Newspaper Page Text
science is greater than it has ever been be
fore. At no former period have civil liber
ty and the rights of conscience been so well
understood, and so generally acknowledg
ed. No previous age has afforded such op
portunities for the exercise of individual
influence. A spirit of enterprise is abroad
well cancellated to quicken intellect, and
call forth its mightiest exertions. Improve
ments are rapidly going forward. Inlel-
lectural and moral light are banishing tho
savage barbarities of war, and thus calling
away the energies of man from that sub
ject on which they have been so long, and
to so great an extent w asted, to be employ
ed on others more worthy of them.
From the Baltimore American.
IMPORTANT FROM THE ARMY IN THE
WEST.
Capture of Santa Fc.
The St. Louis papers of 25th Septem
ber contain authentic intelligence of the
capture of Santa Fe, without opposition,
by the forces under General Kearney. The
news was brought by the steamer Little
Missouri, from Fort Leavenworth. The
mail from Santa Fe reached the Fort in
2S days. The capture took place on the
18th August.
A remarkable fact connected with tlfl.3
capture is, it will be seen, that Gen. Kear
ney declares his purpose to annex all New
Mexico to the United States, on both sides
of the Rio Grande.
The St Louis Republican contains the
diary of and officer belonging to the expe
dition, in which the occurrences of each
day are noted. His account of the capture
is as follows:
Tuesday, August IS.—Started as usual,
and at six miles came to the Cannon, where
the Mexican army under Armijo had been
assembled. There had been 3,000 troops
there, but it seems that the nearer we ap
proached them, the fewer they became, and
when we passed through they had all gone.
The position they choose was near the low
er end, and it was one of great strength.—
The passage was not more than forty feet
wide—in front they had made an obstruc
tion with timber, and beyond this, at 300
yards distance, was an eminence in the road,
on which their cannon had been placed;
and it was thought by us, that their posi
tion was equal to 5,000 men. We reached
the hill which overlooks Santa Fe, at 5 P.
M. .Major Clark’s artillery was put into line,
and the mounted troops and infantry were
marched through the town to the Palace,
(as it is called) on the public square, whete
the General and his staff’ dismounted, and
were received by the acting Governor and
other dignitaries and conducted to a large
room,
The General stated, in a fow tvordo, tho
object of his visit, and gave assurance of sa
fety and protection to all unoffending citi
zens. While this transpired the stars and
stripes were hoisted on the staff which is at
tached to the Palace, by Major Swords, and
as soon as it was seen to wave above the
buildings, it was hailed by a national salute
from the battery of Captains Fisher and
Weightman, under the command of Major
Clark. While the General was ptoclaim-
ing the conquest of New Mexico as a part
of the United States, the first gun was
heard. “There,” said he, “my guns pro
claim that the flag of the U. S. floats over
this capitol.” The people appeared satisfi
ed, The General slept in the palace, (we
democrats must call it the Governor’s
house) One company of dragoons was kept
in the city as a guard, and the business of
the was ended.
Thus in the short space of fifty days, has
an army been marched nearly 900 miles,
over a desert country, and conquered a
province of 80,000 souls, without firing a
gun—a success which may be attributed
mainly to the skill and ability with which
Gen. Kearney has managed this arduous
and delicate business. In explaining his
object in coming into the country, and the
kindness he felt for the inhabitants, he was
mild and courteous; but then, (would add,)
I claim the whole of New Mexico for the
United States. I put ray hand on it from
this moment, (bringing his hand firmly down
on his thigh,) and demand obedience to its
laws.
Wednesday, August 19—The General
addressed the whole people to-day more at
length than he had on other occasions, and
took particular care to give them the most
positive assurances of protection in their
persons, property, and religion. Many fa
milies had fled on his approach, and he told
their friends to bring them back, and to say
to them that they would be more safe under
bis administration than they had ever been.
He stated, that in taking possession of New
Mexico, he claimed the whole of it for the
United States, without reference to the Rio
Grande. He absolved them from their al
legiance to Mexico and Gov. Armijo, and
proclaimed himself Governor of New Mex
ico, and claimed them as citizens of the
United States.
The acting Governor and Alcaldes then
took the oath of allegiance to the United
States, and the people, with a simultaneous
shout, exclaimed, “ Vice la General7”
It would (says the St. Louis Republican)
seems that Gen. Armijo, the Governor of
New Mexice, had actually 4,000 men at his
command, but very badly armed, and that
on the 16th August they left for the place
appointed as the battle ground. When he
got there however, a council of his officers
was called, and, “much to his satisfaction,”
they refused to fight. His second in com
mand, Col. Archuletti, was exceedingly val
orous up to a late date, but very suddenly
changed his entire views of the necessity of
the quarrel. Very soon after this determin
ation, Gov. Armijo turned his head towards
Chihuahua, followed by a few dragoons.
It was supposed that Gen. Kearney
would nominate a Mexican for the office of
Governor of the department, and appoint an
American as Secretary. AH those in office,
who were thought to be trustworthy, would
in all probability, be continued in their
places.
Gen. Kearney it was supposed, would
leave a force of 2,000 men in Santa Fe, and
march in a short time, to California, with a
like number.
The traders who were overtaken by Gen.
Kearney’s force, were close at Land, but it
was believed that they would not be able
to make sales of their goods in Mexico.—
They would be compelled to make their
way slowly down the Del Norte, awaiting
the result of Gen. Wool’s movement against
Chihuahua.
Lieut. C. Kribben, of the Artilleiy, had
been appointed Judge Advocate, and was
acting in that capacity in a Court Martial
which had been some days in session.
A correspondent of the Republican, writ
ing from Santa Fe. August 24th, says:
On to-morrow a body of troops will march
towards Albuquerke, to take possession of
that district. It is supposed that a detach
ment of the army will also soon be sent to
California. The artillery under Maj. Clark,
is erecting fortifications in front of the town.
The two companies under the command of
Captains Fischer and Weightman, it is gen
erally supposed, will be stationed here,
supported by some other forces: Major
Clark commands the garrison. These are i
the current repoi ts, generally credited, al
though Gen. Kearney can hardly know'for
certain, how the appearance of tkiDgs may
change, and what steps may become neces
sary to ensure a permanent tranquility in
the province.
In conclusion, let me say, that we have
not lost any men in the artillery, nor have
we any sick, at the present time—that we
are all as couteuted as we can possibly be,
and burning with impatience to hear from
our friends in St. Louis, and our brother
soldiers in the south.”
Civilization in Santa Fc.—A gentleman
attached to Gen. Kearney’s expedition says,
in a letter from Santa Fe to a brother in St.
I Louis, “This is the most miserable country
j I have ever seen. The hovels the people
I live in are built of mud, one story high,
j and have no flooring. They sleep on the
: ground and have neither beds, tables, nor
| chairs. In fact they burrow in the ground
! like Prairie dogs. We entered the city on
the 18th of August, and took possession
i without firing a gun.”
From the Daily Union, Sept. 2S.
I AlODE OF THE INTELLIGENCER’S PAT-
RIOTISM.
! It is really a great pity that jast at this
I moment, the National Intelligencer is not
| published in the city of Mexico. In ordi-
; nary times, London or Paris might serve as
well for the site of the Intelligencer office.
