command
under Gen. Taylor, his full share in the arduous duties and
responsibilities incurred in that important movement. The narrative of
Major Thomas, senior assistant adjutant-general of the army in Mexico,
and hence assigned by Gen. Taylor to the staff of Gen. Butler, reports
so plainly and modestly the part which Gen. Butler performed in
subjecting the city, that it may well stand for history. This passage
is taken from it.

"The army arrived at their camp in the vicinity of
Monterey about noon September 19th. That afternoon
the general endeavored by personal observation to
get information of the enemy's position. He, like
Gen. Taylor, saw the importance of gaining the road
to Saltillo, and fully favored the movement of Gen.
Worth's division to turn their left, &c. Worth
marched Sunday, September 20th, for this purpose,
thus leaving Twiggs' and Butler's divisions with
Gen. Taylor. Gen. Butler was also in favor of
throwing his division across the St. John's river,
and approaching the town from the east, which was
at first determined upon. This was changed, as it
would leave but one, and perhaps the smallest
division, to guard the camp, and attack in front.
The 20th the general also reconnoitered the enemy's
position. Early the morning of the 21st the force
was ordered out to create a diversion in favor of
Worth, that he might gain his position; and before
our division came within long range of the enemy's
principal battery, the foot of Twiggs' division had
been ordered down to the northeast side of the
town, to make an armed reconnoisance of the
advanced battery, and to take it if it could be
done without great loss. The volunteer division was
scarcely formed in rear of our howitzer and mortar
battery, established the night previous under cover
of a rise of ground, before the infantry sent down
to the northeast side of the town became closely
and hotly engaged, the batteries of that division
were sent down, _and we were then ordered to
support the attack._ Leaving the Kentucky regiment
to support the mortar and howitzer battery, the
general rapidly put in march, by a flank movement,
the other three re