Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-04-03
CORRESPONDENCE

Bstwsen Gen. Taylor and the liar Department


with letter from the Secretary, dated the 25th
Of November last, informing Gen. Taylor that Gen.
Scott had been ordered TO repair TO the seat of war;
TO assume, as matter of course, his appropriate
functions as generan-chief. 1t is rather re-
markable that the Department should have announc-
ed this determination 10 Gen. Taylor in the very
first communication which emanated from il after
the receipt of his letter Of the 18th October where
in he first took the liberty of expressing his disap-
probation OF, and protesting against, the improper
interference of the Department in directing the
movements of officers and troops under his com
mand. 1t would appear, however, from the date OF
the appointment Of Gen. Scott and the time al
which it is stated Gen. Taylors letter was received,
that this change was not consequence OF the re-
monstrance of Gen. Taylor. We extract the essen
tial part OF the Secretary's letter:
"You will have perceived by my despatch Of the 9Th
uimo that the Government apprehended that time that
you would be likely to encounter many and serious Difficult
ties extending line of operations far San Luis
Poos These apprehensions confirmed by your despatch
OF the 10Th ultmo which received the 10th instant
In the belief that might be advisable, unless ccumstan-
favored to push forward in that direction became
important that operations should be undertaken upon the Gulf
In that should be decided not to attempt pre-
to take any place beyond Monterey Saltio, with
OF holding permanent possession, believed that
sufficient force could be detached from the troops the
field with such additions be made) for
leaving enough hold the positions you have gained and
menace the enemy with forward movement.
By nerceptng despatch of the I'd of September Ca
copy of which herewith ansmt and probably through 9TH
MEANS the enemy has already become of nen
tons operate in that quarter and undoubtedly will be pre-
pared to make vigorous resistance. has become quite
dent that larger force than that indicated my
of the 18th ultmo will be required for that expedition.
The President having decided send Major General Scott
the seat OF war; communicated this determination him
the 18th instant Since that time the General has been
gagged in making preparations here principally with view TO
military operations the shores Of the Gulf and left yester
day for the Rio Grande"
" refer with reluctance your remarks upon that part Of
my despatch of the 22d OF September which relates the
Tampco expedition. As you have misconceived the views
Of the Government and made the course pursued here the
ground OF formal protest. be proper that should
notice your anmadversions upon it, think you have erred
IN regarding what put forth suggestions in the light OF
perempory commands Il intended leave the whole
subject well the organizing and sending forth the expedi
ton the designation Of the officers command it. your
approval and final judgment Such think the fair import Of
the language ued TO manifest this intention Considering
the large number troops the Rio Grande and the
there presumed here part of them could be spared
Tor the Iampco expedition but you expressly informed
that none would be withdrawn from that ne it, in your
opinion, would interfere with your operations and was
not then suggested that should be taken from your adj
vancng column SO in relation the general officers pro-
posed for the command of the force they not 10 be
taken 1t should interfere with your previous arrangement
in regard these officers They presented to your con-
sderaon for that service because they employed
with the column advancing the enemys country
with The troops the Rio Grande from which most OF the
force for The expedition presumed would be detached
Certainly no dlsrespect intended towards you, as
commanding generals nothing proposed which could de-
pVe you OF the means Of securing plans
OF operation Aera respectful Consideration of your remarks
and e-examnaon of that pant of my despatch which you
deem excepuonahe, cannot regard encroachment
upon your just rights, violation of the integrity of the
chief command in the field. You be that in my
Official con nuncaton am only the medium Of presenting
the views ofthe President and you will not question his right
as commandernch!ef TO make suggestions TO the
ments OF the forces under your command the officers
10 be employed IN these movements Having, in this in
stance carefully qualified his suggestions prevent them
from being regarded positive directions commands and
expressly dsclaimed the intention OF employing part the
troops which, your opinion, would interfere with your
operations he s entirely unconscious of having given any
just cause Tor protest complaint"
The Secretary then proceeds vndcate the proprcty
his communication addressed directly Gen. Patterson,
The ground that prevent delay and in reply Gen.
Taylos remark that such did apply, because
Gen. Patterson could without drawing largely
h (Gen. T) column for artillery and regular troops
the Secretary says:
81 deem it proper appnze you that not known
here that Gen. Patterson Camago but, he
command the Rio Grande reasonable to conclude
that my communication would reach him Maamoros or in
that vicinity neither known what place ia the enc
my's country my despatch would reach you.
There for delay in the contemplated expedi-
ton other than that suggested your remarks the con-
centraon Of troops BY my letter General Patterson
will be perceived that here considered important that
he should he at engaged in acquiring accurate nforma
ton as TO the whether by land sea- and in forward
ing with the least possible delay the Department The
early receipt Of this information deemed important for the
seasonabe preparation OF transports and collecting neediu
supplies &c
With the disposition WHICH am sure you possess to
Judge fairly on the subject, allow myself hope that on
reflection, you will perceive that the reason alleged for d.
NTH
one and perhaps you may regard was and still is
here regarded as Of sufficient importance justify the
adopted
In conclusion you that nothing could be further
from me views 81 the Department than any
iere wh or derogate from, the authority belonging you
py night or usage as commanding general; and allow
add ha alter in consideration Of the part Of the despatch
deemed by you cxceponabe unable convince self
mat eher m The matter all circumstances consi-
dered furnishes JUS, grounds for your anmadversons
II IS not out q place here 10 recur to Gen. Taylor
letter Of the 18th December in which he mentions the ncon
venences resulting % him from the orders the Department
above reerredto Writing from his camp Monterey, under
the above date he says
"I2 my communication Of the 9Th instant alluded to the
occupation 81 fnupco, and the force which
hcent 10 bold that place fully approved of the mea
taken by Maj Gen Patterson garrison Tanpico ami
after giving him instructions dispatch thither regiment
volunteers in addition TO the battalion Of artillery was not
little surprised hear from him that he had beside ordered
the Illinois brigade by water and proposed gong there hse
10 the command This proceeding considered no
only wholly unnecessary but direct and unwarranta
interference with the plan which had already communicated
70 Gen. Patterson or combined upon Victoria
IL al