Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-03-27
Official Letter from Paymasfer al Monterey.


GENERAL We have had quite exciting time here for
the last few days. II has been asceraned beyond doubt that
Santa Anna, with large force has been advancing Sal
o attack General Taylor, who has been encamped
ty miles in advance Of Sallo, the pass of Aqua Nueva
We have also had reported that General Urea advanc
ing this place with 5000 cavalry from towards Victoria,
and have been very buy engaged preparing TO receive
him. We regiments OF volunteers here but the
Black Fort Citadel far advanced towards completion,
that feel confident if they will give two three
days. that shall be ready epe any force brought against
us. We have large supply OF provisions more than SIX
MONTHS for present gason and the supply OF ammuni
ton is unbounded and in day shall have
magazines perfectly We have some eight
pieces each of the basions thirty in all mounted.
We have all funds the fort and have them secured
in one OF the magazines
They ,crite as from, Sdhio, under date Of the 2Is, that
Gen. Iaylor has fallen back Saio and nil fght The
eemy The h Immediately aoest Of the city, This posi-
ton faked IN tDo reaoubtS and reoiced that he
has taken it, as zoe no.o feel confident Of The result
Captain Premises company of the LIST artillery left here
yesterday morning with Is and two spounders for Sal
nllo So the Generals regular force will consist of five
panies of artillery light and heavy and two squadons
Yhe mail today twenty hours advance Of the
regular mail in consequence of its containing order from
Gen. Taylor for relnforccments.
From Captain Montgomery, at Monterey.
"MosTEngr, FEnRUAnY 23-ll A. NJ
"Gen. Taylor has been attacked in his position by
force of 25 900 men, and the engagement still going
render'-Gen. Taylor's reply, come andtahe me-"
There has been no communication between Mon
terey and Camargo since the 23d ultimo.
The following letters from General TAYLOR dis
close his reasons for taking position atAgua Nueva:
| @. HEADauAnTERs Army OF OccupArloN,
Aqua Nuepa, Is miles south Of SaAiHo,
February 4 lS47.
Sin changed my headquarters this place the 9Th
instant, bringing forward in the first instance Lieutenant
Colonel Mays squadron Of Dragons, batteries, (Sher
mans ard Braggs) and the regiment Of Mississippi rifemen
Yesterday the second Kentucky and second and third Indiana
regiments up and will be joined in day two by the
other troops in and Sallo, except the small garrison
seven companies left in that town.
Although advised by Major General Scott to Sal
to, am confirmed in my purpose of holding not only that
point but this position in It's 'front.' Not to speak OF the per
ncous moral effect upon volunteer troops of falling back from
points which have gained there powerful military
for occupying this extremity of the pass rather than the
other The scarcity of and supplies for long distance
in front compels the enemy either to risk engagement
the field hold himself aoof from while, if we fall
back Monterey he could establish himself strongly at Sal
to and be in position to annoy effectively anks
| and our communications.
have intelligence from the interior more recent
thenc than that heretofore communicated There is ander
stood to be considerable force 'front.' is it likely
that any serious demonstration will be made in this direction
The frequent alarms the middle of December
have been without substantial foundation am happy &c
add that the population of Sao fast returning to the
city. Under the udcous management of Major Warren,
discreet officer of Illinois volunteers who commands in the
town, is hoped thai the people may remain quietly in he
homes
respectfully enclose copies of statements showing the
of the officers and recently captured by the enemy,
| as reported in my despatch No. IL.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant
Major General y. S. Army, commanding.
The ApJUTASr GENERAL of the Army, Washington