The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-11-27

Ircgret having been obliged, on the 10th to leave
| Maj. Gen. Quitman, an able commander, with q
part Of his divsion-the fine I'd Pennsylvania vol
unteers and the veteran detachment Of United
States marines--at our important depot, San Au-
gustin, II was asthere that had placed our sick and
wounded; the siege, supply and baggage trains.
| If these had been lost, the army would have been
driven almost to dspair; and considering the enc.
my's very great excess of numbers, and the many
approaches to the depot ut might well have become
empbatically, the post Of honor.
| After SO many victories, we might, with but lit
tie additional loss have occupied the capitol the
same evening But Mr.. Trist, commissioner, &C.,
as well as myself, had been admonshed by the best
friends of peace-intellgent neutrals and some A.
merican residents against precipitation; lest, by
wantonly driving away the government and Others
-dlshunored-we might scatter the elements of
peace, excite spirit Of national desperation, and
thus indefinitely postpone the hope Of accommo.
dation. Deeply impressed with this danger, and
remembering our mission--to conquer peace
| the army very cheerfully sacrificed to patriotism
| Ito the great wish and want of our countryside
eciat that would have followed an entrances word
in hand-into great capital Willing to leave
something to this republic-of no immediate value
to us-on which to rest her pride, and to recover
temper-I halted our victorious corps at the gates
of the city, Cat least for time and have them now
cautioned in the neighboring villages, where they
are well sheltered and supplied with all necessa-
ries
On the morning OF the 2lst being about 10 take
up battering or assaulting positions, to authorize
me to summons the city to surrender, or sign an
armistice with pledge to enter at once into nego-
tiati0ns for peace-a mission came dut to pro-
pose truce. Rejecting its terms, dispatched my
contemplated note to President Santa Anna-o-
mitting the summons. The 22d commissioners
were appointed by the commandersof the two arm
les; the armistice was signed the 23d, and ratGca.
tons exchanged the oath.
All matters in dispute between the two govern
ments have been thus happily turned over to their
plenipotentiaries, who have now had several con-
ferences and with, think, some hopes of signing
treaty of peace.
There will be transmitted to the Adjutant Gen.
eral reports from divisions, brigades &c, on the
foregoing operations, to which must refer with
myhearty concurrence in the just applause bestow-
ed on corps and individuals by there respective
commanders. Ihave been able-this report being
necessarily summary-to bring out comparative
Iy, but little of individual merit not lying directly
in the way of the narrative. Thus doubt wheth-
er have, in express terms, given my appreciation
and applause to the commanders Of divisions and
independent brgades ;but left their fame upon high
er grounds-the simple record Of their great deeds
and the brilliant results
To the staff, both general and personal, attached
to general headquarters, was again under high
obligations for services the field, as well as in
the bureaux add their names, &C.: Lieut. Col.
Hitchcock, acting inspector general; Major j. L.
Smith, Captain r. E. Lee, (as distinguished for
fecitous execution as for science and daring) Capt
Mason Lieutenants Stevens, Beauregard and Tow
er-all Of the engineers; Major Turnbull, Captain
Mcclellan and Lieut. Hardcastle, Typographical
engineers; Capt Huger and Lieut.. Hagner, OF the
ordinance; Capt Irwin and Wayne, of the quarter
masters department; Capt. Grayson, of the CON-
missariat; Surgeon General Lawson, in his partic.
ular department; Captain II. L. Scott, acting asis-
tant adjutand general, Lieut.. Williams. aid-de-
camp, and Lieut. Lay, military secretary, Leuten-
ant Schuyler Hamilton. another ad-de-camp had
week before, been thrown out OF activity by Sc
we're wound received in successful charge OF ca.
vaIry against cavalry, and four times his numbers;
but on the Goth, had the valuable services, as VOL
unteer aids, OF Major Kirby and Van Buren,. ofthe
pay department, always eager for activity and dis
tinction; and of third, the gallant Major ]. P.
Gaines, Of the Kentucky volunteers
have the honor to be, sir, with high respect,
Your most obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. VIM. L. Marcy, Secretary of War.