Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-06-25
Gen. Scott and the Command Of the
ARMY.

Army.
The newspapers observes the Philadelphia Ledger
have been making great noise about Gen. Scott,
and censuring the Government because it did not
send him to take command of the army in its OPP
erations against Mexico. We paid very little atten-
to the various statements published they did
not appear TO rest on better authority than the
opinions Of the partisan letter-writers in that city
We have the official correspondence between the
Secretary Of War and Gen. Scott upon the subject
rom this it plainly appears that the President
determined, from the commencement Of the VIZ, to
give the command to Gen. Scott The Secretary Of
War cheerfully agreed to the selection. Gen. Scott
was called into consultation with them, to devise the
best plan for conducting the campaign. 1t was deci
ded that he should repair, soon possible, to the
camp. Gen. Scott, in letter dated the Dist ult,
ascrbes the impaencc of the Executive, he calls
ID, to hostility; speaks Of design to cripple bis en-
ergies and says he does not desire place himself
between two fires; upon his rear in Washington.
and one upon his front in Mexico. This language
was deemed direct imputation Of unworthy motives
in the Executive Government-of design to carry
on against him while he sent forth to car
ry on war against the public enemy-and the Sec
rotary of War, in his communication says, the Presi
dent, under these circumstances, would be wanting
ibs duty to his country to persist in the determine
ton OF enforcing upon him the command Of the army
ofMexico. In the Message transmitting the cores
pondence, the President explains the character Of the
interviews with Gen. Scott, previously to his taking
the command. The President says:
"On the same day which LaRproved and signed the
act OF the 18th of May, 1885, eB6ed IAN act providing
for the prosecution Of the existing between the Uni
ted States and the Republic of Mexico, communicated
Gen. Scott through the Secretary Of War; and also in
personal interview with that officer, my desire that he
SHOULD take command of the army the Rio Grande,
atd of the volunteer forces, which, informed him, il
my intention forthwith to call out to march to that
frontier, be employed in the prosecution of the
against Mexico. The tender Of the command TO Gen.
SI0tt voluntary on my part and was made without
any reques; ntimation the subject from him. IL
made in consideration of his rank Commander-in
chief of the army. My communications with Cen
Scott, assigning him the command, were verbal hrst
through the Secretary of War; and afterwards in person
No written order deemed to be necessary. Gen
Scott assented TO the command and the fol-
lowing day had another interview with him and the
Secretary Of War, in relation the number and appor
onment among the several States of the volunteer forces
be called for immediate service the forces which
be organized and held in readiness subject TO
future CALL should become necessary, and and other
military preparations and movements to be made, with
a view the vigorous prosecution OF the Ii was
distinctly settled, and well understood by Gen.
Scott, that he to command the army in the war
against Mexico and continued be settled and under
Secretary of War submitted the letter of Gen.
Scott addressed him under date Of 2st Of May 1876,
a copy Of which is herewith communicated The char
OF that letter made il proper my judgment, to
S=z5sa my determination in regard to the command Of
the army and the Secretary Of War, BY my direction in
his letter Of the 25,h of May, 1876, copy of which Is
also herewith communicated, for the therein
signed informed Gen Scott that he relieved from the
command Of the army destined to prosecute the war
against Mexico and that he would remain in the dis
charge of his duties at Washington The command OF
the army the frontier Of Mexico has since been assign
ed to Gen. Taylor with his brevet rank OF Major ener-
al, recently conferred upon him."
The correspondence is very much in detail, and
from what we give below it will be seen how prudent
ly, udicously and honoraby the of the Presi
dent has been towards Gen. Scott and how insulting
and unworthy has been his conduct towards the Pres
dent, who had generously offered him the high post Of
distinction-the command of the army in the Mexican
War.
The portions Of the correspondence omit are
principally details of Gen. Scos plan for conducting
the campaign, which is exceedingly visionary, and
calculated to postpone the commencement of the
till SEPTEMBER plan which, with other appliances
would be secuted by the whole country. The admin.
istration, of course, could sonction such suicidal
policy as this
Wan DEPLnTMEST, June 2, 1916.
Sir: In compliance with direction. nave the
honor 10 transmit herewith, such letters and documents Al
are in this department. to enable you to the
luton Of the Senate Of the 5th instant requesting nfor
nation. FIRST in relation to unauthorized calls of volun
and militia into the service Of the United States BY
any officers of the army, &c Second the correspondence
between the Secretary of War and Major General Scott
on the subject of bis taking the command Of the army
occupation the frontiers of Texas, &C. And third the
correspondence between Gen. Gaines and the
from the first of June, l645 to the present me upon the
subject Of volunteers militia ordered to the frontiers
mTcxas.
The nformaiion requested 10 the rs and last branches
the resolution Is mainly furnished by the cofrespon
enee Herewith snkmifted between this department anC
Gaines who is the only officer Of the army known
TO have called for volunteers militia without legal
thoy. within the periods specified. The first unauhor
lied call BY that officer made the governor o
Louisiana the 18th August, lS45 for two companies
Of volunteer artillery (aboui 200 men) which
tered into service the 2st of that month; and mme
diatsy sent to Texas report Gen Taylor Corpus
Christi As soon information of this call was mad
known to the department Gen. Gaines reminded il
eommunicas addressed to him. that authority maxi
such calls wa I'd only in the President and that 9TH
emergency tolerate the assumption
Of this authorhttyla military officer in command at
distance from tbeest Of government in anticipation
the Presidents et3on must be indicating great
imminent peril to the country peril great and
imminent as to leave reasonable doubt that the Presi
dent, with full knowledge Of all the circumstances
he would have felt it be his duty to resort to suc
aid" As the call had been promptly responded to-
the troops their destination before the action
Gen. Gaines could be stayed, Gen. Taylor directed
receive and retain them in service long in his ude
ment the public exigency might requre. although, b
your direction Gen. Gaines informed that his proceed
ing approved by you. These volunteers wer
discharged and sent home the expiration Of their thre
months term Of service.
No further calls appear to have been made BY Gener'
Gaines for volunteers militia until early in May. OF III
present year. when unauthorized requests, requson
in various forms and Of different import. were made b