The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-01-29
The QuarreIs of the Generals
From the New Orleans Delta.

Az Crent many different accounts of the
capses ofthc difficulties between our Gener-
ais, in the City of Mexico, are circulating
through the country, we think it no. improp-
er to state what we understand, from good
authority, is the true origin of these uniortu-
nate controversies.
Some time last July, Gen. Worth, who
commanded the First and advance division
of our army, arrived before the City of Pue-
bIa, and was met by deputation from that
place. A cnpitulatiou and treaty were agreed
upon between General Worth and the Mex
leans, by which the latter were allowed n
much larger liberty, and more rights, than
had ever before been conceded to them by
any of our Generals. 1t was considered that
this treaty exposed our troops,w while encnmp-
ed IN Puebla, TO he assassinatcd with impuni-
", and left them without any means oi're
dress for any injuries. When Gen. Scott
arrived at Puebla, he condemned this treaty
in the strongest terms, and censured Gen.
Worth for making it. The latter immediate
! w demanded a Court of Inquiry. Such n
| Court was ordered aud held by Gen. Scott
| 1t was composed of Gems. QuitmHn, Twiggs
and Smith. The finding of the Court was IL
severe condemnation and censure of Gen.
Worth. Gen, Scott approved the decision
of the Court, and here first commenced the
interruption of II friendship which had lasted
for more than twenty years, and 20 which
Gen Worth owed much of his glory and
success. The GOODNESS, not to say enmlty,
of these two Generals continued until our ar
my was about to advance from Puebla. when
an apparent reconciliation was effected.
There are whisperings that Gen. scott
was sorely chagrined by the result,and strong
" condemned Gen. Worth's dispositions al
Moluo del Rey, and that this lamentablo at'
fair would be the subject at least of Cour
oflnquiry. But as we are not possessed OF
any reliable information OH this score, we
will indulge in no speculations on sublec
which is regarded as almost the only serious
mishap encountered by our Army in its morcl
on the capital. But, to what cause soever i
may be ascribed, there is no doubt that on
troops were exposed, in the attack upon TIT
Moline, TO terrible, needless, and an un
expected slaughter. There is no better evi
, dence of the destructive and terrible charac
ter the enemy's fire from this battery, thai
is afforded in the fact that such veteran regi
ments as the 9th and 9Th Infantry were com
PEELED to give way, and, in so doing los
some of the most valuable officers in the ar
my. 1t is true that they soon rallied, anC
returning to the charge, succeeded in carry
: ing the fort, but it was at the severest sacri
: flee which our army has incurred since tn
war began.
We do not know who is responsible 70
= this disaster, nor do we iusinuate that il aros
= from any want of skill or management on til
part Of our officers; but from what we hav
heard from officers who were in the action
c we think that it would have been prope
. subject for court of inquiry, whose decisio
), would have presented the subject in such
shape as to silence all doubt or inquiry in II
gard to the causes of this disaster.
But the present difficulty between Gene
ais Scott and Worth did not originate froi
the disaster at Moline. The cause of Gel
Worth's arrest was the use of disrespectfi
and unofiicer-like language,in letter write
Y by him to the COMMUNICATIVE Chief. On II
" publication ofthe order in regard to letter
=, written from the army, s. the consequent n
+ rest of Col. Duncan, Gen. Worth wrote u lie
T. ter to Gen. Scott inquiring if he Gen. w
9 was referred TO in those general ORDERS
&c Con. Scott replied that he would not rospor