The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-08-14
WAR MATTERS.
VERA CRUz, July %.
From New Orleans Papers.


From New Orleans Papers.
After all the delay which occurred in got
ting Off the train and escort under General
Pierce, many of the wagons were in mn I'M
prepared state, and became detached from
the main body. An escort ola hundred and
fifty or two hundred troops was detailed TO
remain with tho stragglers and guard them
until they could reloin the train, while the
main body moved forward. The detachment
had however, advanced only few miles be-
You'd Santa FG, when it was attacked bV n
large party ofguorIas, which kept it engag-
ed for about four hours, at the end of which
time the MeXicans were well "used up" and
the Americans moved forward.
"A gentleman who passed along the road.
yesterday morning, states that he saw sever
al dead bodies in the vicinty-all McXicams
and has no doubt that tho guerillas had
met with considerable loss. No wounded
have arrived here from our troopsHnd it is to
he presumed that their loss has been small.
1t is strange that no messenger has been de-
spatched to the Governor with the inteli-
gence. The firing was plainly heard by our
sick, which had been left behind at Santa
Fc. The detachment, which mentioned in
my last, as having been sent ont to Santa to,
has returned, and report the entire dcstruCt-
ion of the place. in conformity with the Gov
crnor's orders.
A quarrel, on the subject of rank, has n
risen in our army; but presume the conse-
quences will not be very serious The Com
mander in Chief has made very sensible
decision on the subject, aud the matter lies
IN proper shape, pending an appeal. Just
think Of Gen. Worth serving under such
man as Pillow, or oven under Quitman! Ma
polcon under Colonel Pluck! Gen. Qumun
is gentleman. and good oflicer,-pcrhaps
the very best olhis class of appointments
but he should never think of leading Worth,
who is decidedly, and by general consent,
the second man in the army, in point OF tai
ent and fitness for command.
Cor of the Journal of Commerce.
WAsuINGToN, August 81.
The conquered peace" is very aptly pluc-
ed in the same category with perpetual mo-
ton," the 'quadraturc of the circle" Gen
eral Taylor and his officers appear to be as
clever in speech and toast making, ms in
stormiug fortress, or rcpcIing n charge. 1t
cannot be said that any tho officers of orr
army,--ciiher of those IN Mexico or in the
bureaus herc,-have ever attempted 10 hum
bug the public with the idea that we have
conquered, or are about to conquer, peace
with Mexico.
1t is the opinion of all our military men
that we have done little vet towards conquer
ing peace; and not so much rs we might
have done had we given our commanders
more men and more means. 1t is apprehcn-
dcd that the present campaign will be utter
~ indecisivr, and unproductiVc of any bcnc-
fit commensurate with It's cost Of blood and
treasure. Whose fault this failure may be-
is to he considered 10y the mex; Congress and
10y the people. Gen. Scott, it is suid is al
ready fixed upon by the Administration ms
their scapcgoat.
My own opinion is, as heretofore, that no
treaty will ever he made with the govern
mcnt (propcr) ofMeXico. treaty will be
patched up, after year or so, with some
government that Gen. Scott will establish. ]
see from letter published in Ohio, thar Mr.
j. q. Adams has recently expressed the same
opinion. II WAS stated by ono OF the Cabinet
to IL leading Mcmhcr Of Congress, six weeks
ago, that the Administration looked upon
treaty oiIhat sort as the only way in which
the war could he terminated, and it is known
that instructions have been sent TO Gen. Scott
to take measures preparatory to the adoption
Of that policy.
The Matamoras Flag has the following, in
relation 10 an attack upon train, which was
partially successful:
The last arrival from Camargo brings an
account of a recent attack by the McXcans,
supposed to be detached party of Urrcas
troops, upon train on its way to Monterey.
Tue wagon train was attended by n small
escort, and following in the rear were some
sixty or eighty pack mules, frcighted with
goods belonging to merchants of Matamoras.
Tho train was attacked near Marin AID the
assault was directed against the rear, with
view of cutting oifthc pack mules, in which
the McXicans were completely successful
all the mules, with their packs, were captur-
ed by them. a considerable booty has thus
fallen into their hnnds--somc say about $50
600 worth of dry goods, and quantity Otto
bacco.