Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-11-05

verely in bearing the bosoms OF our best ci,;
gems, and bravesi officers, and soldiers. 10 ,ba
batteries Of an unseen foe; that the city was
lsyill immensely strong IN its deiences: than the
Mexican Army was double thai Of our own
this Army was in possession OF the stronsest
part Of the city. each house Of which Is far
iress within itself; that each remaining stres,
was barricaded and most Of them defended n,
cannon; and that when driven from the rity
the Mexican Army possessed fortress caIol
/ the Citadel. of immense capacity, aud ere,,
strength, to which the whole Army could have
retired.
70 have taken this work without a s;eoa
train. as we were, by assault, would have coy,
us very dearly. Independently Of these con.
/ sideraticns, our provisions We're growing shar,
and our ammunition was quite limited. We
were far removed from our supplies and rem.
I forcements, while the enemy might have been
reinforced al any moment. And lastly. the
policy avowed by our Government does not
inculcate the idea that this is to be yndictiye
or exterminating war against the people Of
Mexico, but on the contrary to conquer peace
or in other words to whip Mexico to her own
satisfaction. obtain our just rights, and con
cude a peace upon terms such as would be
becoming IN great and magnanimous nation
All this has in my opinion been accomplished
in as full, complete aud ample manner by
the course pursued in the capitulation, as II
we had stormed the citadel and put the whole
army 10 the sword This is, in nv judgment
the last battle which will be fought in the Mex
lean war. Gen. AMPuprA. in urging pacific
course on Gen. TAYLOR, stated repeatedly tina,
he knew that Gen. SANTA ANNA was disposed
to peace; that he was well assured that tho
course adopted would lead to peace between
the two countries that his object was 10 save
the effusion OF blood and the honor of his Go.
vernmenf.
But If the war is TO be prosecuted, we are
in the possession Of one Of the strongest, most
healthy and beautiful places in Mexico; from
which, when our relniorcements and supplies
arrive, our Army cannot be expelled BY any
force which Mexico will be able TO send
against it. We have taken arms and ammu-
milton with which we can act Extensively or
defensiyely, according 10 the course OF events
and the policy OF the Government. lfit be the
policy ofo Government TO extend our boun-
dairy beyo the Rio Grande. then the line of
the Rinconada, agreed upon as that beyond
which the Mexican troops are to retire. is the
most eligible which can be indicated by the
geographical features ofthe country.
Gen. AMpUDIA and his army left this morn
ing for Saltllo. He was treated with courtesy
and respect, by Gen. WORTH, whose quarters
are in the city, and who accompanied him to
the limits of the town. In fact, all ofour troops
displaye that forbearance which always marks
the conduct of brave and fnagnanimous men
towards those whom the fortune of war has
placed in their power You will observe tina,
in my narration of the events OF the battles |
have confined myself to the operations Of that
division Of the Army which was comman-
ded by Gen. WORTH. ] have done so be-
cause | was with this command, near his
person, saw what occurred, and know that
which have stated TO be substantially correct
You are not to infer that mean to intimate
that the main Army, under the command of
Gen. TAYLOR, did not perform ieats equally
worthy of the applause and admiration of the
country. Others well informed as TO facts,
and much better qualified for the duty, will no
doub; give detailed account of the operations
Of this portion Of the army. Take the army
altogether, doubt whether superior body Of
men ever rallied under the flag Of our country.
Very truly, yours, &c.,
BALE PEYTON
J. AID. RozIER, Esq.