Letter, DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his father, General Henry Floyd-Jones, Monterey, Mexico, November 19, 1846

[Letter written from 1st Lieutenant DeLancey Floyd-Jones of the 4th U.S. Infantry to his father, Major General Henry Floyd-Jones, concerning the Battle of Monterrey]

Monterey, Mexico Nov. 17. 46.

Dear Father

I have been waiting very patiently indeed for a letter from home, but none comes. It has been nearly three months since I left New York and not a word have I heard from any of my relations or friends. It would almost seem that they intended to cut my acquaintance, and why I can't imagine. I certainly have done my share. The fault is not with me. I have written from every town that I stopped, and among so many letters some certainly must have hit Long Island. And I believe that if they have been received, some one has taken pity upon me and dropped me a line and its nonarrival is due to the mails in this country, which are exceedingly irregular, much more so even than is necessary if proper attentions were paid to them. . . . You have doubtless received long before this our [2] official account of the late Battle at Monterey, and what little I shall be able to say will not be of much interest. It has, however, one recommendation[: ] you can rely upon its truth for I have obtained all my information from those who participated in the sport, and there can be no doubt of its correctness. A very rough sketch taken in some five or ten minutes accompanying the explanation will make it a little more plain.

The army under command of General Taylor encamped on the morning of the 19th at the point marked "K" it being as near the town as it was possible to approach without being out of reach of water. It is about four miles from Monterey and a most lovely spot, a large shady grove of trees through which runs a beautiful stream, and there are several cool springs in the vicinity. There could not be finer camping ground and those regiments that are not quartered in town are encamped on the same ground they chose before the battle. During the whole of the 19th reconnoitering parties were sent out with orders to approach as near to the enemy's works as practicable. These parties were accompanied by our Engineer Officer, whose object was to get information of the strength and position of their works. This reconnoitering was kept up until the afternoon of the 20th, when everything preparatory to an attack had been completed viz, the provision trains and ammunition waggons had been brought up. The troops had become [3] refreshed after their march, and two or three days provisions had been issued to them. On the afternoon of the 20th Worth's division consisting of the 7th Infantry, the Artillery Battalion, and the 5th and 8th Infantry, Duncan's and Mackle's light batteries of six pounders and a volunteer reg. of Texans commenced moving and, on the night of the 20th encamped at the position "A" out of the reach of the enemy's guns. At daylight on the 21st they were again put in motion and when they reached the point "B," they were within range of the guns from "F" which is a small fort made of sand bags and armed with two pieces. It is about 800 feet above the plain below his command of the Saltillo road and of the fort "G" on the same hill ("Independence Hill") in front of it. Fortunately for our troops they received but little injury from this point. The only damage that did was the destruction of some two or three baggage waggons at "I," which is just at the foot of one of the ridges of the "Sierra Madre." The head of the column was charged by some 800 cavalry. Duncan's Battery and the Artillery Battalion received the charge and returned the compliment by a shower of grape and musketry, which put them completely to route. Some thirty or forty took to the river, which you see near the Saltillo road, and escaped to Town. The remainder escaped on the road to Saltillo road and has not been heard of since. Their loss in this charge was very severe. The Texans deployed a light infantry and, concealed behind shaperal [sic] bushes, killed at every shot. [4] Our troops kept up the march until they reached midway between "I" and "C" when they were halted, sheltering themselves behind hedges and anything that served as a protection. Previous to this however Duncan's Battery had been placed on the Hill at "I" and kept up a fire over the fort at "D" but with little effect. The Fort at "D" is constructed similar to that at "F" and at about the same elevation as it, 800 feet above the plain below. The guns from this Fort annoyed our troops exceedingly. They had the range on the point where our men were stationed that they struck some one quite often, and for that reason it was necessary for us to take it. It was from a six pound shot fired from this fort that killed McGaret, a Lieut. in the Texas Rangers and as brave a man as ever breathed. He was very much beloved by his men and his loss much felt. In order to take this Fort, the Artillery battalion under command of Col. Shields was ordered around in rear of it. His route was the direction indicated by a curve one point of which is at "L." When he approached near the field and reached the position "M", he discovered a large body of Cavalry and thought it impracticable to advance without a reinforcement. He sent back to Worth to discover how he would