Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-08-25
MIR. A. l.. GAINES, New Orleans
LETTER FROM CASSIUS M. CLAY.
CRY OF MExIco, July Is, IS47


To the Editors of The Picnyptnc-I have till now
reiTained from making anything public touching our
capture. The probability that it might become the
subject of legal Investigation, seemed to me to be a
sufficient reason among others for silence.
But since the merits ofour surrender have become
the topic of discussion any farther Difference 10 per-
s"nal dellcacy becomes criminal injustice to those
who nave right to claim of me, their intermediate
commander, whatever protection my humble ability
can afford them. therefore merge the imputatiun
OF cgotsin and lfeatlon in the higher necessity
of discharging duty to the living who do not, and
the dead who cannot speak, for themselves
IL the failure of our superior officers to exchange
us after three successful battles and the capture
OF many prisoners of war; is necessary to the public
service, requiring the soldier never to surrender
but in all cases to lay down his lie without regard
TO The inequality of numbers the resulting good of
the sacrifice, then without a murmur | submit to
the sentence. But if this policy becomes not gen
eral, and is not deemed usual and necessary in war
then on the part of myself and my brave compan-
ions In arms, some of whom have gone from the
oathsome prisons of Mexico, where praise nor blame
can ever reach them, protest against it, as con-
domination without trial, and penalty without
crime
You term the surrender at Encarnacion an ''hon-
oTabc capitulation." 1t is So The mass OF man
KIND Judge OF things by their apparent success or
failure. With them victory is glory and defeat
disgrace. But with enlightened minds it is better
to deserve success than to win it. Yet paradoxical
ms 1t may seem, say that the expedition TO Encar-
naclon not only deserved, but achieved success
Lieut.. Col Field, Surgeon Roberts and Major
baines VIII remember that on the night preceding
the adventure, it urged that the accommodating
party should consist of large body with artillery
sufficient TO hold the enemy in check till the arrival
OIL relnorcenents, or strong enough TO retreat with
lis lace to the foe. Or else it should be small
body whose loss would not be materially felt by
the army, part Of whom we might calculate from
the superior speed of the horses and better address
OF the men, would return with the tidings of the
enemy's position and force. The last alternative
we were compelled to adopt, and tho result was as
foretoh. We found the enemy and sent back toord
OF ms approach. Whether this reasoning be in ac-
cordance with military science or no, and how far
the success of the glorious battle of Buena Vista
was owing TO this timely warning, leave ADLER
strateglsts than to determine.
But why anticipate capture2 The country
through which we had to pass was n grass covered
plain, shut In by mountains, where there was no
growth OF wood to conceal us. We were conpelI-
ed to go to fixed and well known places for water
surrounded by rancheros, who were ever ready and
not slow IN giving timely notice of our approach-
The night before reaching Eucarnacion, we had re
solved according to the Spartan maxim, continual
ly TO change our camp to avoid surprise, and to
move, II necessary, twice a night to prevent the
Peasantrys knowing our whereabouts. That we
camPed two nights excessively in Encarnacion the
cause IN part OF our capture, was rather the result
OF fortune than design on our part. For we had
on the I'd advanced fen miles in the direction of
Saltillo, intending toattack two hundred men whom
we learned were stationed there, but night storm
and darkness coming on, we were compelled, hav-
ing no guide,to return, against the protest of some
and our previous rule of action, TO Encarnacon.-I
The idea Of putting out picket guards in plain Of
~ miles diameter, intersected by roads in all d-
TectIons, is absurd. And had a picket guard given
an alarm In the night, the result would have been
the sarne for we would not have left our cattle till
morning, till we saw the enemy and knew their
force.
Seventy-one men and officers, all told. held Gen.
MInon and three thousand regular and veteran
troops, as numbered by himself, at bay from dawn
TIL noon Of the I'D day Of January. Withou, half
as many rounds of shot there were opposing foes
without water, without provisions, one hundred and
ten miles from camp, without the remotest proba-
bthty OF reinforcement, we unanimously determined
to eCdct the most honorable terms ~ capitnlation
known to nations" OF sell our lives like men who
held the faith that honor is the only necessity.
Holding Mexican chief Of equal rank with our
c0mnandant as hostage. MAJOR Gaines and Gen.
Minon concluded the following terms OF capitula
ton:
First. The most honorable Treatment AS prisoners
Of war known 70 nations.
Second Private property to be strictly respected