Meanwhile  the  three  volunteer  regiments  under  General  Butler,
had  been  advancing  to  an  assault.  The  leading  brigade  under
Brigadier-General  Quitman,  preceded  by  three  companies  of  the
fourth  infantry,  continued  its  advance  upon  the  redoubt,  while  Butler
with  the  first  Ohio  regiment  entered  the  town  on  the  right.  The
latter  companies  had  advanced  within  short  range  of  the  work,  when
a  sudden  discharge,  from  the  enemy's  guns,  struck  down  nearly  one-
third  of  die  officers  and  men,  and  rendered  it  necessary  to  fall  back
upon  the  two  advancing  columns.  Unappalled  by  the  catastrophe  of
their  comrades,  as  well  as  by  their  own  severe  loss,  Quitman's  brigade
continued  to  advance,  and  carried  the  work  together  with  the  strong
building  in  its  rear.  Three  officers,  twenty-seven  privates,  five
pieces  of  artillery  and  a  supply  of  ammunition,  was  the  reward  of
the  conquerors.
Butler,  in  the  meantime,  had  entered  ihe  town  with  the  first  Ohio


STORMING  OF  MONTEREY.  117

re^ment ;  but  he  here  received  an  order  from  General  Taylor  to
return,  in  consequence  of  not  being  able  to  accomplish  any  thinjr  in
front ;  but  upon  the  reception  of  intelligence  that  the  Mexican  redoubt
had  surrendered,  this  order  was  almost  immediately  countermanded.
BiUler  then  entered  the  town  at  a  point  further  to  the  left,  and  marched
in  the  direction  of  the  enemy's  second  battery  ;  but  while  making  an
examination  in  order  to  ascertain  the  possibility  of  carrying  this  work,
he  was  wounded,  and  soon  after  left  the  field.  On  account  of  lliis
accident,  together  with  the  known  force  of  the  enemy,  it  was  thought
advisable  to  withdraw  the  troops.
Portions  of  the  various  rco-iments  engaged,  were  now  under  cover
of  the  captured  batter v  and  some  buildings  on  its  front  and  right.
