The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-24
ORREsP ONDENCE
BETWEEN
WAR DEPAR TMENT AND GEN. TAYL OR.

HEApqUARrERs ARMY OF OCCUPATION. !


tConinusd)
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION
Camp Near Monterey, Nov &, 1876.
SIR In reply 10 so much OF the communication of
Secretary of War; dated October 49, as relates to the
reasons which induced the convention resulting in the
capuation Of Monterey, have the honor to submit
Tho convention presents two distinct points First,
the permission granted the Mexican army to retire with
their arms &c Secondly, the temporary cessation Of
hosies for the term ofeigh weeks. shall remark
these in order.
limited by beyond my control to about 900
With this force, as every military man must admit who
ps osav G 70
r:son Although the main communication with the in
terror was in our possession yet one route
the Mexicans throughout the operations and could
be closed; also other minor tracks and passes
through the mountains Had we, therefore, insisted on
have been the escape Of the body Of the Mexican force
with the destruction of its artillery and magazines our
only advantage being the capture Of few prisoners Of
to the city The consideration of humanity present
to my mind during the conference which led to the
advantages to be gained resumption of the attack
upon the town. This conclusion has been fully con.
frmed by inspection of the enemys position and
since the surrender II was discovered that his
principal magazine, containing an immense amount Of
powder, was in the Cathedral completely exposed to
shells from two directions. The explosion Of this
Of powder which must have ultimately resulted from
continuance OF the bompardment would have been inf
nitely DISASTROUS involving the destruction only OF
Mexican troopS but OF non combatants and
people, had we pressed the attack.
In regard to the temporary cessation Of hostlties the
fact that are not at this moment within eleven days
OF the termination Of the period fixed by the
prepared to forward in force is sufficient expia.
pension Of arms 1t paralyzed the enemy during Pc
Rod when from the want Of necessary means, could
call the attention Of the authorities to The fact that with
all diligence in breaking mules and setting up
the first wagons in addition to original train from
Corpus Christi land but l25 in number) reached my
headquarters the same day with the Secretary's
muncaton Of Oct 49, viz: the I'd inst At the date Of
the surrender Of Monterey, force had than
ten days rations and now, with all endeavors
we have not more than twenty-five. The task Of fight
ing and beating the enemy is among the least difficult
that we encounter the great question of supplies
sary controls all the operations In country like this
At the date Of the convention could Of course have
oreseen that the department would direct important
detachment from my command without consulting me,
without waiting the result Of the main operation under
have touched the prominent military points inv olved
in the convention of Monterey There other
sderations which weighed with the missioners in
framing and with myself IN approving the articles Of
the convention. ln the conference with Gen. Ampudia
was distinctly told by him that he had invited it to spare
the further eusipn OF blood and because General Santa
Anna had declared himself favorable to peace. knew
that our government had made propositions to that of
Mexico TO negotiate and deemed that the change of
government in that country since my last instruction
fully warranted me in entertaining considerations of pol
ICY nv grand motive in moving forward with very
limited supplies had been to increase the inducements
Of the Mexican government to negotiate for peace
Whatever may be the actual views disposition of the
Mexican rulers or OF General Santa Anna, II
known to the government that had the very best req
for believing the statement Of General Ampudis
be true. IL was my opinion at the time Of the
ton and has not been changed that the liberal
ment Of the Mexican army and the suspension of arms
would exert none but favorable influence in be
half.
The result Of the entire operation has been to throw
the Mexican army back more than three hundred miles
to the city Of San Luis Poos and to open the country
to us as far as choose to penetrate it, up to the
point.
1t has been my purpose in this communication not so
much to defend the convention from the which
deeply regret find implied in the secretarys letter.
to show that was not adopted without cogent reasons
most Of which occur of themselves to the minds Of all
who acquainted with the condition Of things here
To that end beg that may be laid before the General
in.chief and Secretary Of War.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obcdient servant,
Major General U. army. Comdg
The ADJUrAST GENERAL OF the army, Washington, d. c.
HEAD-QuARrERs ARMY OF OccurArIos,}
Camp smear Monterey, Nov 9,Is46
with the instructions Of the SECRETARY Of War, commu
ncaed In his letter of October 18TH have formally
titled the Mexican general n.chef that the temporary
Monterey will the 18Th inst the date which
the notice will probably reach San Luis de Potosi This
notification sent by Major Graham typographical
engineer who left on the 9th inst.
You will perceive from my orders" No. 1879, what ar
rangoments have been made for the of sat
10 at the earliest moment by troops Whether our
operations pushed forward towards San Luis or not
the occupation Of saltillo is importsnt-pocally
vering an important region from which we may draw
supplies.
Brigadier General Wool, with portion of his force
arrived at Moncova the 29th Of October, and Is
joined by the division He reports practicable
route to Chihushua except the enc by Parras, which
Will bring lhiml within few leagues OF Saltillo He
inquiries what IL to be gained by going chihuahua
And, am free TO nothing at all
with the excessives length Of his line of operations
Chihuahua, moreover, virtually conquered and can
be occupied at any moment while hold Saltilo and
Santa Flo shall instruct General Wool to remain at
Moncova, where there supplies, until deter
mine what disposition to make OF his column which
not be done until visit Ssltillo
have taken the first steps towards organizing the ex.
petition Tampico, and propose to accompany it. for
the purpose at least Of commanding covering forcs.
There will be some delay for the want Of OF land
transport
The information received since my communication Of
October l5th relative to The route hence to san Luis
renders than probable that from the OF
manent water, it will be impossible to march large
force from saltllo TO that city hope 10 acquire certain
information on this point in few days
At the latest advices from the interior, the army
yet at San Luis. IL 900 strong. 1t Is repor ted
also. that Tampico has been entirely evacuated but
deem this hardly credible. Some rumora that Santa
Anna had been proc. amed dictator have not been con
irmed. am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Il. TAYLOR,
Major General u s. Army, Commanding.
The ADJuTASr GENERAL of the Army,
Washington, ID. c.
(OnpxRs No 1897
HEAD. QUARTERS ARMv OF OccurATIor,
Camp near Monterey, Nov. ., 1876
Under instructions from the Department Of War the
tilted that the temporary cessation Of hostes agreed
upon at the convention of Monterey, will and do
termine from tho 18th instant after which date the
American forces will be free the line of demarcs
t,ap ah.t sb.I In,