Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-29
H.Anau.krEks wEsrrRs DIVISION.

HTADQuARTERs WESTERN Division,
Nep Orleans, June 7fh. l6I6.
SIR have acknowledge the honor of your letter of
the 2eh May-ast month.
was with surprise learned the Department Of War re.
garded with dsapprobauon the made by upon
the Governors Kentucky and other States for assistance
At the ume II made the eth Of May last General
Taylor was IN the most critical situation. He had been
left with neither adequate to sustain the na
uonal honor-opposed TO army four times strong
rs his own and cut of from his military The coun-
Try whether he could escape destruction
BY his gaIlanuy snG the indomabe courage OF his
officers and men, and the providence of Cod he exucatcd
himself from the difficulty At this he requested
troops be him with all possible dispatcn. As
commander of this division OF the United States army
Immediately sought the means OF meeting his wishes
And would have deemed myself reereant to my trust and
meritng dismissal from the service had postponed ac
ZION the subject for weeks, until orders could have
been received from Washington.
The War Department may deem the number of troops
asked by me as greater than the exgency required THIS
must confess would asIonish the War Department
asked and procured bill authorizing the levy So 600
volunteers, and approPnaung lOOUOOOOl ten millions to
meet the same eNlgency.
The War Department seems to be Of opinion that there
discretionary power lodged 10 without posi-
order therefore would ask, for information ii a ser
vie Instruction should occur IT Eruption should be
made by large tribes Of Indlans it a swarm of steamers
with Pahan guns towering about this sea coast;
or If General, at the head OF a great part of the
army OF the United States upon the frontier OF a neigh
boring State should ask assistance would it be my
duty refuse all aid until should have received orders
from Washington humby CONCEIVE that the latter case
has existed within the last month: aud If have erred in
deeming General Taylor and his army suaton so haz
ardous demand immediate succor IL is error under
which the country the Congress and the War Depsrtmen,
have equally abOTed. Had assistance been DELAYED by
me, and had General lay and MS army been off
would have regarded II 4 indelblo stigma upon my
name. Am that the exercise such discretion
must ever be at the peril o! the officer exercising That
peril hesitate whenever the welfare of
the country demands II exercise it unwsely, am
willing that my commission shall be forfeited; or If ex-
ercise It vanly or for dishonoabe purposes am willing
be shot. more than willing 10 abide the conss-
quences OF my conduct IN this natter confident as am
that have not transcended my duty, acted with great
zeal than the emergency required If the battles OF the
9Th and 9sh Of May well contested they were for
time on both sides had resulted IN the loss OF Tayors
my, II would have plunged the whole Union into deep
mourning, and into that poignant OF all human grefs
abiding OF seireproaeh Tor the settled and cold
indifference with which his OF competent force and
supplies had been Coz months witnessed.
The talented and gallant General De Buys, who for
long time commanded the finest division Of volunteers
have the OF 1874 and Is and yyhc
has superior for the command Of this dscrip
Of force. with L. Texada, ESD Of the most p!o-
missing young members the Legislature and the talented
Judge Bryce, were not as you seem suppose, private
uzens They were Louisiana volunteers and gentlemen
OF high csPcctaby and appointed by TO act az
officers OF the general staff upon the same principle that
the distinguished Edward Livingston, a. L. Duncan aud
John Grymes all fst-rae lawyers, appointed by
Jackson 10 act as sieg officers.
Jackson's object was, my object been upon
such occasions to maintain the great principle upon which
the defence and the Independence Of our beloved Union
forever depend; that be pIioate volunteer Is 10
hold station Of hgA honor whence acting general staff
may with strict pTopeiy be taken and put duty IN the
Absence OF the regular staff OF the army.
These appointments, and all the measures taken by me
which you object deemed by me as essential du-
ties. and discharged By upon principles sanctioned BY
the greatest aud best OF men known me- some Of
whom took their degrees IN military and political science
in school Of beloved Washington Greene and Knox
and the school Of Jefferson and arborn and
Galatn; and though last no. least in the school Of Mad
son. kustis Dallas and Armstrong Monroe and Calhoun
the spirits OF the Of 1912 20 1914 and rs
Be assured sir that will obey with much pleasure the or
ders Of the President Of The United States according to
my oath OF office. As the repnlaEds with which YOU
hOnOrcd the last year, and the last and pre-
cent lnh, although they ske novelties not being
warranted By the OF general cOurt-maral vet
careiessiy sabmt them, they be source of
pleasure the War Department, and certainly nfict no
injury eau conceive but for their fre
qucnt occurrence and that that my shall be ban
died before the country that the public may be prepared
with indifference my passed by silence II
distinguished officers created the army. Ii this So
the labor useless may very soon be- unable 10 DIS
charge the active duties Of my profession Though long In
the enjoyment Of excellent health Il for already old Of
a contented disposition and have received suficnt dsne
tons during my humble life. Not Tue east OF these dis
tncOn- do regard the late prompt measures 81 Con-
gTess and the President and the noble hearted
and other whole 0ouird Western end Southern men, in not
only indirectly, but expressly, generously, and Unanimous
y approving conduct in having for many months urged
the adoption Of the ncpn which have recent
iy been carried a. by arciamatDn
do wish 10 have the place Of aby General or other
officer known TO ae. l. sir born time and reared
among who had not learned the art of marching 10
distinction by uampn2 under foot The claims Of their dear
est friends ~ brother soldiers.
Very respectfully, yOufs,
EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES,
MAJOR General United States Array
Commaaa4.ng the Western Division
Hon. WV. l.. MAEcY, Secretary u War, Washington.