30

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