The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-09-17

tam Drum and myself accompanied Col. H.
and were present at the interview between
General Butler and himself During the
conversation that ensued after your note
had been delivered, Col. Hardin, among
other reasons which he gave why he hoped
your request might be complied with, urged
the fact that you were near point which
you believed you could maintain in case
the enemy advanced upon you from the d.
rection Of San Louis Potosi. Gen. Butler
said he would not revoke his order, and re-
marked that if the Mexican army came he
had already chosen ground for battle, and
even gone so far as to fix the points to be
occupied by the several corps. That ground
was the broad plain Immediately in front Of
Saltillo, and think he also said he had al
ready prepared roads for the artillery lead
ing from the city up on to it. | have men
what anxiety and exertion you endeavored
to be permitted to occupy a point within
striking distance of the one you had select
ed as the best for battle. On the 30th Of
December your whole command was obliged
to retrace its steps to La Encantada, which
it did with evident reluctance, as all the
officers agreed entirely with you in opinion
as to the disadvantages arising from such a
change Of position. a:
Previous to the time when you first went
to Sal,illo; uhe 22d) not one of your Off
GERS had ever gone through the pass Of
Buena Vista. All those who went with
you on that occasion were prevented, as
have shown, by the extreme darkness,
even from seeing the great road on which
they sought to travel, and could not there
fore have had at that time favorable OPP
portuni.y for making military reconnoisan-
ces. You returned from the city and had
pointed out the position to me, as have
stated, before they repassed over it. The
choice and partialities Of the officers in Sal
tillo, it is fair 10 presume, for many reasons,
we're coincident with those expressed by
Gen. Butler. When Gen. Taylor came up
fiom Monterey, he saw at glance that
your views were correct; and although he
moved the whole army forward to Aqua
Nueva, as there he could have an extensive
plain for the drill and discipline Of the
troops, with wood and water convenient,
and besides by doing so, could take the
lnitldtOTy step Ill Ouc VI TIC ulOSt oCduthui
pieces Of strategy Of modern times, still
when by the advance of Santa Ana the
moment had ripened to gain the grand re-
suits by feigning precipitate retreat, that
retreat was but rapid movement back to
the identical spot you had chosen, and on
to which the Mexican army was hurriedly
drawn with all its fatigue and disarray con-
sequent upon forced march Of upwards of
forty miles and where, on the 22d and 33d
Of February, lS47, was fought the battle
Of Buena Vista. The result of that conflict
afforded conclusive evidence of the correct
ness of your first remark, for there four
thousand six hundred and ten Americans
contended successfully against upwards OF
twenty-five thousand Mexicans. This let
ter, general, is but a dry detail Of facts, but
hope they are Sc. forth with sufficient
clearness to prevent their being misunder-
stood. .%
have the honor to be, very respectfully
your obedient servant,
| JAMES HENRY CARLETON,
Capt U. S. LIST Dragons.