The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-10


secute the operations against Matamuras
Deficiency Of means had delayed any demonstration
against the Mexican town. Had General Taylor been
provided with proper ponton train he could any
have followed the victory Of Resacs de la Palma, by
driving the enemy from Matamoras; but being def
cient in the proper appliances he obliged to wait
week to accumulate small boats. and to bring aud
mount morsrs With which to play the town from
the fort On the evening of the 1eth, all ready;
and the dispositions tor the order omareh made
On the morning Of tho 18th, the Mexican commander
made sign AIS for parey His messenger WAS received
and desired the establishment of armistice until
the governments should determine the question of
boundary. To this GENERAL Taylor replied that the
time for armistice was passed The next request
for suspension Of hostities and this also Geue
raj Taylor positively refused With this answer the
The crossing the next day effected, above the
town while diversion made below, In the direo
by the exicans.
While the troops forming ON the Mexican bank
BIO met by deputston of officers who in the fore
gone conclusion OF surrender, asked If the govern
ment property could be retain by the Mexcaus To
this question: both here and when 1t repeated at
the summons OF the citadel to surrender the same
answer, denial, was returned The project, on be-
half Of the civil authorities and the commander Of
the citadel on behalf Of the military formally
oered. The Mexican flag hauled down and the
sars and stripes run up; many of tho Maamoras Oh
txens Joined in the cheering of the troops;
a sufficient garrison was placed in the fort and the
army after moving through the town, drew oil and
encampsd In the vicinity, without having fred gun
General Taylor remained In Matamoras waiting for
supplies reinforcsmeu,s and the Of trsnspOrss
only military operations consisted Of the taking pos
session OF evtral small Mexican towns, without the
expenditure Of life or ammunition.
The commanding officer appears to have kept mp az
little form and state In Matamoras, while civil aud
military dictator, In his camp volunteer relates
that while sitting the steps waiting for the post
ohcs to open early tho morning Of his arrival
elderly gentleman, Of very plain appearance and In
citizen dress, up to him and nquired Ito what
regiment do you belong ~ The volunteer did not know
the questoner, and merely replied, Ito the Baltimore
battalion" lie r. joined 20, thought you were re-
onla and WAS lo tn hat Won mil fha
morning parade" lie then walked away. !.
The appreciation Of the people and governments Of
exploits of the 9th 9th Of Nay made known to
the army In letter from the President, accompany
upon General Taylor In the letter after referring to
the commission, conferred upon the General for his
gallant conduct and distinguished services the Presi
dent says:
1T gave me sincere pleasure immediately upon the
receipt Of official intelligence from the Of ysur
advice and consent Of the Senate this testimonial Of
the estimate which your government places upon
your skili aud gsllanry To yourself and the brave
Cheers and soldiers under your command the graft
tude Of the country Ia justly due Our army have
fully sustained their dsservsdy high reputation, and
added another bright psge to the history Of American
yaor and patriotism They have won new laurels for
themselves and for their country. Ny confidence in
them never faltersd. The battles OF Palo Alto and
Resaca de 10 Palma rank among most brilliant
victories, and will long be remembered by the Amer
people When all the details Of these battles and
of the noble defence Of the camp opposite to Matamo
shall have been received IL viii be my pleasure asst
will be- my grateful duty, " render 10 the officers and
under your command suitable testimonials for
their condact In the brilliant victories which super
int, ndng Providence has enabled them to achieve for
Congress passed resolutions also, Of high approval
and the Legislature OF Louisiana presented him with
sword; whe other States united In their testimony
OF prsi,e rather responded to the enthusiastic
me ndations which were everywhere uttered by the
press and peoples In many places In meetings called for
General the army aud its officers regulars and volun
t.ers have been passed over; and, so far tbs
xla kta fH~ars
and he c,n.r commsnas in MsIieo have been well
remembered. General Taylor was In July, appointed
Msjsr General, under the act Of Congress for In
crsaspg the regular armyl
The plan Of procedure adopted BY General Taylor In
Rio rand~ the base OF his operations instead Of Malta
morss, the road between Camarro and Monterey,
the next place menaeed, was shorter and more pract
cable than the direct route from MatAmoras
On the 9th OF August, General Taylor moved from
Mstsmoras toward camsrgo; and, late In tbs same
month sent General Worth forward TO serslvo, to
walt the approach Of the main body. On ths Tth Of
Sept mber General Taylor left Camsrgo Tor Seralvo
and nom thence pushed for Monterey. The
which resulted in the oapture Of that city
too we'll known TO call for description.
The terms Of espituiation by vhieh Monterey sur.
repders TO the American commander the subject
ersiop when they received in tho
United stai but the event has proved their wisdom
hexiears great part q tho exAp alton Of defeat
and crowned the conquest OF Nms With the more
potent victory of Bagnnmity. large book might
/. prepared cut Of the furnished BY the single
affair VI Monterey alone.
BetSeen the siege Of Monterey and the battle OF Bue
Vista ave months interviewed During that period
the main body II General Tsyots force was reduced
TO very small number, but VAS subsequently, reia-
forced by arrivals 81 volunteers The Central Dvi-
Sion Of tho Amy Of Mcxico,r organised by General
Wool under orders from the War Department CROSSED
the Rio Grsnds at Preside and atcra march through
an unfr, part Of Mexico marked BY no event
rave the peaceful capture OF chihuahua, Joined the
main body under General Taylor In ssason tor the VIE
The troops withdraun nom General Taylor and or.
! dered to march under command Of General Worth
toward verA Crus taken leave OF BY their gallant
| comm audor In . Characteristic and feeling address
lie then fsl back on Monterey, and In February had
received see.s.isnsto his force y up TO about
he sti kept command Of his points In advance, net
| withdrawing that he had been recommended to fall
back on Monterey. The event proved bis skill and
IN. details OF the battle Of Buens Vista In the on
po % SoSs. s..s ,,'n MS
In General Tsylor's despatch hs referred 10 sum
from santa Anna, TO surrender at discretion"
Il valuable asserting the number Of troops which the
Nexicsn n neral had at bis command statement
reiterated BY other ercum and the
msnts q prisoners and deserters Tho reply Of Cen
ersl Taylor IL model for Its calm courage and sign
fed tone and as such has been universally admired
/ IL may Indeed be pronounced unsqua'led.
The summons Of santa Anna vas souchea In the
/ following terms
you are surrounded By 10 900 men, and cannot In
any human probability, avoid suffering rout, and
being cut 70 pieces With your troops bat a. you de-
serve eon.iesstion and Psr.lessr :s.sem l -Ish to
you this notice In ordsr that you may surrender At
! cifefetion, under the assurance that you will be
tr aed with the confederation belonging 20 the Next
can character. TO which end you Win be granted an
hours time to make up your mind, 10 commence from
/ the none mt when my Gag Of truce arrives In Jour
camp. with this view, assure you Of my particular
! confederation.
9od and Liberty. Camp ct Bnesntsda, February
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA"
To this Summons the reply Of General Taylor %
/ folovs:-
sir-In reply TO ysur note 81 this dsts summonps
10 surrender my forees at discretion beg leave IL
| ssy that decline scceding TO ysur request.
| with high respeet am, sir,
1 Your obSdirDt