1 But now, since we happen to be at war with
Mexico, the capitol ofthat country should
surely have the preference. In that city
the course of the metropolitan whig jour
nal for the last few months, would be alto-
■ gether seemly and decorous. Published
I there, it might have naturally have warned, i that it will be spared the infliction of the
as it did, the volunteer soldiers of our coun- Inteliigencer's “candid” estimates of its mo-
try, nol to take part in a war waged “in vi- {tives at.d character. It can bear as it has
oialion of the constitution,” and not to rush j borne open-mouthed and foul-mouthed slan-
to the field upon any such “narrow and uti- j der of the whole “scandalous college of
our government in its prosecution of the
war, and indicating a whole plan of Mexi
can tactics based on that very reliance. The
Intelligencer is doing its utmost to verify
this Mexican prediction. Yet it has the
face to wonder in this very article that we
have not sooner published the purport of the
Mexican despatches! A little while ago
the Intelligencer regaled its readers with
some delicate humor about “the wisdom of
the official organ.” Its own wisdom may
perhaps enable it to divine a solution of
“enigmatical” delay in publishing the na
ture of the Mexican answer to our govern
ment. A premature disclosure on the sub
ject would be pet haps less wise in us in the
present case than it would be if our go
vernment were, in the midst of hostilities
relieved from the assiduous espionage of a
w h*g journal, at the seat of government,
prepared to speak and act upon every such
disclosure, just as if it u ere openly in league
with the enemy J
1 he Intelligencer says it is ready to ‘give
our government credit for entire sincerity
in offering the olive branch to Mexico.’—
If just as agreeable to the Intelligencer, wo
would rathei dispense with its encomiums.
Sir Peter Teazle, in the play, listened with
patience to the railln"- of the whole scanda
lous college at Lady Sneervvell’s, against
the character of his friend. Neither the di
rect malice of old Crabtree nor the lying
insinuations of Sir Benjamin Backbite could
move him. But even he was compelled to
beg of Mrs. Candor to be kind enough not
to undertake his friend’s defence. That
good lady’s hypocrisy of justice and chari
ty was too much for him. In like manner
as fiiends of the administration, we hope
at Wrtos.
From toe New Orleans Pica jane, 4th iost.
Highly Important from the Army.
—Three Battles Fought.—500 A-
mericans Killed, Ac.— Monterey
Taken HI
Hasty Memoranda of the operations of the
Am rican Army before Monterey, Mexico,
joom the 19th to the 24th Sept.
Ou the 19th Gen. Taylor arrived before
Monterey, with a force of about GOOOmen,
and afler reconnoitering the city at about
1500 or 1600 yards from the Cathedral fort,
during which he was fired upon from its
batteries, his Force wa3 encamped at the
Walnut Springs, 3 miles short of the city.
This was the nearest position at which the
army could obtain a supply of water, and he
beyond the reach of the enemy’s batteries.
The remainder of the 19th was occupied by
muuication was sent to Gen. Taylor, from
Gen Ampudia, under a flag, making an of
fer of capitulation, to which the former re
fused to accede, as it asked more than the ! fcracing the trains, reached nearly or quite three miles.
American commander would under any cir
cumstances grant;—at the same time a de
mand to surrender was in reply made up
on Gen. Ampudia—12 M. was the hour at
which the acceptance or non-acceptance
was to be communicated to the American
General. At II A. M., the Mexican Gen
eral sent, requesting a personal conference
with Gen. Taylor which was granted; the
principal officers of rank ou either side ac
companying their Generals. Afler several
offets intelation to the capitulation of the
city made on either side and refused, at half
past 4 I*. M., Gen. Taylor arose and saying
lie would give Gen. Ampudia one hour to
accept or refuse, left the conference with
his officers—at the expiration ofithe hour,
the discharge of the mortar was to be the
signal for the recommencement of hostili-
Lverything connected with this day's march lias been
intensely interesting to all, and novel to many. The
troops marched in close columns, and were always
keld in readiness to act promptly. The column etn-
the engineers in making reconnoisances of ties. Before the expiration of the hour,
tenable ground,” as that “American blood whig prints,
had been shed upon American soil!” In j Intelligencer,
the city of Mexico, too, the Intelligencer, | nance, her clasped hands, her upraised
might, with considerable propriety, persist, j eyes, her mincing tones, and her tongue of
as it does, in defaming our war, and in a- j venom, are too much to bear—especially
pologizing for whatever may be tortuous or when, as at present, she whispers out her
urieandid in the course of Paredes or San- traitorous insinuations to cheer the hearts
ta Anna, in view of our repeated overtures and to guide the counsels of a foreign foe !
to negotiation. There, too, it might, nat- | —i' 11 .: . ..-g-- 1 ., . t— ;
urally enough, palliate the conduct of the
Mexican Government in refusing to receive
Mr. Slidell. There it might attack us, as
“railing at the Mexican authorities,” for de
clining the peaceful overtures of ourgoverti-
ment. There it might exult over ‘the rap
idly approaching emptiness of our treasury,’
and finally might provoke any intervention
from foreign powers to pat an end to our |
controversy. All this would be quite in
character fnr a journal pukliahoA in t],o oily ,
of Mexico, and under the surveillance of!
the Mexican government.
But it unfortunately so happens that in
the city, batteries and commanding heights.
On the 20th Gen. Worth was ordered with
his div.son to move by a circuitous route to
the rifht, to gain the Saltillo road road be
yond he west of the town and to storm the
heigh s above the Bishop’s Palace, which vi
tal print the enemy appear to have strange
ly neglected. Circumstances caused his
halt an the night of the 20th, short of the in
tended position. On the morning of the
21st he continued his route, and after an
encounter with a large body of the enemy’s
cavalry and infantry, supported by artillery
from the heights, he repulsed them with
loss, and finally encamped, covering the
passage of the Saltillo road. It was here
discovered, that besides the fort at the Bish
op’s Palace and the occupation of the
heights above it, two forts, on commanding
eminences, on the opposite side of the San
Juan, had been fortified and occupied.—
But the Mrs. Candor of the These two latter heights were then stormed
with her demure counte- ■ and canied—the guns of the last fort car-
| t ied being immediately turned with a plung
ing fire upon the Bishop’s Palace. On this
same morning [the 21slj the 1st Division of
regular tionps, under Gen. Twiggs, and the
j Volunteer Division under Gen. Butler, were
j ordered under arms to make a diversion to
the left of the town, in favor of the impor
tant operotions of Gen. Worth. The 10
' inch mortar and two 24 pounder howitzers,
had been put in battery the night of the
20th, in a ravine 1400 yards distant from
the Cathedral fort or Citadel, and were sup-
■ ported by the 4th Regiment of Infantry.—
At 8 A. M, <>n the 21st the order was given
foreign KntclUgence.
From the New York Express—by Telegraph.
Seven Days Later from Europe.
ARRIVAL OF THE
STEAMER HIBERNIA.
France and Spain at a War of Words—
Colton up a Farthing—Corn advancing—*
JPuCuCv Ct op nearly a total Failure.
BOSTON, One o’clock, P. M.
By the mail steamer Hibernia, Capt. Ryrie, winch
however, an officer on the part of Gen. Am-
pudia, to inform the American General that
to avoid the further effusion of blood, and
the national honor being satisfied by theex-
ertions of the Mexican troops, he had, after
consultation with his General Officers, de
cided to capitulate, accepting the offer of
the American General.
