The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-10-07
The Battle Of Monterey-John B
Weller

Two years ago this day, on the
plains Of Monterey, was seen columns
of American volunteers, firm and TN
dismayed, marching to the assault. In
the fierce fight which ensued, the Go.
lionel Of the first Ohio Regiment fell
wounded. and the command devolved
on the second in command. Firm and
cool he rallied them, and with the flag
Of his country flying at their head they
marched to tie very mouths oi the en-
emy's cannon. The other regiments
were scattered-6ghting in patoons.
and in companies, but Ohio's gallant
First, during that whole battle. under
tho command Of its gallant leader, pre-
served its identity as regiment, and
though its ranks were thinned-though
the cannon balls crushed through their
ranks, as did the balls through TIE
French army in Macdonald's celebra.
ted charge at Wagram, ye, still Ohio
held her ground-her brave volunteers
rushed On to the assault, and the streets
of Monterey that day, saw the lame
Of Ohio filled to Overlooking.
While advancing to the assault, an
anecdote is told Of the Lieutenant Co.
lionel. and OF the regiment, which mark
ed their cool determined courage. An
officer rode up. and ordered the regi.
mental flag to be furIed, as it drew The
fire of the enemy. The reply Of the
Lieut.. Col. was addressed 10 the regi.
ment. "Boys, you said that flag should
never be furled before an enemy-shall
i, now be done?" The deaiening cry Of
"no! MOI" rose above the roar of battle.
The Colonel commanding, observed 20
the officer giving the order. "you have
my answer in that shout" and where
the battle ragged fercest, the flag blazed
in its midst, and around it the gallant
volunteers of Ohio rallied, as did those
Of Henry, Of Navarro, round his gal
liant plume.
Though that Lieutenant Colonel,
among that bard Of gallant volunteers
ranked with the bravest Of the brave
though in the hour Of battle he was
firm and undismayed-though he expo
sed his life to the fire Of the enemy.
and saw his friends and assnciates fall
ing around him, breathing their last on
the field where Ohio glory was won.
vet there are those in The state that
would rob him of his fame by slanders
base and Infamous.
In devotion 10 his country-in COM
mandng talent, and in all that consti-
,utes tile man Of worth, Lieutenant
Col. JOHN b. WELLER stands head
and shoulders above such men. He It
was. who. at The first moment he heard
the ne ws thai Gen. Taylor was l,emed
in by the Mexican forces, who had in.
yaded American soil and murdered
American citizens, resolved TO march
to his rescue and retrieve the honor oi
his native land. Unlike the fire.side
patriots Of whiggery, he carried his re-
solves into execution, and among the
first volunteers Of the war, was John
B. Weller enrolled as private in the
Butler county company. His fellow
soldiers called MIN to the command,
and when the regiment was formed, he
was elected It's Lieutenant Colonel,
and amid the murderous shower of
Mexican bullets at Monterey, while in
command Of the regiment, he showed
that the choice was wise one.
For his talents, for his services in
Congress and for his democracy, he
was chosen to carry the standard Of
| his country in another contest--not