Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-04-29
PKfVs1H LETTER PROM GENERAL
T4TI9n.

"Itwil be al cnee seen (says the Picsyune. J
That the letter was NOT intended for the press
we make DO apology for publishing such por-
tons of il as are OF pubic concern. The DIS
tiHguisked gentleman 10 whom u was adires
sad has ben moved by desire 10 contribute
10 he know ledge Of tie public upon an en-
crossing sthert. TO submit this let'er for DOR
4 use. We 90 not admit that there would be
any Improperly ia this under any circum-
stances but at the present moment, and al
time when very Unauthorized use y sought
10 BE- made Of Gen. Tayloi's name, we think
! the publication appropriate. and, indeed, me-
cessarv to the right Understanding oil his great
characier.
"A paragraph in rc'ation 70 the Presidency
will at once create attention."
EEaDaraRrras AT Aoua Nrrv,. I
Army of Occupation, March 4. lo47.S
.My Dear Ceneral Your very acceptable
and interesting letter of the 18th November
last reached me on the 24,h Of December,
while on the march from Monterey 10 Tampi-
20; but the nature OF my duties since then
(being most of the time in the saddle in adj
ailion to other matters. has prevented me from
replying 10 il until the present moment. BE
assured. my dear sir, have not since then
lost sight Of il or yourself: and feel highly
gra'iie1 for the fiatterlng manner IN which
YOU have noticed the conduct OF the officers
and soldiers who marched with me from the
RIO Grande TO Monterey and compelled that
place 10 surrender after mucn hard lighting.
as they fairly merifed the handsome -ncomi-
uns you have thought proper 10 bestcw upon
them. For this you have my sincere thanks.
| 1.-THE general then alludes 10 the misrepre-
senialioDs which had been made in regard to
! MAJ. Gen. Butler AT Monterey. Those El:srep-
rese nations had been the subject OF converse
ton between them. and lefi no feeling like dis
trust OF unkndness towards each other IN their
breasts The letter then goes on:
| was aware Of the reports as well as state
ments in few of the public journals, that II
was intended BY cer,ain individuals TO bring
Gen. Butler forward as the successor TO Mr..
Polk, which gave me no concern. and woud
no, even had !, been the case. which did not
credit and which had been forgotten. doubt
if the subj.ct would have again crossed my
mind, had il not been brorglI. 10 NY notice by
you or some one else. have never heard
him or any of his friends alude TO this matter.
He (ihe general, in consequence OF his wound
not healing. which gave hun so much pain as
since by advice OF his medical attendant for
New Orleans. where hope he has arrived in
safety, aud where truly hope he viii very
soon recover so as 70 be able TO take the field
once more.
may observe that have been also named
as a candidate for that high Office by few
newspaper editors and others. which has been
done without my knowledge, wishes or con-
sent.
This I have assured all who have written
me on the subject; assuring them that had
no aspirations fos that or any other civil Office
that my whole energies, mental and physI
cal, were aud had been absorbed in such
way as thought best calculated TO bring ihi,
war to speedy and honorable close. believing
It was for the interest Of both countries the
sooner i was done the be;,er--ai any rate. 50
Ear as ours is concerned; and that President
making should be lost SIGHT Of until this was
accomplished.
Here follows brief statement of events
from tie time oil Gen. SCOTS arrival at the
Drazos I'LL Gen. Tay ior returned from Victoria
10 Monterey. The letter then proceeds
| reiraced my steps 10 Monterey, where
arrived towards the latter part Of the month
(lanuar,). and where expected to remain
some the, 10 recruit myself and horses but
icw DAYS after my arrival | received morma-
hon flum the command IN front oil Salullo--G5
niilcs in the direction of San Luis Poiosi from
Mop,crcv-,bat the command 4UOU
and $500 suong-u under Gen. Wool, had be-
come very much alarmed ia consequence oil
about 100 picked men and horses, belonging
to the Kentucky aud Arkansas regiments OF
ulUun'cG men, who were sent gu, towards San
Luis 10 gam intelligence respecting the enemy
and 10 watch their movements. having been
lab.n. alter being surrounded IN the nigh, and
all made prisoners by large force OF cavalry.
about 50 miles IN advance OF Salnllo. So said
one OF the lariy who succeeded IN making his
escape the next night and getting back 10 sal
;illo also that he Mexican army was acvan
eng IN great numbers towards SaiIll.o. hese
reports nGuced M 70 join my advance imme-
dia.rv. leaving Monterey On the 5ist Janu-
ary, reached SalIilo on the morning Of ine "a
February with small rein orcentnt. when
increased my iurce 10 5000. when lost no
,lme in moving forward and establishing
camp at this place, about 20 nii,es 10 advance
If Saiuiio on tie San. Luis road. for The pur-
pose OF carrying on II system OF nttyuction. as
well as 10 watch the movements Dl the enemy,
and where expected 10 tight hin should he
attempt 10 move on Saitil!o. Here remained
Unit. The 2iSt, exalnnlpg the several passes
through The inounlalns---at which ilEIe as
certaned that Gen. santa Anna was adyan
eng and near al hand. with an oyerw heluIing
force Not exactly Liking ny lositon, having
aScertainsd that he eoulu gaia my rear by Two
na0s on my ratit and one on NY lelt. and not
Geetulng HrrUitnl TO divide my lo,ces. and
having apIrehtnslGns about my supplies
which we've 10 ealtlis, determined al once
20 'a.i back TOWARDS thai place about II mics.
aud occupy q srrHng position between TWO
spurs ol y Inountain N. with a narrow valley be-.
tween th,u,, Where at one POINT the road IS so
narrow as 10 per.., tie passage OF on.y one
wagon alta tuie. wilh deep guilics runulng up
10 thr mouniI.ns, washed hy the rains 80 a. 10
prevent horses or carriages ON passing them
without great dIitcully. Sald position had
been cosrly examined by the Typographical
engineers, Under the eye ul Cen. " oo.. before
my arrival, who deemed II admirably adapted
10 resist targs wth small force. as weii as
ada, tru 10 The description OF force which COM
post1 our army. We therefore tell back and
oat upled II on he evening Of the zlsl, and AT
once maze the accessory preparations Tor CIV
ing battle.
Ide aext day tie enemy made he appear
3ace early IN lne cay, and alter Iecopnoiier-
~ oug position for some time, al 2 O'Clock,
T.. NJ, received. by staff officer with
+ y, "a tommun.cal.un hom General Santa
Anna, qulrna he 10 surrender al discretion,