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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and had a fine feast of them.

We had several killed and wounded today one capt of artillery was Killed with a 12 pound shot at the distance of a mile.

Tuesday Sept 22nd 1846

At 3 oclock this morning we went to marched for the 2nd height. The object of starting so early was to avoid the raking of the artillery from the Bishops Palace and the height. We arrived at the foot of the height just at day light when we commenced the ascent climbing up We got within about 50 Yds before the Mexicans opened their fire upon us. When we raised the Yell and made a charge They poured their fire into us for ten minutes when they gave way and retreated into the Bishops palace about 400 Yds down the hill. They then opened

Last edit over 12 years ago by rscottpatrick
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opened a fire of round and grape shot at us. We laying down behind the ledges of rock were entirely protected from their shot as the distance was to great for Rifle shot. We waited to sent for a howitzer from Capt Duncan's Battery Which we pulled up the hill by hand and change the sand bags over the other side as a breast work to it and commenced throwing Shells into the palace. The Battery on the other height throwing round shot at the same time. We lay in our positions until two oclock when we made a charge on the Palace The Mexicans retreating into town. We found that our shells had done considerable execution. The Mexicans had spiked their cannon before leaving. (one being dismounted by a shot from our battery on the other height) but we got it out bef and gave them a few rounds before they were out of reach the shot.

Last edit over 12 years ago by rscottpatrick
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We returned to camp tired and hungry as usual. Encamped in the same position as we did last night the train being moved up to the Palace. Capt Gillespie was mortal received a mortal wound in the pit of the stomach. Several regulars was Killed and wounded. Wednesday 23rd Sept 1846

This Morning a part of our Division was ordered by Genl Worth under Command of Genl Brown to take possession of the Mill 3 miles up the pass for the purpose of driving back any reinforc ments of Mexicans that were coming. (We having hear that a large reinforcment of Mexicans were near The force consisted of maybe 1 or 2 piec [artillery and 500 Regulars (up the rt margin)] The Cavalry left the place. The regulars fortified the place in short order by pulling down stone fences and building breast works between the houses and also cutting holes in the walls of the houses for the Infantry to fire

Last edit over 12 years ago by rscottpatrick
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from. A part of our company went out to reconoiter but discovered nothing.

We remained here about 2 hours when an express came for our Regt come to town as Genl Worth had comm enced the attack on the City. We leaving about 60 men as lookouts for Genl Brown On the arrival of our Regt in Town Genl Worth sent for the [Rmanider?] of the force at the Mill so that he could operate more efectually in Town. Our troops cut their way through the houses to the Mex icans then commenced firing upon one another from the tops of the houses the firing Our artiller had advanced down the streets and were busy throwing shells and grape shot into the Mexicans. Dark stoped the firing. A part of our regiment remained in their places in town the balance went out to take care of the horses. Our large 13 inch Mortar was planted in the cemeting in the upper plaza and just at dark commenced throwing shells at the cathedral near which the Mexicans were. It was a beautiful sight to see the blazing shell flying trough the air. But the firing of our Mortar attracted the attention the Mexican Mortar at the black fort. They threw a shell at us but it went past our heads us several hundred Yards

Last edit about 11 years ago by trk
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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

Last edit over 10 years ago by rscottpatrick
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