Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-07-03
JFE AND CHARACTER OF
zachary Taylor.
CONTiNU ed.
IL.

DARING the ~political contest OF l944 the
question Of the annexation of Texas TO our
IJnion was agreed, aud the election oil Mf
Polk TO the presidency, ensured the cohso"'-
nation of that measure. Texas was annex
o.. and Gen TAYLOR with a meagre force was
ordered to defend the frontier. A large pot-
lion. probably a majority of the people oil the
United States were opposed 10 the war; LIS
mention. and had their voice been con-
smiled. every effort would have been made 10
have prevented 1t.
1t NAV be said particularly OF General lay
lar that The war in lis inception found no Ia
vour in his eyes. He was selected, however
10 take the field in the outset, and before war
had been declared, or any act oil hosu''y
committed on either side. From that mo-
ment he has been devoted to the one o~bJectoi
reducing the enemy TO termso peace.
In Nav. IS45. General Taylor was instruct
ed nv the Secretary OF War to have the forces
under his command, or which might be as
signed to it, put into a position where 'hey
migbt most promptly and efficiently act IN
!, defence of Texas in the event OF such actio"
becoming necessary. The Instructions OF Tue
Department under this date were confidential
and were so worded as to imply clearly an ap-
.. prehension. that the consequence OF the an
n~exation OF Texas might be d collision win
Mexico.
, General TAYLOR was thus apprised OF The
servire which might be expected OF hin. In
Jnlv of the same year, lS45, he was INFORM
cd nv the War Department, that the accep-
lance by Texas Of the terms OF annexation
would probably be formally made by the Con-
oress of that Republic 90 '"o ~" Vi "''
-- -. "a anticipation OF that event. he
was instructed to make an immediate forward
movement, with the troops under his COM
mand. and advance to the mouth OF the Sd
bine. or to such other point on the guilt OF
Mexico, or its n~avigable waters, as might be
most convenient Tor an embarkation, at The
proper time, for the western frontier oil lex
as.
The most expeditions route was recon
mended. The force named for this duty was
the 81 and 4th regiments OF infantry, and sew
en- companies OF the ID regiment OF dragons
Two companies of the 4th infantry were or
dered to join their regiments. The artillery
was ordered from New Orleans.
The ultimate point, then mentioned, oil lay
lor's destination, was the western frontier OF
Texas. on. or near, the Rio Grande del Norte,
where he was ordered to select and occupy
such a site as would consist with the health
of the troops, and be best adapted to repei H.
yasion. and 10 protect what, Ill the event OF
annexation, would be the western border'-
The defence Of the territory oil Texas was ue-
fined as the limit OF his action, unless MeAi-
GO should declare war against the Onilea
States.
These movements to the gulf OF M xlco,
and the preparations to embark Tor the west
e,n frontier ofTexas, were ordered to be made
without any delay; but a landing was not 10
h, effected. on that frontier, until the due ac-
ceotance of Texas. OF the p~roiiered terms oil
annexation, had been ascertained,
In reply to inquiries by General Taylor oil
the War Department respecting the position
he should take, he was directed, generally, to
be governed by circumstances, TO avoid all
aggressive measures, and to hold ms force
ready to protect the territory oi Texas ito the
extent that it had been occupied by the peo-
ple of Texas" The Rio Grande was indica-
ted, bg the secretary, as the boundary between
Mexico and Texas, to which the Army OF DC
c~upalion was 10 approach, as nearly as pru-
deuce would permit. For this purpose, it
was necessary t. pass the Nueces.
A letter from the department, dated in the
following month, contains this passage
s.Should Mexico assemble a large body of
troops. on the Rio Grande, and cross il with
d considerable force, such d movement must
be regaeded as an invasion OF the United
States. aud the commencement of hoslilities.
You viii, OF coulse, use all the authority
which has been, or may be, given you TO meet
such a state of things. Texas must be pro-
tectea from hostile invasion, and for that pur-
pose. sou NH of course employ; TO the ut
most extent, all the means you possess, or
cen command.
Pursuant 10 these instruction, General Tay-
Tor proceeded, in July, l945, to New Orleans,
whence he embarked, with a force of fifteen
hundred men, aud arrived, early in the fol.
month. al ST ~Jossrh's Island. From
This point, he embarked again for Corpus
Christi. where he established his head quar-
/ rs.
Pending the attempt at a peaceable adjust
ment OF difficulties, the .ar had passed,
General Taylor remaining encamped at Cor
Christi. He had been reinforced, soon al