Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-12-23
WAR DEPARTMENT.

This document is Of immense length, and &C.
cupies eight columns of the Union. We find in
the New York Tribune the following briefsketch
Of its principal provisions:
"Commencing with brief exposition of the
posture of our military affairs IN Mexico at the
beginning OF the present campaign, after the cap
of Monterey, it recies the organization oftlle ex-
petition destined to move first upon Vera Cruz
and then upon the City of Mexico. Leaving The
force designed for this enterprise at their place
of rendezvous, on the island OF Lobos, the nara
tive returns to describe and signaIize the inter-
mediate movements of General Taylors column
which resulted in the memorable battle of Bue-
ma Vista. Returning then TO the main line Of
military operations against the heart of the enc
my's country, the report follows, step by step,
the triumphant march of the gallant army under
General Scott, from its place of embarkation to
the National Palace of Mexico.
The collateral expeditions against Chihuahua,
Santa Fe, and California, are next summarilv
described in their order; their bearing upon the
results of the war depicted. With these events,
and with due notice of some subordinate sue.
cesses of our arms on the line OF operations from
Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico, the military
narrative of the report concludes
Turning from the past to the future, the report
surveys the various modes of conducting the war
which present themselves 10 The Government and
three modes: first, to take and hold an indemnity
line second to overrun the whole country; or
third to retain what we now possess, open the
| lines of communication into the interior, and GX-
tend our operations to her important places, as
our means and the prosL ect of advantages shall
indicate keeping disposable force always rea-
dy within approachabe limits to annoy the enc
my, to seize supplies, enforce contributions, and
Illustrate his efforts 10 collect means and assem-
be troops for the purpose Of protracting the war.
The first mode is regarded as dishonorable to
the country, and the second as too expensive
The third Is Recommended as preferable to the
ohers.-in addition to the troops required to gar
rison places to be retained, it is proposed TO have
in the field competent force for aggressive OPP
eratlons, TO strike The enemy whenever he may
present vulnerable point to open avenues from
the ports in our possession luto the enemy's coun-
try, and to cover and subject TO our control some
OF his rich mining districts and productive agri-
cultural regions.
The N. Y Herald adds:
1t appears by Secretary Marcy's Report, that
the whole military force at present employed
under this government, numbers
OF regulars 2IOO9
Ofvolunteers, 22,027
Total, - 90, 53G
With General Scott
At Tampico, now on route, and on
the line from Vera Cruz to head
quarters, 32l56
With General Taylor, 6727
In Santa Fe, on the Oregon and
Santa Fe routes, and in the In
dian territory 1854
In California and or route thither l0l9
- 1880
The actual strength is much less than this a
mount, but the number not in service cannot be
precisely ascertained. The Secretary advises
that the present organization be completed by
enllstmehts. An enlistment of73Sl is necessa-
ry to complete the regular organization, and TO
complete that of the volunteer force an enlist
ment OF 1850, 10 serve during the war. There
appears TO be now in service q nun erlcal force
of % regiments, 2 baitalions, and SO companies
not organized into regiments or battahons.
The most important action recommended 10