Death reigned supreme: we stood aghast; but not a man gave way,
Though never yet was fight so fought as that at Monterey.
Sudden! arose a cry—a yell! and we saw our banners wave
Over Fort Teneria’s summit: God! what a shout we gave!
Quitman and his brigade were there, and the enemy’s flag went down,
As, with another rallying cry, we hurried through the town:
Fort Diablo’s guns received us, and one third our columns lay
Gasping—wounded—dying—dead—in the streets of Monterey.
The rest grew sick at heart; but we closed our ranks and dashed
Onward, with cheers, as all around our enemies’ muskets flashed;