Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-02-16
From the Abbeville Danpor.
GEN. MCGOWAN BEFORE THE PALMETTO as
S0GIATI0N,

, Mr.. ED1ToR: We notice in the last issue Of
YOUR paper, an article which originally appear
ed in the Edgeted advertiser, reviewing the
first Anniversary Address delivered before the
Palmetto Association in May, 1857. The criti.
cisln is evidently by one who was member OF
the Palmetto Regiment, and frum its moderate
and consderate tone, deserves our attention.
We think it not unfortunate that the incidents
of the Mexican Campaign should now and then
be brought under friendly discussion, and thus
kept in remembrance. The Anniversary Ad-
dress refcrre3 to, which was evidently prepared
with the most scrupulous regard for truth, con-
tains brief account OF Santa Annals attempt
upon Quitman's Brigade of Volunteers, between
Ell Piual and Amozoque, which this writer
tliuks " a little inaccurate"
The Address states that the Volunteers were
on the point of encountering surprise on that
OCCASION, which was only prevented by the ac-
cidentaI discovery Of u drummer boy, belonging
to Worth's Division, which was lying in ad-
vance of Quitman, at Anlozoque; whilst the
writer referred to thinks that Gen. Quitman
was in no danger of a surprise, but had been
informed by express, the night before, that the
attack was contemplated, and had made his
dispositions accordingly. 1t is not conceived
that tue matter is at all important. surprise
actually took place, and no bad consequences
resulted. But We think the movement Of Santa
Anna was entirely unexpected. After the route
Of Cerro Gordo 1t WAS not supposed that ths
enemy would be abs tU make stand this eide
of the Capital, OF at it1pst tue pass Of Rio Ffin
in the Mountain rim Of the Valley Of Mexico
and it reflects no discrcdit upon any one IL the
statements Of the Address are, as we believe
them to be- entirely true. 1t certainly was nc
fault, Of the distinguished Generals Quitman and
Worth, if neither Of them knew what was pass
inp in the mind of the willy Mexican chief
especially as they behaved SO handsomely when
the alarm was given. The most gratifying point
of the whole affair." was the gallant and spirited
nrsnorstion made in such sudden emergency
'Tbis incident of the baf1ed surprise is mention.
ed in the Address, evidently not for any purpose
Of disparagement, but only because it was ai
Interesting incident, and had scarcely been al
luded to by any Of the histories OF the Gam
naipn. These arc the reasons expressly assigned
But as the matter is questioned, it may oe
hest TO state the evidence, which, to our minds
at least, affords the proof conclusive that neithei
Worth nor Quitman knew Of the contemplated
attack. and that Quitman's Brigade was IN lac
ON the point of being surprised in dangerous
detil. by an overwhelming force of Lancers, nn
der the command of Santa Auna himself w
think the condition in which Quitman's l!ttl'
command comm was consisting as it did o
hut two Regiments of Volunteers, numbering
Io.s than twelve hundred effective men-ralse
the the strongest presumption that he had no ex
,,actaiion of the threatened attack. When tn
ffoncors we're accidently discovered 10 sight Q