Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-06-13


await the wishes or the orders of the President
With great respect have the honor to remain SIR YOU
most obedient servant, WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. w. L. MARcr, Secretary Of War.
HEADoUARrERs Army,
WAsmSGToN, MAY u.s. 1916.
respectfully submit the Secretary of War certain lead
ing points, on the settlement of which will depend great
number of smaller matters be attended to successfully and
rapidly
NV asion is 10 the different State quotas of twevcmon
volunteers which have been called for and which are to be
ordered to march against Mexico.
suppose that those volunteers may be- by States assem-
BLEED their respective rendezvous about as follows
Ohio quota, Cincinnati, June 20, 1916.
Kentucky quota at say Frankfort or Bowling Green June
20, 1916.
Indiana quota al say Madison Jefferson, June 20, 1916.
Illinois quota, at say Quincy and Shawneetown, June
rs, 1916.
Tennessee quota, at Nashville and Memphis, June
IS, 1916,
Missouri quota say Fort Leavenwor,h and Jefferson
Barracks, June %, 1916.
Arkansas quota, say Washington Fulton, June 30,
1916.
Mississippi quota at say Natchez, June 80, 1916.
Alabama quota at say Mobile, June 80, 1916.
Georgia quota, at say Columbus the Chattahoochee,
June 80, 1916.
the mounted volunteers the Rio Gande and the pro-
per ponssay or the Chihuahua expediton) little north
Of the Preside de Rio Grande and o the march upon Mon
terey and souh) at Camargo and at Maoras Rhinosa
Surprising the rivers to be navgabe in all July for steamers
of the middle size the horse regiments may be transported
(but at great cos from Kentucky Tennessee, &c. via New
Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico to La Baca Ca branch
Matagorda Bay and thence marched to the Preside de Rio
rande, so as TO reach that distant point by say) the
LIST OF August The horse destined for the lower pontsas
Camargo, Rhinosa and Matamoras-mgh proceed by sea-
to Point Isabel and thus reach the Rio Grande little earlier
But the horse regiment from Arkansas would be obliged to
march from Fulton to the Preside de Rio Grande (say) 600
miles, which would delay its arrival about the 10th of
August.
All the foot volunteers called for, aided by steam may be
taken the several points the Rio Crande little earlier
II thus shown according 10 the best calculations which
can be made hereno matter how the zeal and energy
of the State authorities and of the volunteers
the whole (say 22,0OO the greater part of the twelve
month vounteeshorse and foocannot brought on the
Rio Grande before the first week in August, if soon
Assuming then, the possibility Of getting (say) %, 900
twelve month volunteers horse and oot in position the
Ro Grande by the lst, the 10th of August and
leaving out for the present. the possibility of extending the
regular regiments hee to be sent) by recruits
5000 900 menall within the same tme-I come next
to the second dicultycnn the troops after getting pos
ton take up ongl lines Of operations beyondthat i
any probability, nay possibility Of advantage, IN tie moa
Of August2
This is the qucson-put here in the second place. but
which Is the first in importance-now TO be met
AS soldier, whether am to command in the expedition
not 1t is my duty No matter what the danger
to myseGand know that have already been condemned
for having suggested the s of September the earliest day
for marching much beyond the Rio Grande have now ac
coding to better and most reliable information,
conclusion that such operations cannot AFTER the 9th Of
June before the LIST of October be assumed with the least
possible advantage This conclusion which under every
personal dange dare announce, and beg all above in
authority to discuss it with severity, but also with cando
and II the conclusion shall be found to be just that be
cordially and actively sustained against the camors of the
Ignorant and the ISLANDERS OF the magn make this request
not personal favor but for the good of the service SO far
my humble Abilities and far greater experience NAV be
deemed OF any advantage TO that service.
My conclusion the list of October founded the
most satisfactory derived from Colonel A. Butler
distinguished officer in the of 1912, since Minister in
Mexico, &c and from General j. T. Mason who has ira.
yelled much in Mexico with Colonel Butler 1t clear to
my mind that the two know of Northern and Middle
Mexico than all other persons taken together within the
District OF Columbia beg to refer to them They full
precise, and emphatic upon the subject.
If their conclusion (now mine be adopted by the higher
authorities here, and laid down basis then these smaller
points and details necessarily follow.
Let the State quotas, above meet al their respective
devious without delay, be Inspected mustered into service
and armed promptly practicable let them be supplied
with subsistence, camp equpage be put under instruction,
and held IN readiness to time to reach the Rio rande
according the which may gyen little before the
beginning of October, say by the 18th Of September.
Il here assumed that all spare time for instructions as CO.
vay infantry, had better be taken at this than the other
end Of the line Rio Grande) Of march transportation
t Of health (whe at rest y and ID on account
OF abundance and heapne of subsistence and other supplies
But there offsets against these advantages lst The
rivers in August and September may furnish as good ma
vlgaon as IN July 3D. Such Of the shall be
ged TO pass by New Orleans may after July be danger of
taking the yellow fever and 3D. The earlier presence of por
ton OF the twelve month volunteers may (possby needed
TO aid In the defence of positions the Rio Grande (say)
Maanoras, Rhinosa and Camargo which Gen. Taylor may
have taken, to take before the larger army be
ready say October ls to take up the long lines of INVASION
All these points am ready discuss balance and TO
settle with the Secretary Of War his call beg to add
that they ought to be early settled.
Now, hope to lie pardoned in saying something further in
respect to myself
have been preparing, by looking quotas rendezvous
routes, Ton both sides Of the Rio Grande arms accoure-
ments, camp equpage subsistence Of transportation
(stcame wheels, and packs Mexican topography, &c. in
order TO he ready obey any instructions for distant service
with which the President may honor Such have been
my incessant occupations since the nmaion that might be
required to command the forces against Mexico think
my preliminary and necessary occupations may be ended
IN (say) three days more, whenpremsng that after the
great and brilliant victories Of the gallant TAYLOR (of which
we have recently heard should be ashamed supersede
hin before the arrival Of competent achievements to penetrate
the interior of Mexico and conquer peace shall be ready
for any instructions orders with which the President may
honor
All which is respectfully submitted
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon w. L. MARrr, Secretary Of War.
WAR DErARTMEST, MAY 25, 1876
SR have received your letter Of the q instant and
considering its extraordinary character and grave matters
SET forth therein rejecting upon the and objects Of the
President IN rendering he has