The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-30
QUARTERMAsTER GENERALS OFFICE,

Washington City, April II, 1918.
SIR have received the extracts from General SCOTS
letter to YOU dated the 9Th of February, complaining of
the want OF means OF transportation of supplies and of
funds from the Quartemasters Department in conse-
quence OF which, he informs YOU he embarrassed
and delayed IN his operations, well in the attack
Vera Cruz as IN his movements afterwards; and have
to state, in reply, that delays did occur in the movement
upon Vera Cruz which were most vexaious, but which
were not occasloned by any neglect omission my
part on that OF any other officer of the department
detail OF the facts will show. The memorandum from
the War Department for the Quarermaser General, al
uded to by General Scott fixed the number of transport
ships for his expedition at forty one, viz twelve for
the volunteers, ordnance and supplies from the Atlantic;
i've Tor surboats or lighters ten to go out in ballast for
troops on the Gull OF Mexico and fourteen to be sup
Piled BY the officers OF the quartermasters department
at New Orleans and on the Gulf That number, take it
for granted was determined upon by General Scott him
self, or by the War Department with his assent; as
have not understood that he any time objected to the
number as insufficient. He complains that the in bal
last Tor troops were not SENT and that the emoarcaon
was delayed thereby, "in whole or in part from the 18th
of January to the 9th of March"
Colonel Stanton informs that the order to charter
those ten vessels was countermanded consequence of
letter from me- dated at Brazos Santiago the 9th day
OF December, which read by General Scott before
was sealed. and to which he added postscript The
General nodoubt relied upon those vessels expected
lnem Tor believed they would be chartered and on the
way before my Letter could be received but boserous
was the season, that thought il unsafe trust to their
arrival and made nay arrangements if they had actu
ally failed which fact reported to General Scott as
well as now remember, either through Captain WAYNE
or the late Captain HelSel
II will be seen by reference to the memorandum refer
red to- twenty vessels be sent from the
Atlantic with troops, supplies, and in ballast Not one
was sent In ballast; bat there were actually fifty three
SHIPS oarques briggs and schooners sent with troops and
supplies II was expected that should furnish fourteen
ships. The department actually furnished at New Or
leans, BraZos and Tampco for the army before il took
up the line OF march into the INTERIOR hundred and
sixtythree vessels of which made several VOYAGES
! submit copy of report from the late CaDian He,-
eel narked dated at the Brazos the 2ls of February
ls47, which shows what had been done by the depart
ment up to that time OF the lOl vessels contained in
that report, tive were from the Aanlic-four only OF
which hal reported there, the other had been wrecked
also submit paper marked B, which is list of vessels
and mules.
Under the most favorable circumstances, much time
would nave been required to organize so extensive
transport service; but, owing to the drenchiny rains
throughout the month of January the ships and other
vessels chartered at New Orleans could not be prepared
ana sent TO sea as rapidly as was desrable and the
letter OF the 18th OF January, s47 and mentioned
IN many OF his subsequent letters, delayed their ar
rival at the Brazos ami Tampico, well as the move
ment from those points The time lost from these causes
alone, may be fairly estimated from twenty five to
thirty days. But measure OF General Scott, which
ne seems to have overlooked in summing up his Difficult
lies, produced not only embarrassment and increased ey
pense but delays more injurious to the service than the
want OF ten ships promised from the Atlantic even had
others not been substituted in their place 1t was the
change IN the destination OF the Mississippi Louisiana
North Carolina Massachusetts, and Virginia regiments
Had the two former been sent direct to Lobos and
regiment already at Tampco been left there for the de-
fence OF the place, and the regiment replaced by the Mis-
sssippI regiment been left with General Taylor douse
ilShierage wonld have been avoided at a time when
lighters were not abundant delay would have been pre-
vented ana SIX ships, that were rendered comp ralvely
useless, would have been available for the campaign the
places OF which had 10 be supplied Had cutters or pilot
boats oeen despatched TO cruise off Cape San Antonio
with orders for the North Carolina Massachusetts and
ginla regiments to proceed direct to Sacrtcos double
igherage well the transports for the troops that
replaced them, would have been saved
GENERAL Scott certainly had the right to change the
destination OF those regiments bat he not YOU or l. is
responsible for the embarrassment, increased expense
and delay occasoned by that change
As to the complaint of the want of funds Won are
aware that the appropriations were nearly exhausted
the small amount available was obliged 10 use so as to
preserve the credit OF the department. and made the
only arrangement IN my power for the supply of funds
oy authorizing The officers of the department TO draw on
me without limit. The service, know was carried ON
WIN as nile embarrassment attended the service
OF any army IN foreign war.
Inc complaint of General Scott in regard to clothing is
'uy answered IN my report of the 18th February last
winch will be found in Executive document No So |
page 2aO, TO which re spectfully refer
General Scott complains that not more than half of
me surf boats he required at all and of the seoe
tram and ordnance stores only about one-ha had arr
vei when the Mexican flags were replaced by those of
he United States at Vera Cruz The science and valor
,f the army, he says, had to supply all Deficiencies The
result shows that he had surf boats and stores enough
and one of his high merits commander s that he
,ever doubted the science and valor of his army but
made the best OF both He had invaded a country
With sources sufficient 10 support large armies against
is he avalIed himself with great ability, OF the re-
ources OF the enemy This, know, you and the Presi