The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-06-20

much special experience not To feel tue infinite
importance of securing myself against danger
IN lcH, or pyecondemndtiOn) in my rear, before
advancing upon the public enemy. Not an
advantageous step can be taken, IN forward
march, without the confidence that all is well
behind If Insecure, in that quarter no Cen
era can put his whole heart and mind into
the work tn be done in front. am, therefore,
not little alarmcd--nay, crippled in my
energies-by the knowledge and the impu-
tonce in question, aud beg TO say, fear no
other danger
"All that have hut skeiched, deem 10 he
not only useful 10 success, but Indispensable.
As soldier, | make this assertion without the
fear decentralization from any honest and cd1r-
did soldier. Agninst the al captuT'ilnH con-
domination of all other persons-whoever
aIny be designated for the high commands in
uuestion-there can he no reliance lin his alb
sencel other than the active, candid and stead
support of his Government If ! cannot
have that sure basis to rest upon, II will I've IN
6uitely better for the country mot 10 speak OF
my personal security that some other COM
uIander of the new army against Mexico,
should be selected, No nutter who he may
he, he shall ut least be Judged and supported
10y me, in this office aud every where else
us would desire, if personally in that com
nand, to be myself Judged and supported.
Myexplicit meaning is--that do not desire
10 place myself in the most perilous of all po-
sitIons;--d fire upon my rear, from Washington,
and The fire in front, from The .herioGns"
Gen. Scott proceeds to set forth his plan of
the Campaign, stating that n total force of3O,-
600 men, one third Cavalry, is requisite for
the INVASION of Mexico Oh the scale Indicated,
and to give assurance of success. Of tins
force, the Cavalry must march from the Mis-
sissppi through Texas 10 the Rio Grande.
The hoofs ofhorses and mules are so sottened
in that region during the rainy season that
the animals are unfit for service. lie holds
that suitable force cannot he concentrated
on the Rio Grande, with proper munitions,
provisions, &c. &c. earlier than the LIST of
Superintendent his Gen. S.'s) preference
would he to remain at Washington until ev
cry thing had been put in train for securing
the concentration of sufficient and effective
forcc-then to proceed 10 the seat OF war by
way ofthe Ohio and Mississippi, so us to ar
rive on the frontier at the right time for COM
inencing operations Until such force is
concentrated, Gen. :. would prefer not TO SUI
persede Gen. Taylor in his present command.
at was TO command such larger army that
understood myselfa as likely to he sent to the
Mexican frontier, as II is dltUays unjust TO a
Junior General, who has done well, and is
supposed to be doing well, TO snpersede him
by a General ofhigher rank, without sending
with the latter corresponding reinforcements
should esteem myself'the unhappy instrument Of
rounding he honorable pride OF The gallant and
j,td eOuS Taylor, fordered 10 supersede him TN
der different circumstances"
Secretary Marcy Mt once jumps to the
conclusion that Gen. 8. imputes to The Presi-
dent hostility, 'precon2emnntion,' &c. and that
il is from him that he apprehends the opening
n fire on his rear sc. &c. All Gen. SCOTS
apprehensions are, without hesitation or init
NATION of doubt treated as attacks on the
President, and Gen. s. is lectured roundly
therefor. Finally, the Secret" ry informs
him that he will continue in command al
Washington, and not be ordered TO the from
tier ut all.
Gen. Scott replies, disclaiming the con-
.structon given to his language by the Score
tary.
Another letter from Gov. Marcy ofno i'm
tportance follows. Gen. Scott writes again
II still hope, when the President shall have
read that explanatory letter, and the forego-
ing exposition of facts attentively, he may be
willing TO recur to his original purpose, and
accord 20 my senior rank the preference
which have never ceased to entertain, and
which should have pressed with incessani
ZEAL but for the apprehensiOns heretofore ex-
pressed, and which your letters have nearly
if'not quite removed. therefore beg to claim
that command, whenever the President may
deem it proper to give me the assignment
whether today, or at any other better time he
geay he pleased to designate
ain yelr reiOinder TO me Ofyestertay INLAY
2Sth) which have acknowledged above, you
guose from nay letter Of explanations the
words. aYou nre also aware of other causes
ofuneasiness have against the Department.
&c. &c.
Your notice of this complaint on my par
rs So libernl-notto say kind-that am bound
TO he frank and explicit, rs TO one ofttose eau
SEES had upon my mind, in hastily Pennins
those words, these facss-Brigadier General
Wool was called to this place by letter OF
your ocrn writing, to command, under me, one
of the detached columns against Mexico, ae-
cording To- an understanding inlay lSth) he.
tween the President, yun and me, TO that Ell
feet. Isaw Gen. Wool FIRST, the day OF his ar
rival may 17ti,l and communicated TO mn
the purpose of his being called TO this place
In flaY or two Learned from Gen. WOOL