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preliminary orrangcmenis_here, to pass down
the Ohio and Mississippi, to see, or to nssure
myself by correspondence, that the volunteers,
on whom we are mostly to rely in iliu prosecu
tion of tho existing war, aro rapidly assembling
for tho service; to learn tho probable time of
their readiness to advance upon Mexico; to
Ascertain if their supplies of every kind are in
place, or are likely to bo in place in sufficient
lime; to hasten ono and the other; to harmo
nize the movements of volunteers, and to mod
ify their routes (if necessary) so that all, or at
least a sufficient number, shall arrive at the in-
cheated points in tho Mexican frontier at tho
bust petiods, and, os fur ns practicable, about
tho samo time. AH that I have but sketched
1 deem to be not only useful to success, but in
dispensable. As a soldier I make this assertion
without the fuar of contradiction from any hon
est ami candid soldier.
Against the ad ceiptandum condemnation of
all other persons, whoever may be designated
fur tho high command in question, there can be
no reliance (in his absence) other than the ac
tive, candid, and steady support of his govern
ment. If I cannot have that sure basis to rest
upon, it will be infinitely better for the country
(not to speak of my personal security) that
some other commander of the new army against
Moxico shouid be selected. No matter who he
may be, he shall, at least, be judged and sup-
ported by mo, in this office and everywhere
else, as I would desire, if personally in that
command, to be myself-judged and supported.
My explicit meaning is, that I do not desire
to place mv8elf in the most perilous of all posi
tions—-a fire upon my rear from Washington,
and the fire in jront from the Mexicans.
It was distinctly admitted, and laid down as
a basis, in tho interviews I had tho honor to
hold with the President and yourself on the
subject, that a special army of some thirty
thousand troops, regulars, and twelve months’
volunteers, would bo necessary fur the march
against, and the conquest ofa peace in, Mexico.
I adhere to that opinion. It is foreseen, with
tolerable certainty, that wo shall not have, in
many months, more than seven thousand (if
quite so many) regular?, applicable to that ser
vice. The remaining numbers are to bo made
up in volunteer horse and foot. I suppose of
these, taken together, Rbout 17.000 hnvc been
actually called for. There is yet good time I
think to m ike the additions suggested in one of
the tables 1 had the honor to submit last night.
The question follows: By what time can an
army of about 30.000, as above, be brought to
act from (he different points Agreed upon in
the interviews alluded to upon Mexico 1
More than half of the 7,000 regulars remain
to be recruited. I hope they may be obtained
and taken to the Rio Grande, though raw or
uninstructed, by the first of September next.—
Cun two-thirds, or even a half, of the volunteer
horse be got to that river much before that
time 7 I greatly doubt the possibility—withoui
the shadow of a doubt about the patriotism or
zeal of the citizens who have been specially
culled upon. The foot volunteers, aided by
water transportation, (believed to be impossible
with the horse) may, probably, reach all the
points for commencing ojierstifuw a week or
two earlier. But if horse be a necessary ele
ment to success (and two-thirds, if not three-
fourths, of the Mexican army are understood to
ho in the saddle,) what utility would there be
in forcing the foot much ahead of the horse?
This ought to be a matter of arrangement, left
to the commander of the special army, ns in
formation may open upon him in his progress
to tins M nv ' OB 11 r.■ ».,S—r. i*car tlm tloads ot col
umns, or within easy corresponding distance
with most of them. The particular question
here then recurs. Can the horso regiment
from Kentucky, (the most distant from Mexico)
or that from Tennessee (say 19 days nearer)
reach the Rio Grande (by land be it remem
bered) much before the day (1st of September)
before mentioned ? I have learned personally
from the zealous and intelligent Adjutant Gen
eral (Dudley) of Kentucky, that that most dis
tant horse regiment cannot be assembled (sny)
»t Frankfort on the Bowling-green, earlier than
the latter part of June.
