The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-20

WAR DEPARTMENT. Washington, June =. 1915
sIR You will have received before this will roach
YOU brevet commission Of major general and the Pre-
sdsnts order assigning you to the command OF the err
my the Rio GrSnde according to your brsvst rank
1t the Presidents intention continue you in that
command and to commit to you the conduct In The en-
Owing 10 the irregular proceedings Of Gen. Gaines.
In mastering into service volunteers without authority,
1t impossible for the department 10 tell ut this time
what amount of force you have under your command ;
but such az you have 1t 10 not doubted you will employ
to the bs: advantage in prosecuting vigorous operations
In my letter of the 18th u you were left to your
discretion and Judgment as to the measures to be pur
and O hi to
ton You best know what amount Of force you will
have under your command, and what can DO best &C.
1t is presumed you will hold both banks of the Rio
Grande to considerable distance from is mouth, aud
portaions Of supplies hope you will be able to take
and hold In possession all places on it. az high up as
II IL proper that should sdvise You that consdsra
Bile force. which will be also under your command, will
loon ssn ANTONIO De Bsxsr The uste
termined that such an expedition would havo faSora
bic operation In the conduct of the war; but migb
at once Used to take and the several places Oshe
Rio Grande Though We have no despatch from you
since those giving account Of the bsss ssthc 9Th
BELIEF that you are in possession Of aamoros and that
you are not now threatened with any considerable Mex
in sucsnt Strength 10 Capture and hold MONTEREY with
your present force. You appraised that large rein
forcemens are preparing 70 join YOU Besides the regu
lar orces now under your command and which will be
speedily augmented, you will soon have nearly twenty
thousand volunteers Including those to rendezvous at
San Antoniod de Bexar who are to serve Tor year
Your determinations as to immediate movements will,
therefore, be somewhat Influenced by the consideration
Of the additional force which will soon join YOU.
Mnch apprehension is felt as TO what IS called the un.
healthy season All sgree that it is sickly the coast
and is the general opinion that is healthy Ia the in
terror Your positions should have particular reference
to this consideration All the towns tho Rio Grande
above Matamoras are represented to be healthy and
hoped that you be enabled to place considerable
part of your troops In those towns un il the fall cam
sinai ,ha 0Psn IN 'osng Ssea
munitions Of well as the ability to keep open the
channels by which these supplies AID munitions are to
be furnished points to be well considered Your it,
formation the practcabilty Of eGecting these OBJ
ects and to the probable ability of the enemy to in
midabe obstacles your controlling both banks Of the
river aud to taking and holding Monterey is far better
than any which can be obtained here
have nothing to add to what said in my last let
ter to you in regard to retaining in service those
You viii not discharge until the end other term hose
who will not engage as volunteers under the act Of the
18th May last it they can be advanageously employed
in carrying on your immediate operations.
The President is DESTROYS Of receiving and hopes
10 be favored with your views and suggestions in rela
tho prosecuted with vigor, and to embraee in the
objects to be compassed in that campaign such as will
the campaign be Conducted with the view Of striking al
the city Of Mexico, confined far regards the
force. under your immediate command to the northern
doubtless have important influence upon the dsterm
nation of the government here. Should army peDe
trats far into the interior of Mexico, how arc sup
plies to be obtaned Can they be- to any considerable
extent drawn from the enemys country, or must they
the facilities and difficulties Of transportation These
very important questions, and the to them
will have an essential bearing in settling the plan and
objects OF the compsxn and is desired that ysu should
express your views fully in regard to Them
Again: tits important to know your opinion Of the de-
scrpton OF troops best adapted to operations in the In
terrier Of Mexico what proportion shoud be infantry
tllery and cavalry &c peace must be conquered in
the shortest space Of time practicable Your views ofthe
manner Of doing requested II not doubted that
you will push your advantages to the utmost extent il
can be done with the means at your commend.
With this you will receive statement ofthe volunteer
force whicht Is proposed to nuster forthwith into
vice. the description thereof and the places designated
| for rendezvous.
Very respectfully your obedisnt servant,
w l.. MARCY,
Secretary Of War.
nv Gen. TAYLOR, Comd'g Army Of Occupation on the
Mo Grande, Texas.