Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-07-23
TIE MEXICAN WAR.

nc Administration seems TO DC making another
dcplorablc Florida affair out of this Mexican war
A letter from G. W. Kendall of the New Orleans
Pcayune, dated Matamoras, June %, and the Re-
public of the Rio Grando (newspaper,) unite in
saying that the U. S. army is in a most wrctched
condition. Mr.. X. says:
Gen. Taylor is now worse crampod aud hamper
ed Tor want of transportation than ever and the
Quarter Master Generals Department "catches it,
on all sides and from all quarters. There are vol
uneers and regulars enough to march at any time
and to any polnt-there are more volunteers al
ready here than wanted, idle and uneasy at the
lnactlVity-yet the Commander General cannot
move for want of transports.
With six small steamers, at the present stage of
water, healthy and commanding points could easily
be reached ON the Rio Grande; but they are not
here, and the arms OF one of the largest armies
ever brought into the field by the United States are
tied for want of proper management at home
There is something wrong, too, still in the Post
Office department, and loud are the complaints In
every quarter.
| | have not line of news TO communicate I'VE
are all in the dark and in the mud
Another letter Of June 30 says:
Gen. Taylors camp on this side of the Rio
Grande is yet above water in spots although the
chances of being driven drowned out still look
about even | sat upon the banks of the river this
morning with my feet padding in the water; so
you may learn how near we are to an inundation.
| | wish that some Of those members of Congress,
who pleased to designate the officers of our
army as "epluleted loafers," and "wasp- wasted
vampires hanging about high places" could get a
| glimpse of them now-in, fact, could share their
priva!ons and discomforts with them They would
forever after hold their tongues.
The poor devils-although they laugh at and
make light Of the annoyances which beset them
appear in plight most puful, many of them really
not having had dry rag to their backs or airy
blanket to sleep in for fortnight. Hanging
about high placesw Why, they have been wadng
about low places, half way up to to their knees in
mud and water-Gen. Taylor and Col. Twiggs
among the rest-and nothing but an absolute fear
of being drowned out has driven any from their
position.
Volunteers are still arriving by regiments, and
still Gen. Taylor is without transportation or any
means of moving them. Where are the steamers
ordered to be purchased long since for the use Of
the army? Here is a stage Of water high enough
to reach Reynosa and Camargo with ease and safe
ty yet there is not safe conveyance even across
the river.
] cannot conceive situation more trying to the
patience and more Notifying to the feelings of the
Commander Rim Chief, than the one he is placed
IN. With men enough to march to any quarter, he
has not the means to move them an inch.
The Republic IA paper established for the pur-
pose of aiding in conquering Mexico uses this Ian
guage:
The Regulars and Volunteers comprising the
Army of Occupation, are enjoying luxuries which
the unfortunate citizens who are left behind would
assuredly envy them for, were they in situation
to appreciate them. During the last ten DAYS the
windows Of heaven have been opened wide upon
this section of country-boh upon the "iust and
the unjust" upon the American and Mexican sides
of the Rio Grande.
The tents of the vo1unipprs nrn rnaIa Of cottor
stuff, rather too fine to sft homny through but Pc
culiaty fitted for shower bath purposes The tents
OF the regulars are nine tenths of them rotten and
| ragged. The stuff of which they are made was
originally better fitted for plantation USE such as
negro clothing, &c, then for u campaign. Mauy
poor fellow, however, cannot boast Of dilapda-
ted tent of the decayed material named, but is liy.
ing under shelter made Of his own blankets un.
}, der which he can with difficulty sit upright
The clothing and bedding of both regulars and
volunteers have been half ruined during the short
e period Of the rainy season which has already pass
: cd. Very little complaint has been heard among
l. the men. They came here with the hope of being
S actively employed. They have made sacrifices
enough 1.-THE volunteers to have paid thrice-old the
expenses that could have been incurred by Govern
ment, had the most liberal provisions been prompt
. y made and executed, for the health and efficiency
II of the Army.
x The uniforms and effects of the regulars hav,
g been destroyed and it will not, think, be an ex
e agger9ton to say, army supplies enough have beer
II uined Tor want proper shelter to have paid five
times the cost of all the accessories withheld from
/ our troops The requisiton for tents, &C. &c, wa
e cuse for its having been neglected. Again, Their
e are no means at hand for the transportation of sup
e plies; Wagons cannot well pass between this plac
Of and Point Isabel and there Is not, at this momen
he single boat in the Government service now run
a ming on the Rio Grande.