Sketches of the campaign in northern Mexico : in eighteen hundred forty-six and seven / by an officer of the First Regiment of Ohio volunteers.

CHIAPTER VI.
THE reconnoisance.-Beautiful view of the city and valley of Monterey.-Description of the fortifications.-Worth's division sent to- seze- the Saltillo road, and
attack the western defenses.-Skirmish with the Mexican cavalry.-The action
of San Jeronimo.-Divisions of Twiggs and Butler advanced on the north.Attack of Garland's column upon the north-east corner of the city.-Its result.Advance of Quitman's brigade.-The Teneria captured. —The 1st Ohio regiment enters the town.-Its operations.-Charge of' lancers. —The repulse.-Loss
and gain of our army on the 21st of September.-View of Worth's operations on
the 21st and 22d.-The hights are stormed, and the castle carried.-The iMexicans retire upon their second line during the night of the 22d.-Street fights on
the 23d.-The capitulation of the 24th.-Taylor's letter vindicating it.-Ampudia's proclamation.
THE city of Monterey derives its name from the Conde de
Monterey, one of the earlier Spanish viceroys of Mexico. It
is the capital of the State of lNueva Leon, and the most
beautiful city in the northern section of the republic. Say
the Mexican historians of the war*-" The houses of Monterey are sufficiently handsome. Buildings of hewn stone,
streets regularly intersecting, specious plazas, and a cathedral
of magnificent architecture. A river, clear as crystal, flows
on one side of the city, on whose borders there are romantic
rural cottages, and gardens with thick foliage. The city from
its origin had enjoyed repose; even the civil revolutions had
many times spared it, sacred to the frontier. After the misfortunes on the Rio Bravo, the whirlwind of war menaced
it closely, and the inhabitants anticipated the grievous and
mournftiul conflict." Situated in a fertile valley, in the midst
* "Notes of the War," p. 65.