From the Ntto Orleans Della, oth inst.
The steamship James L. Day. Capt. Wood, arriv
ed at a late hour Saturday night, from Brazos St.
Jago, which place she left on the 30th ult. Our let
ters by her have not come to hand. To the kind
ness of the officers of the Day we are indebted for
the following:
There were 3 severe battles fought on the Q 1st.
22d, and 2-hl lilt., between the Americans and the
Mexicans before Monterey. Five hundred Ameri
cans said to have been killed and wounded, among
whom are many brave and gallant officers. The loss
of the Mexicans is not known. It is greater, it is
supposed, than that of the Americans. The enemy
prayed for an armistice of eight weeks, but it is not
known whether it will he granted.—(Jen. Ampudia
sent in a request by Col. Morino, Adjutant General
of the Mexican army, for leave to evacuate the town.
Gen. Taylor granted him seven days.
We give below a copy of a letter written at Mon
terey by li. Garland to his friend, David Perkins, at
Fort Polk. The contents, we are assured, may be
relied on as correct:
Monterey, Sept. 24th, 1846.
Dear Sir—On the 21st, 22d, and 23d. inst. there
was some hard fighting here, and many poor fellows
have suffered by it; but I think it may be said with sa
fety that Gen. Taylor has the towu in his power
The place was much more strongly fortified than
Gen. Taylor had an idea of, and the Mexicans de
fended their works with skill and determination.—
This morning. Colonel Morino, Adjutant General of
the Mexican Armv, came into camp with a proposi
tion from Gen. Ampudia to evacuate the town; he
and his army to march out into the interior. This
u ■ Ur t • , arrived here this afternoon from Liverpool, making
P U S T 1 o } ls course here at Washington, the passage in thirteen days and eighteen hours, we
the Intelligencer not only disgraces itself— have advices from Liverpool to the 19th September,
in the present state of its character for pat- London 16th, Paris 16th, Dublin 17th, and Havre
present state ot its character for pat
riotic feeling a small matter—but at the
same time it fixes a stigma upon the good
17th, a condensed summary of which we hereby
transmit to you.
Well founded apprehensions of a failure in the
Her Britannic Majesty’s government and the peo-
' anifested s
name of the collective American press.— | American Cotton crop have caused an increased de-
The Intelligencer’s metropolitan position manc *^ or the staple in Liverpool, and prices have
gives it an odor of nationality” which any j ?!L p -?" n . d :.
infusion of a traitorous spirit renders very : pie of Spain hav
offensive.
Therefore it is that we sincerely regret
to see such an article as the Intelligencer
has published this morning. We stated
that out pacific and magnanimous overture
to negotiation, pressed upon the Mexican
anarchy and wretchedness, in our moment
nuptials has been postponed for the present, if not
forever.
for this battery to open upon the citadel ! Hen. Taylor declined, and insisted upon Ampudia
i i „ j • «u n i-* i and his army becoming prisoners of war—the men
and town, and immediately after the 1ft ( ^ be disba ^ ded> w ith°a%tipillation not to take up
Division, With the 3d and 4tll lntantry in j arms against us during tho war—the General uml
1 advance, under Cc# Garland, were ordered i his officers to remain in custody until disposed of by
| our Government. The parties have been negotiat-
I ingall day. If they do not agree there will be more
>t hold out loi _
and won the victory, yet it has
carnage on our side is great, pro-
I babiy more so than that of the Mexicans. But this
we do not know, as they fought under cover all the
, ^ _ tune. Gen. Worth has distinguished himself as a
Maj. Kinney, M. to the Texas Division. ! gallant soldier and skilful commander. Gen. T.
• ■ ~ * ‘ gave him a fair chance, and he has nobly availed him
self ofit. His division with Hays’ regiment ofTex-
ans, have gained more ground, and carried more
... Jit
killed
and 25 wounded. The whole loss on our side cannot
men in killed, wounded and pris-
time to send you the details of the
batteries, and from the infantry who lined < different actions. We hope to be in town to-morrow.
reconnoitre and skirmish with the ene-
• . . « , . -j | mg uuuuy. ti iiiey uu um agiee mere win ue mure
my on the extreme left or the city, and fighting, but the place cannot hold oot long. Although
should prospect of success offer, to carry j we catried the place a
the most advanced battery. This attack was ,,s dear. I he ca
| directed by Maj. Mansfield, Engineer, Capt.
Williams, Topographical Engineer, and
I Maj. Kinney, Q. M. to the Texas Divi
! A heavy fire from the first battery was im
mediately opened upon the advance, but the
troops soon turned it, entei ing anti engag- | points, than alithe rest of the army, nod with very I
in" with the enemy in the streets of the ci- tie loss. Up to yesterday at 9 A. M. it was 5 kill
emy
I so much hostility to tho ty, having passed through an incessant cross j J r
marriage of the Queen of Spain's sister, to Louis fire from the Citadel andjthe fiist and second ’ [ ■ av ti ii
Philippe’s youngest son, that the celebration of the - *- - - . I oners. I nave no tin
i The immediate consequence is a tremendous war
of words between England, France, and Spain.—The
remote consequence will probably be the destruction
of tile entrnte cordials, w hich has so long existed be-
! tween the Courts of St. James and St. Cloud. It is
of victory, entitled us to a frank and prompt j hoped that the sodden extinguishment of the fires on _
answer from the Mexican rulers. In reply 1 * ie ahar of two young hearts, will not prove the mediately in its rear. The 1st Division was
• .... ... v j means of exciting a general conflagratio" — -
_ Joins of Europe.
The total failure of the potato crop appears to be a
“Well, in all candor, we do not see how j sad reality. Every where in Ireland, and in the great-
the parapets, streets and house-tops of the
city. The rear of the 1st battery was soon
turned, and the reverse fire of the troops
through the gorge of the works killed or dis
lodged the artillerists and infantry from it,
and the buildit.tr occupied by infantry im-
• „„ , • c -• - means ot exciting a general conflagration among the
the Intelligencer apologizes for our enemies er0WDed !)eads » ld i?;, Jgdo - ° s
as follows: 1 —
our government could have anticipated any e , r l’ ar . t ” r tll , e British Island, die potato fields ai
,Itflr . _ r r , J , shrouded with the dank mantles of the plague. The
i y l erent answer from mere acting vegetable has turned into putrid matter, which even
authority, as tho Union calls it, in Mexico, the hogs will not devour. From the Continent of Eu-
The President Paredes had just been over- r°P e » including Russia, we have dismal accounts of
thrown, a new one not installed, and an ex- i 11,6 Progress of the blight. The future use of the po-
.• i ■ . ■ , • , tato, as an article ol lood. is now almost abandoned.
PC.llflVO atl inDirim ‘npftnrr ’ .••l.id. mrinn, I ...... . ^
Yours, truly, R. Garland,
i September 25.—The enemy have agreed to give up
! the town, I am not positive as to the terms, but if
they be as rumored, we gain but little by them. It
is certain Gen. Taylor has receded from his first
ground ami granted all the enemy asked. R. G.
