Statement of Captain Douglas Hancock Cooper of Company B* Mississippi Volunteers in Regard to the Battle of Monterrey, September 21, 1846.

(From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.)

The Brigade under Gen Quitman approached the round fort, near the distillery at the South Eastern corner of Monterey, by a file movement by the left flank. The column formed by the Missi. Regt. filed to the right, and then formed by company into line, the left file of each arriving first upon the line. The fire upon the fort commenced upon the left of the Regt. and was taken up successively by each company as it arrived on the line. Being in command of the extreme right of the Regt. I arrived on the line after the firing had commenced.

My company formed, fired, and by some mistake of the men fell back perhaps ten paces, loaded, and were again brought up to the former position & fired obliquely to the left at the fort. The noise, and confusion at this time was great, and I could not hear any command from the field officers, but observing a forward movement, I gave the command to advance, which was executed rapidly. When I arrived close enough to the breastwork to see anything distinctly the first thing I observed was Col. McClung waving his sword upon the fort. I called out to my men to hurry in, pointing to Col. McClung. When I reached the ditch, the Missi Riflemen were running into the fort, many of my men were in the fort before I could get over the ditch, and up the embankment. When I jumped into the fort men from different companies of our Regt. were pouring in from all sides, and around on the embankment. I passed on immediately out at the rear of the round fort, and on to the right across the branch which runs between the distillery and the 3d fort, with some of my own company, & some of other companies of the Regt. inclining to the right, up the creek or ditch under the hill upon which the 3d fort stands.

I have no recollection of seeing any soldiers but the riflemen in the fort when I passed through it, and do not believe any others got in before the enemy were driven out by the Missi. Riflemen. Those immediately with me were close upon the heels of the Mexicans firing upon them as they ran over to the 3d fort & into the bushes along the creek. After recrossing the creek, about where I previously crossed it, some few, perhaps 20 riflemen were conducted by Col. Davis to the right still further, until we reached the corner, where the first street to the right of the fort, intersects the road leading from the distillery to the right. I posted the Riflemen behind a house, and wall within a garden on the corner. A considerable number of regular troops, and a portion of Gen. Hamer's command had by this time collected in the lane near the corner. The Mexican guns raked the street on our right. Col. Davis endeavored to prevail upon the officers in command of the troops with which we were thrown to charge the battery on our right, under cover of the fire of our rifles. But we were ordered out, and retired across the street, and into the fields without again returning to the fort. We were exposed to the fire of the cannon in crossing the fields, and were threatened with a charge from the Mexican cavalry. After remaining for a considerable time exposed to fire from the forts, towards evening the remainder of the Mississippi Regiment under Maj. Bradford joined Col Davis. We were then ordered to go to the relief of Gen. Taylor at the fort, and distillery. After advancing part of the way under a raking fire from the enemy's Forts, we were ordered to retire to Camp. Having crossed the range of the cannon I think four times, in marching and countermarching across the fields. (Signed)

D. H. Cooper¹            

Comdg. Co. "B" 1st Missi Vols.

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* Company B, Wilkinson Volunteers—Capt. D. H. Cooper, Lieutenants Carnot Posey, James Calhoun, Sam R. Harrison.

¹ Cooper, Douglas H., a soldier, was a resident of Mississippi at the opening of the civil war, was sent by the Confederate Government to form alliances with the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, and Chickasaws. He was colonel of a Choctaw-Chickasaw regiment under General Albert Pike, at the battle of Pea Ridge, in 1862, and was promoted brigadier general May 2, 1863. At the second invasion of Missouri by Sterling Price, he was entrusted with the operations against Fort Smith and Fort Gibson, in cutting off communications. His command was composed of the 1st Choctaw and Chickasaw, the 2nd Choctaw, the 1st and 2nd Cherokee, 1st and 2nd Creek, and Cherokee, Seminole and Creek battalions, Howell's Texas Battery. He settled in the Indian Territory and died there about 1867.

SOURCE: Dunbar Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, pp. 116-8

Colonel Jefferson Davis to Brigadier General John A. Quitman,* September 26, 1846

(From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.)

Monterey. 26th Sept. 1846.

Gen Quitman,

        Comdg 2d Brig. 1st Div. Vols,

Sir, In conformity with your instructions I have the honor to report such facts in relation to the conduct of the Regiment of Missi. Riflemen on the 21st and 23d Insts. as came under my immediate observation, and will add such explanations as may seem necessary. When on the morning of the 21st the 1st Division was drawn up in order of battle before the city of Monterey, you will remember that the position of the Regt. under my command was thought to be too much exposed, and that it was detached to the left. Separated from the division, I did not hear the orders by which it was put in motion, but seeing the other Regt. of your Brigade, (Col Campbell's) moving towards the enemy, I ordered the Missi. Riflemen to advance by the left of the Battalion and follow it.

