Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-05-18

adler General Canwalader's forces had not
been diverted from me to the Rio Grande.
where he was made to lose, without any
benefit to Major General Taylor, much pre-
cious time, l might easily have taken this
city in the month of June, and at one-6fth
of the loss sustaiend in August and Sep
TENDER. The enemy availed himself of my
forced delay at Puebla, to collect, to treble,
to organize and discipline his forces, as also
to erect numerous and powerful defences
with batteries Nearly all those extraor-
binary preparations for our reception were
made after the middle of June. And it is
known that the news of the victory of Blu
ena Vista reached Washington in time to
countermand Cadwalader's osders for the
Rio Grande, before his departure from New
Orleans. Two rifle companies, with him,
received the countermand there, aud joined
me early.
know that had the misfortune to give
offence to the department. by expressing
myself to the same effect from Jalapa, May
6. In report of that date said:
"The subject of that order No. 1876,
old volunteers) has given me long and deep
solicitude. To part with so large and SO
respectable portion Of this army, in the
middle of a country which, though broken
in its power, is not yet disposed to sue for
peace ito provide for the return home of
seven regiments from this interior position,
at time when find it quite difficult to
provide transportation and supplies for the
operating forces which remain-and all this
without any prospect of succor or reinforce
ments in, perhaps, the next seven months
beyond some 300 army recruits-present
novelties utterly unknown to any invading
army before. With the addition Of ten or
twelve thousand new levies in April or May
asked for, and until very recently expec-
ted-or even with the addition of two or
three thousand new troops, destined for
this army, but suddenly, by the orders of
the War Department, diverted to the Rio
Grande frontier, | might Notwithstanding
the unavoidable discharge of the old volun-
teers-seven regiments and two independ-
ent mpanies-advance with confidence
upon the enemys capital. | shall, never
theless, advance; but whether beyond Pu-
ebla, will depend on intervening information
and reflection. The general panic given
to the enemy at Cerro Gordo still remaining,
l think it probable that we shall 90 to Mex
leo; or, if the enemy recover from that, we
must renew the CONSERVATION by another
blow"
Thus, like Cortes, finding myself insola-
ted and abandoned, and again, like him,
always afraid that the next ship or messen-
ger might recall or farther cripple me,
resolved no longer to depend on Vera Cruz
or home, but to render my little army " a
self sustaining machine"-as l informed
everybody, including the head of the War
Department-and advanced to Puebla.
TWAS in reference to the foregoing serious
causes of complaint, and others, to be found
in my reports at large-particularly in re-
spect to money for the disbursing staff Off
GERS, clothing, and Mr.. Trist, commissioner
that | concluded my report from Puebla,
June 4, in these words:
Considering the many cruel disappoint-
ments and notifications | have been made
to feel since l left Washington, and the to-
tai want of support or sympathy on the part
of the War Department, which have so
long experienced, beg to be recalled from
this army the moment it may be safe for
any person to embark at Vera Cruz-which
1 suppose, will be early in November
Probably all field operations will be over
long before that time"
But my next report July 25) from Pue.
bla has, no doubt, IN the end, been deemed
more objectionable by the department In
that paper, after speaking of the "happy
change in my relations, both official and pri-
vate, with Mr.. Trist," continued:
Since about the Goth ultimo June oul
intercourse has been frequent and cordial
and have found him Mr.. IT, able, dis.
Greet, courteous, and amiabe. AT home il
so CHANGED that we had but the slightest pos
sibe acquaintance with each other Hence
more or less Of reciprocal prejudice; anc
of the existence of his feelings towards me
| knew (by private letters) before we met
that at least part of the cabinet had full
intimation. Still the pronounced misunder
standing between Mr. Trist and mysel
could not have occurred but for other cir
cumstances |. His being obliged to sent
forward your letter of April 18th, in
stead of delivering it in person, with the ex
planatory papers which he desired to com
municate 2. His bad health in May anc
June, which am happy to say has now be
come gOOu anu a. hc cAtiCiuc ihiStiiiCd
ton into which your letter, and particular
ly an interlineation, unavoidably threw me
So far as am concerned, | am perfectl
willing that all have heretofore written t
the department about Mr.. Trist should b.
suppressed. / make this declaration as du
to my present esteem for that gentleman
but ask no favor, or desire none, at the hand
of the department. Justice to myself, how
ever tardy, shall take care to have done
y do not acknowledge the justice c
either of your rebukes contained in the lei
ter of May 81, in relation to Mr., Trist am
the prisoners at Cerro Gordo and that
do not here triumphantly vindlcate myself
is not from the want of will, means, or abil
ity, but time. The first letter dated Feb
ruary 22) received from you, at Vera Cruz
contained censure, and am now rebuke'
for the unavoidable--nay, wise, II 1t had no
been NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., on parole, OF tn
y prisoners taken at Cerro Gordo--even be
fore one word of commentator from gov
eminent has reached this army on accoun
of its gallant conduct in the capture ofthos
prisoners No such commentator has We
been received--February, 1913. So, il
regular progression, may, should the sam
army CALAMITY bear me into the city of Mex
L. -. "A. 4.