List of Officers Killed A Wounded*
Regular Officers Killed.—Bvt. Maj. Barbour, 3d,
Inly.; Capt. Morris, 3d Inly.; Capt. Field, 3d Infy.;
Lieut. Irwin, Adjt. 3d Infy.; Lieut. Ilazlett. 3d Infy.;
Lieut. Hoskins, Adjt. 4th Infy ; Lieut. Woods, 4th
Infy.; Capt. McKavett, 8th Infy.; Capt. Williams,
Topographical Engineers, and Lieut. Ferrett, are
wounded and prisoners, or killed—not certain which.
It is known that both were wounded on the 21st.
Regular Officers Wounded.—Maj. Lear, 3d Infy.
It wa* a grand sight, and so much did the men feel in
terested in coining events, that every one went at it in
a business manner, and although it has been hot and
dusty, not half a dozen out ofnearly six thousand five
hundred have given in to-day on the march. We have
fordeJ a number of streams to-day, commencing near
Marin with the San Juan, which was nearly waist
deep. Of course, we are now in the midst of the
mountains, but so imperceptibly have we ascended
what appeared like mouutains, this morning, that we
now seem to be on a great plain, with mountains ris-
iug into peaks in every direction around us. Our road
has oeen through a richer region since leaving Marin
than any I have seen since leaving the Rio Grande.
We passed two or three large haciendas, where sugar
cane is cultivated to a considerable extent, and the
second corn crops are in a flourishingstatc. All these
plantations are irrigated from the mountaiu streams.
Soon after we arrived here this evening, a Mexican
who has been following the army from Seralvo was
seen wriiiog m one of the houses at the hacienda near
camp. On being pointed out by oue of the drummer
boys of the 7th infantry, he bolted out the door, and
was pursued and caught. A little while after he broke
from the guard and ran towards the chapparal, but
rinfortiinate/y for tfie poor devil, he was running di
rectly into the camp of the 2d Division which lies hid
in the bushes. A hue and cry was raised, the guard
not wishing to shoot him, and after a smart footrace
through the thorn bushes and various extraordinary
feats of dodging, he was captured by some ofthe sol
diers of the 7th after receiving a bayonet wound. He
is a spy.
Well , to-morrow evening or next day morning we
shall have seen the question decided, with regard to
the strength of Monterey. Information came into
camp from Monterey last evening, which Mr. Kendall
forwarded to yon. Tiffs evening the reporfjis that
there are 8,000 (one report says 15,000) troops there,
and that the city is surrounded by a ditch and breast
works, and the streets all fortified.
How do the troops act on the eve of an expected
battle? Only that they are a little more precise in the
performance of their duties—a little more careful in
arranging their arms and knapsacks to be in readiness
for an instant’s notice—and a little more careful to
procure rest while they may—I see no change in their
demeanor. The only conversation is hoic they will
probably go to work to take the city, should resistance
be offered. It is the settled belief that the Mexicans
will fight, and it is also believed that many lives will
be sacrificed on both sides. I predict that on their
retreat, the Army will be awfully cut up. About
twelve hundred Texan horsemen are now with us,
and they are desirous of paying up old scores In
taking the town they cannot engage very actively, but
in overtaking the retreating troops they will be
active and destructive.
Nine o'clock, P. M.—The impression of those who
ought best to know is still that the troops in Monterey
will resist. Our troops will be greatly disappointed
if uo resistance is offered them. They have come a
longdistance to seek a fight. I was amused at a remark
made by Col. Persifor F. Smith some days ago, when
asked what he thought of the probabilities of a battle.
•‘I never knew a man to seek perseveringly for a
tiling a long time, but what he found it,” replied he,
“and Gen. Taylor will not, I think, seek in vain for
another set-to with the Mexicans.” One thing is cer
tain, the enemy has Jieeu at a heavy expense to fortify
Monterey, and if we do not find out before to-morrow
night at this time, that they do not intend to expend
their money and labor for nothing, I shall then he
satisfied that there is uo spirit left among (hem. Two
hundred Mexican troops left this place this morning
aftor ill treating and pillaging the inhabitants as usual.
But these people are singular beings, and very un
grateful. In Marin, where Torrejon’s troops had, a
day or two before, robbed, whipped and insulted the
citizens shamefully, l saw o family selling muscal to
Americans for two dollars per bottle, and at the same
time selling it to Mexicans for four bits per bottle
\Ve march to-morrow at 6 o'clock, to encamp three
miles from Monterey.
Camp before Monterey, Sept. 18, at 12 o'clock, M.—
Well, “the ball has opened!” When within about
four miles of the city, we heard a brisk cannonading
in that direction. On arriv ing here we learn that Gen.
Taylor with a detachmentofdragoons and the Texan
Rangers, advanced within a few hundred yards of the
city, when the enemy opened upon them with twelve
pounders. The first ball came within ten yards of the
General. Some twenty-five or thirty shot were
fired at the Dragoons and Rangers, passing through
their lines, but hurting neither man nor horse. A
picket of 200 Mexican Cavalry appeared on the plain
when our advance first approached, and after firing
a volley or two with their escopeltes.'retired into the
city. Bishop’s hill is strongly fortified, and they are
hard at work on a height commanding that place. So
to-night, or early in the morning we will probably have
hot work. They will fight now, beyond a doubt. H.
could discharge their pieces. The road now ,
in towards a gorge, bat not far enough to be out
range of their guns, which still played upon us. „
other ndge lay about three-fourths of a mile bevnnj
the first, around the termination of which the re J
wound, bringing it under the lofty summit of a
which rises between Palace Hill and the moniS
which arise over us on the west. When the head?;
the column approached this ridge a body ofSIesiei
cavalry came dashing around the point to charsen
on our advance. Capt. Giliispie immediately ord?’
ed his men to dismount and place themselves in a
bush. The enemy evidently did not perceive this n"
noenvre, hut the moment they came up, the Texj
opened on them a most effective fire, unsaddlii,
number of them. McCullough’s company nowdari
ed into them—Capt. C. F. Smith's cainp( „nd Cant'
Scott’s camp of Artillery, (acting as Infantry;
Lieut. Longstreel’s company of the 8th Infantry ■V
another company of the same regiment |;jL ,.
charged upon the enemy. The Texan horse" 1 *
were soon engaged with them, in a sort of f ? P!|
hand skirmish, in which a number of the. enemy c n’
and one Texan was killed and two wounded r
Duncan now open upon them with his batj. .
Light Artillery, pouring a few discharges 0 f .. r , rj 0i
niong them, and scattering them like chaff. a '
men and horses fell under this destructive fire | V ' r '
one horse and rider bound some feet into tho
both fall dead and tumbled down the steep. 7'; _, ? Cl '
companies above named then rushed up the steen a
” ■ " at the retreating enemy, a conij 1
his name. The light batterie
inanded by Lieut. Mackall. were now dra
the slope of tile ridge, and the howitzers
ecutive, ad interim, ‘acting,’ which indeed
may itself be supersededed and succeded
by half a dozen fresh pronunciamentos and
changes between now and December. It
was hardly reasonable to expect an execu-
j five authority thus constituted and thuspre-
, carious to take the critical responsibility of
opening negotiations for peace with a go
vernment which had waged war upon tli*>
na w
which the Mexican people must be highly
exasperated. Santa Anna might.it is true,
have done so.”
