The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-18
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, June s, 1871

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, June s, 1916.
SIR: You will have received before this will reach
you brevet commission OF major general and the Pres
dents order assigning you to the command OF the army
the Rio Grande, according TO your brevet rank Ii Is
the Presidents intention TO continue you in that command
and to commit to you the conduct IN the ensuing cam
pagn.
Owing the irregular proceedings of General Gaines
in mastering into service volunteers without authority, 1t
impossible for the department TO tell at this time, what
amount of force you have under your command; but
such you have il is doubted YOU will employ to the
best advantage IN prosecuting vigorous operations against
Mexico.
In my letter of the 2Sth u you were left to your
discretion and Judgment, to the to be pursued
before the end of the unfavorable season shall be
passed, and il not intended to control that discre
ton You best know what amount of force you will
have under command and what can be best accom-
plished with that force
1t is presumed you will hold both banks of the Rio
Grande TO considerable distance from its mouth, and
the uninterrupted of that for the trans
portaton of supplies hope you will be able to take
and hold in possession all places on IT. as high up as
Laredo.
1t is proper that should advise you that considerable
force, which will be also under your command, will soon
assemble at San Antonio de Bexar The ultimate dest
nation of this force is Chihuahua If IT should be deter
mined that such expedition would have favorable
operation in the conduct of the war; but 1t might be at
used take and the several places the Rio
Grande. Though have no despatch from you since
those giving account of the battles the Sh and 9th
of May, we have such information induces the belief
that you in possession OF Matamoros and that you
are not threatened with any considerable Mexican
force 1t is desirable that you should find yourself
sufficient strength to capture and hold Monterey with
your present force. You are appzed that large rem
forcemens preparing to join you Besides the regular
forces now under your command, and which will be
speedily augmented, you will soon have nearly twenty
thousand volunteers ncluding those to rendezvous at
San Antonio de Bexar,) who to serve for year
Y our determinations as to immediate movements WILL
therefore, be somewhat influenced by the consideration
of the additional force which will soon join you
Much apprehension is felt to what is called the
healthy season. All agree that it is sicky on the coast
and is the general opinion that healthy the in
terror Your positions should have particular reference
to this consideration All the towns the Rio Grande
above Matamoros are represented to be healthy, and
Monterey the interior, particularly is therefore
hoped that you may be enabled to place considerable
part of your troops these towns until the fall
paign shall Open In taking positions. | scarcely need
munitions of war, well the ability to keep open the
channels by which these supplies and munitions to be
furnished, points 10 be well considered Your inor
nation to the practicabity of eectng these objects,
and to the probable ability of the enemy to interrupt
your lines OF communication. and to oppose formidable
obstacles TO your controlling both banks of the river and
to taking and holding Monterey is far better than any
which can be obtained here.
have nothing to add to what said in my last let
ter to you in regard to retaining in service those now
You will not discharge, until the end of their term those
who will not engage as volunteers under the act OF the
18th May last if they can be advanageously employed
in carrying your immediate operations.
The President is DESTROYS of receiving, and hopes
to be favored with your views and suggestions in relation
10 the 1al campaign Ills determination Is 10 nave the
prosecuted with vgor, and TO embrace in the objects
to be comprised in that campaign, such will dispose
the enemy to desire end OF the Shall the
paign be conducted with the view of striking the city
of Mexico, confined far regards the forces under
your immediate command to the northern provinces of
MeXco' Your views this point will doubtless have
important influence upon the determination of the gov
eminent here. Should army penetrate far into the
interior of Mexico, how supplies to be obtained
Can they be- to any considerable extent drawn from the
enemys country they be obtained from the United
States If the latter, what are the facilities and difficult
ties of transportation These very important ques
tions and the to them will have essential
bearing in settling the plan and objects Of the campaign
and is desired that you should express your views fully
in regard to them.
Again: it is important TO know your opinion of the
description of troops best adapted TO operations the in
terror of Mexico; what proportion should be infantry
tllery, and cavalry, &C. peace must be conquered in
the shortest space of time practicable Your views of the
manner of doing requested tits doubted that
you will push your advantages to the utmost extent it
can be done with the means at your command.
With this you will receive statement of the volunteer
force which proposed to forthwith into ser
vice, the description thereof and the places designated
for rendezvous
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. l.. MARCY,
Secretary of War.
Maj. Gen. TAYLOR, Comdg Army of Occupation on
the RIO (.rande Texas