Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-07-23
THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION.

Great complaints have been issuing from
General TAYLOR and his Army, against the
miserable preparations made by Government,
for carrying On the MEXICAN WAR. 1t will
be remembered, that General TAYLOR remind
ed the War Department just after the victories
of the Sth and 9Th of May, that if he had had
the means furnished him for crossing the river,
which he had long before suggested, as neces-
sarv, she would have annihilated the army OF
Gen. Aa,sTA." He had, loRg before his
march to PoINr lsABEL-indeed short time
after his arrival at CoRPus CHRISTI, asked of
the Governmental at Washington, the necessary
.Nortas to be used, in case of bombardment
of Matamoras, which did not reach him, till
after tho battles Of PALo Afro, RrsAcA DE Ia
PALMA, and the severe bombardment of FoET
BRowN, which lasted, as all remember, for
seven days and nights. Since these battles,
Volunteers have been pouring in from all quar-
ters, and the Army, instead Of being on the
march, have been obliged TO remain stationary,
in an unhealthy climate, at an enormous OK
expense--with the most miserable accommo-
dstions, and at last accounts were sticking IN
the rnud-with insufficient means of tsnspor-
ting the troops, &c. Sc, and not any prospect
Of bang relieved. Something must be wrong,
and as much as General ScoTr has been abu-
sed and scoiIed at by his enemies, about that
"hasty plate Of SOUP" we think the country
win see, that he was near right in his calcula-
tons and views-and that The Army will in
point Of fact, not be able at all to do any eff
cicnt service before the month Of September-
But we viii see--we have every desire to see
the Mexican War brought 10 a speedy and
honorable close; Mexico deserves in our hum
BE Judgment, punishment at the hands Of the
United States, and as far as the determination
Of our Government extends, TO do the work eff
fectally now that il is begun, we give it our
most hearty support-it IS supported by the
Nation. But let them have care that all
things are done in order-aud with as little ex-
pense as possible. Let them take care that
every comfort is provided, necessary for the
preservation, health and efficiency Of the Ar
my IN all of lis operations. Let them, for the
honor of the Nation, watch carefully the ex-
penses Of this war; from some statements
which we have seen, we fear, that as expert
enced and business like men are not employ
ed in making the Government contracts, as
should be, and that upon a summing up Of ac-
counts, we shall be called 10 witness the Gov
eminent plundered, cheated, and robbed by
contractors Of thousands Of dolars-as il was
in the Florida war The people will ask for,
and demand strict accountability for every
thing. But we forbear further comments. I'M
til we can see "the facts and figures in detail"
After the above was in type, we received the
"Union," which contains the following state
ment, which we annex without comment
The public can judge of it for themselves -
/ TRANSPORTATION OF TRooPs.--Some COM
plants have been made about the hardness OF
our military arrangements. We undertake &c
/ say, that there is no just foundation for them
On the contrary, the utmost energy has been
/ displayed IN making the necessary prepara-
/ tons. NO appropriations We're made by Con-
gress Tor carrying on the war until about the
middle OF May--and then II was impossible fol
( the War Department to toresee the whole ex.
tent and character OF the arrangements which
might be necessary for carrying the war into
/ Africa" As soon, however, as the great event;
on the Rio Crande began TO develop the plar
OF operations, the quartermaster's department
devoted all lis energies 10 the procuring o
transportation for the troops.
/ We have called Al the quRsermaster's ofEos