Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-07-09
Correspondents between Gen. Gaines
and the War Department..


and the War Department.
About dozen columns in tie Government organ
are occupied with the correspondence between Gen.
Gaines and the War Department: In looking over
this vouminous correspondence, says the Louisville
Journal, we abundant reasons for thinking that
the General ought TO be assigned to some less rcspon
slble station than that now occupied by him. Gem
eral Gaines Is an old soldier and has distinguished
himself CALAMITY OH the battlefield, and these
facts ought 10 be always remembered in his favor.
His intentions, in assuming responsibilities not dele
gated to him, undoubtedly good, but good in
tentiOns sometimes lead to unpleasant results as was
the case in his ordering out volunteers without
thority to do So.
In his correspondence with Mr.. Secretary Marcy he
betrays an extraordinary amount of vanity, and
hiblts very fierce malgnity against all persons
pected by him of iaimcal feelings towards himself
In letter written in September last, lac desires
hority, in the event of with Mexico, assem-
bic on the banks of the Rio Grande fifty batalions
Of mounted gunDen." He thinks that the s'moral
effect Of such force, in conjunction with the regu-
lars, and all under the command Of officer of expe
rience, would be prompt peace and that If
such force were marched TO the city Of Mexico, and
to other popuous cities and settlements of that be-
nghted Republic" it would effect q very speedy cure
of the awful maladies of alternate anarchy and des-
Potism'' with which Mexico has long been aflict
ed. He then speaks of himself and his age says he
is three years younger than Butcher was in his bril-.
liant actions Waterloo, and adds that his health
is excellent and his mental ability TO command ex-
petition TO the city Of Mexico and thence to CalifOr
mia, Panama, or both is greater than it in
1914, when he trumphed over a superior force COM
manded by British officer of the Wellington school.
He adds
81 sixtyeight years Of age the Goth Of March
last, and the only United States soldier living
who ever a hattie OF the head Of division q
British army. Under these circumstances claim a
RICH! The command Of the proposed expedition consisting
it consist, principally Of regulars and volunteers
belonging to the geographical limits Of my division"
| He then makes a charge at Gen. Scott
"HaviDg good believe that my claim will be
opposed by Major General Winfield Scott officer who
has been for many years my junior, who am has
abored for more than quarter of century past with far
zeal TO cover with calumny and defeat my efforts
10 be employed in any service likely rebound the
safety and glory of country than he has abored
to provide for the national defence and to defeat the in
vadng foe have determined 10 submit my claim 10 the
President of the United States and the Secretary of War
confidently trusting 10 their known wisdom and justice Tor
decision which will prove TO the army and the nation
that the rights of the unpreendng soldier always found
upon The frontier when menaced BY will be much
respected those of the political tactcan long accus
toned to ciings and crouch in and about the political
ropOis, sacrificing the interests and honor of the shrine
OF that morbid thirst for the Presidency which has unhsp-
PLY for long time past turned the heads of many worthy
chiefs of clques from their appropriate pursuits to the
great Of the good people Of the Unon and the
neglect of their best interests thirst for high Office
which has in ciques ragged more in favor of
the British views Of aboltonism than fOr placing
seapor Of defence against the assaults of Brit
ISL steamers"
In his various letters, he talks about Jackson, b.
naparte, Wellington Grouchy, and other distinguish
ed military folks gives the Hartford Convention ad
vocates broadside, and pours redhot shot into
Gen. Cass and ''such abandoned writer's whom he
says, he scOrns, deteSts and defes. He adds that
such writers have proved that they take delight
in their schemes of intrigue with the chances of
seven years war with few Indians, anticipating sue
cess In the election of favorite political chief
tain, than In the prospect of timely protection TO
helpless women and children upon detenceeSs from
| tier
He speaks of the bad treatment he has heretofore
received firm the War Department, owing to the
"awleSs conduct" of Gen. Scott, his 'vindctivc iu-
NOR He feels consocd under his grievances with
the knowledge that he will triumph all OPP
position in establishing his system of national Defence
to the disgrace of every military who has CO.
verify and openly opposed him. He adds
"Gen. Scott has not the power to harm me without be.
ing aided he in his Inrgues of July, ls4l by the
head of the War Department, in matter and
tent not sanctioned by law What the precise con-
dItions of his promotion me have learned but
this is fact well known the army and people Of the
United States that he had been but few months in his
office before his ntrgues for the Presidency dis
closed in address tending to scandasc the army and
the office confded to him.
Il had confidently persuaded myself that the army and
its senior general officer would have Justice done them
der The present administration nasmuch the election
of Col Polk clearly indicated determination the part
of large portion of the good people of the Union put
down all intriguing for the succession. In this hope
will not despair"
! We suspect that the veteran soldier does despair
of having Justice done him under the present adj
ministrat ton, since 1t has countermanded his orders
and ordered him to repair to the seat of government
Gen. Scott notices the charges brought against him
by Gen. Gaines, denies them, and says 1.-The reme-
dy for Gen. Ganess Irregularities, arising mainly,
| am in charity bound to suppose, from insanity or
dotage, is to place him indefinite leave of alb
sence and adds that this is the course he hae ad-
vsed should be pursued towards him for the last three
years.
1t must be confessed that Mr.. Secretary Marcy &C.
cupes very pleasant position for military gentle
man, such as he is, at the present time. He has 10
sustain belligerent correspondence between two
major generals and is truly Secretary at War as
well as Of War.
| THE Four GENERALs.-lt is little more than q
month since the commencement of the present war,
yet that short space of time, less than four OF
our generals have succeeded in Distinguishing them
selves. One has suddenly emerged from comparative
obscurity, to be hailed the first military leader in
| America. second has succeeded In demolishing
the fabric of fame little less glorious third has
rendered himself liable to blame from the government
although not from the people, by the precipitancy Of
his patriotism, which free to say is of the pur-