Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-03-27

character that little should be- left to accident as possible
and that should be CAREFUL far human foresight
provide avoid the smallest liability disaster descent
upon hostile coast notoousy dangerous, and in ncem-
of the year, Is an operation requiring the most
careful preparations and exact management and possessing,
under the most favorable circumstances, less elements
of failure 1t the part of prudence therefore, to take
sufficient force to meet any contingency that may arise
"Being pressed for time have given my views briefly,
and perhaps somewhat crudey the most important points
presented in the despatch OF the Secretary There other
topics which will probably claim my attention. but which
must be passed would only suggest that in the
of expedition Vera Cruz the heavy ordnance,
gneers, stores &C. should be shipped direct from the North"
Then follows another letter from Gen. Taylor dated near
Monterey the oath of November detailing the circum-
stances attending his occupation of Salo Among other
things, he says;
"a reconnaissance also made Of the county some
twenty five miles in 'front.' and projected be executed
after my departure, of the Parras route far Patosa
rich hacienda, about 35 miles from Saltilo
The division Salio the direct route from San
Luis Poos The other would be covered by
Paras, which would the time control the abundant
supplies be drawn from the nesbborng conntrythe rich
of the north of Mexico Bgadier General Wool being
in position in Moncoya and being now fully asccrtained
that he cannot march thence Chihuahua it de-
sired have ordered him to Parras The State Of
Coahuia will then be completely occupied and covered and
active operations towards the interior should hereafter
determined shall be in position march on San
Luis, Lacatecas Durango. Bisader Gen. Wool will
abandon his communications by San Anoao and La
vaca, and adopt that by the Rio Grande and Monterey"
The letter from Gen. Taylor Of November 10th,
that he has received information Of the capture of Tam
pco by the naval forces under Com Perry and that on the
requson of that officer Gen. Patterson had detailed GER
tain rce and made other arrangements garrison ths
place all of which Gen. Taylor approved.
Then follows letter from General Taylor, dated on the
sth Ct December in which he explains the dispositions then
made and contemplated, for the occupation and defence of
that line of frontier This letter accompanied by SKETCH
exhibiting the line from Parras Tampico by which, the
General remarks
cit will be that San Luis Potosi is position
almost equally distant from the points of this line. This
would give free at San Luis great advantage US,
ionshe region between San Luis and the mountains being
scany supplied with water and subsistence and the road by
Sao and Monterey being the only practicable route for
tiery the mountains. Without artillery the Mexican
troops all formidable and think have but little
dencen themselves. therefore consider the positions of
Saltio and Parras OF prime Importance NTH inter-
mediate post Pato and the by good road Of rapidly
uniting, if necessary deem the columns of Bigader Gen
erals Wool and Worth quite equal to hold that flank of the
line SHALL however, reinforce the latter general partcu
lay cavalry and shall establish at this place
support the advanced Positions should the Of the
enemy require it.
Brigade General Wool is understood be now at Paras
with his coumnsay 24OO strong, with six guns Brgadier
General Worth has his headquarters Sato his command
consisting Of 200 regular troops with eight guns propose
reinforce him by regiments Of volunteer foot and
portion of the Kentucky cavalry Lieutenant Kearnys COM
pany is all the regular cavalry force assign to him at
present.
"AtMonterey will be the headquarters of Major General
Butler commanding the Two companies of artillery
and Of the weak infantry battaons 4h) will compose
garrison of the place. The troops of General Buffers proper
division (Ohio Indiana, and Kentucky will be this point
and in echeon the hence Camargo the mouth
of the Rio Gande, except those which may be ordered
inforce General Worth, above indicated
by stro rs
artillery, and the Alabama regiment of volunteers say 1000
electives consider this force quite sufficient to hold the
place. controlling, do the harbor. Between Tampco
and this place, Victoria offers itself important
position be held by II is the capital of The State of Ia
maupas situated at the debouche of pass through the
mountains, and has port, Soto Ia Marina where shall
probably be able establish convenient depot II also
threatens the flank of the Mexican army, should advance
from San Luis These considerations attracted my attention
to Victoria before the surrender of Tampico but deem
it more than important; for have believe that
corps of observation is in that quarter under the orders of
General Urea, having its headquarters perhaps Tua and
sending forward advanced parties far Victoria have,
therefore, changed nothing in original purpose of moving
Victoria, believing important occupy that point and
knowing any surplus force would then be in position for
the Interior Of the Government should any further ope-
raions the Gulf coast be ordered"
The General then goes to mention the orders he had
given with regard the Victoria and says that
after making such dispositions may be necessary for the
cuy of that position, he will unless otherwise instructed,
return with portion of the regular force, and establish his
in advance Of Sao which he considers to be
our most important point
The next letter from Gen. Taylor dated the 18th De-
cember in which he expresses his full appreciation Of the first
taken by Gen Patterson garrison Tampico but
dapproves of other orders and plans of the officer
well certain arrangements entered into between Com.
Perry, Governor Johnson Of Louisiana and Generals Jesup
and Brooke, in relation sending troops and munitions
Tampco from New Orleans. The General firmly protests
against such interference with his plans exposing hazard
by the advice of officers who distance from him. and
know nothing Of his views the Of his operations
and the reputation Of the army and country If such proceed
be permitted he cannot be held responsible and ne
chaacterzes this departure from military discipline the
part Of Of the officers mentioned, ga the legitimate
suit of the position quasi independence given him by the
Department OF War"
Several other letters from General Taylor follow, bearing
date the 22d December, the Goth December, and the 7h
January, which Of importance. They briefly de-
scribe the march upon and capture of the city Of Victoria the
capital Of the State Of Tamauipas. In of them how
General Taylor thus again audes those proceedings in
regard Tampco Of which he had his dis
appreciation
"Your communication of November 30th, with enclosures
relative to the occupation of Tampco, has been received
The prompt and my opinion, sufficient measures taken to
garrison Tampco the momen. that Commodore Perry arrived