The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-13
War News.
THE MEXICAN CAMPAIGN.

THE MEXICAN CAMPAIGN
49, lfrom the New Orleans Bulletin March 4
we have recently had an opportunity of convo- sing
fully and freely with several oce Of the army lately
arrived from Mexico the subject Of present posi-
ton and future prospects of affairs in that quarter as
connected with the war. These gentlemen have been
Tor some time with the army have horne share in all
ue recent operations and present movements Including
the capture Of Monterey Their position and opportun
ties have enabled them to form very opinions
weight the previous Information that had obtained
and the opinions that had formed the future pro-
secution oil this war have been than confirmed by
what we have thus recently learned.
AS Ieserds the actual position of affairs there is be
eyed santa Anna has idea Of advancing from San Luis
with view to attack Con Taylor at salto, rather &c
miles in advance oil that place, where he s posted
with the main body OF his army. The force under the
actual command Of Gen Taylor is about 900 men, all
volunteers ex"ep. four batteries Of artillery and two
tqusdrons OF dragons the former about 800 and
the later loo IN all The force at Monterey about 600
men--also volunteers General Taylor has not a regu
lar infantry soldier with him, the whole having been
Withdrawn for the operations the coast under Gen
scotthe ia however to be reinforced by five or six
regiments Of the volunteers actually arrived shortly
expected and when joined by them, his intention and
indeed his orders to move forward he ia making
all his arrangement to do 80 by the LIST OF April Among
other preparations he constructing small water tanks
to be carried on pack mules, with supply OF that
cessary to enable the army to toe DESERT where
for distance of 30 miles, there is only watering
place. and that only for a limited number at q time-a
mule will carry two OF these miniature tanks, each cen
tanning Is to 20 gallons The difficulties of the march
fact that the orders Of Parades which e into hands
were. that IN sending forward the troops that subso-
quently defended Monterrey they were particularly in
sucted not 10 allow them to the desert in hrger
bodies than 500 at tme account Of the small supply
ofwaer at the watering place alluded and this
circumstance Of itself would oppose great, ii nsu
persble obstacle any advance OF Santa Anna in SUIT
hcent force al one time, to attack Gen Taylor, he
would not attempt to cross it in small attachments In
face OF cur army.
At the present moment, General Taylor has q most
ample supply Of provisions and also full means Of
ed in bringing up full supplies of everything from
Camargo preparatory to the intended forward move.
para,ions are being made We learn the transports.
ton means at present are at least 1000 wagons, all
with good mule teams, which are procured there at
from SIS to $25 each and besides which, there will be
large body Of pack mulesndeed the latter will be the
main dependence after leaving saltlo account Of the
State OF the road The position at Sahlo Is well pre-
pared to resist attempt of the enemy, and not the
least fear is entertained the result should such
improbable event attack from Santa Anna occur;
to Monterey, is prepared resist, successfully the
entire Mexican army, could be brought together for
Gen Taylor is represented az being in the most I'm.
amiable state Of mind at the withdrawal Of the whole OF
the regular force from his command leaving him nothing
but volunteers for his contemplated advance, which,
when joined by the renforcements will make his force
about 10 600 but If it only 1000, he is deter
Some of these volunteer regiments have greatly i'm.
proved and are improving in drill and
fedthis is owing to the officers that respectively
mand them, and particularly to the Colonies alt how
ever agree that the system Of electing officers be
abandoned, as is totally destructive 10 all discipline
and subordnaonas parties are frequently selected and
chosen, even for field officers without any regard
their merits or qualifications but merely their popu
ary or willingness to treat and be generally indulgsnt
The force concentrating under Gen Scott, and intend
cd for tho attack Vera Cruz will be from 10 to 900
men, at least one hall Of which viii be- Tss. It is
thought they cannot be before Vera Cruz until the last
OF the month The city is believed will bs abandon.
ed but the castle defended. The Opinions various.
not as to the anal result but to tao me vii. be
required 10 reduce it, IL the reas,ancs any wsy
Iioua is thought weeks not months, will be
required.
