Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-01-15
Friday Morning, January Is, ls47
THE NEWS FROM THE ARMY.

Friday mOrnlng, Jdhuaiy ~, lof'
THE NEWS FROM THE ARMY.
To The surprise of nearly every one, yesler
davis Southern mail informed us that The recen
reports of the advance of Santa Anna upon Sal
lilo with 20 or 10000 men, were without foun
dalton. and that Gen. Worth was deceived in bis
information. By The extracts from The New Or
leans papers in another column, il will Re seen
upon what data he proceeded 10 call for reinforce
mems The following article from The New Or
leans Bulletin sells forth the inconvenience con-
sequent upon this false alarm, in derangng and
relardng The operations and movements Of The
army. This is to be regrered-bul The occurrence
shows how promptly and successfully, 10 case oil
an emergency, our troops can be put in motion
and concentrated against the enemy. This act
is important. in proving the skill and energy OF
our officers and troops, and in urging the neces-
sly OF constant vigilance:
"Gen. Worth forwarded the information TO
Gen. Wool, who broke up his encampmenl and
started forward, by forced marches, 10 his relief.
Gen. Butler moved forward, in like manner from
Monterey, with his whole force; and SO pressing
was the danger considered that the large depot OF
stores and provisions al Camargo were leit with
but slight protection and all the available force
there was also sent forward. But the most unlof-
tunale result was with the army under Gen. lay
lor. He had advanced seventy miles on The route
10 Victoria, and had retraced his steps, with all
his troops, back TO Monterey, on his way 10 Sal
tilo. lie would, however, again move forward
for victoria, but it had retarded him fifteen or
twenty days, and destroyed the combination Of
his movements with other detachments that wers
ordered up 10 Victoria, particularly that under
Gen. Paterson, from Matamoras"
Some of The accounts stale, that j. was report
ed al Sallillo that Santa Anna was making eve
ry exerlon 10 bring about an adjustment OF the
difficulties between the two countries-and, more
over, that the Mexican Congress had accepted
our overture OF peace, and had agreed TO send
Us an agent 10 negotiate. We put no confidence
in The la,ter-but We have always been Of opinion
that Santa Anna was at heart favorable 10 peace,
and would il possible, bring over the Mexican
people TO the same sentiments. His "braye words
may sound otherwise-bul his acts certainly DO
not show him TO be an uncompromising enemy
oil pacific negotiation.
The Union OF Wednesday night, though not
furnished with the news received by US yesterday
morning, does no, attach much consequence TO the
alarming rumors" which had excited so much
anxiety II quotes letter from an officer al
Brazos Santiago, on the 18th December, which
expresses The opinion that "a sufficient force was,
doubtless, collected al Saltillo to meet the emer-
gency; and if Santa Annals movement was any
Thing more than a fei,R, he has unquestionably
been repulsed."
The Union says:
"a letter from Major General Scott, now COM
manding all the land forces in Mexico, dated De-
cember %, from Brazos Santiago, states that he
should leave the next day via MaIamoras and
Camargo, in search Of official news, BY which
he should be governed accordingly. Referring 10
The reports Of the movement of the enemy, he
states that in The meantime, events may TAX
him to Monterey; and that, 'if Santa Anna b.
on the offensive, he must be repulsed," &c.
"One Of the letters we have seen from The Rio
Grande OF so recent date as December %, nhe
lalest,) expressly states: ave are here without
accurate information, and the General-inchei,
now commanding all the forces 10 Mexico, has
determined to move rapidly forward, with The
view of certauing facts upon which ne can
rely. We should have been off Today, but for
the difficulty sd landing our saddle horses iron'
the steamer yesterday"
The Union also publishes an interesting lei
ter from Gen. Taylor at Monterey. Dec. 8, giving
a sketch of the position Of his forces. We shall
publish ii hereafter. de had no apprehension Of
the movements OF Santa Anna.
We repeat that there is now M danger OF
fight at Saliilo. Santa Anna is either anxious
Tor peace, or he is Too cunning and prudent 10
risk battle with The A mercan army Some
accounts STALE that his force At San Luis has been
much exaceera,ed-l not exceeding 10000, with
daily deserIions.