The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-07-23
SUNDAY MORNING, JULY %, lS48.

10 this branch OF the subject, shall examine at length
and IN some detail, with view, ii possible of ascertain
ing
| First What dispositions were made of the American
forces the enenched camp OF Contreras on the 10th
OF August. and by whose order orders such dis
positions made
Secondly. What effect had these dispositions on the
ial OF the enemys enirenched camp al Contreras'
viii premise, that whatever dispositions made or
the leth before the arrival of Gen Scott must have beer
made by my orders SANCTION for was the SENIOR off
Ger on the ground and responsible for the operations
the forces.
Gen Scott admits this fact, though his admission gives
II no additional force for II is not only Fundamental
military Prinrips but the iaU Of the d and according
70 the testimony ~ Gen Twiggs, Gen Scott informed
MN, ioi ms guidance that " The idw must be obeyed"
me discussion OF this question might have been ex.
cusabie upon militia parade, Between two of the
gleenes' Oh Inc recent appointments but that il should
nave arisen, as We're, upon the battlefield between
The commanding general OF the army. veteran OF forty
years service, and one OF his subordnaes of little less
experience requires great exercise OF charity TO excuse
1sp n l. scott acting assistant aduiant general,
heard me explain what dispositions had made
Lieut. Ripley, my aide -de-canp, Capt Hooker my as
sstant general, and Capt Kerr of the pa dr
goons testify the fact also and that they heard
Gen Scott signify to me his approval
Captain Kerr tes6es that he heard me tell Gen Scott
what orders had given, which he states were as fol-
lows; Zen Iwlggs was to send part of his command to
assault the position in 'front.' and the remainder to turn
the enemys left flank and assault him rear that Gen
suPpoft the dttdck front, Cad
waladeT and Col Morgan were to support the movement
on the flank
Gen Scott himself admits he approved everything that
mad been done by me up to the time he reached the
Now, what had been done Let the record of this
court answer Col Riley tesies that he was first or
dered oy me- person. to cross the pedrga and the
Gen Cadwaaer iestifes that he was ordered bv me to
cross the pedlgral, support Col Riley's movement aad
check any reino1cements Of the enemy that might be
q ~
In obedience his orders Col Riley crossed the pedr
gal passed through the village of Ansalda and CALAMITY
fepused several assaults OF the enemys cavalry thrown
In execution OF my order, Gen Cadwaader crossed the
pedrgal. gained the village Of Ansada where he took
position and checked heavy reinforcement OF the enemy
Col Riley says he should have assaulted the camp OF
Contreras the afternoon of the 10TH had he been sup
ported.
Gen. Cadwalader proves that he should have Joined
Col Riley and with him assaulted the camp had not the
reintorcements before mentioned made their appearance
and rendered necessary TO seize and hold the village Of
Ansada. he further says doubt the assault would
have been successful for the ground proved be more
favorable and the camp weaker than twas believed to
be, as seen from distance"
That part OF Pierce's brigade was ordered by me to
support Gen Smith, is distinctly stated in my official
port and It is nowhere controverted
Lieut. Ripley proves that he heard suggest to Gen
Twggs the proprlety of sending part of his division
attack the enemy IN 'front.' and the remainder TO his
left flank. and that would support the movement with
my division.
Gen Twggs does not recolect the whole of this con-
vesaon but this only proves the defect of his memory
not that the conversation did not occur.
Il proper the fact admitted by the
ton which is also in testimony, that General Scott, in
became necessary fight battle before the road
could be completed directed that the work should cease
on the road. and assume the command.
This is the in anticipation OF which he said TO Gen
Twiggs, Sir, the law must be obeyed"
When the conversation setween Gen, Twiggs and my
self above referred to took place, the necessity of gen
SIG tn
Gen. Twiggs at this time what subsequently ordered
Gen Twsgs, in his Official report of Conlreras, writ
Smith aras ordered across the pedrigal to Join Col
Riley
Gen Smith testies that he received orders tohat-
ersr in relation TO this movement.
Gen Twggs states, IN the same official report that
Gen Cadwalaiers command reached the village OF An
salda after that of Gen. Smith
Gems. Smith and Cadwalader both testify that Cadwa
aders command got there before Smiths Gen Cadwal-
ader states that he got there hour before and that he
had already checked the reinforcements under Santa
Anna before Smith reached the village; that was near
night-all when Smith got there; and that no important
change the positions of the troops took place after he
1t is difficult to understand how t,co such important m
aeeurdeies could have found their way into General
Twiggss report hree days. after the events to
which II relates transpired.
The fact that these inaccuracies in the report might
naturally cause the author OF them to dsrua the
racy OF his own memory IN relation to these same opera
tion when called upon TO testify 10 the facts Of the
after months had elapsed
Accordingly, when his attention is particularly direct
ed to this of the case he recognises the force of it,
and admits that his memory is not implicitly to be relied
upon. Further: Col. Riley testhes that when he re-
ceiyed his orders to the pedrg he inquired of
if Gen Twiggs knew of the order. replied he did; d.
rectag him to go on thai he would probably meet Gen
Twiggs, who would give him the same order; if not,
still to 90 on and execute and that he subsequently,
did receive the order. The inquiry naturally sug-
gests itself, how did know what orders Gen. Twggs
would give Col Riley unless had previously commu-
nicated with Gen Twggs on that subject? This COIN
cdence complete and remarkable to be the result
of accident and goes at once 10 sustain the defective
character OF Gen Twggss memory, and the accuracy OF
Lieut. Ripley's testimony the same point. This is
rendered still conclusive by Gen. Twiggss state
ment that after the battle commenced, he did report
or advise of his orders movements.
All the troops upon the held are now disposed OF,
cept Morgans regiment
Gen Scott in his official report, claims to have given
the order for this regiment to cross the pedrga and seize
the village of Ansaida
In my official report, say that Gen Scott, through
gave this order; though distinctly tell Gen Scott,
in official note in evidence before this court that
make this alteration my report in Difference to his
objection OF the fact, and IN opposition to my own.
Let what the record of the court says this
subject
Capt II. l.. Scott, acting assistant adjuant general,
teses that his decided impression at the time was that
Gen. Scott had given the ORDER but he has TecoLec
ton Of having heard the order g,uen.
Lieut. Williams, aide -de-camp of Gen. Scott, testihes
that he heard mperfectiy conversation between Gsn
Scott and myself, in which he understood Ten Scott 70
direct order Morans regiment across the pedrgal
Lieut. May, military secretary OF Cen Scott, esthes,
that after the regiment had got well IN the pedrga he
inquired what troops those were and General Scott
ped Moryans regiment that he had Just ordered to the
village p.
With the exception Of that of General Scott himself