Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-06-28


In 1874 the same experiment was made
with Buffers popularity TO carry the Stat'
for the democracy, as had succeed in hi
congressional district. He was nominated
as the democratic candidate for governor
and it is believed that he would have beer
chosen over his estimable whig competitor
Governor Owsley, but for the universal
conviction through out the State that the
defeat Of MIR. Clay's party, by the choice
Of democratic governor in August. woule
have operated to injure MIR. Clay's pros.
poets throughout the Union in the presi.
dental election which followed immediate.
ly after, in November. With Mr.. Clay.
popularity, and the activity Of all his
friends-with the State pride so long ex-
allied by the aspiration Of giving Presi.
dent to the Union more eagerly than ever
enlisted against the democracy, Colonel
Butler diminished the wing ma jority from
twenty thousand to less than five thou
sand.
The late military events with which
Major General Butler has been connected
in consequence of his elevation to that
grade in 1916; with the view to the COM
mand of the volunteers raised to support
General Taylor in his invasion of Mexico
are SO well known TO the country, that
minute recital is not necessary. He acted
a very conspicuous part in the severe con-
flict at Monterey, and has, as second in
command under General Taylor, his full
share in the arduous duties and response
bilities incurred in that important move
ment. The narrative Of Major Thomas,
senior assistant adjutant general of the
army in Mexico, and hence assigned by
General Taylor to the staff of General But
Ter, reports SO plainly and modestly the
part which General Butler performed in
subjecting the city, that it may we'll stand
for history. This passage is taken from
it: "The army arrived at their camp in
the vicinity Of Monterey about noon, Sep
TENDER l9. That afternoon the General
endeavored to get information Of the enc
my's position. He, like General Tay-
lor, saw the importance of gaining the road
to Saltillo, and fully favored the movement
Of General Worth's division to turn their
left, SC. Worth marched Sunday, Sep
TENDER 20, for this purpose; thu. leaving
Twigg's and Buffers divisions with Gen.
Taylor. Gen. Butler was also in favor
of throwing his division across the St.
Johns river, and approaching the town
from the east, which was at first deter
mined upon. This was changed, as it
would leave but one, and perhaps the
smallest division, to guard the camp, and
attack in front. TIE Goth, the General
also reconoitred the enemy's POSITION
Early on the, morning Of the 2lst the force
was ordered out to create diversion in
favor of Worth, that lie might gain his po-
sition; and before oui division came with
in long range of the enemy's principal
battery, the foot of 1wigg's division had
been ordered down 10 the northeast side
of the town, to make an armed recon-
noissance of the advanced battery, and to
take it if it could he done without great
loss. The volunteerdivision was scarce
ly formed in rear q our howitzer and
morter battery-established the night pre-
vious, under cover Of rise of ground
before the infantry sent down to the north
east side of the townbecame closely and
holly engaged; the b.tteries of that divi-
sion were sent down. and ue were then or
dered 10 support the .tatck. Leaving the
Kentucky regiment to support the mortar
and howitzer battery the General rapidly
put in march, by flank movement, the
other three regiments, moving for some
one and half or tw. miles under heavy
fire Of round shot. As further ordered,
the Ohio regiment was detached from
Quitman's brigade, and left by the Gener-
al Cat this time accompanied by General
Taylor into the town. Quitman carried
his brigade directly en- the battery first at
tackled, and gallantlv carried it. Before
this, however, as we entered the suburbs,
the chief engineer came up and advised us
to withdraw, as the object of the attack
had failed; and if we moved on, we must
meet with great loss. The General was
loath to fall back without consulting with
Gen. Taylor, which he did do-the Gen
eral being but short distance off. As
we were Withdrawing, news came that
Quitman had carried the battery, and Cen
eral Butler led the Ohio regiment back to
the town at different point. In the street
we became exposed to line Of batteries
on the opposite side ola small stream, and
also from tete depont (bridge-head)
which enfiladed us. Our men fell rapid
ly as we moved up the street to get pos
ition to charge the battery across the
stream. Coming to a cross street, the
General reconnoitred the position, and, de-
termining to charge from that point, sent
me back short distance to stop the firing,
and advance the regiment with the bay
onet. had just left him, when he was
struck in the leg, being on foot, and was
obliged to leave the field.
"On entering the town, the General and
his troops became at once holly engaged
at short musket range. He had to make
his reconnaissance under heavy fire.
This he did unAinchingly, and by expos
ing his person--on one occasion passing
through a large gateway into yard
which was entirely open to the enemy
When he was wounded, atthe intersection
of the two streets: he was exposed to ;
cross-ire of musketry andgrape."
sin battle the Generals bearing wa.
truly that of a soldier; and those under hin