The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-06-06

quence Of his elevaiionto that grade in 40
with a view 10 the command Of the volun-
lteers raised 10 support Gen. Taylor in his III
vasion of Mexico--are so well known to the
country that minute recital is not necessary.
He acted very conspicuous part in the Sc
1yere conflict at Monterey, and had, as second
lin command under Gen. Taylor his full
share in the arduous duties and responsible
ties incurred in that important movement -
I The narrative Of Major Thomas, senior as
sisiant adjutani-general Of the army il Mex
4 co, and hence assigned by Gen. Taylor to
! the staff Of Gen. Butler reports so pllinly
and modeslly. the part which Gen. Butler
performed in subjecting the city, that il may
well stand for history. This passage is Ia
( ken from il "The army arrived at their
camp in the vicinity Of Monterey about
noon September 10Th. That afternoon the
general endeavored by personal observation
to get information of The enemy's position.--
He, like Gen. Taylor, saw. the Importance Of
gaining the road 10 Sallillo and fully favored
the movement Of Gen. Wonh's division to
turn theii left, &c. Worth marched Sunday,
September 20h, for this purpose, thus lead
ing Twiggs' and Buffers divisions with Gen.
Taylor. Gen. Butler was also in favor OF
throwing his division across the ST. Johns
river, ana approaching the town from the east,
which was at first determined upon. This
was changed, as il would leave but one, ard
perhapsthe smallest division, to guard the
camp, and attack in front. The 20th the
general also reconnoilred the enemy's posi-
tion. Early the morning of the 2lst the
force was ordered out to create diversionin
favor of Worth, that he might gain his posi-.
ton; and before our divlson came within
long range of the enemy's principal battery,
The foot Of Twiggs' division had been ORDER
ed down 10 the northeast side Of the town,
10 make an armed Reconnaissance of the ad-
yanced battery, and TO take /, If il could be
done without great loss. Tue volunteer di
vision was scarcely formed in rear Of the
howlizer and mortar battery, established the
night previous under cover of "a rise Of ground,
before the infantry sent down to the northeast
side Of the town became closely and hotly
engaged, the batteries of that division were
sent down, and tve rere then ordered 10 sup
port the attack. Leaving the Kentucky
regiment to support the mortar and howtzer
battery, the general rapidly put to march, by
flank movement, the other three regiments,
moving for some one and a half or two miles
under heavy fire Of round shot. AS fur
ther ordered, the Ohio regiment was dstach-
ed from Qniiman's brigade, and led by the
general (at this time accompanied by Gener-
| al Taylor) into the town Quitman carried
his brigade directly on the battery first al
tackled, and gallanily carried il. 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 Gen. Taylor,
which he did do--the general being but a
short distance off. Aswe were withdrawing,
news came that Quitman had carried The
battery. and Gen. Butler led the Ohio rag-
ment back TO the town at different point
In the street we became exposed to line of
batteries on the opposite side of small
stream, and also from tete de pont (bridge-
head) which eniaded us. Our men fell
rapidly as we moved up the street to get
position 10 charge the battery across the
stream. Coming 10 cross-strcet, the gene
raj reconnoitred the position, and determn-
ing to charge from that point, sent me back
a short distance TO stop the firing, and ad-
vance the regiment with the bayonet. | 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 uDflnchiugly, and by exposing his per-
son---ou one occasion passing through a
large gateway into a yard which was entirely
open TO the enemy. When he was wound
ed, at tle intersection of the two streets,
he was exposed 10 a cross-fre of musketry
and grape"
SIN battle the generals bearing was truly
that Of a soldier; and those under him felt
the influence Of bis presence. He had the
entire confidence of his men," .lp U.s.
The narrative Of Major Thomas contin-
ues. -
"When Gen. Taylor went on his expedi.
ton TO Victoria, in December, he placed
Gen. Butler in command Of the troops LETT
on the Rio Grande, and at the stations from
the river on 10 Saltillo--Worth's small diyis-
ion Of regulars being at the latter place. -
Gen. Wool's column had by this time reach
ed Parras, one hundred or more miles west
Of Saliiilo. Gen. Butler had so far recover
ed from his wound as TO walk a little and
take exercise on horseback, though with
pain to his limb. One night, (about the 10Th
December,) an express came from General
Worth at Saltillo, stating that the Mexican
Eorces ware advancing in large numbers fro,,