Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-12
Letter from Major General Scott To the
Secretary al War.


The following is the omitted letter:
Letter from Wa ior General Scott To the
| Secretary Of War.
| HkAp QUAKrERs oF THE ANY,
| Washington, May %, 1886
| respectfully submit the Secretery OF War certain
leading points. the settlement OF which will depend
great number Of smaller be attended to- success
siyely aud rapidly.
NV ausion il to the different State quotas Of twelve
month volunteers which have been called for aud whie
are to be ordered To march against Mexico.
suppose that those volunteers may be by States assem-
bedst their respective rendezvous about follows:
| Ohio. quota, at or near Cincinnati, Juno 20 1916.
Kentucky. quota. at say Frankfort Bowling Greon
June 20. 1886.
Indians quota, at say Madison OF Jefferson June 20
| 1876.
Illinois quota, at say Quincy and sh,wneetOwn, June
| 25, 1896
Tennessee, quota, at say Nashville and Memphis June
| 25, ls46.
Missouri quota at say Fort Loavenworh and Jefferson
Arkansas quota at say Washington or Fulton June 80
Mississippi, quota, say Natchez June 30. 1876
Alabama, quota, At say Mobile June 30, 1876
Jun. 30, ls4S.
The great difficulty first be considered is the placing
OF the mounted volunteers the Rio Grande and a, the
proper ponts-say tor the Chhuahua expednon) little
North OF the Preside de Rio Grande and flor the march
upon Monterey and the South at Camargo and Msamo
ras, ct Rhinosa.
Surprising the rivers to be navsabe in all July for stea-
mers OF the middle size the horse mens may be trans
ported (but at great cost from kentucky Tennessee
ria New Orleans and the Gull of Mexico to La Bacs "a
branch OF Matsgorda bay and thence marched TO the Pre-
sido dc hio rande 50 to reach that distant point
by (say) the LIST of August The horse destined for the
lower ponis-as Camargo, Rhinoss, and Matamoras-
might proceed. by Point Isabel and thu. reach the
ki9 Gtande hue earlier But the horse regiment from
Arkansas would be obliged march from Fouon to the
Preside de Rio Grande (sBy) miles which would de-
lay It's arrival TO about the 10Th of August
All the foot volunteers called for, aided by steam NAV be
taken TO the several points the Rio Grande a little
earlier.
1t is thus shown, according the best which
can be made here-no matter how the zeal and
gy OF the State authorities and the volunteers them
seNes-thai the whole, (ssy 22O00 the greater part
OF the tweVemonth younteers-horse and foot-csnnot
be brought the Rio Grande before The first Nxeek in An
gust If 50
Assuming then, the possibility Of getting (say) % 600
tweNe-inonth volunteers horse and in position on the
o "rande by the lst or even the 10th Of August and
leaving out Tor the present. the possibility OF extending
the regular regiments here be senD by raw recruits
TO 6,OOO or 1000 men-a within the same time-I come
next 10 the second diteuly-cau the troops, after getting
up lines OF operations beyond that river with
any probability nay possibility, Of advantage in the month
OF August
This the quesonput here in the second plaee: bu,
which Is the inst in imporanee-now TO be met
As soldier, whether am command in the expedi-
non or not Is my duty H. matter what the
danger to myseli-and know that have already been
condemned for having suggested the first OF September
as the earliest day for marching much beyond the Rio
Grande-l have now according better and most rela
BILE Information, the conclusion that such OPERA
tons cannot after the 10th OF June before the st OF
October be assumed with the least possible advantage
This conclusion which [under every personal danger
dare announce, and beg oil above in authority 10
discuss with severity, but also with cando and if the
conclusion sha be found be just that NAV be cordially
and actively sustained against the clamors isnoran
and the ISLANDERS OF the msgn. make this request not
as personal iaVo but for the good OF the service far
my humble abilities and far greater experience may bo
deemed Of any advantage TO that service.
My conclusion the LIST Of October is founded on the
most satisfactory information, derived from Col A. Butler
distinguished officer IN the Of 1872 since minister in
Mexico, &c, and from Gen. J. 7. Mason who has ira
yelled much IN Mexico with Col Butler Ii il clenr 10 my
mind that the two know OF Northern and Middle
Mexico than all other persons, taken together within the
Distinct OF Columbia beg to refer TO them. They are
full, precise and emphatic upon the subject.
II their conclusion NOW mne be adopted by the high
er authorities here, and laid down basis then these
smaller points and details necessarily follow.
Let the State quotas, above meet ut their respecye
rendezvous without delay be Inspected mustered INTO the
service. and armed, promptly praeucable let them
be supplied with subsistence camp equpaRe be put under
Instruction. and held IN readiness IN tme TO reach
the Rio Grande according the which may be Civ
ems little before the beginning Of Ociober-say by the
25th Of September.
Ii is here assumed that all spare time for instruction n
cavalry, infantry had better be taken al this than the
other end OF the line (Rio Grande OF march or ute lrn
Poranon LIST account OF health (whe at rest and ID
account oil abundance aud eheapness Vi subsistence and
other supplies
But there offsets against these advantages ls The
MYERS IN August and September may furnish as good
navigation July. 2nd. Such of the troops as shall be
Obliged TO pass by New Orleans may after July he in
GSaScT Of taking yellow fever; and 3D. The earlier
presence Of portion OF the twelve volunteers NAV
possibly be needed 10 aid IN defence OF positions on the
Rio Grande (sAyj Mnismorss, RhinOsa and Camargo
which Gen. Taylor may have iskSn desire to take be-
fore the large army be ready, say Oct ls 10 take
up the long line Of invasion.
AL these points am ready discuss to balance and
to settle with the Secretary Of War his call; and beg
10 ndd that they ought 10 be early settled.
Now, hope TO be pardoned saying something further
IN respect TO myself.
have Leen preparing by looking quotas rendezvous
routes, lon both sides Of the Rio Grande arms accoutre
ments. camp equpaRe, subsistence Of uansporta-
uon steamer wheels aud packs Mexican Topography
&C. &c, IN order TO be ready, obey any instructions
for distant service, with which the President may honor
Such have been my incessant occupations since the
innmauols that might be required command the new
forces against Mexico. think my preliminary and ne
cessay occupations may be ended here say three days
more, when, promising that after the great and brilliant
victories Of tie gallant Taylor of which have recent
ly heafd should be ashamed superedo Linn before
interior OF Mexico, and conquer peace shall be rea-
dy tor any instructions orders with which the President
may honor
| All which u respectfully submitted.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. w. l.. MARCY,
Secretary Of War
Military Movements