The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-15
He WAS AT MONTEREY.
A Veteran of the Mexican War
Writes of His Experience There.

Writes of His Experience There.
Editor of the Morning News: A
friend of mine has handed me a copy
of your valuable paper of the 18th ul-
timo which contains very interesting
communication from the able hand of
sidney Herbert. In referring to the
beautiful city of Monterey" nestled
among the silver-tinted mountains, and
the valor of our troops in taking that
Mace on Sept. 81, 1S45, reviVes old men,
cries and the emotions of my younger
soldier days. Our army reporters were
few in number and none to compare
with those of modern times--they
were not near enough to bring up
drowned honors by the locks" In
point of details there was an aching
void that would have embelished the
dance of Jeptha's daughter. Herberts
letter comes to me like music upon
the air. 1t made me think of the hard
thumps of our battering rams.
thought of the ancients, with their
balista and catapult, that once made
the walls of Jerico tremble. In this bat
tie every house seemed to be FORTH
cation. All the windows and doors
doors were inclosed with projecting
iron bars and the roof of every house
enclosed with parapet, which pre-
vented street firing from being healthy
particularly so when the streets were
enfiladed by the enemy's cannon on
the west. Now let us sing in praise
of the gallantry of our United States
arms. There was roof-fighting from
one parapet to another to keep Next
cans from shooting down upon the bat
tiers. and not to climb up stairs, but
ladders. AS our men would file through
the holes of adobe brick they
would find the ladies upon their
knees imploring for mercy that
their lives would be spared.
With characteristic courtesy our boys
would pull off their caps and extend
their hands to pull the ladies to their
feet. The dewy tears showed their
gratitude, and a sweet smile and an
admiration that could not be suppress
sed. After the battle when our troops
were tented upon the highways of the
beautiful suburbs, our boys would
stroll out and in line to view the refu-
gees returning to their homes. Then
there was renewal of the tipping ana
waving of caps. The ladies had on their
hest attire. The richest rode in fine
coaches pulled by two, four and up to
six horses, every two horses under the
control of a postillion. The ladies evil
IDENTIFY admired the Americans. Inc
girls giggled when some young FELLOW
would throw out IL Mss anu eA0 map
ron would tell the silly things" to
not be so bad.
Herbert, in his magnificent deScrip-
ton of the beautiful city of Monte
rev." and the fierce battle that lasted
three DAYS, did not overdraw to the
extent of a panegyric. He writes:
TT is doubtful if there lives to-day
soldier who was in that terrible con-
fiict."
Lem Murphrie of our regiment, was
was the last survivor 1 heard from, and
he is crippled in his legs and has lost
the use of his hands-aye, that forced
march from Carmargo to Monterey.
Yes, 1 was there, and my good old
wife and 1 are here in Barlow in
small cottage 10x20 with side shed
room and Frank, come to your oln-
ner." 1t is all the property l own.
The old flag has not forgotten me-1
am living on 40 cents per day.
Some four years ago l was county
surveyor and had to resign because OF
a stroke of paralysis, and later on
diarrhoea-in both cases / was uncon-
scious-yes, that and forced marches
was a return of the past-yes, was
in a forced march from CorinIn 10
Shilo. with my company of Tlppalo
HighIands l bled some, with some
practice and good treatment, l might
vet lump my length. l still READ ana
write without spectacles, or glasses
of any kind. l was born the day and
year that Lord Byron died, and that
great storm that swept across South
Carolina. Francis came down upon
a streak of lightning and his lullaby
was heavens artillery. l am now
weighted down with "reminiscences ana
editors want brevity.
Passing over much that has been
printed We were out upon the open
plain lying down in dry gulch. inc
halls of the 'Impregnable Black
Fort" were passing over US, not ike
the "wayeletS DER a ducks back.
Much about this time the Baltimore
Battalion and the regulars were essay
ing to capture Fort Tanierro. AFTER
their retirement, Gen. Quitman's Brig
AIDE. the First Tennessee and First
Mississippi, was ordered to the attack.
1t took repeated surges to get up near
the embrasures. Some OF the pest
yelling l ever heard was then and
there. I was shot down early, through
the right breast with an ounce ball,
breaking two ribs in front, grazing the
right lung and breaking one behind.
1t did not go through the skin behind,
but protruded outward like teat.
Now the yelling increased more Vocif-
erously from our Misunderstanding rifles.
Some of the boys scampered around the
salient angles: got toe-hold on the es-
carpments and leaped over into the
esplanade, giving an interlude with
brick bats, as the foe was skinning out
to lanyard. But o! That yell. AS
turned over upon my left elbow In
pudding sea of gore beheld the proud
eagle and the cactus gyrate into the
grabble of hands eager to catch, and
upon the same halyard up Haunted the
Stars and Stripes.
was there. 1 felt the inspirations
OF the clarion voice of Jefferson Davis
as he strobe high upon his stirrups
with sword aloft in the air. He glis-
tened like the god of Mars and as he
Numbered along the line of battle he
exhorted his men to be true to the
honor of Mississippi.
Francis A. Wolff.
Rarto-. poIIr County Florida. Sent. & |