The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-20
WASHINGTON, March II, 1S47.

WASHINGTON, MaIch IL, lSH.
The news from Santa Fs-Progress of Military
Oprations-Larity of Discipline aporitism
IN making Appointments -1He Votftg~er Regi
ments.
The disastrous intelligence from Santa Fe, said
to have been conveyed to St. Louis, four days in
advance of the mail, and received in this city to-
day by telegraph from Pittsburg, receives small
credence here. 1t is questioned how it could be
four days IN advance Of the mail, although there
is nohing incredible in hat, thanks to the pre-
sent post Office system. But the news is regarded
as extremely Improbable and will be SO regarded
until confrmatory official dispatches be received
From all the accounts lately received from the
army, it is generally believed that Santa Anna
meant to direc his operations to the support of
Vera Cruz, instead Of attacking the frontier posts,
as was rumored. Whether General Taylor will
proceed 10 attack San LUIS Potosi simultaneously
with the attack on Vera Cruz, will depend on the
reports he will receive Of Santa Annas move
ments Should the latter move down to the sup
port of Vera Cruz, then General Taylor, as mat
ter of course, if he feel sufficiently strong for such
an undertaking, will march on San Luis Potos
He will be obliged to meet the subordinates Of
Santa Anna, who will endeavor to arrest his pro-
gress. IL is doubtful if he find himself sufficiently
strong to attempt an advance, as the posts
now as weak as they can be consistently with
safety. Had Congress passed the ten regiment
bill at the commencement OF the session, this diff
ficulty would not have been experimentation
Cruz would have been long since in our hands,
and San Luis Potos would now be garrisoned by
our soldiers
Should the latter town be occupied, it will be
but as means ofgreater safety, it will be more
secure than the extended line of posts we now
occupy on the frontier. Operations will not be
carried further in that direction, nor will they be
carried even so far for any other purpose. Vera
Graz will be, as the Mexcans believe, the base of
our operations on the city of Mexico. Commo-
aore Connor writes, that the plans of the cam
paign are known to the Mexicans through our
newspapers 1t is fact worthy Of note, that the
exact system adopted by the administration, was
recommended in tho Herald, few days after the
war was declared, and even the generals named
for the attack on Vera Cruz. The same plan was
recommended by Mr.. Soule, in his great speech
in the Senate some weeks ago, with the addition
OF levyDg the contributions on the clergy, the
mercantile classes, and the land owners
Recent events have shown alarming laxity
ol discipline in the army of occupation. The
frequent SEIZURE OF dispatches by the enemy
the capture OF Majors Clay and Borland with
their communicative cutting off OF various Off
GERS, who are reported as having exposed them
selves by riding out alone-the thousand and one
Iumors brought in by Struggling Mexicans, in all
probability spies, sent to mslead our generals with
alse alarms-rumors caught up and acted upon,
seemingly with very little refection-and the nu.
merous disasters, of which melancholy intelli-
gencc has been received-all prove, that there is
no system of discipline enforced or observed
Inc want OF Light cavalry is greatly felt, and no
donb,, to the absence Of that species of force,
attrbu! table much of the evil speak Of But al
together, the laxity of discipline is unaccountable
In getting up the cavalry regiment. New York
is put of with one company. Western influence
has prevailed in this as in almost everything else
Even solemn promises have been violated on the
part OF the Executive, in order to CRAFTY western
politicians This statement is not lightly made
sew York has deserved we'll in the apportion-
ments Of the regiments. She has shown as much
patriotism any other State, and has'not. in any
way, merited the rigour with which she has been
treated by the President This favortism is all
wrong. No section of country should be dis
tiDguished above any other in comforting appoint
inenis, nor should political services purchase
military rank, and east of all when snch course
in Wolves the utter disregard of a solemn promise
Another mistake is being committed in selecting
he voItigeur regiment from large cities. The
voltigsur requires to be expert at the rife, active,
hardy, and accustomed to hdrses--for he 10 Obliged
to uss horse occasionally, jumping up behind