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Account of arrival at Monterey.

give an extract respecting the arrival at Monterey, from Mr. Thorpe's valuable work, "Our Army at Monterey."

"The beautiful grove of St. Domingo was passed, when the city burst upon the sight in all its splendour. The mists still clung around the turrets of its churches, and enveloped its commanding heights; but the ascending sun constantly dissipated the veil, until palace and hill, barricade and fort, with long lines of tents and pendent flags presented themselves, as if floating in the pure ether with which they were surrounded. All was silent; not a breath of air stirred; dewy softness rested upon every thing. Suddenly a hot sulphurous smoke rose quickly from one of the bastions of the citadel, a heavy cannon-shot cleared the air with its hissing sound, and long before its booming sound was heard, two more in quick succession followed; one of the deadly missiles ricochetted directly over General Taylor's head, and, just beyond him, ploughed deeply in the earth.

A cry of exultation followed from those who witnessed it, which was taken up by the long lines of advancing troops, until it was carried miles in the rear, the shouts mingling strangely with the ten thousand echoes that were awakened among the mountains, by the firing of the heavy artillery that announced that the battle of Monterey had begun.

The first division accelerated its speed, and quickly arrived where General Taylor had halted, when it formed into order of battle; while this was being done, the gallant chieftain, surrounded by his staff, coolly, through his glass, examined the defenses of the city, when orders were issued for the army to encamp at the beautiful grove of St. Domingo, so recently passed.

General Taylor's despatch.

The attack upon Monterey was arranged to be made by two divisions of the army, acting separately and independently. General Taylor, assisted by General Butler, commanded that directed against the city itself, while General Worth was detached to storm the Bishop's Palace, and the other forts outside of Monterey.

For the account of the conduct and achievements of the division under General Taylor, we have his own despatch, clear, succinct, and satisfactory, as are all the papers he has written concerning his operations.

"SIR-I have now the honour to submit a detailed report of the recent operations before Monterey, resulting in the capitulation of that city.

The information received on the route from Seralvo, and particularly the continual appearance in our front of the Mexican cavalry, which had a slight skirmish with our advance at the village of Ramas, induced the belief, as we approached Monterey, that the enemy would defend that place. Upon reaching the neighbourhood of the city on the morning of the 19th of September, this belief was fully confirmed. It was

ascertained that he occupied the town in force; that a large work had been constructed commanding all the northern approaches; and that the Bishop's Palace, and some heights in its vicinity near the Saltillo road, had also been fortified, and occupied with troops and artillery. It was known, from information previously received, that the eastern approaches were commanded by several small works in the lower edge of the city.

The configuration of the heights and gorges in the direction of the Saltillo road, as visible from the point attained by our advance on the morning of the 19th, led

[graphic][subsumed]

General Taylor's despatch.

me to suspect that it was practicable to turn all the works in that direction, and thus cut off the enemy's line of communication. After establishing my camp at the Walnut Springs,' three miles from Monterey, the nearest suitable position, it was, accordingly, my first care to order a close reconnoissance of the ground in question, which was executed on the evening of the 19th, by the engineer officers under the direction of Major Mansfield. A reconnoissance of the eastern approaches was at the same time made by Captain Williams, topographical engineer. The examination made by Major Mansfield proved the entire practicability of throwing forward a column to the Saltillo road, and thus turning the position of the enemy. Deeming this to be an operation of essential importance, orders were given to Brevet Brigadier-General Worth, commanding the second division, to march with his command on the 20th; to turn the hill of the Bishop's Palace: to occupy a position on the Saltillo road, and to carry the enemy's detached works in that quarter, where practicable. The first regiment ef Texas mounted volunteers, under command of Colonel Hays, was associated with the second division on this service. Captain Sanders, engineers, and Lieutenant Meade, topographical engineers, were also ordered to report to General Worth for duty with his column.

At two o'clock P. M. on the 20th, the 2d division took up its march. It was soon discovered, by officers who were reconnoitering the town, and communicated to General Worth, that its movement had been perceived, and that the enemy was throwing reinforcements towards the Bishop's Palace, and the height which commands it.

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