The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-22
UrApouARrrRs AMY OF OCCUPATION,

60 Major General Patterson promptly gave orders for
Lieut. Col Belton's battalion &c companies proceed to
and garrison Tampco; and also took ship
thither sufficient supply OF heavy ordnance and provis-
IONS These orders have been fully approved by and
have directed a regiment of volunteers to be added TO
the garrison, the whole to be under the command of
brigader general probably Brgadier General Shields,
who here, and will soon report to Major General
Patterson.
| propose still to throw forward force far as Vic
tora with the view of examining the country and par
tculay the passes which lead from Linares and other
points towards the interior
shall take the earliest occasion to reply to the
munication of the Secretary of War; dated October 80,
| but am obliged to postpone It for day or two.
| am, sir, very respectfully, your obeden servant,
Major General U. S. A. commanding.
The ADJuTANT GENERAL of the army, Washington, d. I,
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OccupArIoN,
| Camp near Monterey, Dec. s, 1916.
SIR: AS expect to march in a few days for Victoria,
consider the present proper occasion to explain some
what in detail the dispositions which have been made,
and which contemplated for the occupation and de-
fence of this frontier With this view enclose sketch,
exhibiting the line from Paras TO Tampico, and showing
how portion of that line is naturally marked blythe
chain OF the % Sierra Madre." .
1t will be seen once that San Luis Potos is position
almost equally distant from the points OF this line This
would give force at San Luis great advantage over
u.s. were not for the nature OF the country and the CON-
munications the region between San Luis and the noun
tans being scany supplied with water and subsistence,
and the road by Satillo and Monterey being the only
practicable route for artillery the mountains With
out artillery the Mexicans troops not at all fomida
BILE, and think have but little confidence In themselves
therefore consider the positions OF Sano and Parras
Patos and the by good road OF rapidly uniting if
necessary, deem the columns of Brgalier Generals
Wool and WORTH quite equal to hold that flank OF the
line shall, however, reinforce the latter general par
cuarly cavalry and shall establish reserve at this
place support the advanced positions, should the move
ments of the enemy require 1t:
| Brgadier General Wool is understood to be now at
Parras with his column-say 2i00 strong with SIX guns
Bgadier General Worth has his headquarters at Saltlo
guns propose reinforce him bytwo regiments of vol
unteer foot, and portion of the Kentucky cavalry
Lieutenant Kearnys company all the regular cavalry
| force can assign TO him at present.
At Monterey, will be the headquarters of Major Gene
raj Butler, commanding the reserve. Two companies OF
artillery, and one of the weak infantry baaons (4h will
raj Buffers proper division Ohio Indiana and kentucky
will be this point and in echelon the route hence 10
Carmargo and the mouth OF the Rio Grande except those
which may be ordered to reinforce General Worth, as
above indicated.
Tampico is now garrsoned by eight strong companies
of artillery, and the Alabama regiment of volunteers say
900 electives. consider this force quite sufficient to
hold the place, controlling as we do, the harbor. Be
tween Tamplco and this place. Victoria offers itself at
capital OF the State Of Tamaulpas; situated the
debouche of pass through the mountains, and it has
port, Soto la Marina, where shall probably be able
to establish convenient depot 1t also threatens the
flank OF the Mexican army should it advance from San
Luis. These considerations attracted my attention to
Victoria, before the surrender of Tampico; but | now
|
believe that corps OF observation is in that quarter I'M
der the orders OF General Urea having its headquarters
perhaps at Tua and sending forward advanced parties
far Victoria have therefore changed nothing in my
original purpose of moving Victoria believing it i'm
portant occupy that point and knowing that any
plus force would then be in position for the Interior
on the gulf coast be ordered Major General Patterson
has accordingly been instructed to march from Niatano
ros on Victoria with three regiments of volunteers from
his division, being the Tennessee horse. propose
to from this point, say by the 18th instant with the
regular troops now here under Bngadier General Twiggs
Except those to be left in garrison as above and the
regiments of General Pattersons division under Bgadier
General Quitman. At Montemorelos 6s miles from this
shall effect junction with Riley, who is now there
ment, under orders for that place. With this augmented
force ! expect to effect junction with Major General
| Patterson before Victoria.
| After establishing depot if it be found practicable
at Soto la Marina examining he passes OF the noun
tains, and making such dispositions may be found
necessary for the security of the position is my nten
on unless otherwise instructed, to return with portion
of the regular force and establish my headquarters in
advance Of Salto, which after all consider to be
most important point
You will perceive that one effect of the arrangements
above indicated will be to throw Major General Pat
erson with the troops of his appropriate division
gia) on the left, and near the coast, while Major Gene
raj Butler, with his division, occupies the line of commu
nicaton from the Rio Grande to Saltillo.
Intelligence received this moment from Salillo repre-
sents all quiet in front We have reports OF revolution
in Mexico, embracing two three States, and directed
against General Santa Anna, but the information does
not come in authentic form
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant
H. TAYLOR
| Major General U. S. A. comdg.
The ADJurANT GENERAL Of the army Washington d. c.
| HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Camp near Monterey. Dec a. 1916.
SIR: have respectfully to report that the movement
towards Victoria has commenced. The regular troops
Except portion OF the Dragons to Join in route march
ed yesterday under Brgadier General Twggs the voun
teers under Brlgader General Quiiman marched this
morning shall leave tomorrow and expect to overae
| the columns at Montemorelos
In my communication of the Sth instant alluded to
the occupation of Tampco and the force which consd-
cred sufficient to hold thatpace fully approved of the
first taken by Major General Patterson to garri
tbher regiment Of volunteers in addition to the batal
ion of artillery not little surprised to hear from him
that he had besides ordered the Illinois brigade by water
and proposed going there himself to the command
This proceeding considered not only wholly nnnecessa-
ry, but as direct and unwarranabe interference with
the plan which had already communicated to General
Patterson for combined movement upon Victoria Tor
place where their services were not needed, the Ten
nessee regiment of horse TO be compounded by
marching, unsupported by infantry from Matamoros to
Victoria. By special express succeeded in aresing this
fatal msdrection and have now hopes of concenra-
ting respectable force at Victoria, first intended.
wish my report of nterferences could stop here but
another Of the gaves character has been brought my
notice. to which beg leave to invite the earnest attention
of the generaln chief and the Department of War In
official letter, addressed under date of November 2Gth
the commanding officer at Point Isabel Commodore Perry
OF the navy, writes thus:
!" Since wrote you by Lieut. Anderson have visited
New Orleans conferred with Governor johnson and Cen
Brooke all o. whom me- in