The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-03

man from Kentucky, who had taken upon himself
10 consume large portion OF the Tune allotted TO the
discussion in making what might be emphatleally
termed party speech for Buneo6s, and IN arraign-
ing the administration, which MIR. III. believed, in
this instance had discharged its duty, as had also
the gentleman commanding on the Rio Grande. Ii
was little strange that those gentlemen who, when
the bill recognising the existence OF the war with
Mexico, and providing the means for It's proseeu-
tion before this House, declared that there was
no war, should be complaining before the country
that sufficient forces not sent To the aid Of Gen
era Taylor while in Texas, when, according TO their
own account, there was no necessity for them.
Who could best know the wants OF the serylce5--
the President the IT, Sates' the Secretary Of War
or the general in command, who could look over the
whole field of operations, who was perhaps inform
ed ofthe movements Of the enemy, who knew his wn
strength, and felt sufficiently strong 10 stand up
against any forces opposed to him' IL was a matter
Of no Just complaint either against the President OF
the United States or the general m command. In
stead OF this the sequel OF the whole affair had
| suited IN the highest compliment TO both. Author
ity given, land il seemed to be made cause OF
complaint not only that authority was given, but
that the troops were not sent before he made the call
for them.) About 1000 regular troops had been
placed under his command, and authority given him
increase them still further by acquisitions from the
southwestern States If deemed necessary by him.
| What ground, then, Of blame was there against the
| administration
Gen. Taylor-to his credit be II said-knew his
business; knew the strength of his own army and OF
| his adversary and 1t was the highest compliment
which could be paid to him that he was not thrown
from his equanimty by the reports which were
brought 10 him of the increase Of the enemy, and
raising forces but felt himself the result has
proved adequate 70 meet any force which was like.
ly TO be brought against him. Had these forces
been sent, as the gentleman from Kentucky argued
they should have been, would not the gentleman
and those who act with him, been equally ready to
make It a matter Of complaint, and would they not
have said that the President was sending large ar
my at great expense beyond the Nueces and in.
vadng the territory Of Mexico, when Gen. Taylor
had asked aid
Mr.. BRINKERHoFF (Mr. II. yielding the
hoorl wished TO set the House and the gentleman
from Kentucky [Mr. DAusl right as to a matter Of
fact. The gentleman from Kentucky complained
that the President Of the United States had prom.
lsed General Taylor to place under his command
4 900 men, and that that number was not furnished
him. Now Mr.. had in his hand the returns OF
Major General Winfield Scott, made to the Presi-
dent, and through the President to Congress- at the
commencement Of the present session, Of the num-
Der ofmen in the army Of occupation. MIR. b, read
from this the statement Of the aggregate force under
the command of General Taylor at 4,079 men.
Further while It was true that at the time OF the
two battles OF the 9Th and 9Th Gene5>I Isylor had
| Z.ON
field it would also be recollected that GSr six hun
dred men were in garrison opposil Matamoras,
| four or five hundred MEN at Point Isabel another
detachment at San Antonio, and probably others al
other points, but all under the actual command OF
General Taylor, and constituting the army Of occu.
patton. So that the gentleman's facts fall to the
ground.
Mr.. DAVIS was understood to say that report
was based on the hypothesis that the army wa,
! full
Mr.. BRINKERHoFF 1t was stated by Gen.
eral Scott that the aggregate number u 4079
There was, howev:r, in another column, to be de.
Quoted absent 1873 only. The number of troops re.
quired to ill up the companies was given at 800
but that not to be deducted from the aggregate
number Of 4,079.
! After some further Conversation
! Mr.. HARRISON resumed. The only reliable
information on the subject contained in the regular
4 reports from the commander in-chief; but it was a
fact which must be known to every military man,
that fan army Of say 1000 men, 10 or ~ per cent
he thought m the army in Texas, some ~ or Ia
per cent were not prepared to do duty; so that he
might have had 1000 men under his command, and
yet with the numbers at the camp opposite Mata.
moras at Point Isabel, and unfit for duty he might
have had no more under his charge at the battle
than the number reported.
Mr.. DAVIS made "A further inquiry as TO the
number under command OF Gen To lor
Mr.. HARRISON replied there was Official
|
Committee on Military Affairs or this House, SC
far as he knew, since the army had moved to Mat.
amoras. 1t was impossible, therefore, to state pre-.
cisely, but taking the reports sent up by the com.
mander-iD-chef, 1t was sufficient to say that haC
the number specified by the gentleman from Ohio
| Mr.. BRNKERHoFF, not in the battles of the 9Th
and 9Th, because 1t was necessary that numbers Of
i them should be stationed opposite Matamoras, Al
| Point Isabel, upon other duty, and to guard and
protect the supplies Of the army.
But 1t would be perceived by the document re-
Gently communicated to this House, that on the 6tf
! August, in letter from the Adiutant General, tina
officer says to General Taylor:
such auxiliary volunteer force from Texas wher
events, not now revealed justify their employ
will be organized and mustered under your orders BE-
received into the service OF the United when actual
ly required in the field to repel aston actual
and not before In organizing these forces you will
iachments Of militia from the States and Territories
called into the service Of the United 1t should b
Of such forces, but appro praons purpose
viii doubtless be made by Congress They will be furnish
ed with raons while in actual service the other troop
under your command The and description Of tn,
force TO be mustered into the service the United States
left determination, and OF course be regulated
by circumstances"
| Ii was compliment, he repeated, to Gen. Tay
lor that he did not feel it to be necessary to involve
the country in the expense of calling upon Texas
for additional aid, ample authority for which was
i given him.
i'ut, HUM 'hc ip'ci Hoin the war "
August %, ls45, it seemed that this power was ex
tended, and he had authority not only to call upor
Texas, but upon other adjoining States, for such
forces as were deemed necessary by him. In thai
letter, the Secretary of War says:
IAN order has been this day issued sending thou
sand men into Texas join those under your com
mand. when the existing orders carried into effect
you will have with force of four thousand men Of the
regular army We are not enabled to Judge what auxiliary
force upon an emergency be brought together from
Texas and as precautionary you authorized
accept volunteers from the States of Louisiana and Ala
bama and from Mississippi Tennessee and Kentucky
Should Mexico declare war, commence host,ies b!
crossing the Rio Grande with considerable force you
instructed to lose no time in giving information to the
thorites Of each any Of the States
the number OF volunteers may want from them
lively should you Tequ troops from any Of these States
would he important to have them with the least possible
delay s not doubted that at least regiments from
New Orleans AMI from Mobile could be obtained am
expcditiousy brought into the field You will
no known these places what and description
troops you desire TO receive from them in the contemplate
emergency. The authorities of these States will be ar
priced that you authorized TO receive volunteers from
them, and you may calculate that they will promptly JON
you when 1t is made known that their services required
Arms ammunition and camp equpage for the AUXILIARY