Thus when the Regts. of your Brigade were united their natural order was inverted. In this order under a cross fire of artillery, we advanced in front of the fort upon our left, to a point within the range of the enemys musketry but beyond the effective fire of our rifles. Under your orders to fill an interval which had been created upon my left, I ordered the Mississippi Riflemen to advance obliquely, by the left of companies to a line which I estimated as effectively near to the enemy, and then ordered the Battalion into line. The companies being directed when formed, to commence firing as in open order. In a few minutes the fire of the enemy had so far diminished as to indicate the propriety of a charge, and being without instructions, it was accordingly ordered. Lieut. Col. McClung sprung before his old company, and called on them to follow him. The call was promptly answered. In an instant the whole regiment rushed forward, the flanks converging to an open embrasure which lay nearly before our centre, and it became a contest of speed who first should reach the fort. The enemy fled from the rear sally porte as we entered the front, leaving behind him his artillery, a considerable number of muskets, his dead, and wounded. Passing immediately through the fort we found the enemy flying in disorder, some to a fortified stone building immediately in rear, others across the stream to the fort which stands beyond it. Our pursuit was so close that we reached the gate of the stone building before it was secured, and upon forcing it open the men inside fled behind the pilasters of the portico, and held up their hands in token of submission. An officer offered me his sword, and announced the surrender. I received it, and retired to select an officer to take charge of the prisoners, and receive their arms. Lieut Townsend of company "K" was directed to discharge this duty, and the pursuit of the enemy was immediately resumed. Leading those who had come up across the ford, we advanced within rifle range of the fort beyond the stream, and opened a fire upon such of the enemy as showed themselves above the wall, the intention being to storm the fort as soon as a sufficient number of our regiment came up. In this position we received no fire from the enemy's artillery, and his musketry had not proved destructive up to the time when I was ordered to retire. Until after we withdrew I knew nothing of the position, or cooperation of the forces on our right. In accordance with my instructions, and expecting to find the main body of my Regt. I passed up the street to our right, with the force just withdrawn across the stream. We soon became mingled with other troops which we found along the wall, and after rallying my command for a forward movement, I found it much reduced. Capt. Cooper had kept, say twenty of his company together;

with these, and about ten others of our Regt. I advanced until we met with Capt. Field of the U. S. Army, who led me to a point where he had discovered a considerable body, probably one hundred of the enemy; on our approach they fled beyond a street which was enfiladed by the fire of a strong party sheltered behind the Tête du Pont of the principal bridge.

Capt. Cooper with the party accompanying us was posted in an interior building to act as sharp shooters against the men of the Tête du Pont, until we should be sufficiently reinforced for more offensive operations. After a brief period we were joined by Major Mansfield, of the U. S. Engineers, with a small party of the 1st infantry under his command. Whilst the men were resting we reconnoitred the position and decided on a plan of attack. At this instant we were joined by Gen. Hamer with a portion of his brigade; and from him we received orders to retire, as I was afterwards informed to give protection to a battery of artillery, threatened by Lancers, in the rear.

In the meantime a few individuals, but no organised portion of my regiment had joined me, and we followed in rear of Gen. Hamer's column. After having proceeded the half of a mile or more, the enemy's cavalry appeared on our left and the troops in front began to close and form on a chaparral fence in advance of us. The men under my command had undergone such severe fatigue that their movements were necessarily slow, and some of them fell behind. A party of Lancers dashed forward to attack the rear. I ordered the Riflemen to face about, and returned to the relief of our comrades. The movement was readily executed, and though the files were in loose order their effective fire soon drove the enemy back leaving several dead behind him.

Soon after this, I was joined by Maj. Bradford with the portion of our Regt. which had served under his orders a great part of the day, and for whose conduct during that period, I refer to Maj. Bradford's report accompanying this statement. We were now on the ground where for the third time during the day we had been under the cross fire of the enemy's batteries; when I learned from you the position of another portion of my Regt. and received your orders to join, and consolidate it. Were I to mention all the instances of gallantry, and soldierly firmness which came under my observation, this statement would extend beyond a convenient limit.

I saw no exhibition of fear, no want of confidence, but on every side the men who stood around me were prompt, and willing to execute my orders. I cannot omit to mention the

gallant bearing of Lieut. Col. McClung.¹ At the storming of the fort, he first mounted the parapet, and turning to the Regt. waved his sword over his head in token of the triumph of our arms; leaving him in that position to cheer the men on to further danger, it was my misfortune soon after to lose his services. At the fortified stone building he was dangerously wounded.

I must also mention Lieut. Patterson who sprung into the open embrasure as Col. McClung mounted parapet, and fired the first American piece within the work of the enemy. Capt. Downing in whom is happily combined the qualities of a leader, and commander, was severely wounded whilst (among the foremost) cheering his company to the charge, and I felt severely the loss of his services. Corpl. Grisham of Capt. Taylor's company "I" fell near me, after we had crossed the stream and were advancing upon the fort beyond it. He had fired his rifle several times, and was advancing-firing with exemplary intrepidity, when he fell pierced by two wounds, and died as he had fought, calmly, silently, and with his eye upon the foe. Lieut. Calhoun attracted my attention by the gallantry with which he exposed himself, and the efforts he made to shelter others.

Pleased with the enthusiasm and dashing spirit of all, I was yet more struck with instances of coolness, which verged upon indifference to danger, but which the limits of this communication will not allow me specially to notice.

Subjoined is a list of the killed, and wounded in the action of the 21st Sept. 1846

Very Respectfully

Jeffn. Davis

Col. Missi. Rifins.

note

A condensed statement of the casualties of the 21st 22d & 23d will be appended, instead of the separate lists.

J. D.

Endorsed:

        No. 1

                Col. Davis' report of the transactions of the 21st Sept. 1846

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* In command of brigade of which Col. Davis' regiment was a part.

¹ McClung, Alexander Keith, a soldier and lawyer, and a nephew of Chief Justice Marshall, was born in Fauquier County, Va. He was educated in Kentucky, entered the navy and settled in Mississippi in 1832 where he opened a law office. He was a Whig in politics, but was never in an important office. About 1844 he established a Whig newspaper, the True Issue, at Jackson. During the Mexican War he served as Lieutenant Colonel of Jefferson Davis's regiment. He died by his own hand about 1857.

SOURCE: Dunbar Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, pp. 103-6