Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-06-25
FROM THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE.
THE MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN TIE
PRESIDENT AND CEN. SCOTT.

THE MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN TIE
PRESIDENT AND GEN. SCOTT.
we shall not cucumber columns with the
correspondence between Gen. SCoTT and Secretary
MARCY, with reference to the proposed departure
OF the former TO the Rio Grande, to take command
OF the Army operating against Mexico. We deep
regret that such correspondence has taken place.
deemng II by no means creditable To our Govern
ment. The substance of the whole matter is as
follows:
l. Immediately on the passage OF the War bill
by congress (apPropriatng $lO,OOO,OOO, and call
ing out 5O,OO0 Volunteers to fight Mexco.) Gen
Scott was cerbatty informed by the President and
Secretary Marcy that he was expected to proceed
TO the frontier and take command of the Army of
Operations. But no acriften order (such as is al
ways given TO every officer dispatched on impor-
fant service,) was given him TO that effect then or
at any subsequent time.
Gen. Scott wrote to Secretary Marcy. May 2lst,
setting forth his nonrcceipt of orders, but that he
had been verbally told TO hold himself i'm readiness
for service the Misunderstanding that he had
been hard at work from the moment Of receiving
the Presidents intimatiOn in making the premna-
ry arrangements for the campaign indicated. with
the chiefs of the General Staff-to wit, the Adm-
tant General. Quarter Master General Commissa-
ry General, Chief of Ordnance. &c-which could
only be done at Washington. Gen. S. proceeds to
say
81 am too old a soldier, and have had too much
special experience not to feel the infinite importance
OF securing myself against danger, M-,cW, or pre-
condemnation in my rear, before advancing upon
the public cnemy.-Not an advantageous step can
DC taken, In forward march, without the conf
dence that all is well behind If insecure in that
quarter, no General can put his whole heart and
mind into the work TO be done in front. am.
therefore, not little alarned-nay crippled i'm my
cnergies-by the knowledge and the Impotence i'm
question: and | beg to say, fear no other danger.
''Al that have but skcfclted. deem to be not
only useful TO success, but Indispensable As sol
der, make this assertion without the fear of con-
tradlctlon from any honest and candid soldier
Against the at cdptandum condemnation of all
oiDer persons-whoever may be designated for the
high commands in question-there can be no rel-
ance I'm his absence) other than the active candid
and steady support of his Government. If can
not nave that sure basis TO rest upon, il will be in
finltey better for the country (not to speak of nv
personal security that some other commander of
the new army against Mexico, should be selected
No matter who he may be, he shall at least be
judged and supported by in this office and every
where else, as would desire, if personally in that
command, TO be myself judged and supported NV
explicit meaning is-that | do not desire to place
myself in the most perlous of all positions "a fire
upon my rear, from Washington, and a fire IN
front, from The .NericaaS."
Gen. Scott proceeds TO set forth his plan of the
Campaign, stating that total force of so 900 men,
one-ihlrd Cavalry, is requisite for the invasion of
Mexico on the scale indicated and to give assurance
of success. OF this force, the Cavalry must march
from the Mississippi: through Texas 10 the Rio
Grande. The slckiy, rainy season in lowand Mex
leo is about commencing, when no offensive opera
tons by raw troops can be wisely or usefully car
red on. The hoois of horses and mules are so soft
ened in that region during the rainy season that
the animals are unfit for service. He holds that
suitable force cannot he concentrated on tba Rio
Grande, with proper munitions, provisions. SC. SC.
earlier than the LIST of Superintendent his (Gen.
SO preference would be to remain at Washington
until every thing had been put in train for securing
the concentration of sufficient and effective force
then to proceed to the seat of war by wav of the
Ono and Mississippi as to arrive on the frontier
at the right time for commencing operations. Until
such Il force is concentrated, Cen :. would prefer
not to supersede Gen. Taylor in his present COM
mand.
''It was to command such larger army that I'M
derstood myself as likely TO be sent TO the Mexican
frontier as AZ as dt,cays unjost TO junior General,
who has done well, and is supposed to be doing
well, TO supersede him by General of higher rank
without sending with the latter corresponding rein.
torcements l should esteem myself the s,nhappu
instrument Of bounding The honorable pride of the
gallant and judicio,s Taylor, If ordered to super
sede him on'der different circumstances
Secretary Marcy at once jumps to the conclusion
that Gen. S impuies to The President hostility. pre-
condemnation, &c, and that it is from him that he
apprehends the opening fire ON his rear Sc Sc
All Gen. SCOTS apprehensons are, without hesita-
ton or intimaton of Doubt treated as attacks on
the President, and Gen S. is ectured roundly
therefor. Finally the Secretary informs him that
he will continue in command at Washinpton and
not be ordered 10 the frontier at ALL
Gen. Scott replies, disclaiming the construction
given to his language by the Secretary
Another letter from Gov. Marcy of no importance
follows. Gen Scott writes again:
81 still hope, when the President shall have read
that explanatory letter, and the foregoing exposi-
ton of facts atentiyely he may be willing to rccur
to his original purpose, and accord to my senior
rank the preference which have never ceased to
entertain, and which should have pressed with in
cessant zeal, but for the apprehensions heretofore
expressed, and which your letters have nearly, if
not quite removed. | therefore BEG to claim that
command, whenever the President may deem it
proper TO give me the assignment--whether to-day,
or at any other better time he may be pleased to
designate.
''ln your relolnder TO me Of yesterday MAY 260
which have acknowledged above, You quote from
my letter of explanations the words .sYou are also
aware OF other causes of uneasiness | have against
the Department" &c. SC.
Your notice OF this complaint on my part is so IL
bcral-not to say kind-that am bound to be frank
and explicit, as TO ONE of those causes: had upon
my mind, IN hastily penning those words these
iacts-Bngadior General Wool was called TO this
place by letter OF your o,cn writing, to command,
under me. one Of the detached columns against
Mexico. according 10 an understanding (May l3th)
between the President, YOU and me, to that effect.
saw Gen Wool first, the day of his arrival (Niay
l1th,) and communicated TO him the purpose of his
being called to this place. In day or two, learn
ed from Gen: Wool, that Notwithstanding my init
nation (to hlm) he had been told by you he might
not be ultimately assigned to that command. be-
cause, perhaps, other Generals might be authorized