The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-20


government do not advise that course Itseousy regrets
that such fragrant offender cannot be dealt with IN the
manner he deserves. | other course Tor you 70
pursue than release him from confinement ana send
him away from the army, and this is recommended IL
is intended invite the attention OF Congress again to
this subject in order to have provision MADE ior such
but cannot be SO done as 10 operate er posi- Jdeto
and of course will not embrace the case IN question
refer with reluctance, to your remarks upon that
part of nv despatch of the 22d of September which
laes to the Tampco expedition. AS you have miscon-
ceived the views of the government and made the
pursued here the ground Of formal protest. II seems to
be proper that should notice your animadversions upon
IT, | think you have erred in regarding what was put
forth as suggestions, in the light of peremptory com
mands. 1t was intended to leave the whole subject, as
well the organizing and sending forth the expedition,
as the designation OF the officers to command it, to your
approval and final judgment Such think the fair i'm
port OF the language used to manifest this intention Con-
sidering the large number OF troops on the RIO Grande
OF them could be spared for the Tampco expedition but
you were expressly informed that none would be with
drawn from that ne it, in your opinion 1t would IN
terfere with your operations and 1t was not then sug-
gested that any should be taken from your advancing
column So in relation TO the general officers proposed
for the command OF the force they were not to De taken
if sit should interfere with your previous arrangement in
regard to these officers They were presented to your
consideration for that service because they were not EN-
country, but with the troops on the Rio Grande,
from which most OF the force for the expedition it
presumed would be detached
Certainly no disrespect intended towards you
commanding general; nothing was proposed which could
deprive you OF the of securing to your
plans Of operation After respectful consideration OF
your remarks, and reeXamlnatlon OF that part OF my
despatch which you deem exceponable, cannot regard
it as an encroachment upon your Just rights or VIOLA
ton Of the integrity Of the chief command in the field
tions am only the medium OF presenting the views OF
the President and you will not question his right, as
commander in chief, to make suggestions the
mens of the forces under your command, to the
officers to be employed in these movements. Having, in
this instance carefully qualified his suggestions so as to
Al Iftvad
or commands and expressly discaimed the intention OF
employing any part OF the troops which, in your opinion
"would interfere with your operations" he is entirely
unconscious OF having given any Just cause Tor protest
complaint
The reason offered for communicating directly with
General Patterson, and instrucng him o make prepara-
tons for the movement the Tampco expedition0 so far
it be done without disturbing your present arrange
ments the Rio Grande," &C., "to prevent delay"
This you declare to be napplicabe Your language is:
The alleged, viz the loss of time in communi
eating with General Patterson has no application, for the
Secretarys despatch from that officer to my head
quarters sixty hours and he could not move without
drawing largely upon this column for artillery and regu
lar troops To vndicate the good faith with which this
reason assigned deem proper to apprize you that
Camargo; but he in command on the Rio Grande,
it was reasonable to conclude that my communication
would reach him at Maamoros, or in that vicinity; ne
her it known at what place in the enemys country
my despatch would reach you The casualties of send
ing communications to and from YOU after you had pene
tated far into it, not overlooked The fact that the
relation the Tampco expedition intercepted by the
enemy, shows that it not unreasonable to appehend
delay from this
There for delay in the contemplated expe
dition other than that suggested in your remarks, viz
the concentration of troops BY my letter to General
Patterson, it will be perceived that here considered
important that he should be at engaged in acquiring
information to the routes whether by land
and in forwarding it with the least possible delay to
the department The early receipt OF this information
deemed important for the seasonabe preparation Of
Transports and collecting needul supplies, Be-
With the disposition which, am sure you possess, to
Judge fairly the subject, allow myself to hope that
reflection, you will perceive that the alleged
for direct communication with General Patterson was
not idle one; dperhaps you may regard ii was,
and still Isl here regarded, as of sufficient Importance to
justify the course adopted
In conclusion, assure You that nothing could be fur
Their from the views of the department than any intention
to interfere with derogate FROM the authority belong
ing you by right usage commanding generals and
allow add, that after full consideration of the part
of the despatch deemed by you exceptonable am
BILE to convince myself that either in the mat
ter all circumstances considered furnishes just grounds
for your animadversons.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
w. L. MARCY, Secretary of War
Major Gen. T. TAYLOR, &C., &c, &c.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, Nov. 90, 1s46.