“The government is unreasonable, there
fore we think, in railing at the ‘acting’ Mex- j J
ican authorities for declining the instant ac- j tender, had made his escape, and will probably pro-
ceptance of an overture, the acceptance of ceed to Spain
At the latest date, 16th September, American flour
was selling at twenty-nine shillings to thirty shillings
per barrel, duty paid, at Liverpool. The price in
bond, was twenty-seven shillings and sixpence.
Indian corn was quoted three shillings the quarter
higher; and closed at forty shillings fur yellow and
forty-seven shillings for white.
The Bank of England has declared a semi-annual
dividend, 3J per cent.
The Gazette de Cologne says it has been announ-
A r„r.o ■ - - — -
and invaded their country, aniT against prohibiting the exportation of corn from toe territory
-- - - - - - - of France.
! In the affairs of Spain the escape of Don Carlos
from his imprisonment is likely just now to have im-
1 portant influence.
! ’ Accounts from Paris dated I7th September, an
nounced that a dispatch had been received couvey-
ng the intelligence that Don Carlos, the Spanish pre-
followed and supported by the Mississippi
and Tennesee and 1st Ohio Regiments, the
two former regiments being the first to scale
and occupy the fort. The success of the
day here stopped. The Mississippi, Ten
nessee and Ohio Regiments, though warm
ly engaged in the streets of the city for some ! „
time afler the capture of the 1st buttery and j severely; Capt. Cambridge7 3d Infy. slightly; Lt. K.
,. . . . X li e Graham, 4th Inf, severely; Capt. Lamotte, 1st. Inf.:
its adjoining defences, were unable, from L t. Wainwrigbt,8thInf. slightly; Lt. Potter, 7thInf.
exhauston and the loss they had suffered, to do; Lt. Rossel, 5th Inf do: Lt. Dilwortb, 1st Inf.
gain more advantage. A heavy shower of leg said to have been shot off.
_i .7. . ..La,,.;™ nf l oluntc.cr Offi.ccrs Kilted.—Col. Watson, Balti
more Battalion; Capt. Battlein, IstTenn. Regiment;
Lieut. Putnam, killed; a Lt. in a German company
killed.
Volunteer Officers JVounded.—Major Gen. Butler,
in the leg; Col. Mitchell. Ohio Regiment, severely
«teH: I .ipnt Col \lrt M i—.i.sit>in Retri
ed; Cap'
rain also came up to cause a suspension of
hostilities before the close of the day. ’1 he
3d, 4th and 1st Infantry and the Baltimore
Batalion, remained as the garrison of the ,
captured position, under Col. Garland, as- j
IDis’cu uj Uapt. mugciy s uauciy. x v»w x*. I
pounders, one 4 pounder, and 1 howitzer, ; Rangers, mortally wounded; Lieut. Armstrong, Aj’t.
were captured in this fort, three officers and Ohio Regiment, leg shot off; Major Alexander, Jst
oj e ^ ^ ,„boo o-hnnpra 1 too '' I en ■ Regiment, severely; Lieut. Allen, do do; Lieut.
merit. severeTv’ wminder
Gillespie. Texas
' Scudder; do do; Lieut. Nixon, do do; Capt. Down-
Miss. Regiment, in the arm; Lieut. Thomas,
which would, in all likelihood have perilled
their heads. Our government is anxious
for peace, we have no doubt, and it has
| good reason to be. We have, thanks tp a
gallant army, tasted some of the glory of
war; we are now beginning to reap some
of its less pleasant fruits; and we give our
rulers credit for more humanity than to
suppose that they can hear with indiffer
ence of the sufferings and death of hundreds
; of noble American hearts on the pestiferous
Banks of the Rio Grande; and far more | nTtim Parisian journals,
prudence on the other hand, than to be in
different to that rapidly approaching empti
ness of the treasury, which though brought
about by a system of measutes unimpeach
ably democratic, is nevertheless rathei em-
: barrassing to a government in time of war.
! We give our government credit, therefore,
for entire sincerity in offering the olive
' branch to Mexico; and hope that it will not
permit the brief postponement proposed by
, the Mexicans to close the door against ne-
! gotiation when the Mexican Congress shall
have met. We repeat the sentiment, in
which we are sure the whole country will
some 20 or 30 men taken prisoners. One
of the 12 pounders was served against the
2d fort and defences, with captured amuni- ' Texas Regiment, in the arm.
tier,, during the remainder of the day, by
Cant. Ridgely. The storming parties of
Gen. Worth’s Division also captured two
Foreign Stock, particularly Mexican, Spanish and mtie pounders, which were also turned a-
I gainst their fqj-mer owners.
I On the morning of the 22d Gen. Worth
Portuguese, owing to the unsettled state of those
countries, has receded.
IRELAND.
Tlie rupture amongst the Repealers is daily mani
festing its consequences in Belfast.
A day or two hack a meeting was called of pro
physical and moral force men, when the former a-
chieved a decided triumph and left the adherents of
Mr. O'Connell in a minority.
FRANCE.
Paris, Sept. 17.—The news of the closing pro
ceedings in Congress, with Mr. Polk’s proposition of | ^
peace to Mexico, cave rise to considerable comment 1
L tho Psiricinn innmnk. ! Four pieces of artillery, with a good sup
ply of ammunition, were captured in the
the Bishop’s Palace this day, some of which
From the New Oilcans Picnyue.
Gen. Ampudia acknowledged 7600 as the number
ol his troops but. it probably amounted to fully 11,-
000. Our loss is severe. The 1st, 3d and 4th In
fantry suffered, with the Tennessee Volunteers on
the 21st under the eye of Gen. Taylor. Gen. Tay-
- . lor escaped unhurt, but was greatly exposed, his
: continued his operations, and portions ot j horse was wounded.
The An
rican force was about 6000.
ounded will amount to 500.
bis battalion aud Hays’ command
had an action some distance this side of Monterey
his division stormed and carried successive- j
! ly the heights above the Bishop’s Palace.— | ^ ur ‘ u, d v y«
, X , ° -li r i i I Gen. Worth with
Both were earned by a command under ( j iac j an aet i on some
i Capt. Vinton 3d Artillery. In these ope- , with a considerable Mexican force and dispersed them
i rations the company of Louisiana troops un- in a short time Col. Hays killed a lieutenant colon-
tier Cant. Blanchard performed efficient ; el oHhe Mexican Army 5mgle-hand«I
. i _ _ r , r . f -. llow many were killed and wounded in this
service as part of Capt. \ inton s command, j nol j earn
The Journal Des Dehats, the Government organ
contented itself with remarking that, without doubt,
the new aspect given to the policy of the United States
towards Mexico must be ascribed to offiers of medi
ation made by England.
SPAIN.
The rumor of a Carlist rising in Catalonia, turns
out to be not unfounded.
Letters from Barcelona dated the 4th, assert that a
hand of from 300 to 400 men, under the command of
a person of the name of Pielot has made its appear
ance in the plain of Larrangeena*
Pielot was, during the civil war, at the head of a
divison in the Carlist army and the commandant of
Sarragona.
EPIDEMIC DISEASE.
The Hague, Sept. 13.—The prevailing sickness
'unite with us, and the administration as ' rat * ier i ,,cr 5*'J s * n g than diminishing, probably in con-
c _ t ii i *i i sequence of the return of hot weather.
fer\ently as the countiy, that we shall hail j Among the more important and interesting items of
any event that shall bring this unwise, even : commercial news brought out by steamship Hiber-
if successful, war to a speedy and honora- I nia. is the report of the Cotton market.
