The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-09
1876


pense of blood and treasure We should leave 70
the veteran members OF the press--suoh as our
friends Richie and Galesthe literary and political
work Of settling the grave questions that may from
time 10 time arise, TO what general this that OF
the other army has been eonfded, and that other
generals should not NEEDLE with il. This, among
men Of military mind, would seem very like chiL
dren's play-such that whistle" was given to
Tom, and neither Dick nor Harry should NEEDLE
with III . . .--. IA. g. -....|. ..g
fthe duties assigned to General Taylor were 70
occupy his attention during the next seven years
should never mtddis with his command further than
10 give him all the light and strength in my power;
and this is precisely what have always desired the
Department Of War and the generals placed over
me, or such happened TO be on duty near to me,
10 extend TO me, especially when the casualties
incident to were likely to embarrass me, or any
intelligence touching the strength or movements OF
the enemy could be obtained and communicated Ia
me- All have ever wanted from my government
or my commanding general was ligh and strength
This is all have ever yenlured to give 10 General
Taylor, or any other commander similarly situated;
light 10 enable him 10 the forces and obstacles 10 BE-
encountered and strength 10 enable him 10 overcome all
such opposing forces and obstacles All but one Of the
commanders in our revolutionary army under our
matchless Washington cordially and fervendy co
operated with him and with each other during the
whole Of their unexamped struggle in the achieve
ment Of .amsYean Independence. That one defective
commander had acquired some fame in Canada and
elsewhere; bat in the vain hope of Obtaining money
and high rank in the British army, he denounced
Washington as an inisrlopsr, epdeayored TO starye
him and his faithful soldiers, and force them 10
yield TO their worse than savage foe But the mora
power Of the people, their army, and beloved com.
mander, prevailed over the treaehevy Of Major Gen
eral Benedict Arnold, and trIumphed, while he
with his associates, were everywhere beaten
and disgraoed. Not 80 with tho army Of France
That army triumphed everywhere while command
II -, NJ Ffa lon, ...l
ers cordially and feryendy co-opersted with each
other but the want Of this spirit OF cooperation or
the part Of Field.marshal Grouchy near the battle
of Waterloo, gave TO the allied forces under Wei
lington the great triumph Of conquering Napoleon
the eonqueror Of Europe.
am sure that no other description Of proc
be adduced TO put me in the wrong but thar
of such writers as | have above described, anC
such as those who condemned my conduct in
Florida and upon the Sabine in the year 1886
where | made requiston for volunteers
militia without the express authority oil
President Jackson, as you may by the ohiciaI
correspondence Of Mr., Secretary Cass, who was
ever ready and willing 10 put me in the wrong
Such abandoned writer's are expected now to assaIi
and censure me; more especially if in doing they
interest the President yourself 30 far as TO Sc
TO themselves their friends any favor, or 70
do me an injury. scom, detesI and defy all such
writers. They have proven themselves to deligh
more in their schemes of intrigue with The chances
of a seven years war with few Indians; antieipa
ting success in the election Of fayore politca
chiefain than IN the prospect Of timely protec
ton to the helpless women and children upon de-
fenceless frontier. should never have boon worthy
of any station m the army If such hired or 10
tigung sanderers could have forced me out Of the
plain straightforward course of my duty.
My late call for Louisiana volunteers was plain |
case of official duty. The reports suggesting tn,
proPriety OF the measure were, for the most part
Al. III A
consideration and respect have only time now TO /
refer to them concisey, to bring 10 your recol
lection many material facts which need not be very
particularly detailed. ..
]. The statements representing the difficulties en-
countered by General Taylor in the landing and
tardy concentration Of his forces at Corpus Chrisu
were known to be true, represented by Major
Doneson, our late minister TO Texas, a gentleman
Of high military and civil attainmens, and Captain
Crossman, United States quartermaster, with other
respectable officers and commanders nf vessels
The water between the Island Of 81. Joseph and
Corpus Christi was found by the general to be o.
, much less depth than had been reported to him
This, added to want Of supply Of small vessels
of light draugh delaed the movement of the tico regi-
ments cfintantry and the company Of artillery liable
only TO do infantry Duty being without field pieces
or other ordnapce) for near iesnty days. During
great part Of which time, but one two companies
with small quantities Of most essential military
to Corpus Christi in one day. Notwithstanding the
constant exertons of the general and all the officers
and men OF these corps, than whom there are not in
service more efficient officers or men from the gene
raj to the youngest private soldier nclusively. I'm.
der these circumstances, it is very evident that even
one thousand or fifteen hundred Mexicans under
the command Of an officer any enterprise or chiv.
airy, might have come from Matamoras and taken
or destroyed some five or six companies with all
the public stores landed at Corpus Christi or if they
could have come in small gun-boats, with two or
three SMALL pieces Of cannon or howitzers. thew
might have made much more disastrous attack
upon the troops and stores upon the island, while
the companies were separated in nearly equal num-
beers. Such triumph on the part of Mexico would
have given to their troops and people very high
degree Of confidence in their ability 10 cope with as
while 1t would have given to every soldier and ct-
zen of the United States an exceedingly ,ortifyinp
shock that we should have been guilty Of The
fatal error of making such a movement
without artillery, and without that class SofI
gun-boats which should always accompany
every such expedition upon the seaboard Of Texas,
this State, Mississippi, Alabama, or Florida where
there are but few nies atfordng sufficient depth Of
water for any other description Of vessels. Cd Il 4
understood that before the arrival of the volunteer
artillery from this tate at Corpus Christi General
Taylor had attached to his command about 900 Tex
an volunteers; that he had also entrenched himself
IN his position, and being deficient in artillery, had
S""'S SUPP guns OF small cdllDre, ana
placed them within his defences. Sd. Captain
Crossman's letter. Of which | sent to the adiutant
general an extract in mine of the 23d ult clearly
proves the difficulty that had been experienced up
TO the l4th of August, and the awkward situation III
which General Taylor felt himself placed in the
event Of an attack from want Of artillery 1itis
fact which will be found reported by Colonel Hunt,
deputy quartermaster general that the train of ar
tliery intende for the company commanded by
Lieut.. Bragg, did not reach this city on its way to
Texas, until five six days after the departure Of
the Louisiana volunteers under Maj. Gally. /
4. The reports from Mexico demonstrating the
existence Of ,oa spir on the part Of the govern
ment and people Of that republic against the United
States, were, for the most part, known to be in ac
cordance with official declarations Of the high public
functionares Of hatgovernment in their abrupt
abandonment of all the courtesies of official inter-
course between Mexico and her older sister Of the
American Union. Some other reports in reference
10 the movement and strength Of the Mexican forces
nop supposed 10 hare been exaggerated. Still,
however, this is but pague supposition, we have