New-York daily tribune., 1861-08-26
CAMPAIGN COMPARISONS.

now actually in the lield by order Of the Govern
ment and that since Rebellion developed itself
numerous battles have been fought. The singular
accompanying fact appears: that in each OF these
battles the force brought into action is disprOpOr
tionately small to the large number of men ac-
tualy under arms. The public, knowing it to be
80, cannot understand why so many troops are
not brought into action when so many appear to
be not only in the field but when, as the events
at Manassas and Springfield prove their presence
at the critical moment wm so urgently needed.
Thus far, every battle has been fought with
handful of men. Even our victories in Virginia
and Missouri have been won against tremendous
odds. In explanation Of these facts, ii will be
useful TO reproduce those which occurred during
our war with Mexico, az thoro are points Of re-
semblance between tho two sets which will throw
much light on events now Of daily occurrence.
During tho war with Mexico, our whole regu.
lar army consisted OF 26,922 men, while 1852
volunteers were enrolled, who served on average
term of ten months. Yet, with force thas eI.
ceedng 100, 900, Gen. Taylor carved out bis bril-
liant career Of victories without, on any one ac-
cason, having moro than 5000 men; neither had
Scott fighting his way to the City of Mexico,
more than 1000 Their two combined armies
were not equal to one-6ith of those under arms
While one man fought, nearly five Others did not
Thus, though the grand total Of the army was 50
imposing as to create a,tonshment eyeu in Europe,
yet just as is the case now, tie battles were all
fought By mere fractions. When tbs war broke
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regulars then on and near the frontiers, ito total
being 1854 men, and Of these be had not all.
With such as he had he overtlrew the NeIicaus
at PalO Alta, Resaca dc Ia Palma, and at Fort
Brown, in May. There was no great increase OF
regulars up to September, because lie had but
5000 of them whom he won tho victory at Mon.
teray in that month, his whole force having been
swelled to about 5000 by the arrival of yolun.
teers. At Buena Vista he had but 5l7 regulars
and 400 volunteers. Vera Cruz was captured
by force composed Of {, 800 regulars aud G,6d2
volunteers, the Navy assisting. At Cerro Gordo
the force was 6,000 regulars aud $500 yo.un-
teers. The battles Of COntreras, Cerrubusco,
San Antonio, and Ban Augustine, were fought
and won with an aggregate force Of only 1861
regulars and marines, and 1926 volunteers.
When the final blow was struck at the City Of
Mexico, the whole number on duty was only
s,3Oi--regulars 7,035, volunteers 1880. These
significant details of that truly brilliant campaign
have been generally forgotten, but they are of es-
pecial interest now.
They prove 8 state Of facts analogous TO those
now trauspiring. In examining both, we dis
k;ah q. L..
points becomes identical. The only one OF imme-
date interest is to discover why the Government,
having so large a number of troops, permitted or
compelled its Generals to fight its battles with
mere handful of men. Gen. Taylor's early en-
counters with the MeIcans explain Themselves
he was compelled to them b. bis position, and be.
fore the Government had correct knowledge Of
his danger, or means of giving him ,uccor. The
demOralizing vciousness Of our whole volun-
teer system was rs conspicuous and fatal
then, as every intelligent observer knows II to
be now. The army in Mexico could not advance,
because no means had been provided for long
marches. Volunteers focicd in, but they had no
wagon trains. Az many as q, 900 were accepted
for only twelve months. They entered the ser
Nlco III june 1910, 10 DC ulschhTgcu IN June,
1Si7 though no one could prcdctt how long the
war would last, for the specter Of some foreign
complication shook its CORY locks before tmid
fnanciers and journalists % threateningy as now
1t happened. as iit Away, does, that when the
very emergency arrived 10 which these men could
have enabled Scott ~ strike decisive blow their
time expired. No iEducement held out was SUI.
fcient for them to reSngage. Thus, when about
advancing TO attack the City Of MEXICO, he was
compelled to discharge 1900, though knowing TO
certainty that less than 1000 recruits were sp-
preaching 10 supply .hsr places. OF oil the vol.
unteers under SCOTS command, only single
company could be induced 10 reengage. fct, at
home, volunteering was going on with undated
spirit. But the great bulk Of them were not sent
forward in time. They did not reach the scene
of conflict until oil the fighting had boon done.
Worse than even this, the Government accepted
1860 men for only three months, thus rethacS-
ing tho folly, and suffering the embarrassments,
OF revolutionary days. The great, ruinous def.
cheney lay ia our wfs!ched IsN' governing tAs