Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1848-03-23

The character oc brevet-rank 10 but little
understood out of the army and therefore
we shall devote few words in its explana-
ton. In England, the highest rank known
in the line of the army, is the rank Of Colo
mel all the superior officers holding their
appointments by brevet. The commission
emolumen,s. A Major General, a Brigadier
General, even Lieut.. General, is not paid
as such, but lives on the pay Of his regi-
ment, if he hold a colonelcy. Here it is
different; for here the Brigader General
and the Maj. General each receives pay pro-
portioned to his rank. Brevet rank was in
PRODUCED here by Washington, but fell into
disuse until the last war, when President
Madison conferred the brevet OF Major on
Taylor, for tbs atier's gallant defence oil
Fort Harrison. After this, brevels were OF
frequent occurrence. Every Co!onel Of ten
years standing, is made brevet Brig. Gene
raj, by rule of the army. A breve, is fire.
quenily conferred also for merit. Both
the brevets of Worth are of this latter char
acter.
When Taylor, Twiggs, and Worth me,
at Corpus Christi. before the Mexican war
broke out, difficulty arose as to who
should command in case of Taylor's ab-
sence. Twiggs claimed ii, though only a
Colonel, because an Older Colonel than
Worth. The latter claimed i, also, because
brevetec brgadier. But Twiggs asserted
that brevet conferred no right to ourank
a full commission. The matter was refer
red to Taylor, who adopted the rule laid
down by Jackson, decided against Worth
On This, Worth, following a preceden, sci
by Scott, resigned his commission, and hur-
ried 10 Washington. During his absence.
the battles Of Pao Alto, and Resaca de la
Palma were fought; on hearing the in.eIli-
gence of which, Worth recalled his resgna-
lion, and rejcined the army. Every one
knows how CALAMITY he fought at Monte
rey! He was rewarded for that bloody day
with the brevet rank of Maj. General.
There are bu. two full Maj Generals in
The army, Scott and Taylor. Gaines is on
~ brevet Major Genera! like Worth. Scot,
and Taylor receive The pay and ra!!ions Of
Maj or Generals, Wor,l, receives only the
pay and raiions of Caionei. that being his
rank in the line. Any full Brigadier in the
FMS IS a "ank asd .1s7s 81 Wo4
will be seen that brevet rank is merely hon
orarv, conlerrlng neither increased pay nor
lower. 1t might happen that Worth would
/ e forced to serve under some very inferior
fficer, III consequence OF this unsubsiantlal
character Of brevet rank.
When it was determined TO besege Vera
Cruz, Worth, with most Of the other Gene
rails, was detached from Taylor's army. and
placed under command OF Scott. AT the
landing at Vera Cruz, Worth commanded
the frs, division and took the lead conse-
quently, in leaving the ships. Having ef-
lected his Decentralization in the face OF the
enemy, he drew up his troops in gallant
style. and awaited The arrival of other divI-
>ions. On The capiula,ion Of Vera Cruz
Worth was at the convention that dictated
the articles; and when the City was taken
possession Of by the Americans, rode IN ad-
vance, at the head of a brilliant cortege, into
the public square. He was now appointed
Governor of Vera Cruz. When the army
began its march for The interior, the van Tor
awhile, was under the command OF Iwiggs,
but subsequently, it fell to Worth again,
who was the first to enter Puebla in conse-
IueHCc. ~ was at it'iS wy t''o' WV "'A'S'
,unale series of misunderstanding between
him and Scott arose, which have interrupted
a friendship Of 35 years continuance. This
is not the place 10 canvass the amount OF
blame rightly belonging TO each party
Both, perhaps, have been somewhat III the
| wrong.
At The battle Of Contreras, Worth was no,
Ipresen,-lhe hero Of that day was Gen. Per-
siler Smith But at Churubusco his division
was engaged at The tete du poiea', and fought,
under his own eye, with astonishing lntre-
pidity. 1t is The characteristic of Worth
lha, he can inspire his soldiers with por-
lion of his own heaIdIong valor. and thus
secure victory. The March around the
southern side of Lake CAaco was suggested
by Worth TO whom the praclicabllity OF the
road was communicated by Col. Duncan, OF
Worlh's division. The change of the route
of the army thus induced, placed Worth a.
gain in the van When Scott determined to
Storm .Molino del Rey, he committed the
aImos. desperate attempt to Worth. Owing
TO an insufficient reconnaissance the loss OF
the assaultng columns was immense they
were even repulsed at first, and would have
been defeated bu, for the arrival OF Cadwal-
: lader with the reserve. At Chapultepec, the
slorming party was principally selected IRON
WORMS and Pillows regulars.
Throughout the whole war Worth ha:
carried himself in the field with splendid
gallantry that has fascinated the popular I'M
: aginalion. As an officer, he may be salt
partly to resemble Mura,, and partly to re-
sembIe Ney; for he has the dashing air o
one, with the indomi,able courage Of TIT
: other!
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