The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-02

The period 81 time embracing the few weeks pre-
ceding the battle Of Bucna Vista Of the
most critical i'm the whole history Of the MeKi-
can war The American line Of operations having
been denuded Of IL most effective troops was pc
culiarly liable 10 sudden attack by Santa Anna,
the celebrity II whose movements, whatever may b.
BIZ dement's a. a military commander, has been
?, ldom equalled in modern warfare. From Mon
tcrcy 10 MatamOrOs the whole frontier was IN
state Of exciting suspense. Engineers were busy
eTcayating bitches and constructing ramparts;
Orts we're strengthened, and provisions and stores
placed Ia security. In Camargo and MatamOrOs
the piazas strongly fortified, and artillery
was placed az the angles If the streets, while the
little huts o. Jaoaiss which abound In the outskirts
Of all Mexican towns, and which might afford shell
ter ~ the dUonf g0rds Of am enemy, were made 10
contribute 20 the amuscnents Of the soldiers by fur
nishing materials for rather extensive bOnfires At
SaltllO the proximity 0f the commander IN chief
infused more confidence into the minds Of our
troops; but az Monterey, which, from IT, Isolated
position and the sTnalness Of the garrison left to
protect II, considered especially insecure, the
anxiety oi the Americans was very great and their
Wstcbfulnezs prOPOrtionately increased. The com
mzSary's and quartz rtnastcT's stores were removed
into the citadel, and all the trOOps were Withdrawn
from their quarters in town, and placed within the
same fertilization. That work was streng thencd
much the SHIRT time would permit, and
the building in its centre, which had been the
commencement Of an old cathedral, was convert
Cd into a magazine At this time there were in
Monterey about eleven hundred men, comprising
the let OHIO Regiment, the LOuIsvic Lyon, Prem
tisss battery, and a squadron Of Kentucky cavalry.
On Saturday, the both Of February, General Mar
shall, then m command, received an order ~ start
Immediately ~ General TsylOrs assistance. OF
course tins Giro unstauce created great excitement.
Il had Tor some time been rumored that Santa Anna
was about making a forward movement from San
Isuis POtOsi, but rapid were has manguvres that
this was the first certain even reliable niOuna-
ton had received Of his approach. On the alter
nom Of the day above mentioned, General Marshall
f.lrr I'll. D..
artillery and the squadron Of Kentucky cavalry.
This left at Monterey only the Ohio Regiment and
the Louisville Legion, which, being stationed in
the citadel the city wa left almost entirely de
serted Nor IL this = mere rhetorical figure, iOr the
Me1icans had abandoned the place, II IL we're
plague STRIFE ken and the thirty forty America
who remained enjoyed the largest liberty, In roam
ing through the silent and desolate streets and peer
ing with curious eye into empty houses The anxiety
and painful suspense Of this small party may b.
imagined bot II caanOt BE- described. They could
OCCASIONALLY see bod Of Mexican sncers, probably
belonging 10 Urrcs predatory bands, prOV'ling
about on the surrO ng bills, and apparently eye
ing the city 40 n to- deemed II already in their
power. Fearful eva moment Of surprise, con
I slant watch was KEEP and the slamming Of door,
which would resOtD, from end Of the desOlste
city W the other would frequently assemble all the
Ppuauon IN the piazza 70 await the attack OF their
unseen aud INA ginary foe
- a last resort, ia case Of extremity, they had
converted the house u one Mr. More, Douisianian
into kind Of fortress, IN which were placed
Der Of muskets and other warlike implements. AZ
W. said DeiOfc, Gen. Marshall set Out on the 10Th
he marched - lar a. u pass Of Los Muerto, the