The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-19

| 1
gard to the last mode OF prosecuting this expedition, par
cuarly to the amount and description OF force, and
the quantity and kind OF ordnance, &c, &c, which may
be required Preparatory arrangements Will be mmed-
atey ordered here for fitting out the expedition herein
proposed, by which transports, provisions &c, will be
in readiness at the Brazos Santiago. BY the tine this
you will have reached Monterey and perhaps Saltllo,
and be able TO present to the department. satisfactory
opinion of your ability to progress beyond that point We
shall anxlously look for information from you. Your
advance to San Luis Potosi if practicable, is rendered
greatly important by the movement contemplated to
Tampico, by which you WILL it is believed. be enabled to
column under Major General Patterson line IN ad-
vance of the Rio Grande The squadron IS now under
orders to attack ampco with every prospect OF success
and the probability is that the place will be captured in
advance of General Patterson's movement.
enclose for your perusa the last despatch received
from Commodore Conner, which contains interesting IN
formation on Mexican affairs.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
w. L. MARCY,
Secretary of War.
Major Gen e. TAYLOR, commanding army OF occupa-
ton on the Rio Grande.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, Sept %, 1916.
SIR: With this you will receive a copy of despatch
forwarded TO Major General Taylor. In that despatch
you will find the views Of the government in relation to
expedition to be fitted out to take possession of the
southern part Of the department State OF Iamaupas
Unless General Taylor has made arrangements to employ
you otherwise, is designed that this expedition shall be
under your immediate command We have not the re-
quiste information TO enable to determine whether it
shall be conducted by land or by water, or in part by
each, II is very important that the department here
should be put in possession Of all the information
which can be collected the subject at the earliest Pc
Rod You therefore directed to forward to this de-
parment with the least possible delay, all the facts you
can collect on this subject We aware that the land
route is long, and but for the dangerous navigation at this
season OF the year, should at once determine to pro-
coed along the coast by water and make debarkaons at
points t Your particular attention should be
coast, it presumed smaller force would effect the OBJ
jects of the enterprise than would be required for land
expedition You will perceive that have suggested in
thousand men may be considered column of sufficient
strength for penetrating the interior of the department of
Tamauipas Perhaps have not rightly estimated the
obstacles which may be brought to resist this
On this point the department desires to be favored with
your views. II is not anticipated that any part Of
the force now with General Taylor can be withdrawn
and it may be that he is calculating upon renforcemens
Ii so, then may be difficult to assemble larger force
than that named for this undertaking
| The Rio Grande is regarded the base of opera
tons, and that must be firmly maintained 1t is left
General Taylor to determine what force is necessary for
that purpose But the movement of the expedition is
not-as you will learn from my letter to Gen. Taylor
to be delayed for further direction from this place
the mode of advancing into the enemys country As
soon you shall learn from General Taylor that su
his directions regard to it. you will lose time in put
ting them in execution, II General Taylor should not
give directions to- moving by land water, the choice
will then be left for your determination. As you
have settled this point you will at make known TO
the officers of the several branches of the public service
now on the Rio Grande, what may be required They
will be instructed to comply with your acquisitions
expedtiously practicable Measures will be adopted,
by direction from this department. TO have them prepared
TO answer the acquisitions you may make on them
Should you determine to embark your troops in trans
ports, it will be necessary to give the earliest notice,
only to the DEPARTMENT, but also 10 the commander of
our squadron in the gulf who will be instructed TO dis
patch force to attend your movements and TO o-op
crate with you, should there be occasion for such aid.
It's proper to apprze you that the squadron has orders
to attack and capture Tampico. This may be done with
out waiting for the presence Of the land forces
Your attention is directed to that part of the despatch
General Taylor which relates to snbsistng our troops
while in the enemys country by supplies to be procured
from the inhabitants thereof Should the representations
which have been made OF the friendly feelings of the
people of Tamaupas towards the United States, and of
their disposition to withdraw from the Mexican govern
ment be realized will treat them with great kind
ness, and cherish friendly relations with them But
should they manifest decidedly hostile feelings towards
our people and government, you will act the same
principles in your treatment of them which have been
prescribed TO General Taylor This matter is left your
discretion, which will be influenced and controlled by
cumstances
You will perceive that it is suggested in the communi-
cation to General Taylor that Brgader Generals Pillow
and Shields should be assigned TO the expedition under
you command Should this suggestion be adopted, BY
him. you will, matter of course avail yourself of
their services in collecting the information desired and
in preparing for, well in conducting, the contem-
plated enterprise.
The department will expect from YOU without the de-
lay of sending through General Taylor, reply this
communication, embracing your views and all the facts
you may possess on the points suggested for your
sideration and any other having bearing on mat
tiers connected with the proposed expedition This COM
muncaton, well that to General Taylor, will he
sent by messenger, with instructions deliver TO
vou or, in your absence to either General Pillow or
General Shields He will proceed with that to General
Taylor to his headquarters You WILL if in your power
afford him all necessary facilities for sending him for
ward
have the honor TO be, with great respect your ODE
dent servant, W. L. MARCY
Secretary of War
| Major General PATTERSON
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OccUpATIoY
Camp before Monterey, Sept 25, 1916
SIR AT noon on the 23d instant while our troops
closely engaged in the lower part of the city, as re-
ported in my last despatch received by flag, COM
muncation from the governor of the State of New Leon
which is herewith enclosed NO ~ To this communica-
A,tty