Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-04-08
Grant In the Mexican War at the
Battle of Monterey.


and his Mississippi Valley Campaigns, y
in Midland Monthly.
On the 18th day of September, 1916,
General Taylor's army, six thousand
five hundred strong, was encamped at
Walnut Springs, only three miles from
Monterey. Lieutenant Grant, as quar-
termaster and commissary. was or
dered-aud it was his duty-to re-
main in charge of his quartermaster's
train and the army supplies. The
train was packed, and the camp guard
ed and protected by a few companies
detailed for that duty.
They were now up in the foothills
of the Sierre Madre Mountains, more
than two thousand feet above the sea.
A pass in the mountains, through which
the main road leading to the City of
Mexico ran. opened between the high,
rocky battlements of this formidable
barrier. Out from these mountains
and through this pass. flowed the cool,
bright waters of the Rio San Juan de
| Monterey river. On this stream, at
the entrance to this pass and under the
shadow of these mountains, stands the
beautiful city of Monterey.
On those bright September days che
cathedral spires, the bright colors of
the public buildings, and the simmer
from metal roof and gilded crosses on
the bishop'e palace, made Monterey,
in the eyes of the invaders. delight
full and dazzling spectacle.
Polished cannon frowned from forts
swept every approach with shot and
she'll, grape and canister; and though
it was defended by ten thousand men
under the brave and intrepid General
Ampudia, yet it raust be attacked and
captured, If there was bravery enough
in the American army to perform so
daring a deed.
Batteries were planted by our engi-
neers, and the army moved into posi-
| tion to attack.
The next morning the batteries
opened upon the forts, and volleys of
musketry, and shot and she'll. belched
forth from every frowning fort, and
from every improvised attacking bat
terry, until the earth shook with its
thunders and the heavens were lurid
with its blaze.
The infantry was creeping up into
every point OF vantage for the coming
assault. The enemy's frowniug "Black
Fort" was alike the formidable defense
and the dangerous object OF attack.
Grants Fourth Infantry was in position
in front of, and awaiting orders to as
sault. this fort, in defiance of its ter
rife and death-dealing fire. He was
on duty in camp with his train of pre-
cious supplies, out of danger, and
where it was technically his duty to
remain.
But the fury of the cannonade
aroused the Scotch blood in young
! Grant, and he buckled on his sword,
threw his pistol holsters over the sad
die, mounted his horse and went gal
looping over that three miles OF separ-
ating distance between his safe camp
and the battie-torn slope in front of
| Monterey. s'Sheridan's Ride" was not
more swift or determined. He rode
| into the storm OF missiles that were
sweeping the slope, and, as the bugle
sounded the charge, he few on with
the brave Fourth. AS soon as they
emerged from the depression, their
ranks were torn by the fire from the
s.Black Fort''; and, as they advanced,
they were decimated by very storm
of leaden hail from ether enfilading
batteries and musketry; and third of
that brave attacking force were left
dead or bleeding on that fatal field.
The survivors wheeled to the left ana
escaped annihilation. Lieutenant Grant
was the only mounted officer in the at
tack.
The charge had been improvidently
ordered. But though
''Some one had blunder'd,
Theirs not to make reply,
/ Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.''
The adjutant of the regiment was ex-
hausted in marching and running, and
Grant gave him his horse, but he was
soon killed and Grant was ordered to
assume the duties of adjutant.
Observe how it happened. Grant al-
ways appeared in demand to supply
emergencies, 10 I'll positions where
high soldierIy qualities were needed.
Now he flied three most responsible
positions requiring clear head, great
executive ability, and prompt and de-
cisive qualities, namely, adjutant,
quartermaster and commissary; and
yet here he was away from his snug
quartermaster's tent. and, as volun-
teer. storming onward with his men.
sharing in the dangers and fury of bat
tie! General Grant tells US in his
Memoirs that s.LteutenGnt Grant did
it because he was lacking in the mora
| oo,,ro rra m ra4y.rr fo eauy, hasa b.