The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-23

Of the terrified horses announced that the conflict was
about to terminate The enemy fed up the hill, In
wild confusion, followed by the infantry Of the Ame-
rieans who they moved fred voleys Of musketry at
their foe. The Maacans lost thirty men killed; among
them captain, who fell under three wounds, while
fighting with the most determined bravery
About noon, Captain C. F. Smith, with two compa-
MES Of the artillery battalion and four Of Texan
gers was ordered to storm the second height. The
undertaking was fearful one. Five hundred yards
interviewed between them and the foot of the hill their
lying perpendcui rocks heaps Of loosened
stones, ard thorn bushes; while every peak and
thieket above were gttering Of Mexican infantry
prepared to pour upon them showers Of musket balls
Inc party however did not for one moment dream Of
danger Under their gallant leader, they pre-
pared for any service and any danger; and after the
s;nht hshUd Iva gwen, .ney Teis soon OUT OF
watched, with beating hearts for their
tiu at length fearful for their safety, Captain Miles,
with the 9TH infantry detached to their support
Instead Of taking the same route the first party,
they moved rapidly toward the hill in the very breast
OF the redoub until they arrived the shores of the
San JUAN which winds along ledge. They paused
moment, and the next were wading across the swift
current, which was plungng and foamng with the
showers OF balls that necessarily poughed its surface
They landed marched to the hill, and detached
Lieutenant CAN'T to arrest the attention of the enemy
and II possible discover Captain Smiths party. They
pushed up the hill, while shells and round shot
few in all directions tearing up the shrubs and stones
ana ming the air with showers OF dust and gravel and
overhead, the sharp crack Of musketry echoing from
cliff to cliff, announced that the infantry were not
idle Suddenly the quivering bayonets of the first
party ghttering in the sunbeams, broke upon their
sight They arrived rushed up the hill, and the next
moment were ping the Mexcans from the summit
The enthusiasm of the troops became
Company after company marched up the rocky ascent
cheering and shouting until their voices arose above
the roar OF cannon and confusion of battle The Next
cans unable TO resist the fierce shock deserted their
works and fed to the number of thousand down the
steep ascent towards their second fort they passed
the rear gate the Americans entered in 'front.' and in
a moment the national flag playing in graceful
folds over the breastworks while the guns found in the
fort commenced laundering away ut the Bishops
Palace.
Thus was this important post taken almost without
loss on the part Of the Americans but it only the
commencement Of the drama the palace was still
before the soldiers with its massive rowning walls that
seemed to bid naughty defiance to the utmost effort
ofany army Rows OF cannon and files Of musketry
Drlsted along its ramparts, and its very height
fearful to look upon Yet the who led the as
sailants was not to be deferred by difficulty He had
TO take the palace
At three o'clock, the morning of he 2lst Colonel
Chhas ieft the camp, with three companies, on his
way to the palace. Their road lay over steep rocks
covered with loose fragments or hedges Of chappara
at daybreak, they found themselves within one hun
dred yards of a Mexican breastwork of sand bags
Here being discovered they paused to await
ments. three privates however, had advanced ahAid
OF their companions, and surprised BY party Of
Mexicans to whom they surrendered. They Shot
With their own muskets. Major Scott and Colonel
Stamford now advanced to the support of Chids toll
ing up the steep ascent and Obliged to carry heavy
the summit the loud bursts Of the howitzer aud the
renewed firing Of the palace announced that the
fict had begun in earnest All ut the Mexican
gallop The brave Rowland saw them coming, and
prepared for the encounter. Another leap and their
horses would almost have touched the Americans,
when loud burst rang upon the air. and the dense
mass rolled backward as though struck by an earth
quake Then followed peal of musketry, and the
broken cavalry fled in terror from the unequal
test. In little while, the Americans followed them,
rushed upon the palace, and entered it by small aper
ture in the wall. The Mexcans driven from
the works the guns secured the starspauged banner
hested. and the Bishops Palace own
On the 23d, General Worth entered Monterey with
his whole division, and was involved in the stir
ring events attending its assault. AS he rode from
post to post amid the shots that flying thick and
fast around him his fine form seemed grow with the
danger and the sadness Of previous day entire
ly absorbed in the excitement of action and flush of
victory Here he remained, in the very heart of the
city until news reached him that terms of captuaton
were about to be offered, when he ceased all further
operations.
Noevent in the life Of General Worth has added
more to his reputation. general than this fine
saut II was conducted under peculiar circumstances
those which, in some measure, would have excused
palliated rashness But he forgot self The safety Of
his dear to him than his personal fame;
and with feeling allied to that OF the martyr he de-
termned TO perform nothing but his duty totally
CARELESS Of consequences His disinterestedness
rewarded; and the post where all thought that saugh
ter would be widest scarcely stained with Ame-
rican blood How gratifying must have been the
feelings of the general, he reflected the mag
ntude Of his services, his little loss, and complete
success.