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pether with mules, camp equipage, and ammunition. The garrison was computed at fifteen hundred, and its loss was severe. The Americans had eighteen wounded-two mortally. The guns of both forts were immediately turned upon the Bishop's Palace, which was separated by a valley of several hundred yards width. The evening was dark and chilly; and soon after the troops lay down, rain commenced pouring in torrents, attended by heavy thunder and lightning. Exposed to this storm, without food or shelter, lay the weary assailants of Federation Hill, during the night of the 21st.

Severe as had been the labours of this day, they were understood by all to be but the prelude of more terrible ones on the following day. The heights on Independence Hill were still occupied by the enemy, and the works by which it was surrounded were to all appearances impregnable. The hill itself is between seven and eight hundred feet high, and not only the most inaccessible height from its almost perpendicular ascent-covered as it is with ledges of rotk, some four or five feet high, and low, thick, thorny bushes—but also the most important, as commanding all the western approaches, and by a gradual descent from the crest of the hill of about three hundred and fifty or four hundred yards, south-east course along the ridge, leading to the Bishop's Palace, which it also commands and overlooks, thus forming a key to the entrance of Monterey on the western side. The height was defended by a piece of artillery, and during the night a large reinforcement had been thrown forward from the Bishop's Palace.

The troops destined to carry these heights were roused from sleep at three A. M. of the 22d. The thunder-storm of the previous evening still lingered, the sky was concealed by a curtain of clouds, and a dense mist pervaded the atmosphere. This circumstance was favourable to the Americans, as their main hope lay in surprising the enemy. Their party consisted of three companies of the artillery battalion; three companies of the 8th infantry, and seven companies of the Texas rangers, under Hays and Walker. The whole, exclusive of the officers, numbered four hundred and sixty-five men, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Childs.

Very soon after being formed, the Americans commenced their march, moving in column, until they reached the base of the hill. Then Captain Vinton, with a company of the 3d artillery, one of the 8th, and three companies of rangers under Walker, was detached to move as a left column up the north-west slope of the hill, while the remainder of the command, under their colonel, ascended on the south-west. The ascent was steep and difficult; but the assailants pushed forward vigorously, until within about one hundred yards

of the summit. Here a loud discharge announced that they were discovered; and as they pressed onward the noise grew with their advance until the hill rocked with the stunning peals. On reaching the fort, a short but fierce struggle ensued, which terminated in the utter discomfiture of the garrison. The fugitives fled towards the Bishop's Palace, carrying with them a piece of cannon. The Ameri cans on account of their exhausted condition did not pursue. During the ascent, two of their noblest spirits had fallen. Captain R. A. Gillespie, and Herman S. Thomas, of the rangers. The former had been the first man to enter Fort Soldada on the previous day.

FAVOURABLE position to play upon the palace was now taken by Lieutenant Roland, who opened his howitzer upon that pile with terrible effect. While this was going on, the advance was increased to six companies, and placed under charge of Captain Vinton. That skilful officer so disposed his troops as to provoke the enemy to sally upon his line, in which case he designed a bayonet charge, which would throw them into such confusion as would enable his men to enter the Palace with them. The event answered his expectation. A

heavy Mexican force poured from the works, and, forming in front of the principal gate, came down in one dense mass on the American infantry. The latter poured in a heavy fire, followed soon by the murderous rifle blast of the Texas rangers. Then followed the charge. The Mexicans were broken and chased down the sides of the hill in wild disorder; while the victors, rushing forward with loud shouts, entered the Palace before the gates could be closed. A short struggle ensued within the walls; but it ended, and the noise of battle gave way to the shout of victory. The Bishop's Palace was gained.

In this assault the Americans lost six killed and fifteen wounded; the enemy one hundred and eighty. The whole division, except the Texas rangers, moved up to the Palace, and spent the night within its walls. During the evening, the troops were employed in taking care of the wounded-the enemy's as well as their own.

Thus by a series of well planned and brilliant movements, in the face of obstacles which at first appeared insurmountable, General Worth had obtained full possession of three of the enemy's batteries,

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the stronghold of the Bishop's Palace, seven pieces of artillery, two standards, a large quantity of ammunition and intrenching tools, and what was of still greater importance, the entire occupation of the Saltillo road, and a complete command of all the western portion of the city of Monterey. He had established a reputation for bravery and generalship which would place him on a level with any officer in the army of occupation; and, indeed, much of the fame he has subsequently won, is owing to the effect produced upon himself by the operations at Monterey, and his anxiety to preserve unsullied the laurels which he there won.

GENERAL description of the defences of Monterey has already been given. It may not be uninteresting to recapitulate and specify more particularly, the principal points attacked by the first and third divisions of the American army.

The southern portion of the city is washed by the Arroyo San Juan, while the northern spreads out into open country. The east and west boundaries are parallel, running north-east. At the northern extremity of a street which runs through the centre of the city, meet the Pescaria, Monclova, and Marin roads. Between the two latter, some distance north of the city proper, is the citadel, a large quadrangular struc

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ture, built of stone, very strong, and commanding all the approaches to Monterey on the north. At the north-east extremity of the city enters the Guadalupe road. A little south of this, and in advance of the eastern wall, is Fort Teneria, mounting four guns; below this, Fort El Diablo, three guns, and still further south, other redoubts and lines of barricades. All these were to be carried before the Americans could, with security, commence their operations against the city proper.

On the night of the 20th, General Taylor placed in battery on the Marin road, a ten inch mortar, and two twenty-four pound howitzers, to open upon the town and citadel on the following morning, so as to favour the movement of the second division. On the 21st, after a camp guard of one company from each regiment had been appointed, the army, numbering thirty-five hundred, marched from camp towards the mortar battery. Here May's dragoons and the Texas rangers, under General Henderson, were thrown to the right, to reinforce Worth if necessary. A command of six hundred and forty-nine men, consisting of two regiments and a battalion, was placed under direction of Colonel Garland, for the purpose of diverting the garrison, and if possible carrying one of the strong holds. Accompanying this force, was the light artillery battery of Captain Bragg, and Major Mansfield, Captain Williams, and Lieutenant Pope of the engineers. Moving in a south-westerly direction, Colonel Garland crossed the Guadalupe road, and reached a secure place near the city, where he halted. Major Mansfield and Lieutenant Pope were sent in advance with two companies to make a reconnoissance. They had proceeded but a little distance, when they were fired upon from Fort Teneria; and immediately after a large body of lancers began skirmishing with muskets. To support the detachment, Garland pushed forward with his whole command, through a double fire from the fort and citadel, and was soon engaged with the lancers. Captain Bragg was ordered forward, and moving at full gallop through a terrible fire, he reached a narrow lane, and opened his artillery upon the fort and barricades. In answer to this, all the enemy's forts poured forth a terrific cannonade of grape, canister, and round shot, and the Americans melted away by scores. Amid this shower of death, the Americans rushed forward, until their loss became so great that the major was obliged to order a retreat. He himself was wounded, and scarcely an officer of the 3d regiment escaped unhurt. Among the most distinguished of those who fell, were Major Lear, commanding the 3d infantry, Major Barbour, Captains Field and Williams, and Lieutenant I. win. In the retreat, Captain Bragg lost several men, besides four horses killed and seven