proceed, and Worth sent forward the 7th Inftry as a supporting party. It crossed the river at the point marked "R" under a heavy fire from the side of the hill which was covered with troops and as each man let himself down into the stream and crossed some five or six shots would be made at him. [A]nd in this manner the whole regiment crossed the stream and sheltered themselves under the side of a rock until they could be formed and what is perfectly miraculous, not a single shot took effect. All the officers say it is perfectly wonderful how they all escaped. I suspect they learnt the art of dodging so well in Fort Brown that they dodged at the flash of the musket. The 7th and Artillery Battalion then joined and jointly took the Hill, although the Artillery claim that honor entirely. From the fort "D", they advanced on "E" and drove [5] the Mexicans from it. [I]n these two Forts they found two or three guns, one of which was taken farther up on the ridge to the position "H." This was done by the 5th Inftry and a sufficient force was left to man and protect it. The remainder of the regiment together with the Art. Battalion was ordered down to assist the 8th Infy, which was to attack the Fort at "F." [D]uring the night of the 21st the 8th Infy approached within 30 yards of the Fort and at daylight stormed it. The Mexicans seemed perfectly astonished when it opened its fire on them, and only stood to fire a few shots when they retreated into the Bishop's Palace at "A." The Bishop's Palace is an old pile having the appearance of having been a splendid structure in its day but now much dilapidated. [I]t has a very commanding position overlooking the whole town and is protected in front by a priest cap, a small fort. This the enemy used against our troops but without any effect. The 5th Infy soon managed to get a Howitzer in the fort they had just abandoned and every shell took effect in the Palace and soon made it too hot for them. They came out and charged on the fort at "F" thinking they could drive us from the hill. [W]e permitted them to advance within about fifty yards when our troops gave a tremendous cheer and rushed over them. They immediately turned on their heels and put back for the palace, but our troops were so close on them that we entered the walls with them and instead of stopping to give us a welcome, they kept on down the Hill and retreated to town. Now we had them pretty securely. The Heights "D," "E," "F," "G," and "H" were [6] in our possession and by means of Howitzers, they were soon driven from the part of town nearest Independence Hill, and the Second Division commenced its entrance into town[.] The whole command was deployed as light infantry and covered our extensive front[.] They marched in this way through the suburbs. Progressing through orange groves and gardens and the trees being loaded with ripe fruit, it was a difficult matter that the officers could prevent the men from sitting down coolly to eat oranges. They permitted them to fill their haver sacks, but they wanted to stop and take it comfortably during the whole time too. The Mexicans were firing at them from the housetops. [A]fter they came within reach of the Barricades it was necessary for them to leave the streets for behind each Barricade a six pounder was placed, which swept the street from one end to the other, and they kept them firing constantly. [I]f a single man showed himself a discharge of grape would be sent after him. By the night of the 23rd , the Second Division had advanced some distance in the Town, each party having made its way by digging through the walls of the houses which are made of a soft-stone and mortar. [O]n the morning of the twenty-third they again commenced work and advanced towards the Main Plaza, which was gradually being filled by the retreating Mexicans. [A]bout ten in the morning the mortar was removed from the position first indicated and placed at the point marked "T," which is some distance in the Town and near the Mexican semetery [sic]. This mortar commenced fireing and at the second shot struck in the Main Plaza and on the explosion of the shell a tremendous shriek was given which led us to infer that it did good execution. Some three or four shells were thrown from this position, our troops still advancing and by the night of the twenty-third they had reached within two or three blocks of the Main Plaza, where nearly the whole Mexican army had assembled. [I]n the digging through the houses the Texans took the lead. They daily had experience in this mode of fighting. [7] The 7th Infantry was not far behind, and when the flag of truce was sent out they were a little in advance of the other troops. The white flag was sent out on the morning of the 24th, but it was Ampudia's wishes to have it taken out on the night of the 23rd. It had become too worn for his Lordship, but he could find no one to take it. They all said that it could not be seen in the night and that anyone who attempted it would lose his life. I shall return now to the other Division of the Army and give a brief account of its route. It is natural to be supposed that I should not be so well informed on its route as the ones I have just described as my regiment was not there, and my information is mainly derived from officers of it. Besides, they did not do half the execution that Worth's division did and lost more men.

