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On the morning of the 21st, after an encounter with a large body of the Mexican cavalry and infantry, supported by artillery from the heights, he repulsed them, and finally encamped, covering the passage of the Saltillo road. It was here discovered, that besides the fort at the Bishop's Palace, and the occupation of the heights above it, two forts on commanding eminences, on the opposite side of the San Juan river, were fortified. These also were then stormed and carried; and the guns of the last fort that was carried were immediately turned upon the Bishop's Palace.

General Taylor ordered the first division of regular troops, and a division of volunteers under General Butler, to make a diversion to the left of the town, in order to favor the movements of General Worth. Lieut. Colonel Garland was ordered forward, and, if possible, to carry the advanced battery on the extreme left of the city. A heavy and destructive fire opened upon the advance of the Americans, but they soon turned it by entering and engaging with the enemy in the streets of the city, having passed through an incessant crossfire from the citadel, two batteries, and the thousand musketeers on the housetops, and from behind barricades. The rear of the first battery was soon turned, and the reverse fire of the troops, through the gorge of the works, killed or dislodged the artillery immediately in its rear. The first division was followed and supported by the Mississippi, Tennessee, and first Ohio regiments. The two former regiments were the first to scale and occupy the fort. The American loss in killed and wounded, during the operations of this day, was 394. Among the killed of the regular troops were Major Barbour, and Captains Morris, M.Kavett, and Field; of the volunteers, Colonel Watson, of the Baltimore battalion, and Captain Allen, of Tennessee. A large proportion of those who were wounded died.,

On the 22d of May, at the dawn of day, the 2d division, under General Worth, carried the height above the Bishop's Palace; and soon after meridian, the palace itself was taken and its guns turned upon the fugitive garrison

In the lower part of the city, during the day, the Mexicans continued their fire from the citadel and other works upon the American troops who came within the range of their guns. On the night of the 22d they evacuated nearly all their defences in the lower part of the city. On the morning of the 23d, General Taylor ordered General Quitman to advance into the city, he being assisted by Captain Bragg's battery, and the dismounted Texan volunteers under General Henderson. The troops advanced from house to house, and from square to square, until they reached a street, but one square in the rear of the principal plaza, in and near which the enemy's force was mainly concentrated.. This advance was conducted vigorously, but with due caution; and although destructive to the enemy, was attended with but small loss on the part of the Americans.

On the morning of the 24th, General Ampudia, the Mexican commander, made an offer of capitulation. The terms finally accepted were, that the Mexican troops should march out of the city with their arms and accoutrements, and should be allowed seven days to evacuate the city. The American troops were not to occupy it till evacuated. The cathedral fort or citadel, however, was to be evacuated the next day (the 25th), and an American garrison to be marched in. It was also agreed that there should be an armistice of eight weeks.

The American loss in capturing the city was 12 officers and 108 men killed; 31 officers and 337 men wounded. The loss of the enemy is supposed to have been greater. The town and works of Monterey were armed with 42 pieces of cannon, well supplied with ammunition, and manned with a force of at least 7,000 troops of the line, and from 2,000 to 3,000 irregulars.

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Santa Anna sent an officer with a flag of truce to inquire what General Taylor was waiting for replied, he was waiting for Santa Anna to surrender.

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140. Battle of Buena Vista.

After the capture of Monterey, the American forces were employed in various military movements having for their object the occupation of several places in the vicinity. On the 31st of January, 1847, General Taylor left Monterey for Saltillo, a distance of 65 miles in the direction of San Luis de Potosi. He reached this place on February 2d, and proceeded thence about 20 miles farther to Agua Nueva, where he encamped. At this point, hearing of the advance of General Santa Anna, with a large force to attack him, General Taylor fell back to the hacienda of Buena Vista, a strong position in a mountainous pass, which could be defended against superior num

bers.

On the morning of the 22d of February, the Mexican army, twenty thousand in number, of the finest troops of Mexico, were seen approaching the field of conflict in perfect order, presenting a most imposing scene of military splendor. The force under General Taylor consisted of about five thousand men; of which no more than 500 were regular troops, the others being volunteers. On the right wing of the American position, were numerous deep and almost impassable ravines; while on the left were the precipitous mountains of the "Sierra Madre,” towering into the air upward of two thousand feet.

General Taylor having refused a summons to surrender at discretion, sent by General Santa Anna, the Mexican forces endeavored to outflank the American left, by ascending the mountain. The Kentucky and Arkansas troops being stationed at this point, clambered up the rugged ascent to counteract this movement, firing as they advanced. The firing continued till after dark, and the whole side of the mountain from its base to its summit, seemed at times a sheet of fire. The Americans, however, retired, lying on their arms during the night, leaving the enemy in possession of the heights.

Early next morning, a powerful body of the Mexicans advanced upon the American left flank near the mount

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