The advices per the Caledonia, arrived at Livor-
^ , • . , . iv ! pool on the evening of the 13th Sept, and were de
Candor IS the Intelll” I |; t .„ rn /I oarlr an »K<* fnllmcintr innriiinrr
! ble end.
| “In all candor!’ 1
; gencer’s forte. Its candor towards its own
country and Mexico, in this war, forcibly
i reminds us, of the candor spoken of by
Canning, in the anti-Jacobin, which would
make out that
White’s not so while; nor black, so very black!
This “candor” gives our government
“credit” for wishing peace—because, for
sooth, in view of the “rapidly approaching
emptiness of the treasury,” war will prob
ably be inconvenient and “embarrassing.”
One can easily imagine the reception
which such language as this, in the col
umns of the whig organ, will meet with at
Mexico, and in those European circles
which take delight in abusing the “model
republic.’’ The Intelligencer well knows
how such language takes in those quarters,
for it has seen it quoted with exultatiou in
the foreign prints most hostile to the coun
try, and flung triumphantly in the face of
American residents in Europe. But the
Intelligencer’s article will tell best in Mexi
co. Indeed it is difficult to suppose that it
was not specially designed for that meridian
to which it is so specially adapted. Only
three or four days ago we published an ar
ticle from a Mexican journal, showing at
this very moment the Mexican government
looks to the clamor of the whig organs here
as a means of cripplintr and embarrassing
iivered early on the following morning.
No sooner bad the contents become known than
the Colton market underwent a great change.—Spec
ulators commenced to operate to an iiuusual degree.
The trade dreading the realization of the unfavora
ble conjectures respecting the forthcoming crons,
which the letiera and newspapers account from the
United States had ventured to send forth, were indu
ced to add to their stocks.
In England, the proverbial fickleness of the climate
has sustained its old character, in baffling speculation.
The yield of Wheat is better this year in the South
ern. and worse in the Northern parts of the Kingdom.
Upon the whole, the yield is hardly belter in 1846.
than in the previous year.
Tho English Markets for Foreign and Colonial
Produce have latterly assumed a more animated and
healthy appearance.
The Liverpool Cotton market, from day to day.
since the 14th, has continued active and spirited, and
sales of the six days limy be stated at about 45,000
bales, advance of jd. per lb. Prices of American de
scriptions being fully maintained, the market for oth
er descriptions has experienced a rise.
Holders have been enabled to obtain former rates,
but lower descriptions wbiclimre plentiful, have re
ceded in value.
The sales of Cotton in Liverpool, on the 14th Sep
tember. were enormous, amounting to no less than
20,000 bales, of which speculators took 10,000 Amer
ican For all descriptions of American below 5d.
per lb., an advance of one farthing per lb. was readily
paid. Other descriptions were 1 higher.
At Liverpool, foreign and colonial produce sells
better by private treaty. A good deal of business has
been done, and as holders refrain from pressing the
market prices, if not absolutely higher, may be said to
be firmer. The healthy state of trade, and full em
ployment of the working classes, are amongst the
causes which Ho v“ led to this r"snlt.
were immediately turned upon the enemy’s
defences in the city. On the evening of
the 22d, Col. Garland aud his command
were relieved as the garrison of the captur
ed forts by Gen. Quitman with the Missis*
sippi and Tennessee Regiments, and five
companies of the Kentucky Regiments.
Early on the morning of the 23d, Gen.
Quitman, from his position, discovered that
the second and third forts and defences east
of the city had been entirely abandoned by
the enemy, who apprehending another as
sault on the night of the 22d, had retired
from all his defences to tho main plaza and
its immediate vicinity. A command of two
companies of Mississippi and two of Ten
nessee troops were then thrown into the
streets to recoiunoitre, and soon became
hotly engaged with the enemy, these were
soon supported by Col. Wood’s Regiment
of Texas Rangers, dismounted, by Bragg’s
Light Battery and the 3d Infantiy; the en
emy’s fire was constant and uninterrupted
from the streets, house tops, barricades,
&c. &c. in vicinity of the plaza. The
pieces of Bragg’s battery were also used
with much effect far into the heart of the
city—this engagement lasted the best part
of the day, our troops having driven the
scattered parties of the enemy, und pene
trated quite to the defences of the main
plaza. Tho advantage thus gained, it was
not considered necessary to hold, as the en
emy had permanently abandoned the city
and its defences, except the main plaza, its
immediate vicinity and the Cathedral fort
or Citadel. Early in the afternoon (same
day) Gen. Worth assaulted from the Bish
op’s Palace the - west side of the city, and
succeeded in driving the enemy and main
taining his positiou within a short distance
of the main plaza on that side of the city;—
towards evening the mortar had also been
planted in the Cemetery enclosure, and du
ring the night did great execution in the
circumscribed camp of the enemy in the
plaza—thus ended the operations of the
23d.
Early on the morning of the 24th, a com-
Some volunteers on their way from Mier to join
the Army were attacked by a large body of Mexican
troops and killed and shockingly mutilated.
The terms of capitulation were in effect as fol
lows:
That the officers should be allowed to march out
with their side arms.
That the Cavalry and Infantry should be allowed
to march out with their arms and accoutrements.
That the Artillery should he allowed to march out
with one battery of six pieces and twenty-one rounds
of ammunition.
Tiiat all other munitions of war and supplies
should be turned over to a board of American offi
cers appointed to receive them.
That the Mexican Army, should be allowed seven
days to evacuate the city, and that the American
troops should not occupy it until evacuated.
That the Cathedral, Fort or Citadel, should be
evacuated at 10 A. M., next day, (25th) the Mexicans
then marching out and the American garrison inarch
ing in. The Mexicans allowed to salute their flag
whetj hauled down.
That there should be an armistice of eight weeks,
during which time neither army should pass a line
ruuning from the Rinconada through Linares and
San Fernando.
This lenient offer of the American General was
dictated with the concurrence of his Generals and
by motives of good policy and consideraton for the
good defence of their city by the Mexican Army.
[Correspondence of the Picayune.']
San Francisco, Mexico Sept, 18,1846.
Gentlemen: We are at length, within five hour's
march of Monterey, say twelve miles distant. The
army left the ciynp near Marin this morning, the 1st
Division starting at six o’clock, and 2d Division at
seven o’clock. The advance consisted of McCulloch’s
aud Gillipsie’s companies of Rangers, and a squadron
i of Dragoons, under Col. May. The pioneer corps
were btoken up und returned to their respective regi
ments. The baggage ofthe 1st Division, and one-half
the ordnance train followed that command, and the
2djUivisiou was followed in like manner by its baggage
and the other part of the ordnance train. The V olun-
teer Division marched at eight o’clock followed by its
baggage aud the supply traiu. The rear-guard was
composed of two companies of Regulars, one from
each Division, and closed the march, following the
supply train. Incase Gen. Henderson should arrive
with his Texan Rangers, they were to form the ad
vance, with the exception offour companies, which
were to take the place of the two companies of Infan
try, which founed the rearguard. Gen. Henderson
overtook the army about four milesfrom here, and his
command was disposed of according to the above
named arrangement The habitual order of battle
was directed to be as follows: “1st Division on the
right, the 2d on the left, and the Volunteer Division in
the centre.” the chiefs of Divisions to organize such
reserves as they might judge proper. The order of
battle not to be considered invaluable, but to he con
trolled by the nature of the grouud. Four men from
Gillespie s company were attached to each of lire two
(2d and volunteer) divisions.
