American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-11

We learn that nothing official has yet been
received from the army in Texas on the subject
OF shooting deserters in the act of escaping, by
swimming, TO the Mexican army, beyond what
was communicated by the President (undier a
calD to the House, i'll his message of the 9th
inst. But we learn through other channels,
entitled to full credit, the follow ing additional
particulars:
Within a very few days after the arrival of
Gen. Taylor on the left bank of the Rio Grande,
opposite to the headquarters of the Mexican
army, at Matamoros-while hostilities were
daily threatened from that side-desertions from
our army, to an alarming extent, across that
river, occurred. The deserters from our colors
were mostly foreigners. Some thirty, it is sup
posed, succeeded in reaching the opposite bank;
while Others Give or six bad swimmeTs) were
drowned in the same att empt. Our army lay
close to the river. In this stage of the evil, it
is unotficaly stated Gn private letters} that
instructions were given to the nearest pckets,
guards, and sentinels, to pursue deserters as far
as they could, (there were no boats,) and after
warning them, by word and shots thrown ahead,
to fire directly upon the swimmers if they did
not promptly turn back. The same nforma-
ton renders it probable that two or three of
the deserters were reached by muskct-balls,
wounded, and perhaps, in consequence, drown
ed
1t is evident that the two armies, in face of
each other, and separated by river only some
two hundred yards in width, and immediate
hostities threatened, were obliged to observe
all the vigilance necessary in a state of war
No Amenern officer, under even flag of truce,
had been allowed to enter the Mexican camp
or town of Maamoras. Even communication
hafm tho American nj
at Matamoras was denied. Desertions from
either side to the other was therefore, under
the circumstances, rightfully considered as de-
sertion TO the enemy; and it is always prlnci-
paly through deserters that hostile armies OBJ
tain information as to the strength, positions,
and purposes of each other.
We have always understood that deserters
tOtcardS the enemy are treated in pursuit, as we'll
as after capture, (by courts with greater rigor
than desel tiers tOlUards home The crimnality
in one case may be twenty times greater than
in the other. Discipline, nay, the existence of
armies, depends on this distinction.
There is nothing, we learn, in the articles Of
war which regulates the pursuit or capture of
deserters; but all will admit that it is of the
highest necessity that deseIters TO the enemy
should be stopped, and, possible, secured that
they may be made examples of by courts mar
tial. So, we believe, there is no statute law |
prescribing the means to be used by constables,
sherffs, or aiors, to stop or to secure murder
er, or other felon, is his flight fiom justice. No
doubt, the prisoner may be pursued by the
civil Officer, and, to secure his person, he may
be wounded or struck down, if clearly necessa-
ry to stop the fight. 1t is supposed that mill
tary authority may go as far in the pursuit of
deserters-the object being, first, TO secure their
persons for regular trial and punishment by
courts; and, secondly, to prevent escape and in
formation TO the enemy,