Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-06-20
LETTER OF GENERAL TAYLOR TO THE
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Headquarters Army OF Occupation.
Aqua Nueva, March 81, 1917.

Headquarters Army OF Occupation.
Aqua Nuera, March 81, 1917.
! have had the honor to receive your com
muulcdllon pt January y, enclosing d news
aper slip, and expressing the regret of the
Department that the letter copied in that sIip,
and which was addressed by myself to Major
General Gaines, should have been published.
Although your letter does not convey the di-
rect censure OF the Department and the Pres
ident: yet, when it was taken IN connection
with the revival OF The paragraph in the reg
u~lations OF 1928, touching the publication OF
private letters Concerning operations in the
field, | am not permitted 10 doubt that | have
become an object OF Executive disapproba-
ton. To any expression OF ii. coming from
the authority of the President, | am bound by
my duty, and by my respect Tor his high Of
flee, patiently TO submit; but lest my silence
should be construed into a tacit admission OF
the grounds and conclusions set forth in your
communication, l deem 1t d duty which | owe
10 myself, to submit Il few remarks ia reply,
shall be pardoned ior speaking plainly
In the first place, the published letter bears
upon lis lace the most conclusive evidence
that it was intended only tor private perusal,
and not at all for publication. Ii was pub
iished without my knowledge, and contrary
~ ihN iSLCo' puiti1 L nCFh iiOt Sd1 iIIdl 1
am not in the habit OF writing Tor the news s
papers. The letter was a familiar one, writ
ten to an Old military friend, with whom |
have been for many years interchanging upIn-
ions on professional subjects. That he should
think proper, under any circumstances, TO
publish II, could not have been lorscen Y me.
In the absence Of proof that the publica-
ton Was made without my authority or knuwI-
edge, | may be permitted 10 say, the quota
tlon III you letter OF The Goth paragraph OF
the superseded regulations of 1925, Ia which
the terms 'a4i-ehisunlr- and diSaracelul" are
employed 10 Characterize certain letters or re-
ports. conveys, though not openly, a measure
OF rebuke, which, 10 say the least, is rather
harsh, and which | may think not Warranted
by the premises.
Again, ! have examined the letter ia ques-
ton, and | do not admit that it is obnoxious
10 HE objections urged in YOU conmunica-
ton. | see nothing in il, which, under the
same circumstances | would not write again.
10 suppose thatit viii give the enemy valua-
be Information touching our posts or respec-
TIVE line OF operations, Is 10 know very little
Of the Mexican sources OF information, or of
their Extraordinary sagaclty aud facilities in
keeping constantly apprised OF our move
ments. As to my particular views in regard
TO the general poIIcy to be pursued towards
Mexico, | perceive from the public journals
that they are shared by many distinguished
statesmen; also, IN part, by conspicuous Off
GERS OF the navy, the publication OF whose o.
plnions is not, perhaps, obslrucled by any reg
uldlons OF the department. 1t is difficult
,hen. to inmagine hou the diffusion oil mine
can render any peculiar aid to the enemy, or
specially disincline him TO enter into negolia-
lons Tor peace.
In conclusion | would say that il has given
me great pain 10 be brought into the position
in which | now find my sell in regard to the
de partment OF warand the government. 1t
has not been of my W seeking. TO the ex-
tent OF my abilities aud The means placed at
my disposal, | have sought faithfully 10 sprve
the country, 10y carrying out the rules and in
stfuctions Of the Executive; but it cannot be
concealed, that since the capiluIation of Mon
terey, the confidence OF the department, and
| too much fear, Of t e President, has been
gradually Withdrawing, and my consideration
and usefulness cores pondingiy diminished.
The apparent determination of the depart
ment to place me IN an attitude antagonisti-
cal TO the government, has an apt illustration
in the well known fable OF Hsop.
ask no favor and shrink from no iespon-
sihility. while entrusted with the command
in tlis quarter. | Shall continue to devote
all my energies 10 the public good, looking
Tor nay reward TO the consciousness OF pure
motives, aud TO the final verdict Ul impartial
history.
am, sir, Your very obi. servant,
i. TAYLOR.
Major General L. S. A. Commanding.
For Hon. w. l.. Marcy Secretary oil Wal,
Washington, ID. e..