The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-02


l4nstoer.-They were reduced to writing.
Cowt.-Can you furnish the original copies of
these stipulationss
Ans,oer.-Yes. i will do So 80 soon as get pos
session Of my papers, which shall do in a day or
two.
Cout.-Had you any knowledge, before enter
ing Alvarado, that combined movement in
contemplation upon the town.
AnstDer.-I had such instructions; expected
| an attack would be made, but did not know when
| or how
Court, (verbally why did you think so'
Ansper.--Because the naval forces moving
in that direction, and that it was important to
take it.
Court, verbally. )-Have you any thing further
to state'
insurer Nothing; except / may desire to cor
rect or furnish some statements.
General Scott, sworn.
Question by the Co,rt.--Were you employed in
and about Vera Cruz, during the latter part of
March and early part of April. lS47 And, if so,
in what capacity
Ans,oer.--I was there, at that time and in COM
mand of the American army.
Co,rt-Are you acquainted with any circum-
stances connected with the surrender of Alvarado
and its dependencies, any thing leading to
sulting therefrom If SO, state all you know.
Ans,oer.-I was not in the particular expedition
against Alvarado, and can only speak of that from
official reports made to me by officers of the land
forces who served in that expedition the move
ment fitted out at the instance of Commodore
Perry and the juncture of the two branches of the
service, the army and navy, as generally ar
ranged or agreed upon by him and myself Briga-
dier General Quitman, with some cavalry, half a
battery, and some general staff officers of the army,
composed the land part of the expedition received
reports from Quitman of the expedition, and from
Captain Irwin of the quartermaster's department,
who sent with the troops these published
in the congressional documents; they were for
warded by me to the seat of Government; think
reports of officers sent to aid Quitman, were made
orally, and if required to give them, should find it
difficult to do SO. The objects proposed, in arrang-
ing this attack, several: first, To capture the
place, the forts, guns, and enemy's troops-an OBJ.
ect common to the service; the special duty of the
navy to open the harbor, to supply water and
provisions; the army also required fresh provi-
sions-beef particularly: a commissary was sent
with special instructions to purchase. The quar-
termaster, Urwin,) whom / well remember, was
directed, soon the city should be captured, to
purchase an indefinite plumber Of horses and mules
for transporting the baggage of the army. think
or very few, if any, at that visit. The army was
greatly delayed for want of draft animals sent
a second expedition, under Lieutenant Colonel
Scott TO the same place, who succeeded in purchas-
ing several hundred horses, with much smaller
number of mules-and, no doubt, some beef cattle
were obtained at the time; but before the re-
turn of that expedition had sent the great body OF
the army towards the interior have been trying
to recollect and cannot speak with any sort of
fidence, whether received any report from Com
modore Perry-though do not consider it of any
Importance, as General Quitman reported the mat
ter to me. Don't think ! again Commodore
Perry, but that / received a communication from
him.
Commodore Perry, (verbaly.)-I wrote to you,
from Alvarado, that ready to receive troops
Court, (verbslly. ibid your written instruc-
tons to General Quitman, respecting the purchase
of horses, &C., make it any part of a favorable
stipulation in connexion with a surrender
General ScoH.-They did not. In preliminary
conversation with General Quitman, / told him two
officers would accompany him, on duties for the
whole army, over and above those to be performed
by him. 1.-THE witness here presented letter o.
instruction to Major General Patterson respecting
holding the brigade to cooperate with the navy,
best calculated to the purpose of procuring
raj Quitman and recognised copy of Quitman'i
reportl
Cowt.--If stipulation had been made in the cap
ture of Avarado for furnishing supplies, would il
have increased other means of procuring them'
General Scoa.-No doubt such stipulation would
have added an increased moral obligation TO com.
ply with a contract, but don't say il would hav,
produced a compliance; always had want Of conf.
dence in Mexicans, but never knew them, except
in case, to fail entirely in carrying out con.
tracts. To make either the people local authori
ties strict TO their contract there needs of the
appearance, If not actual coercion This was ne.
cessary TO excuse them TO the higher authorities.
| Cotuf.-Can you state what reports were mad,
| by General Quitman or the staff officers to th,
effect of the premature movement on Alvarado in
preventing the procurement Of supplies
-Ans,oer.-Cannot say what specific reasons wer,
assigned, but pretty confident, they did not obtair
supplies, or at least TO a very small amount; know
they sent down for provisions soon afterwards.
General Scott was about proceeding with som,
remarks, when Commodore Perry desired TO max,
a statement, in courtesy to the army for the par
the navy had acted; but the court did not consider
| it Of any special importance.
General Scoa-very good; was only abou
making suggestion.
commodore FTTy.-f stated my views 70 GENERA
Quitrnan, and expected he would report them u
you.
General Scott.-He did.
| The testimony resumed.
COpf.-Did the premature occupation Of Alva
RADIO affect any subsequent movement of the army
and If 30, in what way!
General Scott can give no direct answer. Tn,
movement Of the army was delayed from the tim,
Of eftering Vera Cruz. from the goth March 10 tn,
18th or sth April, when two corps pushed for
ward, under Major General Patterson and Briga
der General Twiggs, for want Of animals. On the
7th an additional number Of mules and wagons
arrived from the Brazos and Tampico, by sea
when the two corps were put In motion. On tho
sth and 9th some more wagons and mules, from
the North, arrived by sea, which enabled me u
move forward with the body Of the cavalry. Gen
cral worths division had about one half It's needed
road power when he followed me, leaving vers
Cruz on the l4th April General Quitman's bri
gade remained for some days after my departure
for want Of draft power. No portion Of the army