Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-04-23


sorbing interest. 1t will be at once seen that
the letter was not intended for the press; but
we make no apology for publishing such por-
tons of it as are of public concern. The dis
tinguished gentleman TO whom it was address
cd has been moved by desire to contribute
to the knowledge of the public upon an en-
crossing subject, to submit this letter for our
use We do not admit that there would be
any improperly in this under any eircumstan-
Ces; but at the present moment, and at time
when very unauthorized use is sought to ne
made of Gen. Taylor's name, we think the
publication appropriate, and, indeed, necessa-
nv to the right understanding OF his great CHAR
acter.
Headquarters AT AGRA NCErA,
Army of Occupation, Mexico Marcia 1877
MV Dear GenerGk.-1our very acceplIble
AMI Interesting letter of the 18th November
3 last reached me on the gath Of December,
while on the march from Monterey to Tampi
co; but the nature of my duties since then
(bcing most of the time in the saddle,) in al
dition to other matters, has prevented me from
replying TO it until the present moment Be
assured nay dear sir, have not since then
lost sight of it or yourself; and feel highly
ggatifed for the faUering manner in which
you have noticed the conduct of the officers
and soldiers who marched with me from the
Rio Grande to Monterey and compelled that
place to surrender after much hard fighting, as
they fully merited the handsome encomiums
YOU have thought proper to bestow on them.
For this you have my sincere thanks.
CThc General then alludes to the misrepre-
aentations which had been made in regard to
Major General BuIc- at Monterey, Those
instrumentation had been the subject of
lot, fbpTn ond loft faaliDCr
like dstrust or unkindness towards each 9TH
er in their breasts The letter then goes on j
was aware Of the report as well as state
ments in few Of the public journals, that it
was intended by certain individuals to bring
Gen. Butler forward as the successor 70 Mr..
Polk, which gave me no concern, and would
not even had it been the case, which did not
creiit dn4 which had been forgotten. doubt
if the subject would have a5@!n crossed my
mind, had it not beer brought to my notice by
him or any of his friends alludet this matter.
He (the general in consequence of hiswound
not healing, which gave him so much pain as
to render him unfit for duty, left short time
since by advice of his medical attendant for
New Orleans, where | hope he has arrived in
safety, and where | truly hope he will very
FODu ICCOFCL SO 40 w NC ADlS w hehE t1IC HCIQ
once more.
may observe that have been also named
as a candidate for that high office by a few
newspaper editors and others, which has been
done without my knowledge, wishes or con-
sent
This have assured all who have written
me on the subject; assuring them had no as
pirations for that or any other civil office that
,bo1 or1 nh, ycico1
and had been absorbed in such way as
thought best calculated to bring this war to a
speedy and honorable close, believing it was
for the interest OF both countries the sooner ii
was done the better-at any rate so far as ours
was concerned; and that President-making
should be lost sight of until this was accom-
plshed.
Here follows a brief statement of events
from the time of Gen SCOTS arrival at the Bra
EOS till Gen. Taylor returned from Victoria to
Monterey The letter then proceeds j
retraced my steps to Monterey, where
arrived towards the latter part of the month
[January,l and where expected to remain
some time to recruit myself and horses; bu
a few days after my arrival, received infor
nation from the command in my front at Sal
tillO, (65 miles in the direction OF San Lui:
Potosi from Monterrey that the command
between 1000 and 5000 strong-under Gen
Wool, had become very much alarmed in con
sequence of about 100 picked men and hOr
ses, belonging to the Kentucky and Arkansa:
regiments of mounted men, who were sent on
towards San Luis to gain intelligence respec
ting the enemy and to watch their movements
having been taken, after being surrounded II
the night and all made prisoners by large
force of cavalry, about so miles in advance O.
SaltlIO. So said one Of the party who sue
Ceedad in making his escape the next nigh
and getting back to Saltllo; also that thu
Mexican army was advancing in great mum
bers towards Sdltillo. These reports induced
me to Join my advance Immediately. Leavln!
Monterey on the 31st January, reached Sal
tlIo on the morning of the ID February wit
small reinforcement, which increased NJ,
force to 5000, when lost no time in MOVING
forward and establishing a campat this place
about 20 miles in advance of SaItIllo on tn
San Luis road, for the purpose of carrying o
Il system of instruction, as well as to Watc
the movements OF the enemy, and where | eX
pected TO fight him should he attempt to NOV
on Saltillo. Here remained until the els
examining the several passes through tn
mountains-at which time | ascertained thu
Gen. Santa Anna was advancing and near q
hand with an Overwhelming force. Not ey
actly liking my position, having ascertalne
that he could gain my rear by two roads o
my right and one on my left, and not deemln
it prudent to divide my forces, and having az
prehenslons about my supplies which were {
Saltillo, determined at once to fall back tC
wards that place about IL miles, and occupy
strong position between two spurs of noun
tain with a narrow valley between then
where at one point the road is so narrow a
10 permit of only one wagon at time, wit
deep gulies running up to the mountains
washed by the rains so as to prevent horse
or carriages from passing them without gre;
difficulty. Said position had been closely e1
amined by the Typographical engineers undo
the eye of Gen. Wool, before my arrival, VIII
deemed it admirably adapted to resist larg
with small force, as well as adapted to tn
description of force which composed our a
my. We therefore fell back and occupied
on the evening Of the 21st, and at once mao
the necessary preparations for giving battle
The next day the enemy made his appea
ance early in the day, and after reconnoiterir
our position for some time, at , o'clock, p. n
/ received, by staff oIicer with flag, con
munication from General Santa Anna requi
ing me 10 surrender at discretion, stating th;
in the event of my doing so, we should b
we'll treated that he had surrounded me wit
more than 10000 men; that resistance We
out of the question-and, if | attempted If, m
command would be put to rout and must
destroyed. In reply, stated that | could nj
comply with his demand. and he was at libe
9zy to H1rhan ho wv