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

RESULTS OF THE TWENTY-FIRST. 185
that they could not possibly maintain the town. The most
intelligent among the defenders, too, must have felt that
their fate was sealed, and even while their bells were pealing
so joyfully, doubtless were " sorrowfully rulinating the
morning's danger."s "
The Mexicans, who always greatly exaggerated our loss,
while they studiously avoided (even in official reports) any
allusion to their own, stated that one thousand Americans
were killed or wounded during the first day's operations at
Monterey. Our loss was in reality but three hundred and
ninety-four, including, however, some of the most promising
officers in the army. But quite enough blood had been shed
to satisfy some of our people that they had not properly estimated the military efficiency of the enemy. Yet in the condition of affairs on the evening of the 21st, we saw no cause
for despondency at the prospect of victory. Indeed, in the
events of the day, our troops found much to cheer and
encourage them. If the snake had not been killed, it was at
least scotched, and could not escape ultimate destruction.
As to our own regiment, though it does not vauntingly
claim to have fought " beyond the mark of others," yet may
Ohio, ever more boastful of the triumphs of peace than of
* The Mexicans have a happy faculty of passing off disasters fbr triumphs.
Their historians confess that the battle of Mlolino del RLey was celebrated with
music and bells, and that Santa Anna sent a proclamation by extraordinary
couriers into all parts of the nation, stating that a victory had been gained, and
that he had in person led the troops of the Republic, both of which " illusions," as
they are mildly termed, " the inhabitants generally believe to this day."
The truth is, that when with the advantage of vastly superior numbers, and a
remarkably strong position, as at Monterey and the Molino, they were not routed
by the first charge, they considered they had made a lucky escape, and rejoiced
accordingly.