The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-06
Court OF Inquiry In the Case OF General
Gaines, &c.

|
| Foar MONROE, Old Point Comfort
August 4, 1916.
The Court met at 10 o'clock precisely and dense
peared in full uniform and did Gen. Gaines, his Aid
de.camp Lieut. Calhoun, together with several military
The original letter of Gen Gaines to the government
dated on Soth April 1916, asking for aid raise fifty
baalions of volunteers to assist Gen Taylor and also
commenting on the resignation of Gen Worth. put
in and recorded Letters OF correspondence with the
government the subject of raising volunteers aid
Gen. Taylor, were also put in and recorded.
Captain HorKIss of the 7th regiment from the seat of
nessS sworn, and examined by Cen. Gsnes He tsstSed
that the itu.ton Of Gen Taylors army in May
very CRITICAL being nearly surrounded by Mexican
! tina, period. and munitions OF war.
Gen GAMES here read tho letter from tho War Depart
men dated 2sth August, lSa5 knowing in what cases
subordinate officer authorized to call out troops which
the letter he is authorized to do in all of
Direct examination reslmed.-Q Question (by General
GAINEs)Do you consider the position Of Gen Taylor's
army at that time such to justify the calling out of
troops letter and spirit Of this communication from
the War Department.
AM.l consider it was case in point the condi'
ton Of Cen Taylors army at that time.
QuKs-Ifthe 'immnen peril" pointed out in these in
from the Department existed at the time then
have been right in calling out aid to assist Gen.
Taylor7
ASS think so.
Quns-What was the estimated numerical strength of
the Mexicans at the latter end of April or LIST Of May'
ASs.-About eight thousand, Ampudia having brought
on, at this time, large reinforcements.
QuEs- Estimating the number of Mexicans at eight
thousand did you not witness disposition the part of
troops to have few baalions Of New Orleans and
Western sharp shooters to aid them, to make
surance doubly surer' loud laugh'er)
A As did and that feeling was universal
direct from the seat of war at Mexico
Capt. MONTGOMERY, of the 7th Regiment, also from
Gaines. The form Of questions being put to him,
those addressed to the last witness he testified that
crossed the Rio Gande il was estimated that Arisia had
about 5000 men ; but when he crossed the Rio Grande
maea he had from 1000 to 5000 force, rancheros and
regulars and circumstances proved subsequently the
or. The confident manner exhibited by the enemy, and
his bold movements demonstrated and induced the gen
srsl belief in General Tayors army that the time had
fully arrived when he should have been reinforced with
troops sufficient to render his beyond doubt
not testify as the species of estimated by the
camp in the eginnng Of May But the general desire
throughout the little army in the beginning of May,
was to have a reinforcement to aid them
| Gen. GANEs-I should wish to ertain from the
witness if Paredes-this gallant and enterprising
not about this time marching towards Matamoras
with ten twelve thousand troops; and situated Gen.
Taylor was he could see because he the
to say to the Governors of the neghbsrng States my
force is little too weak for the enemy He did not
because he would not see the necessity for he had too
much valor for this. But l the necessity, and
would have concentrated fifty battaons Of troops there
put under rigid discipline, and then Mexico would have
been brought to sense of her duty. She would not
have insuted ambassador and could have settled
difficulties in Mexico for there the place to settle
|
tie with u.s. would then have force well drilled and
able meet them, but am happy that these difficulties
have been settled However, am wandering from the
subject
CouRr.-You may 60 on, General Gaines, if you
choose.
Gen. GAINEs-I shall not trespass any further
WIrSEu-I should like to give General Gaines the
full benefit of any thing favorable could say about him.
/ served long time under him, and esteemed him
gallant end efficient public officer, but would confne
myself to the direct matters before the Court unless
CURED to do The Mexican forces previous to the
battles of the 9Th and 9th of May rendered the position
Of General Taylor's army eminently crtcal-and he
yond his sncsmpment The position Of the enemy had
he been bold, active, energetic and fighting enemy
might at the time have rendered Genea aay9rs Po
Taylors dispatches represented his situation previous
to the engagement as very critical and wrote letters
to friends throughout the country to supply volunteers
General Taylor in danger Of being cut off Sub
sequent to my leaving Matamoros. visited New Or
communication with my fellow citizens; the impress
sions that Gen Taylor had been cr
teal position previous to the battles of the 9Th and 9th
of May and this feeling where stronger than in
New Orleans, in the immediate vicinity of Cen Gaines
command. In the fairness of all military calculations
General Taylors position might have been considered
truly critical and under all existing circumstances had
General Gaines failed to exercise his rghtul authority
think he would have been esteemed derelict in duty
GENERAL GAME again rose and said that making al
for the result and the success that attended the
| treble the amount of General Taylors army not
the situation of the American troops Of eminent pe'
WIrSsss.-t happened that W did dee at the Mex
leans with our small forces but my opinion is that
the duty of officer shonld be commensurate with
| every exigency that may arise
Witness was here Withdrawn.
GENERAL GAINES here called the attention of the
Court that part his address of yesterday which
he remarked that the President had subsequently, with
the aid of Congress- appropriated to aid their
troops in Mckee, and 70 use volunteers for that
| gested by him. He next called the attention of the
Court to the SD article of war; upon which difference
They say that mad continued General Gaines; but
if am mad shall only say, that hope shall not bite
to bite any one (Renewed laughter) shall only re.
ply them George the and did to some of those who
George the and asked them. Why what objection
can you have to wolfsl They. replied to the
said the King if Wolfe is mad have only to wish that
he may bite Of his officers and make them mad too.
no.
portunty to bite of those in the War Department
%ass Ss or
the position lately assumed by the Department upon this
military provision was not in accordance with its letter
and spirit He further contended that appointments should
be made in the by selecting out of the ranks the
young IF merit and talent. and giving them rank
The 62nd Article Of War provides that commanding Off
GERS should be authorised direct all the" necessary
supplies, for troops, &c
The Court here went into secret session for the pur-
pose Of examining the documents from the Department
and official communications, and with view to discri.
and Withheld for private deberaon under the instruc
tons from the Department
The irst two witnesses here, as you will perceive,
only examined to-day; and we have yet not had
a decision the application of General Gaines to have
the Governors of Louisiana and Kentucky examined
The testimony of the officers from the seat of 60
strongly in favor of General Gaines unable to cal
culste, as yet. when this enquiry will probably termi
nate but the point inv olved in the defence being very
simple one and embracin the provisions in the letter
August ls45, fully commented upon already by Gen
Gaines namely the urgency of the and the i'm
! minent peril" that threatened the army the Ric
Grands which he pleads in justification, inclined
to think the Court will feel disposed to accumulate
testimony this point There Is considerable latitude
however always allow in courts of this description
The arrivals here daily are immense sometimes one
hundred-the departures in the same ratio; and Bloom
fields band from the fort play frequently in the evening
ball and dancing, each night, enliven the company
good deal The members Of the Court all attend the
nightly balls
Movements of Travellers.