The other portions of the Army did not leave Camp until the morning of the 21st. It left behind a strong guard for the Camps and nearly all the Second Dragoons. It continued on the road marked Marin until it arrived within about two miles of the town[.] It then divided into two divisions, one marching towards the fort marked "No.3" and the other going around by the direction marked "W." Fort "No. 3" was taken by the Mississippi Volunteers with the assistance of one company of the regulars 1st infantry. Forts No. 1 and 2 were successfully taken, and it was here that the blunder was made. It was only intended for a demonstration, the attack on "No. 3", but instead of that, the troops made an attack and as [8] the command was made up of regulars and Volunteers that had never been tried[.] The moral effect that it would have upon them had we retreated and taken up an other position, that in future we would have had nothing but retreats, and they therefore were ordered to advance. Our chief loss (and the regulars lost more than any others) was when they were advancing in the Town. Nearly a whole regiment was collected in one spot and it was exposed to the fire of one of their guns behind a barricade. It was the 3rd infry.

This, Father, is a brief account of the battles at Monterey as far as I have been able to inform myself, and I will vouch for what I have stated. Worth, you see most certainly, won the battle and brought the town to a capitulation and may well be called the hero of Monterey. He is now on his way to Saltillo with the same division that he entered town with, excepting the 7th and Mackles Light Battery, and if Santa Ana is anxious to have a brush, I haven't the slightest doubt that he will deprive him of the pleasure. What will become of the rest of us, no one knows. Some say remain here, others that we will go to Tampico. General Taylor, I understand, has been given discretionary power in the matter. He is now with Worth just to take a look at Saltillo. He returns in a few days, when I suspect [9] our destination will be fixed. We are still the Guard of the Town and try to keep them in good order. The volunteers give us a good deal of trouble and when they are noisy if we attempt to gag and hush them they make a great fuss but it does not prevent us. They all acted very well in the late affair and deserve a good deal of credit. They would doubtless be much more efficient were their sub-officers better[.] Their field officers generally are good but their line very indifferent, and the contrast between the two sets in the Volunteers and regulars is very great.

As you are an admirer of Worth, a little anecdote that occurred the other day may be interesting. The General called in his orderly, who was a little [illegible] , and told him to go and see if the mail had arrived. He returned and reported that it had. Is it open asked the General? Those were not my orders replied the orderly. [G]o and see if it is open then. The orderly returned and reported that it was open. [A]re there any letters for me?, asked Worth. Those were not my orders, he answered. Go and see if there are any, and the General burst out into a laugh. He knew the cause. He gets so himself sometimes. In future, direct to the 7th Infantry, Army of Invasion, as we may be sent from here and that direction will do in any case. Tell all to do the same. Give them [10] my best love. Send me all the letters and papers you can spare. Write immediately and do believe [I] am your
affect. son D. F. Jones

[11] P.S. We shall reach Victoria about the 25th of this month, perhaps later depending upon the nature of the road[.] I may write on the march and inform you what are the prospects for a battle. Give the same directions to all my friends that I have given you in the beginning of my letter.

Yours,

D.F. Jones

Dear Sis,       Monterey Mexico Decbe 7th 46

This rose and flower is from "General Arista's garden." I have at last received a letter from home, a real bona fide letter; I scarcely could believe my eyes when I saw it. I almost thought such an event impossible, but it is truly so. And you can scarcely imagine my delight when I saw it. I had been visiting the Post Office in vain for nearly two months, and on this memorable occasion I went merely out of form. I however am wrong in blaming any one for it but myself. I might have given you the proper direction before I left but I supposed then some direction, [a] half mile long was necessary in order to keep a letter straight on its way to this Country. But I find it is very simple and the more the better and in future direct to me, 7th Infantry, United States Army, Mexico. This direction will hold good as long as I remain in the 7th and before I am promoted I will notify all my friends to what Regiment. Unless you should see my promotion published before I, in which case you can make the direction correspond to the regiment. No other direction is so permanent as this if you direct to any town. I may be [illegible] and off long before the letter reaches me. I no doubt have some half dozen letters on the way here that I shalt not receive for some time after they get here as we leave for Victoria (or some [12] place in that neighborhood) before the end of the week.

