The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-10
VIM. L. MARCY,
- ENuT
NVSINNUlJ vi W
To Major General E. P. GAMES.
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DIVISION,


New Orleans, September "a, l645.
Sra: do myself the honor TO acknowledge the
receipt Of your letter Of the 18th, in which you say
you are surprised to learn, you do from mine OF
the Sd instant, that consider your Instructions to
Gen. Taylor of the 23d ultimo virtual approval OF
my requiston for Louisiana volunteers.
In reply, referring you TO my letter Of the 10th
inst, have to report that Gen. Taylor has, for
more than year past, had the command Of one OF
the brigades of my division, and have never, until
the receipt of your letter of the 18th nst been hon.
ored with any authority whatever disconnectng
that brigade from my command, otherwise than as
upon temporary serriee-as brigade detached upon
some secret service, on the accomplishment of which
had reason to expect the brigade, or the greater
part of it, would return to the ungarrisoned forts
near me.
had never received copy, nor any paper per-
porting to be copy Of any authority given to Gen.
Taylor to 60 to Texas until after the date OF my re-
QUESTION for Louisiana volunteers of the 18th ult
Nor did any copy Of instructions received by me
since that period, notify me that Gen. Taylors
brigade no longer to be considered as part of
my division; consequently, was not relieved Of the
highly responsible and important duty of watching
the movements and giving light and strength to that
brigade Of my division; could omit or neglect
the faithful discharge Of this duty, without putting
it in the power of any vainglorious adversary to
bring me under the pains and penalties of trial
and conviction before general court-martial.
may be asked why permitted Gen. Taylor to
embark for Texas without official information of
his authority. i answer, that was assured by the
general that he had instructions from the War De-
par:ment to make the movement, but that his in
structions were confidential Gen. Taylor's word,
which am sure he would not violate for all the
wealth Of Mexico, was all desired to justify his
movement; and | distinctly stated to him that, as
his Instructions were confidential, | would not see
them until they were forwarded to me from the
proper authorities Of the War Department. l.,
however, added: "Shouid you get into any difficulty,
piA promptly sustain you" 1 had for more than
thirty years past determined that no invdious neg
ect or intrigue the part of any officer of the gov
eminent towards me, should ever for moment tend
TO divert my attention from my duty.
Under all the circumstances detailed in my letter
Of the 10th inst, added to what have here stated
finding that the President Of the United States had
seen fit to authorize my junior (Gen. Tayor) the
mertorious chief of one of the brgades of my divi-
sion to call the governors of of the western
States, in certain emergencies, for part Of the mill
tia force of those States, could not but construe
this authority into virtual approval of my call on
Gov Mouton for the:chivaric volunteers under that
excellent commander, Major Gally, to fly to the as
sistance of Gen. Taylor, who has been for several
weeks without any other fed-pieces than the very
efficient train sent to him under our Louisiana COM
manders, who would do honor to our regular SER
vice.
II is now apparent that all the once scattered Sec
tons Of Gen. Taylor's army Of occupation have been
happily concentrated without any such disaster as
with thousands of other men of some experience)
had reason to anticipate might occur between the
18th and 10Th of August heartily rejoice at this
result IL may be the means Of saving the United
States and Mexico from a war-a war which has to
me too much the appearance of family disturb
ancea civil war, 1.-THE most frghtfu of all the hor-
Of war to the honest votaries Of free govern
ment) not to be averted, if possible by every ra-
tional precauton.
My conduct, however, is not to be Judged by
what has happened subsequent to the embarkation
Of the Louisiana volunteers, but by the actual state
of things as represented to me at the point of time
when made the call, and which prompted me to
make il; acting as every judcious officer is bound to
act upon the sound principle that the work Of prep
arution for 'car ought never to be put off until The
york Of destruction upon frontier BY savage OF
half-sardge foe has been begun or COMPLETED
All which ia respectfully submitted for the infor.
nation end final decision of the President of the
United States
EDMUND p. GAINES.
Maj Gen. United States army.
commanding the western division.
Hon. WILLIAM l.. MARCY,
Secretary of War.