Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-11

stop that necessary TO guard myself against perhaps
utter condemnation In tho quarters alluded TO. am too
ou anu nave had too much special experience,
not the nhnise importance OF securing myself against
danger (il viii or prc-condemnson) In my before
| advancing upon the public enemy.
Not an advantageous step be taken in forward
march without tho confdence that all is well behind
insecure IN that quarter general put his whole hear
ana mnI IN ,he work TO be done in 'front.' therefore
not he alarmed nay. crippled in my energies by IN,
knowledge OF the impotence in question, and beg
| 1 fear no other danger.
My n'entions have becu after making all promina ry
arrangements here pass down the Oho aud Mississippi
TO see OF TO assure by correspondence that the
lnnieers, on whom mosy rely in the prosecution
OF the existing war rapidly assembling for the service
10 learn the probable time OF their readiness advance
upon Mexico; TO ASCERTAIN il their supplies Of every kind
are IN place, or likely be in place in sufficient
hasten one and tho other; to harmonzc the movements
volunteers, and TO modify their routes f necessary
that all, or at least Sufficient rumbcr. shall arrive the
indicated points in the Mexican frontier the best periods
and, as far practicable about the same time. All
nave but skstehed deem be not only useful
Gees, but indispensable. As soldier make this
non without the fear Of contradiction from honest and
candid soldier.
Against the sd eaptaadum condemnation Of all other
persons whoever may be designated for the high command
IN question: there be reliance I'm his abscnce oihor
than Il aevs candid. and steady support OF his govern
ment II cannot have that basis 10 rest
Will be infinitely better for the country mot speak Of
personal security that other commander of the
army sgainst Mexico should be selected. No matter who
he may bo he shall least be Judged and supported by
me IN this office, and every where else, as would desire.
II personally IN that command be myself judged and
supported.
NV explicit aiming is that do not desire TO place
myself in the perlous of all positions IRE upon
my rear from Warrington, aud the IRE front from
he McTieaas.
II was distinctly admitted and laid down - basis, in
the interviews had the honor hold with the President
and yourself on the subject that special army OF
JOOOO troops regulars. aud ~ months volunteers would
DC reces a for the march against and the conquest OF
peace m Mexico. adhere to that opinion IL is FORE
ssen with tocrablo certainty, that shall not have, N
many months, than 1000 az quite many rcgu-
ias applicable To that service. The remaining numbers
are TO be made IN volunteer horse and suppose
OF these, taken together, about II 900 have actually
called tor There - yet good time think make the
additions suggested OF the tables had the honor
to submit last night.
The question follows BY what time can an army of
about $4,000, as above, be brought from the differ
ent points agreed upon the interviews alluded to upon
MsXicoi
MOs than half Of the 1000 regulars remain TO DO re.
crnited hope they may be obtained and taken the
Rio Grande, though or unnsuctcd by the first of
Sept next Can two. thirds, even half OF the yolun
eer horse be got TO that river much before that tme1
greatly doubt the neutrality-suspicious. the shadow of
doubt about the patriotism zeal OF the citizens who have
been specially called upon. The foot volunteers aided by
water transportation believed TO be impossible with the
horse probably reach all the points for commencing
operations week earlier. But If horse he , ne
eeSsary element TO success (and twohs il not three
ourths OF the Mexican understood TO be in the
sadde what utility would there be IN forcing the foot
much ahead OF the horsei This ought to be matter of
arrangement left 10 the commander Of the special army
inorm ION may open upon him his Progress 70 the
Mexican frontier the heads of columns or within "a
sy corresponding distance with Of them. The par
cula question here then reeurs can tho horse
from Kentucky, (he distant from Mexico) or that
from tennessee Say IL reach the Rio Gande
icy land be u remcmbercd much before the day 81 OF
Sept before mentioned have learned personally from
the Jealous and intelligent Aduant General Dudley of
Ky, that that distant horse regiment cannot be as
sembed say Frankfort the BowingRreen earlier
than the latter part Of June.
Thence it will probably be obliged to march via Mem
phis, Fulton on the Red River, San Antonio de Bexar
&c, line OF some 200 miles The OF the Ten
nessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi horse will be respective
y, 400, 800 and 200 miles shorter but even the mid
die or Tennessee horse regiment cannot allowing not
day Tor instruction OF lie rendezvous the route reach
the Rio Grande before according TO all combinations we
can make here) the middle OF August.
think, considering tat hope TO have more
than oOO regular cavalry the lower Rio Grande no CON-
mandeT would be willing Mexico withou, bo, the
kentucky aud Tennessee regiments Of horse and all tbs.
have been called from points the field ofexpected
operations may now state fact which seems to be
conclusive to the period best for taking up lines Of opera
lions from and beyond the lower Rio Grande.
All the information that be obtained here represent,
that the rainy on and south OF the Rio Grande be-
gins about June and terminates about the of Sepem
oeT that during that the hoo Of the horse and the
mule becomes sOiened Though shOd and diseased so as 10
disable the animal for travel and work. Again the
end OF the rainy season, and or weeks later that in
The northern provinces of Mexico and horses would
have the best chance obtain drinking water the horses
the best grazing and the commssares the best beec and
mutton for men.
But another has been mentioned why should
cave the preliminary work be done here and abandon
The twelye-monis volunteers find their way they may
10 the Mexican ronuer-vlZ the number Of patriotic Loui
anans who have poured and pouring in upon Brevet
Brgadier General Taylor, at Point Isabel opposite
VI stamoIas.
stances, have legally engaged for three months only-
They could have had knowledge OF the volunteer act
ot May l3 1876, without which enrolment for
han three months would be binding upon them After
that term without formal reenolment under the recent
act for the longer period, officer man could be
eRay held 10 service tried for any offence whatever
They evidently fastened TO the Of danger
our little army there to 1t from what they doubt
deemed probable surrender destruction. Many OF the
Louisianians be ready become twelve months VOL
lnteers, and TO be organized legally such As three
months they could hardly even in the absence of hos
tile forces, march TO Monterey before becoming entitled to
mo doubt honorable discharge Before the time for
that CHARGE 1t may certainly be we-if numbers Of
them do not volunteer under the send the
quotas Of food called for from the lower Mississippi TO
ard General Taylor in defending his positions and per-
haps taking the other side Of the Rio Gande;
But for the conquest OF peace by regular ncessant and
forward movements, the basis calculations hero las
numbers) DO altogether extravaganza it much lar
army intending that IN PesuoR and very different
~ composed, In horse aud ioOtl be not IL
was command such larger army that understood my
self likely to be tho Mexican frontier as il il
always unjust to junior general who has done WELL
and u supposed Is be doing veil, supersede him by
general OF higher rank without sending the latter cor
responding renforcemonts should esteem myself the
unhappy instrument OF woundng the honorable pride of
the gallant and udcious Taylor It ordered 70 supersedo
him under different circumstance.
However the foregoing suggestions Hastily thrown
together may be viewed have deemed due more to the
country Than my humble self thst should present them
aud await the wishes or the orders Of the President
With great respect have the honor to remain SIR your
most obodient servant. WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. w. l.. MARcY,
Secretary Of War
WhR DEFIRTNENT,
May 2j, 1916.
SIR havo received your etlet Of lhe 2st nstant and