with two howitzers and 4 6pOunder-
All things were now prepared to renew the assault
at dawn vi day, when flag was sent i'm asking a
momenary suspension of fire, which led to the ca
pltulatlon upon terms 50 honorable to our arms
AS the columns of attack were moving from the
Palace hill, Major Monroe, chief Of artillery reach
ed me with ten-lnch mortar, which was immedi-
ately advanced to the plaza, Chapel put in position
masked by the church wall, Its bed adjusted as
rapidly as possible, and by sunset opened upon the
great square. At this period our troops had work
pd IN vn.ufl, him . IL
position OF our comrades, on the opposite side was
not known, and the distance of the position to be
assalled from the bomb battery but conectural
eight hundred yards was assumed and fuse and
charge regulated accordingly the first shell fell
little short OF the point on which it was directed
and beside our troops; slight increase of the pro-
Jectng charge gave exact results. The whole ser
vice was managed by Maj Monroe, most admira-
bly,, and, combined with other operations, exercised
decided influence upon the final results Early
on the morning of the 23d, Major Brown artillery
battalion, was despatched with select command
and one section OF Mackall's battery, under Lieut.
Irons, TO occupy the stone mill and adjacent grounds
constituting, one league in advance, the narrow
gorge near ST. Catarina. The Major took posses
sion, repused the enemy's piquets, and was pre-
pairing his command To resist any attack when he
received my orders TO retrace his steps, enter the
city, and form the main reserve to the assauting
columns He came up in good time and good order
and was at once under fire.
On the 25th, in conformity with the articles OF
capiluiaioi, tile citadel taken possession of by
command consieting of two companies of each re-
giment, and one section of each battery 2nd divi-
slon General Smith directed to take COM
mand OF this corps, and conduct the ceremony,
which duty he executed with decacy TO the un
happy and Inundated foe
You will receive lists of captured munitions of
war lists Of such as were surrendered, have area-
dy been handed In. 1t is of high gratifica-
I'M hat hove hoon 10
tunate results with SO moderate sacrifice OF gal
iant men, Annexed is return of killed and wound
ed, exhibiting dates, actions, and circumstances
when every officer and every soldier, regular
and volunteer, has, through series of harrassing
and severe conflicts, in the valley and the noun.
tain, III the street and the house top cheerfully
bravely, and successfully executed every service,
and complied with every exacton of valOr and pa
trIosm, the task is difficult as delicate to dis
hnguish Individuals and yet it will always hap
PEN as 1t has always happened in the varied scenes
Of battle and siege, that fortune presents to some
those opportunities which all would have seized
with giadness and avidity. Ii is my pleasing and
grateful duty to present to the consideration of the
Gencral-in chief, and through him 10 the Govern
ment, the distinguished conduct of Brgader Gene
raj Smith, Colonel ofrifles, Brevet Lieutenant Col
onel Chllds artillery battalion; Col. Hays, Texan
rlfiemen; Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, horse
artillery, and Capt G. +. Smith, second artillery
commanding ligh: troops LIST brigade.
My thanks are also especially due to Lieutenant
Colonel Stamford, 9th, commanding first brigade y
MAJOR Munroe chief of artillery, general staff y
Brevet Major Brown, Capt. j. Il. Vmton. artillery
battalion; Captain j. b. Scott, artillery battalion
eight troops j Major Scott commanding and Can't
Merrill, 9Th; Captains Miles, commanding, Holmes
and Ross, 9TH infantry and Capt. Scriven, com
Inandlng 9Th Infantry to Lieutenant Col. Walker
Captain rifles,) Major Chevallie, and Can't. MIC
Culoch, Of the Texan, and Captain Blanchard,
Louisiana volunteers; 10 Leuts Machall, (com
handing battery,) Roland, Martin. Hays, Irons,
Clarke, dold Curd, horse ariilleryss Lieut. Long
street, commanding light company, 9Th; Lieut.
Ayres, artillery battalion who was among the first
In the assault upon the Palace and who secured the
colors. Each Of the officers named either headed
special detachments, columns Of attack, storminp
parties, or detached guns, and all were conspicu
Gus Tor conduct and courage. My attention has
been particularly directed by General Smith to The
gallant conduct of Lieut.. Gardner, 9TH infantry, du
ring the assault upon the city on which occasion
ne threw himself In advance, and on the most ex-
posed points, animatiDg the men by his brave ex-
ample. Particular attention has also been called TO
the Lieuts Nichols, (brothers.) Louisiana yolun
teers, as having highly distinguished themselves by
personal daring and efficient service. The officers
OF brigade and regimena staff were conspicuous in
the field or in their particular departments. Leu
tenants Hanson (conmanding) Vandorn, ad-de-
camp, 9TH Lieutenant Robinson, 9Th (auartermas-
Tel department on the staff of Gen. Smith; Lieu
tenant and Adjuant Clarke, 9Th infantry. staff LIST
brigade; Lieutenants Benjamin adiutant artillery
battalion Peck ordnance officer artillery battai-
ion; q. Deas, adjutant 9th and Pace adlItapt 7th
! infantry, are highly commended by their respec-
tive chiefs, TO the business of which | have the
pleasure TO add my personal observation In COM
mon with the entire division, my particular thanks
are rendered to assistant surgeons Porter. (senior
byrne, Conrad, DeLeon, aid Roberts (medcal de