The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-10


forbearance in our efforts 10 preserve peace, ever
until our forbearance is mistaken for umidity.
| 1--we hasten on the volunteers which have lone
desired to concentrate upon the Rio Grande, and
thus prove our determination TO take and hold the
attitude Of proud Defiance and speedily TO follow up
the blow just now struck, the war must be terminal
ed in the present year. il not in few months other
wise it may linger as did the Seminole war, Cor
en- years after il had been terminated
But this measure will require a considerable out
lay of money. This is truth which Is strictly APP
plcable every efficient measure Of national defence
But the intrinsic value Of that instruction and expe-
rence which the volunteers will derive from few
months active service will render taem equal to the
best Of regulars, who will delight in giving them
instruction-a degree Of instruction that will be
worth more TO this Union than ten times the amount
of money their employment will cost.
With great respect,
Your obedient servant,
| EDMUND PENDLET0N GAINES,
Major GeneSr,u y Army,
Commanding the Western Division.
To the Hon. Wn. l.. MARCY,
Secretary Of War,
Extract from letter from Maj. Gen. E. p. Gaines,
| dated
| "HEApQUAETERs WESTERN DIVISION,
| "New Orleans May l, 1916.
"SK Convinced as am that recent events IN
Mexico and upon the western border Of Texas
must have satisfied you that my vhws Of the last
summer and autumn were not such as to justify the
extraudicia reprimand with which you were
pleased to of the Presidents disspproba-
ton Of my conduct, do myself the honor to renew
my application TO concentrate upon the south western
border Of Texas fifty battalions OF western yolun-
teers.
az am under the impression that could have the
greater part Of this force concentrated upon the Rio
Grande by the 18th Of the present month ready for
action. This force would have the benefit Of a
military school far superior TO that at West Point
military school that would in six months render
every officer and soldier Of these volunteer corps
equal to the best Of our o0rking regulars; for at
West Point they do not learn 10 work, whilst in a
campaign to the Rio Grande, and 10 the city Of
Mexico, the history Of every days duty would be a
history Of incessant labor on the part Of every mem
Der OF the army from the commanding general TO the
youngest private soldier inclusvely
81 propose to place this force under the command
Of Gen Taylor, or in the event Of our difficulties
with England being settled, propose TO take COM
maUd Of this force myself should the President 30
order. | WISH however, to have nothing to do with
any command in that quarter without at least fifty
battalions. Ten of which propose to be mounted
As II has long been obvious TO me that decisive
good can result from placing upon that frontier a
force unable to maintain the attitude of proud def
ance upon the whole frontier bordering upon Mexi-
co, and able to put doton all opposition.
"A purely defensive policy cannot be maintained
with such nation as Mexico, without ample force
TO punish such bandits have for many years past
marked the character of many of the armed men Of
that miserable nation, and if necessary to follow
them into the heart of their country and at the
time to protect the good citizens Of the country
against this lawless rabbe."
have the honor to be, with great respect your
most obedient servant
EDMUND P. GAINES,
Major General United States army,
Commanding the western division.
HEApQUAKrERs ARMY OF OccurArioN,
Camp on the field e. battle,
Three miles from h,atamoras,
May 9th, 1916.
SIR: For the information ofMaor General Gaines,
am directed by the commanding general to say
that on his march hther from Point Isabel he en-
countered at "Palo Alto, on the 9Th instant the Mex
lean forces, consisting of $500 regular troops, and
perhaps 1900 irregular cavalry with nine pieces of
artillery. Our force, including officers did not
| exceed 1890. After an action of Eve hours, main
tanned chiefly with artilery-though the 5th infan-
| try repulsed charge of lancers-the enemy was
driven from his positions, which we occupied for
the night. Our loss four men killed, three Of
foers and thiry-nne men wounded, several of the
latter mortally. The loss OF the enemy was exceed
ingly severe, more than one hundred killed-the
proportion Of wounded not known. Major Ring
gold, Sd artillery, and Captain Page, 4h infantry,
were severely wounded. Lieutenant Luther Cd ar
tillery, slightly do.
This morning the army renewed its march, the
enemy gradually falling back before it until he
reached this position-a ravine crossing the road
| then planted seven pieces of artillery, and seemed
disposed to make stand After a heavy and con-
tinued fire ofartlery and muskery, the general or
dered the battery to be carried, which was hand
somely done by squadron of Dragons and the in
fantry reg lments on the ground. Our victory is
complete. Seven pieces of artillery, three stand
ards, large quantity Of ammunition, baggage and
pack mules were taken, together with over one
hundred prisoners, including several officers of note
They have returned across the river.
Our loss has been heavy-three officers killed. and
twelve wounded; killed and wounded of men not
yet known The officers killed are Lieutenant Inge
ID dragons, Lieutenant Cochran, 4th infantry, and
Lieutenant Chadbourne, 9Th infantry.
Wounded, Lieutenans Colonel Mcintosh and
Paine, Captains Montgomery and Howe, Lieuten-
dan, 9th infantry, and Fowler, 9Th infantry.
The loss of the enemy has been exceedingly sc.
we're, but is not yet known.
The fort under Major Brown has sustained itself
handsomely during a bombardment of l60 hours.
Its gallant commander died to-day from the effect of
shell, of which great numbers were thrown into
the work. The other casualties were one sergeant
killed, 10 men wounded.
write late at night, and in great haste.
w. w. BLISS.
Lieutenant P. CALHOUN,
New Orleans.
ADJUTANT Generals OFFICE,
Washington, May %, is45.