Camp before Monterey, Sept. 19.1846.
| Gentlemen: —This has been a day of excitement and
' interest to our isolated littie army. The General left
| the camp at San Francisco this morning at sunrise.
; and by 8 o’clock the whole column was in motion, the
' Texan Rangers, and Col. May with a squadron of
! dragoons, in advance. The men started off briskly,
and the road was fine. After two hours march a
bridge was found broken up by the Mexicans. A corn
field near at hand afforded materials for filling up the
I place, and the Army proceeded over the first corn
I stalk bridge I ever heard of. When within about four
' or five miles of the city we heard a brisk cannonading.
! Some ofthe men had just previous to this began to lag,
1 some suffering from blistered feet, and others from the
' intensity of the heat, but no sooner did the sound of
| cannon reach their ears, than they straightened thern-
j selves up and pressed forward with an eagerness
i which showed that their sufferings were all forgotten,
j Capt. Scott, (the veritable.) or rather Major Scott,
who commands the 5th Infantry, marched immedi-
| ately before u*. and the moment thi brave old soldier
( heard the enemy’s cannon, he drove his spurs into his
horse and pranced about his regiment as if he would
| give a liberal portion of his Iifb to be at Monterey.
! Captain Miles, commander of the 7th Infantry, by
| whose side I wasndiugat the moment, likewise rose
in his stirrups, with his keen black eyes sparkling, and
| his nostrils slightly dilated, and gave orders to his reg
iment to close up, but his orders were useless, for the
i noble fellows were already pressing upon their staffs,
to the very rumps ofthe horses. Again, again and a-
gaiti, noise of the twelve pounders reverberated
I through the lofty mountains which rose before us and
upou each side. [I will describe this grand scenery at
another time,} and a buzz, a suppressed hurra ran
through the line. The officers ran their eyes over
their commands with looks of pride and confidence,
and the men returned the glance, as if to say, “we are
I ready,” and pressed on still mote eagerly. I rode out
I of the column and fell back to iook at the Louisiana
boys. Every eye among them was bright with eager
| excitement. Capt. Blanchard, and Lieutenants Ten-
I brink and the two brothers NichoIIs, wore a peculiar
■ smile upon their countenances, an expression that I
' never shall forget. I translated its meaning thus:
“Now we are about to he rewarded for nil our sacri
fices and toils, and we will show old Louisiana that we
can represent her worthily, though our numbers are
small.” They regretted the absence of their fellow-
citizens who had returned to their quiet homes, for
they well knew how many a brave heart would burn
with bitter disappointment and laudable envy, coidd
their returned friends hut see them and know their
feelingsat that moment.
On reaching the place of encampment we came up
with Gen. Worth, sitting on his horse iu beautiful style.
A handsomer officer than he appeared then, I never
saw. Every one remarked the change that had sud
denly come over him. From the somewhat dejected
air, and saddened countenance that he is said to have
worn of late, Richard was now himself again—and
the gallant soldier, forgetting all his cares, now ap
peared before us, the personification of an accom
plished militaiy chieftain. His handsome face was
lighted up with a proud, but affable smile, as he mo
tioned gracefully to his officers, pointing out to them
the direction they were to take with their respective
comrtlands, and not a man who saw him, but what
would at that moment have followed him to the can
non's mouth.
Such is the feeling manifested by the whole army—
which renders this body of men invincible.
This evening the enemy’s batteries have been open
ed again upon a reconnoitering party of ours. Gen
erals Taylor, Twiggs, Worth, and others, have been
out. looking at their works.
9 o'clock, P, M.—All attack is expected, and every
mau in the Army will rest to-night on his arms. A
night attack is what a soldier dislikes very much, be
cause it is then difficult (o distinguish friend from foe.
September 20th.—Everything remained quiet last
night. To-morrow an attempt will be made to take
Monterey. A stout resistance is expected, for the
town is strongly fortified, as well as the heights that
command it, and the enemy has troops and ammuni
tion enough there to defend it. A movement will no
doubt be made to-night. No one expects an easy
victory, on the other hand, all have made up their
minds to see much bloodshed. It is believed that a
large number of the enemy is in our rear—in fact
there is little doubt on the subject.
An express rider is off this morning for Camargo.
I finish hastily—having already taken notes that will
enable me to re-write what I have already penned in
my two last communications. H.
Bishop’s Palace, Monterey, Mexico, Sept. 2 4
Gentlemen:—This is the fonrtli day since the battle
of Monterey commenced. On the 20th, at noon,
Gen. Worth marched from the camp east ofthe town
in the direction of the heights west of the town. Mc
Cullough’s and Gillespie’s companies of rangers
forming the reconnoitering party. At night the divi
sion bivouacked almost within range ofthe guns sta
tioned upon the highest point of the hill, on which the
Bishop’s Palace is situated. At daylight on the *ht.
the colnmn was again in motion, and in a lew mo
ments was turning the point of a ridge which protrud
ed out towards the enemy’s guns, bringing us as near
to them ns their Conner, co.ilH desire. 1 hey imme
diately opened upon the column with a howitzer and
!2-pn.n,der. firing shell and round shot as last as they
fired over the rid
arable body of whom were concealed from oorvi
around the point of the hill. About thirty of
emy were killed in this skirmish, and among ti, e P: '
Captain, who, with two or three others, fell in tl«
road. The Captain was wounded in three nl ar '
the last shot hitting hiui in the forehead. He fau.t'
gallantly to the last, and I am sorry that I cannot lefr "
his name. The lielit hatteries. one of which is coin"
u p. oa
on the height of Palace Hill. A few shells only ''
thrown, before the enemy commenced firing nit?)
nine pounder from the height immediately overt?
right of the columa, aiming at Duncan's batterie?
The several regiments took positions, and a few i nor ,
shells were thrown towards Palace Hill, bat did no
execution. The nine pounder continu -d to throw
its shot, with great precision, at our batteries,
hall falling directly in the midst of the pieces, hut f
tuiiately hitting neither men or guns. Findiii. | )
batteries thus exposed, and unable to effect anvtUia,
Col. Duncan removed his command to a ranches!
bout half a mile further tip the Satillo road. uh«-.
Gen. Worth took up his position, afler orderin', 1|,
foot regiments to form along the fence, near the no;,"-
of the ridge. The Artillery Battalion, 5th. 7th and -th
Infantry, and the Louisiana Volunteers remainedHi
this position about two hours, directly under the firs
ofthe enemy's guns (now two.) The balls fell direr!
