Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-05-12

two or three thousand new troops, destined
for this army, but suddenly, by the orders of
the War Department, diverted to the Rio
Grande frontier, | might, notwithstanding the
unavoidable discharge of the oldsyolunteers-
seven regiments and two independent compa-
nles-advance with confidence upon the enc
my's capital. ] shall, nevertheless, advance ::
but whether beyond Puebla, will depend on
intervening information and reflection. The
general panic given to the enemy at Cerro
Gordo still remaining, think it probable that
we shall 60 to Mexico; or, if the enemy re-
cover from that, we must renew the conster-
nation by another blow"
Thus, like CorteZ, finding myself isolated
and abandoned, and again, like him, always
afraid that the next ship or messenger might
recall or farther cripple mel resolved no
longer to depend on Vera Cruz or home, but
to render my little army ga self:sustaining
mach'me"-as informed everybody, including
the Lead of the War Department-and ad-
vanceG to Pueb!a.
1t was in reference to the foregoing serious
causes Of complaint, and others. 10 be found
IN my reports at large-particularly in respect
to money Tor the disbursing staff officers, clo-
thing, and Mr.. Trist, commissoner-that
concluded my report from Puebla, June 4, in
these words:
Considering the many cruel disappoint-
ments and notifications | have been made 10
Ieel since | left Washington, and the total
want OF support or sympathy on the part of
the War Department, which ] have so long
experienced, beg to be recalled from this ar
my the moment it may be safe for any person
to embark ut Vera Cruz--which, l suppose,
will be early in November Probably all field
operations will be over long before that time %
But my next report duly 25) from Iuebla
has, no doubt, IN the end, been deemed more
objectionable by the department. In that pa
per, after speaking Of the "happy change in
my relations, both official and private, with
Mr.. Trst," continued:
"Since about the Goth ultimo [Junel our
intercourse has been frequent and cordial, and
| have found him [Mr. T liable. discreet, cour-
teous, and amiable. At home it so CHANGED
that we had but the slightest possible acquain-
lance with each other Hence more or less Of
reciprocal prejudice; and of the existence Of
his feelings towards me, knew (by private
letters) before we met, that at least part of
the cabinet had a full intirnation. Still, he
pronounced misunderstanding between Mr..
Trist and myself could not have occurred but
for other circumstances 1. His being obliged
to send forward your letter of April IA, in
stead of delivering 1t in person, with the ex-
planatory papers which he desired TO commu-
ncate :; 2. His bad health in May and June,
which | am happy to say has now become
good; and g. The extreme mistif, alton into
which your letter, and particularly an inter-
lineation, unavoidably threw me- So far as
am concerned, am perfectly willing that all
have heretofore written 10 the department a
bout Mr. Trist should be suppressed. / make
this declaration as due to my present esteem
Tor that gentleman; but ask no favor, or de-
sire none, at the hands of the department.
Justice to myself, however tardy, | shall take
care to have done. | do not acknowl-
edge the justice of either of your rebukes con-
tanned in the letter of May 81, lin relation to
Mr. Trlst and the prisoners at Cerro Gordo j
and that do not here trirmphantly vindicate
myself, is not from the want of will, means,
or ability, but time. The first letter dated
February 22) received from you, at Vera Cruz,
contained censure, and am now rebuked
for the unavodabe-nay, wise, if it had not
been navoidable-release, on parole, of the
prisoners taken at Cero Gordo-even before
one word of commentator from government
has reached this army on account of its gallant
conduct in the capture Of those prisoners. -
mo such commentator has yet been receiv-
ed-February, 1881 So, in regular pro-
erosion, | may, should the same army gal
lantly bear me into the city of Mexico, in the
next six or seven weeks-which is probable,
if we are not arrested by peace or a truce
look TO be dismissed from the service of my
country! You will perceive that am aware
Gas have long been) of the dangers which
hang over me at home; but |, too, am citi-
zen of the United States, and we'll know the
obligations imposed under all circumstances
by an enlightened patriotism In respect to
money, beg again to report that the chief
commssary Captain Grayson) of this army
has not received dollar from the States since
we landed at Vera Cruz, March 9. He now
owes more than 100000, and is obliged 10
purchase on credit, at great disadvantages. S.
The chief quarter master (Capt. Irwin) has re-
ceived perhaps $50, 900, and labors under like
membranes. Both have sold draughts 10
small amounts, and borrowed largely of the
pay department, which has received about half
of the money estimated for Consequently
the troops have some four months pay due
them. Our poverty, or the neglect of the dis
bursting departments at home. has been made
known, to our shame, in the papers of the
CAPITAL here, through letter from Lieut.. Col.
Hunt, that was found on the person of the
special messenger from Washington. The
army is also suffering greatly from the want
of necessary clothing--inciudng blankets and
greatcoats. The new troops, Chose who have
last arrived y as destitute as the others, We're
first told that they would find abundant supplies
at N. Orleans; next at Vera Cruz, and final
IL here: whereas. we now have, perhaps, a
thousand hands engaged in making shoes and
(out of bad materials, and at high rates. pam
falcons. These articles, about 5000 pairs of
each, are absolutely necessary to cover the
nasedness of the troops. February %, off
Lobos, wrote to Brigadier General Brooke TO
direct the quartefmaster at n. Orleans TO send
me large supplies of clothing March 10
%, General Brooke replied that the quarter
master at N. Orleans had neither clothing nor
shoes: > and that he was fearful that, unless
they have been sent out to you direct. you
will be much Disappointed Some small
quantity of clothing, perhaps one-htth OF our
wants, came to Vera Cruz from some quarter,
and followed us to Jalapa and this P ace
Unjust here specially remark, that this re-
mort. No, 80, though forwarded the night oil
it's date. Jnly 25,) seems to have miscarred
Perceiying, about November 27, that 1t was
not acknowledged by the department., caused
duplicate to be made, signed it, and sent ii
off bv the same conveyance with my despatch
No. 36. and the charges against Brevet Major
General Worth, Ma or General Pillow, and
Rrevet Lieut. Col. Duncan, together with the
anneal against me of the former. All these
are acknowledged BY. the department IN the
same letter Jan. 49, that recalls me-
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