Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-05-12

forcement in perhaps the next seven moi 'ha
beyond some 500 army roerurs-preseH' nov
elties utterly unknown 90 any invading army De-
c,re. Win the addition OF ten or twelve thou
sand now leyies in April or May-uskcd Tor, and
un,il very recently expected-or even with the
ndd;,;on Of Two or three thousand new troops
destined for this army, but suddenly, By orders
Of the War Department diverted to the Rio
Grande froniier-l might, Notwithstanding the
unavoidable discharge Of the old volunteers
seven regiments aud two Independent compa-
nies--advance with confidence upon the enc
my's Capital. shall, nevertheless. advance;
but whether beyond Puebla, will depend on in
teryening information aud reflection. The gen.
eral panic given to the enemy al Cerro Goido
still remaining, think il probable lhatwe shall
90 to Mexico; or, il the enemy recover from
that, we must renew the CONSERVATION by an
other blow"
Thus, like Cortez, finding myself isolated
aud abandoned, and again, like him, always a.
fraid that the next ship or messenger might re-
call or farther cripple me, resolved no longer
10 depend on Vera Cruz or home, but 10 render
Inv litte army ''self.sustaining machine Gus
informed every body including the head Of the
War Department, and advanced 10 Puebla.
TWAS in reference to the foregoing serious
causes Of complaint, and others, TO be found in
my Reports al large-particularly in respect to
money for the dsbursing slaff-oficers, clothing,
and Mr.. TrisI, Commissioner--lha concu-
ded my Report from Puebla, June 4, in these
Words
"Considerng the many cruel disappointments
and notifications have been made 10 feel since
left Washington, and the total want Of sup
port or sympathy on the part of the War De-
partment, which have so long experienced,
beg to be recalled from this amy the moment
it may be safe for any person TO embark at Ve-
ra Cruz-which, suppose, will be early in No.
vember. Probably all field operations will be
over long before that time."
But my next Report, July 22, ] from Puebla,
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 ultmo, June, our in
tercourse has been frequent and cordial, and
have found him, Mr.. T., able, discreet, cour-
teous and amiable. AT home, it so chanced
that we had the slightest possible acquaintance
with each other. Hence, more or less Of re-
ciprocal prejudice; and the existence of his feel
ings toward me, knew lby private letters be-
fore we met, that at least part oil the cabinet
had full ntimation.
"Still, the pronounced understanding between
Mr.. Trist and myself could not have occurred,
but for other circumstances. /. His being obli-
ged to send forward your letter of April IA. in
stead of delivering ii in person, with the explain.
atory papers which he desired to communicate;
Q. His bad health in May and June, which |
am happy TO say has now become good; and 3,
The extreme mystihcation into which your let
Ter and particularly internealion yoldably
threw me.
80 far as | am concerned, am perfectly
willing that all have heretofore written to the
Department about Mr.. Trist, should be sup
pressed. | make this declaration as due to my
present esteem for that gentleman; but ask no
favor and desire none, at the hand of the De-
partment. Justice to myself however tardy, |
shall take care TO have done.
Il do not acknowledge the justice Of either of
your rebukes, contained in the letter OF May
81, Fin relation 10 Mr.. Trist and the prisoners
al Cerro Gordo, and, that do not here Tium-
phantly vindcale myself is not from the want
of will, means or ability, but time.
'The first letter Coated February 22, recei
we'd from you, at Vera Cruz, contained a cen
sure, and am now rebuEed for the unavoidable
may wise, if il had not been unavoidable
release, on parole, Of the prisoners taken at
Cerro Gordo-even before one word Of COM
mendation from Government had reached this
army, on account Of its gallant conduct in the
capture Of those prisoners. No such commen-
dation has yet been received, Feb 'y1848. So,
in regular progression, may-should the same
army galanly bear me into the City of MeXi.
CO, 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
as long have been of the dangers which
hang over me at home; but too am a citizen
of the United States, and well know the OBJ
legations imposed, under all circumstances, by
an enlightened patriotism.
'In respect TO money, beg again TO report
that the chief commissary Captain CraysOnl
of this army, has not received dollar from the
U. S. since we landed at Vera Cruz, March 8.
He now owes more than $20O,0OO and is obi
ged TO purchase on credit at great disadvantages.
The chief quartermaster Caplain Irwin has
received perhaps 100000, and labors under
like membranes. Both have sold drafts TO
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 disbursing
department at home, has been made known, 10
our shame, in the papers of the Capital here,
through letter from Lieutenant Colonel Hunt,
that was found on the person of the special mes
senger from Washington.
The army is also suffering greatly from the
wanIofnecessary clothing-including bankets&
great coats. The new troops, those who have
last arrived j as destitute as the others, were
first told that they would find abundant supplies
at New Orleans; next, at Vera Cruz, and, final