The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-09
lg u. S. Army, Mexico.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Jalapa, May 20, ls47.

Mr. Trist arrived here on the 14th inst. He has not
done me the honor TO call upon me- Possibly, he has
thought the compliment of first visit due to him
learn that he is writing reply to my answer TO him,
dated the 18th inst copy OF that answer enclosed to
you the moment it written 1t is not probable that
shall find leisure to read his reply much less to give
When wrote to you and Mr. Trist, late on the night
OF the 7th to go down by detachment OF horse that
obliged TO despatch early the next morning, had
not time to defend the position you had forced me to as
sumo; and shall now but glance at that position .
The honorable Mr. Benton has publicly declared that
il the law had passed making him general n.chie of the
United States armies in Mexco-either as lieutenant
general or as junior maor-general over senlors-the
power would have been given him not only OF agreeing
to armisce, (Which would of course have appertan
ed TO his position,) but the much higher power OF
Guiding treaty Of peace and will Be remembered
June -, 1885, written at your instance and as under
stood at the time approved by the cabinet his to
agree TO amistice merely advered TO in order to
place upon it certain limitations. understand your let
ter to me, of the l4th ult, not only taking from
the commander OF army under the most critical crcum
stances, all voice or advice in agreeing to truce with the
enemy but as attempt to place me under the military
command OF Mr. Trs; for you tell me, that "should he
make known to YOU IN writing that the contingency has
occurred in consequence OF which the Presidents willing
that further active military operations should cease you
will regard such notice direction from the President
to suspend them until further orders from this depart
men" That is am required to respect the judgment of
Mr. Tris here, passing events purely military. the
judgment of the President who is some two thousand
miles off, suppose this to be the second attempt of the
kind made to dshonor general chief in the field,
before since the time OF the French convention That
other instance occurred In your absence from Washing
OF War; instructed Gen Taylor, in certain matters, to
obey the orders of Mr.. Donaldson, charge daares in
Texas and you may remember the letter that wrote to
Gen. Taylor with the permission of both Mr. Bancroft
and yourself TO correct that bunder The letter may be
found on record in my office at Washington.
Whenever it may be the pleasure of the President to in
siruct me directly, through any authorized channel
propose agree to amistice with the enemy on
The happening Of any given contingency or contingencies
IN 1o Ofh m md
cheeruy obey him; but entreat 10 be spared the per-
sona dishonor Of being asan required to obey the or
ders OF the constitutional commandments OF the army
and navy of the United States.
To Mr.. Trist, as functionary of my government,
have caused to be shown since his arrival here, every
proper attention. sent the chief quartermaser and
aid camp to show him the rooms had ordered for
HIM. have caused him to be rendered sentinel to be
placed at his door, and to receive his orders shall,
from time to time, send him word of my personal
ments; and shall continue to show hun all other aen
tons necessary to the discharge of any diplomatic iunc
tons with which he may be ntrusted.
have the honor to be, sir with high respect, your
most obedient servant,
Hon. w. L. Marcy, Secretary OF War
P.S-May 81 put under cover portions of an I'M
official letter just received from Major General Worth
They are highly interesting.
But one company, mounted, under Captain Wheat,
e-enlisted or the war; out OF the whole OF the old
volunteers. 1t hasjust arrived from Vera Cruz.
The reserve will positively advance tomorrow The
deficiency in supplies from Vera Cruz has resulted fnd
not much from the OF wagons and animals there
from the want OF drivers and conductors. Some
old volunteers, engaged here for the wagons and pack
mules broke Oft at Vera Cruz and embarked with their
respective companies. WIS.
mo- 29] HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Puebla, June 4, 1917.
SIR: arrived here, with four troops of horse on the
2sth uimo. Twiggs's division came up the next day
enclose, herewith, copy of Brevet Major General
WORMS report dated the 18th utmo (he original was
intercepted by the enemy OF affair he had with Gene
raj Santa Anna at Amosoque, some eight miles from this
The effective strength Of this army has been surprising
ly reduced. Besides the discharge of regiments
and two Independent companies of old volunteers,
had to leave, in hospital about 900 Vera Cruz
as many sick and wounded at Jalapa, and 200 sick at
Perote. Here we have, the sick report, LOTT Not
after the battle of Cerro Gordo and every possible atten
ton has been given to the health of the troops The
general sickness may be attributed to several causes
The great contrast IN climates above and below Cerro
Goro O. The insufciency OF clothing, but little having
arrived when the army marched from Vera Cruz; and 8
The want OF salt meats, the troops not having had any
Oener than dayn nine, since reached the eleva-
ted country, insufficient of transportation
allowed us to bring up only small quantities of bacon and
mess pork. The prevailing diseases have been chs
and fevers and diarrhpa.
Making the further deductions of the killed and wound
ed the garrsons Of Vera Cruz Jaapa, and Perote, and
we have here but $500 effective commissioned Off
insufficient to garrison this large open city and 10 march
upon the capital, where, near 1t, may probably
have to beat Indifferent army of from IL 900 to 900
men. This could do with 1000, but at a loss, pro-
baby OF oneiourth OF our number whereas with s,OOO
our loss would not exceed some 300
Not having heard Of the approach of reinforcements
from any quarter not even of the 900 recruits for the old
regiments who were to embark at New York and New
Poft, kentucky, have at length determined TO abandon
!aap' ana 10 bring up to the head of the army the gar
!lso oi una, cy with part of the garrison of Perote
IN oraen 70 De IN better condition to advance upon and
TO occupy me capital See herewith my instructions of
der of Jalapa s'''''o' anu co"'''an-
1t is ascertaned that any sick or wounded nen le IN
the road or IN small villages, would be certainly murder
ed by guerilla parties, Tancheros or band and am
not absolutely certain that threats of punishment VIII
render hospitals safe in large cities The want
of enfocements long promised and expected has driven
me to this painful experiment. '
The delay here, until about the 22d instant NAV bo,
ever be compensated by important advantage; Gene
raj Santa Anna has renonnced the presidency his
printed letter herewith) Its understood that new gov
will be installed the 18th Instant and there
good ground to hope under Herrera Fras both sup
posed TO be DESTROYS of peace with the United States II
previously to occupy the capital the friends of
peace (most Of the leaders Of the party belong TO the
capta) would be dispersed if they remained and or
gained, under coors, their government would be de-