Iv in their midst all this time without wounding a nuc'
To begin with the Mexicans manage their artillery ii
battery as well as the Americans do—this I believe a
now conceded by every officer. At half-past 10 ir!
column moved towards the General’s position, y
this time, Capt McKavett, of the 8th Infantry
shot through the heart by a nine pound ball, and a
private ofthe 5th Infantry was so severely wound,
in the thigh, that he died" the next morning. About
fifty .Mexicans now appeared upon the hill side, avere
the moving column, and fired at our troops some
hundred musket shot, without doing any harm. The
Division deployed into the positions pointed nut. ailii
remained an houror two when Capt. C. F. Smith,of
the Artillery Battalion, with two companies (liisown
and Capt. Scott’s) and four companies Texan Ran
gers on foot, were ordered to storm the seconi
height! This the gallant officer cheerfully undertook,
and was followed with enthusiasm by the officers and
men of his command. It was considered on all sides
to be-a most dangerous undertaking, and this party
was considered most emphatically a forlorn hope.
That the height would be taken no one doubted, bat
that many brave fellows would fall in the attempt,
seemed inevitable. The distance to be climbed after
reaching the foot of the hill, was about a quarter of a
mile; a part of the way was almost perpendicular ao!
through thorn bushes and over sharp-pointed rocs,
and loose sliding stones.
The 7th Infantry, commanded by Capt. Miles,tvu
ordered to support Captain Smith’s party, and. br
marching directly to the foot ofthe height, arrived be
fore Capt. Smith, who had been ordeted to take a cir
cuitous ronte. Capt. Miles sent up Lient. Gantt wii
a detachment of men. upon the hill side, to divert the
attention of the enemy from Capt. Smith’s command,
which could not yet be seen. The 7th had alreadv
sustained a heavy fire of grape and round shot, as
they forded, the San Juan, which winds around the
foot of the height, which fell like a shower [of hail in
their ranks, without killing a man. Lieut. Gantt's
party were greeted with grape aud round shot, which
cut the shrubs and tore up the loose stones in the ranks
without killing any one; but the gallant young officer
came within an inch of being killed by a cannon bail,
which raked down the steep and filled his face with
fragments of rock, dust and gravel. This fire wasac-
companied by a constant discharge of musketry, the
enemy covering the upper part ofthe hill side, bat the
detachment continued to move up. driving the Jleii-
cans back, until they were recalled. Capt. Smiths
party now arrived aud moved up the hill, the Rang
ers in advance, and did not haltforan instant ami!the
M exicans were driven from the summit. Whilst this
was going on, Colonel Persifor F. Smith, who com
manded the 5ih and 7th Infantry—the 5th, with
Blanchard’s Louisiana boys, under .Maj. Martin Scot',
had been ordered to support the whole—gave orders
for these commands to pass around on each side and
storm the fort which was situated about half a mile
back of the summit on the same ridge and command
ed Bishop’s Palace. Such a foot race as now endu
ed has seldom if ever been seen; the Louisiana boys
malting the tallest kind of strides to be in with the
foremost. Capt. Smith had the gun which betook
upon the height, run down toward the breastworks
and fired into it. Then came Col P. F. Smith’s men.
with a perlect rush, firing and cheering—the 5th and
7th and Louisianians reaching the ridge above nearly
at the same time. The Mexicans fired at them win
grape, but it did not save them, or cause an instacij
hesitation in our ranks. Our men run and fired.and
cheered, until they reached the work, the foremost
entering at one end, whilst the Mexicans, about 1000
in number, left the other in retreat. The colors of |
the 5th Infantry were instantly raised, and scarcely j
were they up before those of the 7th were alongside
The three commands entered the fort together. *o
clo: e was the race—the 5th, however, getting an ad
vance in first. J. W. Miller, of Blanchard’s compa- ,
ny. was among the first four or five who entered.
The three commands may be said to have come on
even in the race, for the 7th was not five seconds be
hind. In less than five minutes the gun found in tie
fort was thundering away at the Bishop's Palace
More ammunition was found than our troops will aw
with the three guns that were captured. One of the
guns was found concealed. They are 9-pound bnss
pieces. Several mules and half a dozeu beautiful
tents were likewise captured. Killed, none. Wound
ed. in 7th Infantry, Lieut. Potter, bullet through the d
calf of the leg; Orderly Sergeant Hurdle, of K- coir- |
pany; Corporal S. P. Oakley, severely in the thigh- I
Oakley is from New York city, aud a very intelligent. I
well educated man, as well as a good soldier. Private
White—the same who captured the Mexican officer $ |
trunk at Mariu, and who received it and its content* I
from Gen. Taylor—wounded in the head. Fifth In
fantry; killed, none; wounded—Lieut. Rossell. in the |
arm; Sergeant Maj. Brand, badly, in the month
musket ball Privates McManus and Grubb, slight; *
wounded—Sergeant Uptergrapb, color-bearer, disOfi* rj
guished himself by his gallantry.
Thus was this brilliant coup de main made aiuB ,;:
without bloodshed. I have not time now to give 3
particulars of this glorious affair. Capt. C. F. Snitf
was in the advance, with .McCall, at the battle of
saca de la Palma, and is one ofthe most gallant aiii j
accomplished officers in the Army—so say all his kr j
low officers whom I have heard spenk of him. Col \
P. F. Smith—Gen. Smith of Louisiana—disiingni^ j
ed himself on that occasion, as did Maj. Scotland
Capt. Miles, and, in truth, every officer and tnan d:- i
his duty nobly.
The gallant conduct of Capt. Blanchard and Lie"
Tenbrinck, and the two brothers Nichols, is pr- I
by all the officers who were there. In truth the Lou- 1
isiana boys have fought every day for four days, an;
I assure you, as Geu. Worth’s report will hearffl ?
out in saying, and as every officer in the 2d Division
will testily, that this corps has distinguished itseljf® ;
every occasion where they have been called on- T.j
sons of Judge Nichols, of DonaldsonviKe, have slot *j
fire for four or five hours at a time, driving the ene®J J
under their battery—from bush to bush, and rock * Ja
rock, and at list were amoug the foremost to rush
the Bishop’s Palace and take it by storm. Cap 1
Blanchard and his company have already made arep 3
utation that will not soon be forgotten. S. G J
private of this company was mortally wounded in “ - J|
tight, and died next morning. Capt. Smith had n 1
one killed or wounded in bis party of regulars
Texans were wounded, viz: Wm. Carley and B-
Keese. ^
Bishop’s Palace, Monterey, Sept- 24,134b
Gentlemen:—I date both my letters on one day. ^
cause I am obliged to foot up the news ofthe M 0
days, having no writing materials along Lvefr 0 , |
though l write in a palace, I am obliged to ho j
sheet of paper in one hand on tny knee, for wa ” j
desk. But 1 have no time for extra remarks—a cna
offers to send you the news, and I must hurry . »
you a glance at what has been done here, be 0 j
express goes off. On the morning ol the - j
Childs, of the Artillery Battalion, with tn^ a „. i
companies—one commanded by Capt. V m 0 .
other by Capt. J. B. Scott, and the third by w
Ayres.—and three companies of the 8th * I,fal ^ I
company A commanded by Lieut. L« n g i ** r ®!* r
Lieut. Wainwrigbt; B company, Lieut- ^
commanding, and Lieut. Merchant; D compa 0 )’ a
tain Scrivner and Lieut. Montgomery—■*** 0 . uj':
to take the summit of Palace Hill. The Colon |
camp at 3 o’clock. A. M-, and climbed the u, ° ^
through the chaparral and up the steep roc ^
40ch secrecy that at daybreak he was within
dretl yards of the breastwork of sand-bags e ^
was di>covered. The Mexicnns poured l
kelrv into them, but they rushed up the pre< 'P