The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-04

The following extract from Washington let
ter, published in an evening paper of yesterday,
probably contains about as correct view of the
difficulties in the army las any that have yet been
published
SCOTT all the merit for military ability which his opera
lions before Mexico 80 sminently entts HIM but In
and much a. be should Be- stssnsd for
his high professional qualities he should not any more
than others, expect immunity from his faults Severe
and public In general order OF ofncsr before
army especially of officer of high rank Is seldom
inflicted except under the sentence Of court martial
wl Known 70 admit Of dispute In the military service
Of al countsea In general orders in prsssnce
Of an srmy, l. considered grave military punishment,
and disgrsos WHILE the contrary an sckuow'
lsdgmeut Of merit and ss.ntry in general orders e es
tsemsd ~ one Of the hishestof compliments. There
some one connected With our army In Mexico, which
offences General SCOTT CHOSE to attribute to o of the
general omcss who we're then serving under nm ana
waiting for the opinion Of any court ON the subj h
In the most summary manner possible, proceeds to
army, and In the presence Of defeated foe Punish
ment nrst and trial afterwards terms often used 20
descriptive martial law; and such proved to bsteray
the case In one of the instances alluded above The
punishmont Of ofthe officers was IN fact
his trial. for NO soonsr was the dsgrsce OF public GEN.
indicted than the punished general wss openly and
msgnspimousy exonerated net only from all psrticipa-
ton In but all knowledge Of the offence imputed to
publicly avowsd BY snothsr and hs had Osen thus
relieved from the osncet certainly not
tina. p: should also to 30 osa
the commander othe forces denied oil repsraton Of this
kind 1t caunot be deemed improper or dsrcspectfu on
the part Of the subordinate aud injured general ne
seeks redress ut tho hands Of common superior This
il precisely the situation of Affairs between Con- Scott
Worth had been harshy reprmandsd in general orders
and therefore dsgraced Col Duncan svowed tho offence
fer which the general had been punished for which
Co1. tuaka flu rad nv
subsequently,, Worth applied to Scott for mitigation
Of the which he had received in general orders
facts Of the oass and appealed to the President for
dress this he was bound to do he requested SCOTT
i this he relieved
BY the Presdent and 1t IL on these allegations OF Worth
together with those transmitted By Gen Pillow, o. a
Inquiry, Of which his friend Gen. Towson President
sndf In this he ID harshly or ungsnsrousy treated
lieved from his command by Cen. Butler, every one
knows that this Is necessary consequence, In
h
mand and 1t devolves upon Gen. Butler, simply be-
csuse he happens to be the senior ofioer presents
month ago. by the rule, 1t would have dsvoved up
Gen Patterson have dwelt longer upon these facts
than should otherwise have DONE because think there
70 q sSs
win state the whole Case and state 1t truly they gre
entitled to Ill they can make out oft.
From the New Orleans Delta, Jan. 25
We have been politely favored with manuscript copy
issued BY direction Of tho Pr.sidsnt explains itself
dsvolvs Cen. Butler of Kentucky, he being the o
next In rank to Gen. Scott whose presence will be
required ct the Court Of Inquiry.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Adj Generals Once,
washington, Jan. Is, is4s.
GENERAL ORDER No 2-Ths following order, received
from the Secretary OF War published for the nforma
ton and guidance Of the officers concerned
Wan DEPARTMENT, Jan. Is, 1s49.
By direction of the President Of the United States
Court Of inquiry, to consist Of Brevet Brig Gen N
Towson, Paymaster General; Brig Gen. Caleb Cushing,
and Col. E. g. w. Butler, Sd Dragons, members, will
assemble In Mexico to inquire and examine into the
charges and allegations preferred by sj Gen Winfield
Scott against Maj. Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, and Brevet
Lieut.. Col James Duncan Captain Of the ID Regiment
Of Artillery and tho charges or masters Of complaint
worth CoIons of the 81 Regiment Of Infantry against
Msj. Cen. Winfield SCOTT; and also into any matters
connected with the same well as such other transso
tons may BE- submitted to the confederation Of the
COURT and after Investigating the same, the court WIN
report tho facts in each together with the opinion
The court win convene on the 18th day Of February
next thereafter practicable in the Castle
Of Perote Mexico where 1t viii continue to hold It's
require the place to be changed which the court
authorized TO adjourn from place to place. a. orcum
stances may render necessary In order that embar
rassment to the service may be occasioned by Its SEES
siops.
should any Of the members named In the order be
from attending the court will proceed to- and
continue tine GUINNESS before IT, provided the number Of
law.
LIST Lieut. Richard Hammond, Sd Artillery, is ap-
pointed to act Judge Advocat and Recorder Of the
court
In case the Judge Advocate and Recorder should be
prevented from attending, unable to discharge the
duties the court L. authorised to appoint some other
member. w. L. MARCY, Secretary of War.
By order. (signed) H. JoNEs, Adj. Gen.