The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-06
.... From the N ~ True sur.
THE PLAN AND PROSECUTION OF THE
MEXICAN WAR

would not dare look Mexican cat IN the face, and
who know as much Of the subject they pirate about
as mouse may be supposed 10 know OF steam
engine, 10 furnished TO the Montreal Gazette by an
experienced military commander in the British SER
vice, who evidently understands his subject, and
who, unlike our domestic malcOntents OF republic
eansm, has the candor and the honesty TO award to
power with which he does not sympathize, the
need Of praise il has SO nobly won
To the editor Of the Montreal Gazette:
Sin: If the American press, which exults in the
privilege, rather American than digDifed, of max
ing, If possibe, It's own government appear contemp-
tible, has succeeded in bewdering the Mexicans
by its crude and ridiculous conecures the designs
Of the war authorities, as completely as Il has be-
wildered Its own countrymen, the service done the
"staten has been most patriotic,
Instead, however, Of being involved in a daily
changing vortex Of puerile perplexites, as 1t has
pleased these papers to represent, the government
having feeble foe to deal with, commenced HOSTILE
ties upon a wel-digested plan Of operations, and
has pursued them with undertaking regularity; nor
was there but one possibility that could cause a
deviation. In the catalogue OF contingencies, there
possibility that some party in Mexico might
receive General Taylor with open arms, as an
instrument for eleyating it TO supreme power. The
enthusiastic MIR. Bancroft, Of the Navy Depart
ment, may have given il some consideration, while
his sagacous colleague, Mr.. Marcy, Of the War
Department, would give il very little and the re-
suit has proved that II was worthy Of none at all
The original design has therefore, gone steadily
forward, which was simply succession of inva-
sions or attacks on the flank" Of Mexico, each of
which cuts of her territory at certain parallel and
peralyzes her authority 10 the north OF t. For the
west "hank," or coast, tho fleet stationed in the Pa
cihc was quite sufficient, and Col. Steyensons reg-
ment, which has gone round garrison the posts TO
be maintained, is stronger force than the Mexi-
cans ever had at their place Of destination,
Ii is singular that nyIhing should appear in print
so supremacy silly as the idea Of Gen. Wool and
Gen. Kearny marching to the city of Mexico, the
journey being some two thousand miles, with all
their supplies TO be brought that distance in wagons
through an enemy's countryj and as insufferably
silly are the continued reports of large bodies Of
Mexican troops either in California or the northern
departments, or shortly expected" for it is well
known that Capt. Fremont, Of the United States to-
biographical engineers, has explored, and continues
TO explore the country through to the Pacific in eve
ry direction, with detachment Of Giy drdgOons
which have thus far been sufficient resist all the
"armies" TO be found there.
The first movement mot in the order Of time, but
geographically is that Of Gen. Keamy, who, with
400 men, has proceeded west from Missouri to
Santa Fe, 600 miles south of the American bounda-
ry Of 400. His command will maintain possession
OF this very liberal slice Of California; part may be
pushed forward to the Pacihc, q 200 miles, and he
may open to the south a communication with Gen.
Wool; but the march to Mexico must be laid aside,
as one Of those Munchausen fantasies for which
"letter-writers" are becoming celebrated.
General Wool, With 5000 men, is proceeding
from San Antonio de Bexar, due west 500 miles TO
Chihuahua, which is 300 miles south Of Santa Fe,
and 500 north Of Monterey and spreading his forces
westerly, through the departments of chihuahua
and Sonora, he will occupy all the commanding POI
stons to the Gulf Of California, $500 miles, J and
thus cut of another slice from which the authorities
Of Mexico must withdraw.
General Taylorhas, as we know, reached Mon
terey, with orders to take Salulo, which appears
10 be on the table land at the head of the pass or
Canada" leading down to Monterey, in the low
land. Satilo and the pass, when taken and gar
rsoned by volunteers, will protect the lowlands to
Matamoros, and the gulf from invasions of the
Mexicans, and thus enable the general to proceed
south, with the regular troops, TO San Luis Potosl,
400 miles. The long-talked Of march from Satllo
TO Mexico will turn out another campaign Of the
letter-writers" for where no portion Of the popu-
ation are favorable to the invaders, and all supplies
must be brought from the rear-that is 900 miles
from Camargo-it would require 10000 men to-
keep communications open, and conduct wagon
trains, to say nothing of the fighting part People
who buy their beef in the market, don't calculate
how many wagons it would take to draw the pro-
visions of 10000 men, and provender for their
horses, 900 miles.
General Patterson is ordered upon Tampico, a
place Of no strength; but, if | remember rightly,
there is but ten feet water the bar, and, con-
teQuenuy, no Vessels Of-War, except sch0Oners,
can get in. This city is 400 miles south Of Mata-
moros and being accessible to small craft and
s.eamboats, supplies for an American army, oper-
ating in the rear could be placed there with
great economy, DESPATCH and facility San Luis
Potosi lies about 200 miles west Of Tampico, 400
the city of Mexico. The ease with which men and
supplies can be thrown on this point will probably
make it the pivot Of American operations 10 Next
CO proper, during the winter should hostities
tnue
The last movement in the plan will be the capture
of San Juan de Ulloa and Vera Cruz; for the "na-
val heroes" must have their share of "glory." The
possession Of neither Tampco nor Vera Cruz was
desirable in summer, for the climate Of the low or
hot country of Mexico, in this region, (ts,ras cali
entes,) has the reputation Of being, at that season.
deadly to strangers. The castle is spoken Of rs
amazingly strong, which is good policy, for other
wise there would be but little glory in its reductions;
but as the Americans can bring an immense weight
of metal to bear against it, do not think the ex-
plot will really amount to much, after all. San
Juan de Uloa was built "long time ago." when
engineers were not quite scientific at present,
and when attacks from artillery of modern calibre
were little dreamed of in that quarter.
II there be not masonry not exceeding Six feet
thick exposed to shot, and parapets Of four feet
and half-und if there be not bomb-proofs that
have trouble enough to support their own weight,
slight as il is without having bomb-shells falling
of SPANS dominion in America, all the public
works were tending to decay and ruin; and as all
the fighting Of the Mexicans has been among
themselves, they have had no cause for keep
ing up castle out at sea- The French GER
tainly made short work of it; nor have much
faith in the reported "repairs." A new "wutcr bat
terry" is mentioned, which, if it exists at ALL s
probably an exterior work---a mere platform, from
which the gnnners would be driven at the opening
of cannonade.
have thus described FIVE distinct attacks on the
"fank" of the Mexican dominions, which, If sue
cessfu, will con6ne Mexico to the table land, and
give the Americana all the rest, with open free COM
municaon to their own country, along the whole
line, for supplies and reinforcements. ......
Vera Cruz is about 300 miles from the city of
Mexico, and apparently, through the route of San
Louis Potosi, has peculiar advantages, those who
would revel in the "halls of Monezuma," had bet
tor march, as the shortest cut, by the main direct
road, passing Jalapa. - 1ba41 5.
have set down distances in miles, on a rough
calculation, merely guide to your readers, though
they may be longer to those who have to march