The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-20

them. pouring in a destructive FIRE on the enemy
w heneyer one Of them would raise his head, he
was sure TO have musket balls flying around him.
We were now on AN equality with the enemy, haV-
ing the house-tops lined with troops, and those VINO
were not firing the enemy, were protected IN inc
houses. Where we were we received an order TO mold
the plaza at oil hazards; and the troops who had adj
vanced farther than we had IN the direction OF the
enemy, ordered TO retire TO about the same dis
lance that we were from them, | omitted TO men
ton that in the meantime the five companies Of the
| 7th, which had become again united under Captain
Holmes, and the Texan rangers under Captain
| Hays, were advancing on the house-tops on two
streets, south Of where VIC Were receiving heavy
fire from the enemy but returning 1t with grea ef-
feet. About night-fal in the plaza, which we were
holding, there was some indication of charge
of cavalry. Martins piece, which had been
| opening on one street, PITT IN position 10
| rake il, and the gunner stood in one Of the
doors with match liz ready to FIRE il. The infantry
all ready TO deliver their fire. and to sally out to
receive any charge Of cavalry the plaza but this
the enemy dared not attempt, as 1t would have been
the worst thing they could have done. During all
this time, the operations IN the two streets south OF
US had been carried on with alacrity and success
In the first street south of us piece under
Mackalli and IN the next, one under Duncan In
both of these streets, which led directly 10 the main
plaza were two barbados with emhrnzures, from
which the enemy fired grape and canister; but not
outstanding, our troops advanced as FAR as II was
deemed prudent and as far as the advanced parties
could be supported. The troops in our plaza, and
ia fact all in Town, were allowed To get little rest
keeping bright watch the enemy, who, from
the tops Of the houses, kept up random firing OF
musketry, and throwing rockets all night, not know
ing where we were, or what was coming next
Capt. Miles and myself being in the same building
took II by turns 20 sleep, and, while was sleeping
finely, escopetle ball struck the wall about four
inches above my head. About O'Clock, our NOR
tar commenced hrlng, and the shells fell exactly IN
the right places and, we have since learned, created
n tremendous panic the enemy. At earliest
dawn, on the 24th, went out of my domcil, and
was astonshed 10 hear no firing, but saw our Off
GERS walking about the Streets and finally saw some
Mexlcans coming up with flag OF truce. They
were sent on to Gen. Worth, who granted a cessa-
ton Of hostIlItles for one hour, until Gen. Taylor
could be heard from. Gen. Ampudia also sent flag
oftruce to Gen. Taylor. Capt Miles and myself, with
our own company, to which we had been reduced,
rejoined the regiment, and everybody was engaged
IN preparations 10 brig matters 10 crisis as speedi-
y as possible Our artillery all put IN position
to have the greatest effect possible. One l2-pound-
sr howtzer was raised to the second story Of build
ing which commanded the position Of the enemy,
and 24-pounder (their own gum we had in n COM
manding position loaded with peck Of bullets,
to shower down on the tops Of the houses, which
were now lined with men. Hays's men excaVated
up to the very houses occupied by the enemy; and
the Texans, nearly all sharp-shooters, were even
We were prepared at all points our side Of the
town. In few hours, Gen Taylor met Gen. Am
pudia and several propositions were considered by
them, the consultation resulting IN the capitulation
Of the town, in compliance with regular articles Of
agreement drawn up both sides by three commits
sloners; side Gems Worth, and Henderson,
and Col. Jefferson Davis. Gen. Taylor permitted
the Mexican army to march out with their muskets
and acoourrements, and six pieces of artillery On
the 25th, Gen. p F. Smith commanded a delach.
ment formed of two companies from each regiment
Of our division and section from each right battery
receive the fort from a Mexican colonel Of artIl-
ery, il having been agreed that they might fire sa-
lutte when their flag came down, and we fired
tonal salute when went up. | brought with
me from Matamoros the national flag which waved
over Fort Brown during the bombardment; and
having accompanied Gen. Smith in his staff, [ had
the honor to assist in raising the flag on the
fort Of Monterey. Actuated by feelings Of humani-
ty, Gen Taylor only granted the above terms under
the expectation that peace would shortly be restored
between the two countries. Indeed, Ampudia mad
informed him that he empowered to enter into
preliminary engagements towards re-establishing
friendly relations; but | believe he said what was not
true.