Victoria is on the road to Tampico and about 200 miles from here. The road has never been travelled by any thing than pack mules and mounted men, but from all I can learn it is pretty good. We leave here with about 2,000 troops, one half regulars. General Patterson will leave Camargo about the same time and join us at Victoria. [H]is force I do not know, but think it is much greater. We do not anticipate any fighting, although there is a report that there are some six thousand Mexicans there. Whether they will wait to welcome us remains to be seen. I imagine not. If they are cowardly enough to leave Monterey, my inference is a very natural one. General Taylor goes with us to be present at the ceremony should they desire a union but returns again and makes his Head Qtrs at Saltillo, and I believe it is his intention of throwing forward the second regiment of Dragoons one hundred and fifty miles over the road to San Luis. As soon as he has done so, if Santa Ana should suddenly come down on them, there would be some tall running until they reached Saltillo, when I think it would be someone else's turn. I have conversed with one or two officers that have been to Saltillo and they speak of it in very high terms, and as being a town of more importance than this. General Worth has declared [13] himself Governor of the town and decides all cases both of civil and military character. The governor left as soon as Worth entered. Doubtless he knew of his superiority and did not wish to go through the formalities of a resignation. In that you see that our manner of electing Governors is more expeditious and less expensive than most of the Governors [who] are elected in the States. You had better recommend the practice to some of the Ambitious politicians of New York.

How I shall succeed in my march to Victoria, I do not know, but I have no doubt that I shall come out finely. It is my intention of walking this time, notwithstanding I have a horse of my own that I might ride should I choose, but it encourages the men so much more for the officers to endure the same hardships that they have to that I think we ought to walk. And as the cook of our mess has to both cater and cook for us when we stop, I think I shall turn my pony over to him during the tramp. My camp bed is the same that I brought from home, that large comfortable [one] and one blanket. I can tumble down on that after the day's march and sleep as sweetly and soundly as I ever did. There is nothing like a little work to make one sleep any how or any where. A rock is just as good as a Feather Pillow when you get used to it, and I shan't grumble as long as the Government [14] indulges me in such Luxuries as these. I have enjoyed excellent health ever since I came to the country and nothing has occurred to prevent my enjoying myself, using that word in certain limits. You, I suppose, are spending a pleasant winter with your city-friends. I wish I could be with you. I would have preferred spending this winter in New York than any other. From the number of pleasant friends that I made during the summer, I must have passed a fine time; it seems to me that I must have been very fortunate for of all my lady acquaintances of the summer, I could scarcely make a choice, all were agreeable, pleasant, and kind. To use a common expression, I must have been in luck. I hope that your health is improving (I thought when I left you did not appear well), and that a winter in New York will make you yourself again. I hope that you will give me a good account in the next. Nell's cold, poor girl, I pray has left her long before this and like yourself she is enjoying herself in town. Mother I hope is well. She is I know accustomed to nervous attacks during the winter and I feel anxious to hear from her. Hall, poor fellow, I hope you have found some remedy for and is improving. Cate must be at school. Give her my love and a blowing up if she don't write me. Say to Lolly, with whom I imagine you are staying, that I feel it is almost time for me to call her cousin, and at the rapid rate in which my affection is increasing I should not be astonished if I sent her a letter. To that lady who is to send me a postscript, say that I should be delighted with it, but more so if she made it longer. Give my love to Julia, Cousin C. Matd., Mrs. Hicks, Ebby, Miss Jo Ann, Cousin May and my other Lady Friends. I expect cousin C. Nicoll has a funny little affair to tell you. My love to Bob Renwich and brother, Bill Laurence and all my friends. Say to them all that a letter from them all would be welcome and cheering in this unfriendly land. And now to you, dear sister, I bid good bye, hoping that you are enjoying good health and spirits.

D. F. Jones