Z. Matthews' Diary

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Diary written by Z. W. Matthews during his service as a private in the War of 1846 with Mexico. Matthews served under Captain C[hristopher]. B. Acklin's Company B of Col. John C. Hays' First Texas Mounted Riflemen. The diary begins with mention of leaving to join Gen. Taylor's army on the Rio Grande and includes descriptions of the Siege of Monterrey and the taking of the Bishop's Palace. Dates: n.d., 1846, 1849, 1887

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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

Last edit over 12 years ago by rscottpatrick
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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

Last edit over 12 years ago by rscottpatrick
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wounding one man. Sept 21st 1846

This morning about 1000 or 1500 of the Mexican Lancers charged our lines 2 of our compy were mounted and the balance was stationed behind the brush fence to do sharp shooting. On they came, our men receiving the charge and repulsed them with a loss of 100 killed and wounded. Our men was supported by the Infantry and as soon as the Mexicans had retreated up the hill high enough Capt Duncan opened his battery of flying artillery upon them by firing over our mens heads with consider able effect. An Order having been received by Maj Chevallier for the 2nd Battalion of Reg Our loss was one Killed and several wounded. The Col of the Lancers was killed.

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An order was received by Maj Chevallie from Col Hays for the remainder of the Regt to join him with out delay. We left a few men to takecare of the camp and started for the Regt. We had to pass within range of two their Batteries for 1 mile. They firing upon us all the time but doing no damage their shot falling short or going over our heads.

Nothing could be done towards attacking the city without taking the two heights and the Bishops Palace. The first heights having two Batteries upon it. We moved back out of range of their shot. We halted and got something to eat Five Companies of our Regiment was dismounted with as many regulars and marched to bring on the attack which they done. The Mexicans advanced down the hill and commenced firing upon them at the distance of

Last edit over 10 years ago by rscottpatrick
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six hundred yards. Our men advanced within rifle shot when the Mexicans gave way. The 2nd Battalion was then marched to reinforce with several compy's of Infantry. The Mexicans having abandoned the first battery and retreated to the 2nd and we joined the 1st Battalion and made a charge upon the 2nd Battery they pouring the grape and round shot at us without much damage to us. When we got near their breast works they retreated down the hill in confusion. We then gave them a parting salute by pouring it into their backs. As soon as the Mexicans had got into the valley they let loose their artillery from the Bishops palace on us. We returned their fire with their own guns and amunition having taken 3 fine pieces and plenty of amunation neither doing any damage. We returned to our horses and encamped at a ranch. We being very tired hungry and tired and wet from wading the river and ditches. We turn ed in with a good will. We cooked plenty of roasting ears of corn

Last edit over 12 years ago by rscottpatrick
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