The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1847-04-17

Ihave not been unmindful ofsthe Importance
ofmking Tompico, and have at least once ad-
dressed the department on the subjects Moth
ing but the known exposure oil the place 10
the ravages of yellow lever prevented me from
organizing an expedition against it last SUM
mer. Iknew that, if taken, it could not With
any certainty be held, land that the causewould
not'be removed before the'las of November or
the first of December. Z
1t may be expected that should give my
views as to the policy Of occupying defen-
sive line to which have above alluded. am
free to confess that, in view of the difficulties
and expense attending movement into the
heart OF the country, and particularly in view
of the unsettled and revolutionary character
of the Mexican government, the occupation OF
such line seems 10 me the best course that
can be adopted. The line takenm might either
be that on which we propose to insist as the
boundary between the republics--say the Rio
Grande-or the line to which we have advance
ed, viz the Sierra Madre, including Chihuahua
and Santa Fee The former line could be held
with much smaller force than the latter; but
even the line of the Sierra Maire could be
held with force greatly less than would be
required for an active campaign. Monterey
controls the great outlet from the interior;
strong garrison at this point, with an advance
at Saltillo, and small corps at Moncova, Lin
ares, Victoria, and Tampico, would eaectually
cover the line
have limited my remarks to the position. OF
the army on this frontier and the requirements
for campaign against San Luis Potosi; the
suggestions in the secretary's letter being con-
fined to this general theatre of operations.--
Should the government determine to strike a
decisive blow at Mexico, it is my opinion that
the force should land near Vera Cruz or Ava
RADIO, and after establishing secure depot,
march thence on the capital. The amount OF
troops required for this service would not fall
short, in my judgment. Of $4,000 men, of which
at least 10000 to be regular troops. "a
In conclusion, feel it my duty to make
some remarks, which would gladly have
been spared the necessity of submitting. feel
it due to my position, and to the service, to re-
cord NY protest against tie manner in which
the department has soughrto make an import
ant detachment from my command, specihcai-
ly indicating not only the general oficeis but
to considerable extent the troops that were
to compose it. While remain ihcommaiIe
of the army agains. Mexico, and am, therefore
| Justly held responsible by the government and
tho country FOR the eeaduet oistsscp srafi1As, l
must claim the right Of organizing all detach-
ments from it, and regulating the time and
manner of their service. Above all do con-
slider it important that the Department OF War
should refrain from corresponding directly with
my subordinates and communicating orders
and instructions on points which, by all mill
tary precept and practice, pertain exclusively
to the General in chief command. Confusion
! and disaster alone can result from such course.
The reason alleged, viz: the loss of time IN
communicating with Gen. Patterson, has no
application; for the Secretary's dispatch came
! from that officer to my headquarters in sixty
hours, and he could not move, at any rate,
thout drawing largely upon this column Tor
artillery and regular troops.
beg it may be understood that my remarks
have no personal application. 1t is quite pro-
babls that, in the event of making such de-
tachment, should have placed it under Major
General Patterson; but l conceive that this
mode of regulating details, and ordering de-
tachments direct from the Department OF War;
is a violation OF the integrity of the chief
command in the field, pregnant with the worst
evils, and against which deem it my duty res
pectfully, but earnestly to protest.
l am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
2. TAYLOR,
Major General U. S. A. commanding
A I.n.a.,. q o,,nrnl Of The A rr,nu Washinntnn