Zenas Matthews' 1846 U.S.-Mexico War Diary and Service Papers

One of the Montgomery Men having died of the meassles at Rancho "Loro" 6 miles from this place. Seargent White of our company died last night of fever. We buried him with due honors. Our 3 months being out the 6th of this month and the men having the priveledge of going home about 20 or 30 of each company left.

Monday 14th Sept 1846

Today the eastern 2nd Regt will join us and tomorrow will march in a body for Marine where we will join Genl Taylor. Col. Hay's will start this evening with about 80 more of the best Mounted men on a scout to Catdarett for the purpose

of finding out the force of The Mexicans.

Camp Near Monteray Sept 19th 1846 To day we arrived on the hill one mile from the city. (we have Joined Genl Taylor on Yesterday morning) We formed our lines abd the Mexicans opened their Batteries upon us. They fired about 20 rounds at us but done no execution the shot striking the ground near us and bounding over our heads.

We counter marched one mile on the road to a grove of large live Oaks in which are a large number of the finest springs I ever have seen and encamped. This evening we sent out a party of 50 men to reconoiter the Town under Capt Gillespie. The Mexicans opened their artillery upon them and there is some uneasiness in camp

about their Safety.

Sept 20th 1846 About midnight our scouts came in all safe they having after dark went all round their fortifycations and took a few prisoners. Monteray is fortified very Strong and the Mexican forces are variously estimated at from 10 to 20 thousand strong. Genl Taylor's force is 6500 men all told our men are very sanguine and eager for the conflict. This afternoon Genl Worth was ordered to take up his position on the Saltillo Road in the rear of the city to prevent the Mex icans retreating. His force is about 16 or 17 hundred regular troops and one Regiment making about 2000 men. In encamping for the night our men was fired upon by the Mexican Cava lry and Infantry that were in the corn fields but they done no damage only

befor it exploded. Genl Worth and Staff were setting on his horse and 1 [?] 2 officers around him receiving orders for the night. Just as the Shell of the Mexicans came every one put spurs to his horse and dashed off in different directions to ex cape the explosion. I was setting down by the Cemetery at the time with waiting for one of the waggons to ride out to camp. My feet was so badly galled and sore that I could hardly walk so I sat still and amused myself by the dashing off of the officers and admiring the blazing shells.

Thursday Sept 24th

This Morning the firing from the house tops commenced again but a White flag made the appearance and a parley ensued. Genl Taylor came around to our side of the town with his staff and went to the Quarters of Genl Ampudia who surrendered the town. But the terms of capitulation were very unpopular with our men as they permitted the Mexicans to retain march off with their small arms and six pieces of artillery