The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-09-27

On the morning of the 21st the Louisianians
were ordered across the San Juan, with the
5th Infantry, to attack the battery which
frowned upon them from the heights which
overlooked Monterey. They formed on the
left of the 5th, looking mp hill. This position
brought them to the front, and they advanced
with loud cheers, receiving the heavy fire.
poured upon them, without finching-then
charged and took the battery. Thorpe in bis
history of Our Army in Mexico, says, SPEAKING
of the 5th Infantry and the Louisiana com.
pany: "They seemed to tread down the nm.
even surface, to fly across the yawning chasms
and crush the matted thorn beneath their feet
| The heavy mHskets of Blanchard's men wera
among the first to open way for the Ameri.
| cans into the heart of the Soledad."
On the 22nd they were again ordered to cross
the river, to assist in the attack-upon the
Bishops Palace. This they succeeded in doing.
although exposed to "a most CALLING FIRE, and
climbing the mountain side, they approached
in spite of the storm of shot and shell. to
within one hundred yards of the Castle, from
which point they could plainly see the men in
the Fort.
The iron rain, at this time, was SO terrible
that it seems strange, while reading the re-
port, that single soldier should have escaped
its fury. One gallant Lousianian, kneelipp in
front of his commander, exclaimed: eft is
getting hot here, Captain when at the same
moment, smothered groan was heard. and
the kneeling man fell forward As Cant.
Blanchard caught him around the breast. a
gush of hot blood bathed his hands and he
knew that the man was dead.
The Louisianians were then ordered to retire
to the line of skirmishers, which they did.
slowly, drawing out the enemy in pursuit
This was the decisive moment. AS soon as the
Mexicans were fairly advanced, the whole line
of Americans on both sides of the hill, rose
closed to the centre, and charged.
1t was a glorious charge! Lousianians in
front! 9Th Infantry following with noble
rivalry. Capt Blanchard's mon entered the
Castle ahead of the line, tore out the sand
bags from the doors and windows, and turned
the guns on the flying enemy.
Lieut.. Ayres, of the 5th, who had left his
place and got among the men of Capt. Blan-
chard's command, and Lieut.. E. Nichols of the
Louisiana Volunteers rushed up to the roof of
the Bishops Palace. The former turned to the
right, the latter to the left; and Lieut.. Ayres
struck the flag at the first angle of the roof
thus wrestling from the gallant Louisianian an
honor which should have boon entirely his
own. Gen. Worth, however, gave full credit
to the Louisiana Boys, for riding along their
line, just after the fort was captured, he raised
Eis hat and exclaimed: "Louisianians, Won
have done nobly, molly, NoBLYp
One more incident connected with the siege
of Monterey and the brave boys of our dear old
State, and we close this hasty- sketch.. Hear
ing that the Mexicans were advancing in force
along the Saltillo plains, Major Harvey Brown,
of the end Regiment U. S. Artillery, was or
dered to San Pedro's Mills, n ARROW pass about
five miles up the road, with instructions to
fortify the place. In giving the order, Gen.
Worth said, as reported by Major Brown HIM
self; Major, send you to the Thermopylae
of America. can only give you 300 men, but
give you Capt Blanchard's Company of
Louisiana Voluuteersw
Is not this chapter worth remembering in
Louisiana's history Is not this record worth
holding up as a bright example before her
gallant youth And does not this page from
out her glorious past stand as a fit companion
for the yet unwritten page of the 14th of Sept,
1S747