Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-09-03
THE MEXICAN WAR.
Corcspopdoncc Of lhc New Orleans Bulictin

Correspondence of the New Orleans Bulletin.
MATAMoRAs, August g. 1916
General Taylor left here two days since, for
Camarro, by the river, to await the assemblagc of
the army at that point for the march TO Monterey.
II is thought he will be able to begin the march by
the LIST to 10th September His field force will be
$500; and, if the I'd Infantry arrive in time, say
5000 regular troops with about I,3OO volunteers,
as follows: three Texas regiments, two Ohio one
GEORGIA. two Kentucky, one Tennessee, ole Ala
bama, one Mississippi regiments, and the Baltimore
battalion-in all, say 10000 men. The two lnd-
ana regiments will probably be distributed between
this city and the mouth Of the river, under the
command Of Brigader General Lane. One of the
Texas mounted regiments, under Col. Hays
marches by wide circuit through San Fernando,
Linares, Sc to join the main body at Camargo, or
on the march to Monterey. They will probably
find work, as Mciai is said to be at Linares, with
the wreck of Arista's force.
The artillery will be composed of Duncan's,
Ridgley's and Braggs batteries, Of two Founders,
and one twelve FOUNDER hawizer each, and 4th
battery Of two twelve pound guns and two twenty
four pound howitzers, under Capt. Webster-in
all sixteen pieces with six horses to each gun.
They will travel easily.
The dragons will probably be increased to 300
or $50, by recruits They have been nursing their
horses ever since the bates and are in better con-
dition then they then were. Two of the Texas
regiments are mounted rillemen, and viii make
the whole force of horse, say 400.
BY the close of September, this column will
reach Monterey where the chances Of battle are
sufficiently uncertain to make it a matter Of daily
doubt and speculation The very air is rife with
rumors. 1t is said that Wol is now in command ;
if so, and he continues there, it is guarantee of
hard knocks. Again, hear that POrades and
Alvarez have fought near the capital, and the whole
country is in confusion. Time only can solve it.
No opinion formed here is worth listening to.
We learn here that Gen. Woods column is to
march upon Chihuahua-for what? They will
only encounter war of marches through a coun-
try that has been dospoiled for fifteen years by the
monthly irruptions of the Apuches and Camanches,
and exhaust themselves In conquorlng depart
lnent which ressts only with its deserts, and which
falls necessarily, upon the success of the main
column.
If there should turn out to be no enemy at Mon
torey-or if Mexico should be stubborn, after the
tall of that place, is it the design of the Govern
, ment to continue the campaign upon this route?
). If so this corps will suffer than that of
Gen Wool. The distance and absence of all re-
sources in the interior make it impossible. In
Mexico " Paris is France" 1t is the seat of pow
err. intelligence ana intrigue-the prize for which
contending generals and factions fight; and the
winner of the battle around the walls of the CAPT
tai enters its gates in triumph to rule his stormy
hour Will this war end short of that? Can it not
be reached by shorter route, and from stronger
base than this? Why not then, calculate the cost
would be the true economy.
NJ Travellers from Sante Fe arrived at st. Louis
on the 18TH who report that the Governor and PEG.
ple were preparing desert the city on the arrival
of General Kearney-The peol lie refusing to fight
the Americans. Great excitement existed, caused
by rumors of their approach. General Kearney
was at Bent's Fort, about to move onward Great
fears are entertained of scarcity of provisions for
the troops
d.. A l,tto oi,- ~
Boston, dated Havana, August 9Th, says :-"By the
steamer from Vera Cruz we have received lntel
gence that the Mexican Government had authorlz
ed their Consus to grant letters Of marque to any
who might apply for them, with the condition thai
all persons sailing under such license VIII be con
sdered as Mexican subjects, amenabe TO their laws
We think no privateers will be fitted out from tins
place, as the authorities will do all they TO PIE
vent it. Some, however, may get out, if it is tho
any thing can be made by the business. Two com
missioners from Vera Cruz came in the last steam
er, to request Santa Anna TO return and take com
mand. tits supposed he will not 60"
CASE OF GEN. GAINEs.-The proceedings O
the Court of Inquiry in the foregoing case hayin!
been duly submitted, the following are the order
thereon
WAR DEPARTMENT, Aug. Is, 1916.
The proceedings Of the Court Of Inquiry in tn
foregoing case have been laid before the Preslden
Swand carefully examined,
IL Is seen lllaI Ule court nave lOuud LlluL SeVera
OF the acts of Brevet Major General Gaines A" wer
not authorized by his instructions or by law; an
that he has violated ordcrs:"
That for the calls made by him " for volunteer
after the 10th Of May when he knew of the vcto
res of General Taylor, the court cannot find an
necessity at the tlme-any authority in his instruc
lions, or any warrant of laws"
That in mastering into service at Mobile, eertai
general and staff officers, after he relieve
from his command by instructions from the Wa
Department, the court are of opinion that h
transcribed his authority and violated his orders
The President views with deep regret the eXel
else of this assumed authority on the part of tn
late commander Of the Western division; and Will
he is disposed to give every consideration to III
circumstances which may tend to qualify or N
tgate his conduct, he can nothing in them whc
would Justify him for Withholding the eXpresso
of his decided dsapprobation Of the irregular an
unauthorized proceedings Of that officer. But
consideration of the recommendation OF the cour
and concurring with them in their opinion of Il
"good and patriotic motives and the public zeal /
which he was actuatee," the President directs tn
further proceedings in the case Of Brevet Maj
General GAAas be dispensed with.
The President cannot dismiss the case witho
inviting tie serious enIion Of the army to Il
grave subject which has been presented for his CO.
sideration and decision The officers belonging
the military service are known TO be devoted to Il
public interest Their zeal, gallantry and skill ha,
long been established. The country duly appr
catcs their value, but unremitted care should
| taken to abstain from any act which may tend
| impair their high character. And what so like
| TO derogdte from this as the assumption OF lmpo
tant or executive or ministerial authority by mi
itary commander, or the disregard of his orders
The exercise Of authority not possessed nor de
al a,f,t