Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-10-02
.SiXtiGth Anniversary
Battle Of Monterey
A SS1SSS g.
Brief Story of Brave Tennesseans
Who Responded to their COun-
try's Call to Mexico
LAWRENCE COUNTYS' ROSTER
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sN(AN~5

Island, The trip across the Gulf was
uneyentful save suffering from seasick.
ness, which proved painful, repulsive
ordeal for land lubbers.
After some delay, on account of
stormy weather, all Of the First Regi-
ment got safely ashore on Brazos Island,
a barren, shadeless sandbar Here we
camped ten days, then marched ten
miles to the mouth of the Rio Grande:
thence transported by boat thirty miles
up the river to Lomita Little Hill), on
the Mexican side of the river Here
was the real beginning Of the campaign
Our camps were on the shadeless, sun
stricken plateau, kept muddy by fire.
quent rains, ann no drinking water but
the Rio Grande, containing about a
teaspoonful of rich mud to the pint.
This condition soon told on the health
of our men: measles, dysentery and ty-
phoid fever became prevalent and fatal.
The death march and blanket shroud
funerals became the order Of the day
and night. Our ranks were rapidly
depicting, and the only relief was to
get away from this fatal locality.
On the 4th of August we were ordered
to hold ourselves in readiness to move
up to Carmargo by water Our sick
were sent to Point Isabel and from the
Sth to the 18th we were transported to
Carmargo, where Gen. Taylor was con
centrating his forces to move on Monte
rey, Our camps here were located
three miles below Carmargo, on the
san Juan River, on a low, unhealthy
spot, aud our condition became worse
than at Lomita: sickness rapidly and
fearfully reduced our ranks.
MARCH ON MONTEREY.
On the 29th of August Col. Belknap
inspected our regiment, and we were
unable to muster 500 men able to
march on Monterey. With this rem
nant battalion we crossed the San Juan
on the 2nd of September, and began our
march on Monterey, passing the towns
of Mier, Ceralvo aud Marine. We
camped within four miles of Monterey
on the 10Th of September with ranks
reduced to less than 400 men. There
was some cannonading and skirmishing
on the 2Oth. On the 2lst, with Quit.
mans Brigade, along with the Mississip-
plans we marched to the attack on the
Horseshoe and Teneria forts, carried
them by assault, and planted our blue
banner on the walls at fearful cost.
One-third of our command engaged
| (about 375 men) fell killed and wounded
hence we acquired the name of Bloody
First. , On the 22nd and 23rd the bat.
tie continued, and on the oath the city
surrendered to the American arms
! The First Tennessee remained en-
camped near Monterey till the 14th oI
December, when we were ordered to
march on Victoria and Tampico, SOC
miles to the southeast. At Victoria W,
were Joined by Gen. Patterson from
Oarmargo with the Second Tennessee
and our Tennessee cavalry from Mata
moras. 1t was at Victoria that Gen
Taylor received orders from Gen. Scott
Commander in-chief, to return to Mont
Grey and assume command of Northerr
Mexico, and to take with him a small
command OF his own choosing. He Sc
lected Mays Dragons, Bragg's Batter,
aud jeff Davis Mississippi Regiment
and set out ON the return January IA
1S47. Gen. Scott had now assume,
command of all the troops, and ha
, planned his campaign for the City G
Mexico by way of Vera Cruz.
{ It was at Victoria that the Tennessee
troops became united under comman
of Gen. Pillow. On the 14th we bega