The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-12-24

dlo ioi ~t,V0SJSOOj duu inOlo tHdU u quar-
ter of a million of this sum for the Mail
Steamers.
Report Of the Secretary Of War.
The Union of last night publishes the
report of Mr. Marcy, the Secretary Of
War, which fills over seven and half
of the broad columns of that paper. 1t
is too long for US TO publish in full, and
as it is chiefly occupied with a detail of
the movements of the army in Mexico
with which our readers are familiar--it is
not at all necessary that we should do SO.
A brief synopsis will give the general
reader all the information Of its contents,
which he may desire.
The force employed in the prosecution
of the war; is set down at 43,556-of
which 81 500 are regulars. This force
is distributed as follows:
With Maj. Gen. Scott, and belonging
to this column including en- route, at Tam.
pico, at and about Vera Cruz, and on the
line thence to his headquarters, the ag-
gregate force is estimated at 81, ,156.-
With Maj. Gen. Taylor, at the several
posts under his immediate command, tits
about 6,727. In Santa Fe, and on the
Oregon and Santa Fe routes, and in the
Indian country, there are about 1854.
The force in the CALIFORNIA; is about
1919, including 200 now on the way tc
that country.
i There are no means in the department
of calculating the deductions which ough
to be made for sickness, disability ant
other casualties; but the effective force
is considerably below the foregoing esti
mates.
The Secretary then gives detail Of
the operations Of the Army in Mex
Mexico proper, after the captulaton o.
Monterey, up to the capture of the city
of Mexico, including the several skirm
ishes which have taken place subse
quently. In the account of the battle o
Buena Vista, Mr. Marcy says;
To Maj. Gen. Taylor, and 10 the gal
liant officers and brave men under hi
command, is Justly due the eminent glo
ry ofthis victory. Considering the dis
, parity of numberin favor of the enemy
the steady valor aud 6rmness with which
our troops, often in small detachments
withstood aud repelled the repeated as
saults of superior forces, and the man,
deeds of noble daring displayed annie
the changing scenes of this peilous con
flict, the battle of Buena Vista will vel
sustain a comparison with any of th'
brilliant achievements of this war, whicl
have given such widespread renown Il
our arms.
In speaking of the battle of Cerr,
Gordo. the report says:
The Commanding General merits higl
commentator for the mastery arrange
ments of the attack on Cerro Gordo; ant
not less credit is due to the officers ant
men by whom they were carried int
complete effect.
And in the account of the battles o
Contreras and Churubusco, he says:
A summary-an and more than summar
could not find place in this communica
ton would utterly fail to exhibitin thei
true light these brilliant operations an
the unsurpassed merit of those who di
rected and executed them; but fortunate
ly for the memory of those who fell, ant
0 for the fame of those who survive, thi
q is most ably done in the dispatches whic
: accompany this report.
0 The capture of the city of Mexico j
7 declared to be memorable action--an
. the subsequent defence ofth garrison {
Puebla by Col. Childs, and the battle {
Hnamantla are spoken of in terms Of hig
and deserved praise.
Then is given an account of tho opel
ations in California and New Mexico, an
tho remainder of the report is devoted
an account of the general affairs of I'll
department, and discussion of the que
ton of how the war should be hencefo
ward prosecuted. Mr.. Marcy is not
favor Of the defensive line policy-nt
is he in favor of the occupation Of tn
whole of Mexico--but he is in favor ,
. what is about the same thing, ito retai
what we now possess, open the llheS
communication into the interior, and e!
tend our operations to other places,
our means and the prospect of az
advantages shall iudicate-keeping di
posable force always ready, within al
preaching limits, to annoy the enemy,
seize supplies. enforce contributions, al
Illustrate his efforts to collect means at
assemble troops for the purpose Of pr
tracing the war;" This plan, he say
"also contemplates farther acquisition
extending to other importantpo points, mo
or less numerous, as circumstances mi
warrant
There is no difference, except in wor
between this proposition which the Sc
e re,ary advocates, aud of overrunning {
Mexico and holding it in military subje
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