Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-01-07
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LATE FROM THE RIO 1RANDE.
Correspondence of he NJ o. Picawme.

LATE FROM THE RIO 6RANDE.
Correspondence Of the NJ o. Pieayme.
BRAzos SANTIAGO. Dec. 6, 1916.
Here am once more in Texas. Now for
what little army news have been able 10 gath
er. II was my good fortune TO meet this NOR
ming an old friend in gentleman direct from
Monterey, who gave me the data for whatfol-
lows. Ny informant left Monterey on the
9th of November. Gen. TAYLOR had return.
ed from Saltillo, and expressed himself pleased
with the appearance Of the city, which was
in quiet possession of the troops under Gen.
WORTH Saltilo is about sixty-five miles
from Monterey, and has an elevation OK some
1900 feet above the latter place. The cold,
in consequence. is frequently quite intense
Gen. TAYLOR saw ice while he was there
The most delicious fruits are said TO abound
in Saitillo. No demonstration against Gen
WORTH had been made by the enemy, al
though only at the distance of twenty miles
from him. His scouts had discovered about
5000 Mexican cavalry, said TO have been sem
from San Luis Potosl for the purpose of gra-
zing their horses.
Gen Wool had been ordered by Gen. TAY
LoR TO occupy forthwith the town Of Pauas
a small but beautiful place seventy miles north
east Of Saltillo. Gen. WooI. would have nc
opposition at Parras, as the inhabitants were
prepared TO received him peaceable. Hi;
troops are represented to be in the fines
health and discipline.
The ultimate plans Of Gen. TAYLOR hac
not, of course, been fully developed, but suffi
cient was known to render it quite certain tha
something like the following outline was to be
adhered TO. He had received intelligence
from the government of the call for additional
troops. He would therefore occupy all the
posts, towns, &C., either Immediately or re
motely. on the line Of Operations to Tampico
Lieut.. Col Riley now occupies Mount Nor
aes with the Cd regiment of U. s. infantry
Gen. TAYLOR would himself take up his line
of march for Victoria, where, rumor has it
SANTA ANNA has 10000 choice troops. This
city is indispensably accessory to Gen. TAY
LoR, in order that he may secure his lines o.
communication in an attack upon San Luis
Po,osi. SANTA ANNA knows its importance
and will no doubt resis, its possession by oul
troops. But shall not speculate. Gen. TAY
LoR intended TO march as soon as provisions
could be fastened up-whch would probably
be by the 10Th December--with the Sd, 4th
and 7th infantry. the Dragons under Col
HARVEY, who had arrived al Monterey
Braces battery, and two regiments of volun
teers, which latter had net been designated
1t would seem that Gen. TAYLOR himself al
tached some importance 10 the rumor of SAN
IA ANaA's 10000 troops, as he heads in per
son the expedition against Victoria. Afel
taking this point which he most assuredly viii
do, it is thought he will make no further de
monstration until desired reinforcements reach
him from Tampico.
Should Gen. BuTuER's health admit Of it
he will be left al Monterey in command; 9th
erwise COL SMITH, of the Rifles will be detain
ed for that purpose. Gen. BUTLER. wound
was not improving indeed it is said TO be get
ting worse. The air Of Monterey is considered
unfavorable to wounded inyalids, and the
surgeons have advised that all such leave the
country if practicable.
1t is said, and on good authority, tina, SAN.
ia ANNA, fearing the Congress aboutto assem-
BILE al Mexico would not carry out his meas
ures, or fully sustain him, under the pretence
of putting down another outbreak of the pop
ulace. being well aware that Gen. TAYLOR
cannot attack him in his strongholds at San
Luis for two months or more. SANTA ANNA
it is no news TO say, is a most willy foe, and in
respect to knowing the position Of affairs, has
the advantage, from natural causes, Of Gen
TAYLOR, and is determined to resist. Ii is
Ro,u conceded by the officers of our army gen
orally that the Mexicans ,cM fight San Luis
potosi is in strong state obedience, and is daily
being strengthened still more; and il may be
that the battles Of Palo Alto and Resaca, and
those of Monterey, were but specimens of what
may occur before San Luis. Officers believe
that harder fight than any one vet is before
San Luis Potosi is one of the richest cities in
all Mexico, being directly in the mining dis
tricts; and you may depend upon it the Mex
leans will make The big stand there. One
thing, however is certain old Trough and
Ready" is not going to be caught again def
Gent in anything in men, munitions
or beseigipg cannon. Nor will he be again
caught by "white aags' or treacherous par
leys. You may deceive him once, bat twice,
never! But more of this hereafter My let
ter is already too long, and fear has but little
10 interest you.
In closing | viii add that Mai. Gen. PAT
TERsoN had left Camargo with the Alabama
and Illinois regiments, and was conveying
these troops down to the mouth Of the Rio
Grande, intending 10 go 10 Tampico by water.
Having duly reported his intensions TO the
commanding general, an express was des
patched, and arrived in time, ordering Gen.
PATTERSON TO go TO Tampico by land. Gen.
p. and staff have arrived al Matamoras.
Dec. l0.-Gen. SHIELDS, who is ordered 10
take command at Tampico, is here, waiting
an opportunity 10 embark. Some four hun
bred OF the Alabama troops will leave here for
Tampico by water; the remainder of the reg
iment will so by land.
Gen. PiLLow goes back from this place to
take command in Gen. PATTERsoS's column,
which marches for Victoria. Gen. PILLow
was on his way home, as informed you in a
previous letter; but owing to letters received
from above. developing something of the fu
ture operations of the Army, as well as letters
from home rendering it unnecessary for his re-
turn, he goes back TO his command. His
health, too, is greatly improved
Yours, Sc, +. A. l..