Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-05-17
FROM THE N. o. NATIONAL.
HOW GEN. TAYLOR CAME TO CROSS TIE
NUECES.
BARON RoueE, April 81, lS4S.

Baron RouGE, April 81, 1913.
Editor Gt'Me Eceaiag National.
The National IntelIigencer, Of the Sth inst, con
talns the proceedings Of the lower House Of Con
gress on the previous day, the spirit Of which is &c
force the impression ON the people OF the country
that Gen. Taylor originated the order, and march
ed on TO Maiamoras by his own viii and judgment.
That any member Of Congress should be- so unssru-
pulous or ignorant OF the history of General
Taylor's movements, is a matter Of surpize, as
documents already published by the War Depart
ment give the outlines. il not the particulars, rea-
tive TO this subject, clearly that there need be no
! unsuitable cause of misrepresentation.
| When Gen. Taylor was ordered to Mexico, he
was instructed 10 take position near the Rio
Grande, Point Isabel being named as proper
place, but in consequence of having large discre-
tloDary powers, he preferred TO take position
| undenably American soil rather than infringe upon
disputed territory. lie therefore made his head
quarters at Corpus Christi, place that, beyond its
being within the acknowledged boundary of Tex
as, was inconvenient, and in no way favorable for
an encampment-still Gen. Taylor prepared 10 suf
fer every evil Incidental to his situation, rather Than
IN any way 10 compromit his government. After
Gen. Taylor had been some time at Corpus Chris
II, Major Donaldson, the representative Of the u.
States government in Texas, camo to Gen. Tay-
Tors camp Tor the especial purpose OF advising
Gen. Taylor not to cross the .Nueces, lest heshould
involve the government in war with Mexico;
len Taylor IN the mean time having been inform
ed by the government that it wished him 10 scon
fer with Maj Donaldson. In the course of events,
Donaldson left Gen. Taylcr's camp, and there came
on from Washington, letters to Gen. Taylor in
forming him that he SHOULD MOVE part Of his for
ces acet Of the NueceS Gen. TAYLOR not wish
ing TO divide his small command, and the govern
ment having reliered him of The responsibility of
crossing hc .Nueces he took his whole force over,
Is no could, by SO doing. readily obtain good
camping ground, and depot convenient for his mill
tary stores The events that followed this move
ment the part of Gen Taylor are familiar to the
world. The above is a true statement of the pre-
liminares that led TO the advance Of our army on
Matamoras. The main facts can be gathered, as
have stated, from the public documents already
published, containing the correspondence Of Gen.
Taylor with the war department previous to the
battles of the 9Th and 9th of May Other facts
stated can be proved if denied. The most super
fetal observer must perceive that Gen. Taylor has
never been inconsistent, and that charges made a
ganst him, whether frivolous or of weight, when
examined into. only cause his prudence and strict
'obeying Of orders to be more and more admired
The statement made in Congress that some ndi-
vidual from Mississippi had called on Gen. Taylor,
at Baton Rouge, and that in long conversation he
had had with Gen. Taylor, the General admitted
he took the responsibility of moving across the
Nueces, caused me to write you this letter The
publication of an admitted private conversation is
certainly very indicate, but when it processes to
give the details OF conversation that neuer took
place, it amounts TO the commtta of the most of
fensive falsehood.