Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-02-16
From tho Abbeville DapDor.
GEN. MCGOWAN BEFORE TIE PALMETTO Az.
S6CIITInE

, Mr.. EDITOR: We notice in the last issue Of
YOUR paper, an article which originally appear
cd in the Edgelied Advertiser, reviewing the
first Anniversary Address delivered before the
Palmetto Association, in May, 1857. The criti-
cis,n is evidently by one who was member OF
the Palmetto Regiment, and frUn its moderate
and considerate 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
kent in remembrance The Anniversary Ad-
dress referred 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
FL Piual and Amozoque, which this writer
thinks " little inaccurate"
The Address states that the Volunteers were
on the point of encountering q surprise on that
OCCASION, which was only prevented by the ac-
cidental discovery of L drummer boy, belonging
to Worth's Division, which was lying in ad-
vance Of Quitman, at Amozoque; whilst the
writer referred to thinks that Gen. Quitman
was in no danger Of 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. Nosurprise
actually took place, and no bad consequences
resulted. But We think the movement Of SAINTS
Anna was entirely unexpected After the route
Of Csrro Gyrd0 1t was rot supposed That ths
enemy rould be stls tU make stand this sids
of the Cat,itai OF at inpst ths tass of Rio Ffin
iu 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
thcm to be, entirely true. 1t certainly was no
fault Of the distinguished Generals Quitman and
Worth, if neither OF them knew what was pass
ing 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
y, urannrstion ,mT made in such sudden emergency
'rbis incident Of the batled surprise is mention
ed in the Address, evidently not for any purpooe
NJ encouragement, but only because it was al
Interesting incident, and had scarcely been al
luded to 10y any Of the histories OF the Gam
paign. These arc the reasons expressly assignee
But as the matter is questioned, II may "
hest to state the evidence, which, 10 our mlnd
at least affords the proof conclusive that neithe
Worth nor Qutuan knew OF tue conteinpia.e'
attack. and that Qnitman's Brigade was in fac
an the poiut of being surprised i'll dangerou
detl. by an overwhelming force of La"eers, uil
dor the command of Santa Anna himself. w
M link the condition in which. Quitman's llttl
command was found-consisting as it did Q
but two Regiments Of Volunteers, numoenn
lass than twelve hundred effective men-raiSe
the the strongest presumption that he had no 6; ea
vacation of the threatened attack. When til
fonccrs were accidently discovered in sight