Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-04-22
GEN. TAYLOR AND SCOTT.

Among the letters recently submitted 10
Congress is correspondence that passed
between Generals Taylor and Scott in re.
gard to the withdrawal of regular troops
from the former by Gen. Scott, when he en-.
tered upon the Vera Cruz campaign. We
must find room for the following letter.
which is the most interesting, and indeed
the only interesting one of The series:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OccupArIov,
Camp al Victoria Mexico, Jan. Is, Al. {
SIR: In a communication addressed this dsv
10 your talI.otiicer, have replied 10 so much Of
your letter Of the 6lh inst, and its enclosures, as
relates TO points OF detail but there are other and
grave topics embraced in these communications,
10 which deem it my right and my duty 10 reply
directly.
The amount OF force 10 be drawn from this
frontier, and The manner in which it is proposed
10 withdraw it, had never fully come 10 my know.
ledge until yesterday, though limited at in your
note of November 25. Had you, general, re-
lleved me at once in the whole command, and
assigned me to duty under your order, or allowed
me to retire from the field, be assured that no
complain. would have been heard from me; bu.
while almost every man OF my regular force and
half the volunteers (uOw in respectable dscip.
line,) ere withdrawn for distant service, it seems
that am expected, with less than thnusand
regulars and volunteer force, partly Of new Iev>
les 10 hold defensive line, while a large army OF
more than ~, 600 men is in my 'front.'
speak o! defensive line; for the idea OF as
sumng offensive operations in the direction OF San
Louis, by March or even May, with such troops
as can then be at my disposition, is quite 10 pre-
posterous to be entertained for moment. Alter
all that have written to the department on the
subject Of such operations find it difficult TO be.
lieve that am seriously expected TO undertake
them, with the extraordinary limited means at my
disposal
cannot misunderstood the object Of the ar.
engagements indicated in your letters. | feel that
have lost the confidence Of the Government,
or il would not have suffered me to remain, up to
this time, ignorant Of its intentions, with so vtal>
ly affecting interests committed TO my charge
But, however much may feel personally MORT.
fed and outraged at the course pursued unprece.
dented, at least, in our own history will carry
out in good faith, while remain in Mexico, the
views of The government, though may be sacri.
feed in the effort.
deeply regret to find in your letter OF Janua.
ny Sd TO Gen. Butler, and myself an alusion to
my position here, which can but consider an
insinua'ion that have put myself, willingly, out
Of the reach Of your communications.
beg leave TO remark, that the movement OF
the lroopsi in this direction, and my own march
hi,her, were undertaken for public reasons, freely
set forth, in my reports to the adjutant general,
one Of them being my desire to place in position
for embarkation to Vera Cruz should the gov.
ernment order an expedition to ttha, point, the
force Qwo thousand regulars and two thousand
volunteers) which reported nigh! be spared for
that service.
have the honor to be, General your obeden.
servant, Z. TAYLOR.
Mag Gen. U, S. Army. Commanding.
Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott. Commanding U. s.
Amy, Brszos Island, Texas.