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

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

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