The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-21
HEADQUARTERS FIELD DIVISION Volunteers,
Monterey, September 30. 1916.

HEADQUARTERS FIELD DIVISION Volunteers,
Monterey, September 80, 1916.
SIR: Pursuant to the instructions ofthe ma or-gene-
raj commanding, on the 2lst inst, at about o'clock
a. M, marched my division with the exception
of one company from each infantry regiment, left to
guard the camp) and placed it in order of battle under
cover, Immediately in rear of the mortar and howit
ger battery, my left resting the main road to
Monterey. | had been in position but a short time
when received the generals further orders to
as speedily as practicable, with three regiments, to
the support of Gen. Twiggs's division, then en-
gagged in an attempt to carry the enemys first bat
terry on our left. To expedite this movement,
marched the three nearest regiments, commanded
respectively by Coils Davis, Campbell, and Mitchell
by the left flank, leaving Col Ormsby to sustain the
batteries. Finding the rifle regiment in 'front.' that
Of Col Campbell was ordered to take its place
The two last mentioned regiments constituting Gen
Qutman's field brigade, he took the immediate COM
mand ofthem, and moved off with spirit and prompt
ness in the direction indicated by the enemy's line
Of fire. Having seen Gen Qutman's brigade fairly
in motion, turned my attention to that of General
Hamer, now consisting of the Ohio regiment only
Pursuing the instructions of the major-general,
felt my way gradually, without any knowledge Of
the localities, into that part Of the city border
ing on the enemy's continuous line Of batteries as
sailed at every step by heavy fires in front and flank
Alter having raversed several squares, met Major
Mapshed, the engineer who had conducted the
movement of Gen. Twiggs's division on the first
battery. He informed me OF the failure of that
attack and advised the withdrawal of my command
as there could no longer be any object in advancing
further, warning me at the same that if advanced
must meet fire that would sweep all before it,
Knowing the major-general commanding to be but
short distance in the rear, galloped back and
communicated this information, in consequence of
which he gave the order to retrograde and the
ment was commenced accordingly. In short time,
however, IL was known that Gen. Quitman g brigade
had not only sormed the battery in question, but
had also carried a stone house of considerable
strength competed with the first and occupied by
the enemy's infantry. The direction Of Gen. Ha-
mer's brigade was at once changed, and the city
entered by another route, which, after about half
hours march under a destructive fire. brought II
within, say one hundred yards Of the enemy's
ond fort, called FL Diablo very slight recon-
noissance suffced to convince that this was
position Of no ordinary strength. Still, feeling its
impo rance, after consulting with part Of my staff
to it's practcaby, had resolved to attempt carry
ing il by storm, and in the act Of directing the
advance, when received wound which compelled
me to halt. Col. Mitchell was at the same time
wounded at the head of his regiment as was
his adiutant. The men were falling fast under
the converging fires of at least three distinct batteries,
that continually swept the intervening space through
which II was necessary to pass The loss Of blood,
too, from my wound rendered il necessary that
should quit the field and had discovered at a sec
ond glance that the position was covered by heavy
FIRE Of musketry from other works directly in it's
rear that had not seen in the first hasty examine
ton. Under eli these dscoursgements, was most
reluctantly compelled, on surrendering the COM
msnd, to advise the withdrawal Of the troops to a