The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-26
WASHINGTON, March "a, lS47.

WASHINGTON, March "a, 1S47.
Critical Aspect Of A6airs-7he Htrad's Havana
Ne,os-Gem. Taylor and the Administrations
The tcant of Harmony bet,cssr them siueidated.
You may rely upon it that the Havana news in
the Herald of yesterday, received in town this
morning, has deeply excited the apprehensons OF
the "Presdeat of the United States and all men
in authority" and out of authority, at head-quar-
ters. In juxtaposition with the dismal reports
from Mexico, it has SO far attracted the public APP
prehcnsons as to have led to rumors of the impe-
rative necessity OF an extra session of Congress.
There is another report sfoat this morning of
the defeat and surrender OF General Taylor in
his retrograde movement to Monterey, which no.
body believes to be true, because it is the univer-
sal opinion. so strongly has Old lack fastened
himself upon the popular appreciation, that he is
like Napo,eon's Old Guard-"Th Old Guard
may be annihilsted, but they never surrender"
The Union publishes two late official letters
| from the headquarters Of the Commissary &C.
neral of the North, at Aqua Nueva, some thirty
miles beyond Saltllo,. on the edge OF the desert,
intervening between that point and Matehuala, a
breadth Of a hundred miles on the way to San
Luis. From the first Of these letters, it appears
that Gen. Scott had advised Gen. Taylor to fall
back from Salhllo upon Monterey, judicious
recommendation but under the peculiarities of
his position at Aqua Nueva, and its advantages
III,
which the enemy, it was thought, from his Grip
pied condition, would not be able to march, and
from other briefly stated but cogent military rea-
sons, General Taylor preferred to stand fastupon
every inch Of the ground he had won. He rather
preferred TO keep the desert between him and
the enemy than TO admit to positions Oh this sde
which would afford every facility Of annoyanccs,
depredations and dcscents upon the American
lines. But strong as these genuine military
considerations, there is yet one over which thu.
commanding officer Of the North had perhaps no
second choice-hls troops were volunteers, and a
retrogadc movement, without a fight, would have
doubtless given him much trouble as u retreat
at the point OF tho bayonet. The volunteers can
not recognise the policy OF a retreat, when there
is no enemy in sight; and, besides, a retrogadc
movement only increases the distance between
them and the "halls Of the Montezumas"
We may further say, that from letter received
in this city from an officer under Gen Taylor, the
volunteers left under his command are not by
any means under the best condition Of subordina-
ton. They are rather represented as reckless of
camp duty--as controlling their company officers
elected by them, and as under no direct obedi-
cncc exceptthe personal soma, observation o. the COM
the complaints OF Gen. Taylor to the War Depart
ment, Of being Invested Of his regular troops, and
1t also explains the demand, at the last session,
for ten regiments of regulars, better calculated
for field duties than volunteers. The volunteers
70 to fight, but the hard discipline, and harder re-
straints Of camp lite, and rctrograde movements,
are features OF an active campaign to which they
do not 80 readily subscribe. The regulars are.
therefore, indispensable a nucleus, and a, a
sort of school OF discipline and subordination to
any large force Of volunteers. IL is impossible
that the volunteer can make good soldier with
out sacrificing some Of the privileges Of the cti-
Zen. The citzen acknowledges no superior but
obedience to superors, from the commander to
the corporal, is the fundamental law OF the army
IL is from the fighting qualities of the volunteers
that we look to the escape OF Gen. Taylor and
his absolute defeat OF the Mexicans; but whether
he has dropped back into Monterey, or advanc
back to Satilo, or whether he may have b,en
entirely cut of or cut up, we guaranty you Ma
the official returns will substannaic the postscfp