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


S,v. In repy TO so much of the communication of the
Secretary of War; dated October 10, as relates TO the
which induced the resulting in the capt
tuaion of Monterey have the honor to submit the fol-
lowing remarks -
The convention presents two distinct points. FIRST,
the permission granted the Mexican army to retire with
their arms &c Secondly, the temporary cessation OF
h,sities for the term of eight weeks shall remark on
lese in order.
The force with which marched on Monterey was
limited by causes beyond my control to about 5000 men
With this force as every military must admit who
has the ground, entirely impossible 10 nves
Monterey closely to prevent the escape OF me gar
rison Although the main communication win the IN
terror was In our possession, yet one route was 1ie
the Mexcans throughout the operations and could nol
BE closed We're also other minor tracks ana passes
through the mountains Had therefore, insisted on
more rigorous terms than those granted the result wouu
have been the escape of the body of the Mexican ioce
with the destruction OF Its artillery ana oo
war at the expense OF valuable ives ana much a'ase
to the city The consideration OF humanity was present
TO nv mind during the conference which led TO the con-
vention, and outweighed in my Judgment the doubtful
advantages be gained by resumption OF the attack
upon the town This conclusion has been fully con-
frmed by inspection OF the enemys position and means
since the surrender Il twas discovered that his principal
magazine, containing immense amount OF powder was
IN tne Tbe EXPLOSION Of this mass Of powder
which must have ultimately resulted from continuance
of the bombardment would have been Infinitely dlsas-
trous involving the destruction not only OF Mexican
troops, but of oncombatants and even our own people
had we pressed the attack.
In regard to the temporary cessation OF hoshltes, the
fact that at this moment, within eleven days
of the termination OF the period liked by the convention
prepared to forward in force is sufficient expana-
ton of the military reasons which dictated tins suspen
sion of arms. II paralyzed the enemy during period
when from the want OF necessary MEANS we could not
possibly move desire distinctly to state, and to call the
attention OF the authorities to the fact that with all dill
gence breaking mules and setting up wagons the first
wagons in addition to our original tram from Corpus
Christi land but 125 in number) reached my headquar
tiers on the same day with the Secrearys communication
nj he A
render of Monterey force had not more than ten days
ratons and even now with all our endeavors, we have
not more than twenty-five The task OF fighting and beating
the enemy samong the least difficult that encounter the
great question of supplies all the opera
tons in country like this At the date OF the conven
ton could not OF course, have foreseen that the depart
ment would direct an important detachment from my
command without consulting me, or without waiting the
result Of the main operation under my orders ..a
in the convention of Monterey There were other con-
sideratons which weighed with the commissioners in
convention In the conference with General Ampuda,
distinctly told by him that he had invited to spare
the further euson Of blood and because General Santa
Anna had declared himself favorable to peace. knew
that government had made propositions to that of
Mexico to negotiate, and deemed that the change OF
government in that country since my last instructions,
fully warranted in entertaining considerations OF pol
icy. My grand motive in moving forward with very Inn
tied supplies had been to increase the inducements OF the
Mexican lea to negotiate TOR peace wha.eve
rulers of General Santa Anna, it is not unknown to
the government that had the very best for beev
ing the statement of General Ampudia to be true. 1t
my opinion at the time Of the convention and it has not
been changed, that the liberal treatment of the Mexican
army, and the suspension Of arms would exact none but
favorable influence in our behalf.
The result of the entire operation has been TO throw
the Mexican army back than three hundred miles
the city OF San Luis Poos, and to open the country
to far choose to penetrate it, up to the
point
1t has been my purpose in this communication not so
much defend the convention from the which
tn tn
show that it was not adopted without cogent reasons
most of which occur OF themselves to the minds Of all
who acquainted with the condition OF things here
To that end beg that may be laid before the General
in-chief and Secretary of War.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Major General IT, s. army, Comd'g
The ADJuTANr GENERAL Of the army, Washington, d. c.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Camp near Monterey Nov. Q, 1876
SIR: have the honor to report that, in compliance
with the instructions Of the Secretary OF War, commun
Gated in his letter Of October 18th, have formally mott
fled the Mexican general that the temporary
pension Of agreed upon in the convention of Mon
terey will cease on the ah instant the date at which
notification was sent by Major Graham typographical
engineer, who left on the 9th instant
rangemens have been made for the occupation OF Sato
at the earliest moment by troops Whether OPP
eraons pushed forward towards San Luis not the
occupation of Saltio is important--politically the
capital of Coahula and in military view. as covering
nm important region from which we may draw sup
plies
Brigadier General Wool, with portion of his force
arrived at Monclova on the Goth OF October and
joined by the division He reports no practicable
route to chihuahua except the by Paras, which will
bring [himl within few leagues of Sao. He inquiries
what IS to be gained by going to Chihuahua And
free to answer, nothing all commensurate with the
excessive length OF his line OF operations. Chihuahua,
virtually conquered, and be occupied
any moment, while hold Saltillo and Santa Fe.
shall instruct General Wool to remain at Monclova,
position to make of his column, which cannot be done
until visit Saltillo
have taken the first steps towards organizing the
petition Tampico, and propose to accompany for the
purpose at least OF commanding covering force There
will be delay for the want of means of land trans
port
The information received since my communication of
renders more than probable that from the want of per-
manent water il will be impossible march large force
from Salto to that city. hope to acquire certain in
formation on this point in few days.
AT the latest advces from the interior, the army
yet at San Luis, 1000 strong 1t is reported also,
hardly credible. Some that Santa Anna had
been proclaimed DICTATOR have not been confirmed.
am SIR very respectfully, yourobedent servant
H. TAYLOR,
Major General U. s. army, commanding.
The ADJuTANT GENERAL of the army, Washington, d. c.
Orders HrApeuARrERs ARMY OF OccUrArIoN,
No. l39 } Camp near Monterey, Nov. S, 1916.
J. Under instructions from the Department of War
the OF the Mexican forces has been duly
notified that the temporary cessation of hosties agreed
upon the convention OF Monterey, will cease and de-
,ermine from the 18th instant, after which date the
American forces will be free to the line OF demarca