As regards the subsequent operations all agree to
the dicuIes and absence OF any d oisvs results In
penetrating into the interior, II could be dono
the most successful manner
Supplies, at least to certain extent DO obtained
on the route, but they must be paid tor and liberal
terms-it not they cannot be hsd-every thing OF the
kind would be removed-the Unite qusnuy spArss
of the population the paiuio and extent the
country, would enable them TO do so--an attempt TO
levy contributions to take supplies without compsn
sstion would ut once be known all along the luo OF
march, many days not wee ks in advance Of the army
and afford ample opportunity to remove their small
az these people move Themselves tamiliss stocks and
OF the desert, or OF our indians; and our
informants observed we might as well attempt to
tern Indians by levying contributions upon their
and wigwams, as TO do it with the Mexicans
Another favorite mode that has recently been urged
has been 10 mako the population Of Mexico feel tho pre-.
sure and surthen OF the war and thus produce national
feeling favorable TO peace. In the first place, in such
extended country, cannot by any possibility, bring
but fractional portion of the population into contact
with our army or make them feel the of war
were willing to tarnish our national charac
racter by prosecuting II with fire and sword,
have urged it SHOULD be done The state OF cIvz alton
IN which Mexico is does not admit OF bringing home the
pressure OF war to the great body Of the people Their
wants are small they have but few even Of what We
call the essaes of lite still fewer Of the comforts
and none OF The luXures Such thing uses
barns or sraDares arc almost unknown in the country
and, as already observed, might well adopt sys
TEN OF coercion or contributions upon the Indian tribes
oil our Western forests. There few of tho princ
pal towns or cities whore something might be obtained
but only Little even there when the kno Wedge had
spread ahead oil the army that such system had been
adopted.
The policy Of Santa Anna will be to let us advance
into the interior, should such be the intention without
risking general battle but TO harsss our march cut
oil supplies and staggIsrs, snd where opportunity
occurs, crush detachment and destroy our ioragipg
parties His great superiority Of cavalry will enable him
TO do this and that portion Of the Mexican army re
presented as being fully equal to own They are
weapon to the sabre, the difference is by
other advantages which they possess mounted
volunteers, particularly in their admirable horsemsn
snip and their well.trained horses
All those IRON whom We have obtained the nforma.
ton on which our present remarks founded unite IN
the opinion that the capture Of the city of Mexico would
have no bearing the result OF the war; or tend
toprocurc peace than the capture of Monterey and
that II we attempt to march there general battle
would be rsked 10 preserve the capital except IL would
be given terms that would but
that tho exicaDs would depend upon harassng us upon
our notwithstanding the passes and deiles,
casion us losses, and after got the city
cut off alsuppes as well as further reinforcements
and let The army gradually melt away and become re-
duced by natural disease and the casualties which
attend every army In an enemy's country. If reinforce
ments are to be sent can only be attempted with such
force fight their way through the country sub
jet to all contingencies AID ia very evident that the
chances in the chapter of accidents whether in advsn
cling to the capital, or holding II after We may have cap
tured 1t, are all against and in favor Of us-the
consequence Of any in the attempt, would DO
most uniortunate-in the war of Independence the
SpaDards, with a much moro numerous force than we
have IN Mexico and all regular and veteran troops,
pssediy captured and held the capital, well as the
other large cities and had any result nor did
lessen the activity Of tho patriot army, increase the
disposition Of the people for peace.
tFrom the N Q. Picayunc, March al
Some feeling has been excited in the city by the re-
ports which have reached here from Tsmpco. that an
action had been fought near salto between the forces
Of Gen. Tsy lor and Santa Anna The rumor obtained
currency, and even credence at Tampico, but is no
doubt unfoinded. We published yesterday q letter
dated the 9Th u from Saltillo which written about
the time the action is supposed 10 have taken place. or
little after That made no mention Of a battle We
have since seen letter Of the 10th ult from CsmarQo
written by very intelligent officer OF tho army. Ii
makes no mention OF such action Of the march
Santa Anna upon Salo. From oil the lights before
decidedly OF opinion not oply tha Ss nta