Thance it will probably be obliged to march
via Memphis, Fulton, on the Red river, San
Antonio de Bexar, dec., a line of some 1.200
miles. Tho routes of the Tennessee, Arkan*
&ds, and Mississippi horse will be respectively,
tny 4C0 600, and 700 miles shorter, but even
the middle or Tennessee horse regiment, can
not, allowing not a day for instruction ut its ren
dezvous, or on the route, reach the Rio Grande,
bof<>ra (according to all computations we cun
make hi re) the middle of August.
I think, considering that wo cannot hope to
have more than 800 regular cavalry on the
lower Rio Grande, no commander would bo
willing to enter without both the Kentucky and
Tennessee regiments of horse, and all that
have been culled from points nearer to tho
field of expected operations. I may now stale
a fact which seems to be conclusive as to the
f teriod best for tuking up lines of operations
ram and beyond the lower Rio Grande.
All the information that can be obtained here
represents that the rainy season on, and south
of the Rio Grande, begins about June, and
terminates about the 1st of September; that
duri'ig that season, the hoof ol tho horse and
the mole becomes softened (though shod) and
diseased so as to disablo tho animal for travel
aad work. Again: it is at tho end of the rainy
season, and for some weeks later, that in tho
northern provinces of Mexico, men and horses
would have the best chance to obtain drinking
water; the horses the best grazing, and the
commissaries tho best beefand mutton fur men.
But another reason has been mentioned why
I •- >uld leave the preliminary wc^to bo done
bore, and abandon the twelve-months volun-
leers to find their way as they may tolho Mex
ican frontier—viz: the number of patriotic
Louisianians who have poured, and are pour
ing in, upon Brevet Brigadier General Taylor,
Ht Point Isabel or opposite to Matnmorns.
Thoso meritorious volunteers can, under the
circumstances, have legally engaged for three
months only. They could have had no knowl
edge of tho volunteer act of .May 13, 1846,
without which no enrolment for more than three
months would be binding upon them After
that term, without a formal re enrolment, un- |
dt-r tho recent act, for the longer period, no;
an officer or a man could be legally held to ser- I
vice or tried for any offence whatever. They
evidently hastened to the scene of danger to
succour our little array llicro ; to save it from
what they no doubt deemed probable surrender
or destruction. Many ofthe Louisianians may
bo ready to become twelve months volunteers,
and to be ofg i ./■■>] legally as sock. As three,
months men they could hardly, even in the ab
sence of h<-stile forces, march to Monterey, be
fore I) coming entitled to (no doubt) an honor
able discharge.. Before time for that discharge,
't may certainly ha well—if numbers of them
: vpSfntcef tinder iliu recent act—to send
’■ • f foot,called for from the lower
to aid C«i;n. Taylor in defending
ns, and p<
side of i.lie
Rio (I
i kin-.
ande
new ones on
conquest ofa peace, by regular, incessant, and
forward movements, the basis of our calculations
here (as to numbers) must be altogether extrav
agant, ifa much larger army, including that in
position, and one very differently composed, (in
horse and foot) be not necessary. It was to
command such larger army that I understood
myself ns likely to be sent to the Mexican fron
tier, as it is always unjust to a junior general
who has done well, and is supposed to be doing
well, to supersede him by a general of higher
rank, without sending with the latter correspon
ding reinforcements. I should esteem rryselt
tho unhappy instrument of wounding the hono
rable pride of the gallant and judicious Taylor,
if ordered to supersede him under different cir
cumstances.
However the foregoing suggestions (hastily
thrown together) may bfe viewed, I have deem
ed it due more to the country than my humble
self, that I should prrsent them, and await the
wishes or the orders ofthe President.
With groat respect, I have the honor to re
main, sir, your most obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. W. L. Makcy, Secretary of War.
War Dep.vrtmkt, 1
May 25, 1S46. j
Sir : I have received your letter of the 21st
instant, and considering its extraordinary char
acter, and thti grave mutters set forth therein,
reflecting upon the motives and objects of the
President in tendering to you, as he lias, in au
explicit manner, the command of the forces des
tined for the war against Mexico, I deemed it
to be my duty to lay it before him, and to take
his direction in regard to its contents.
The passages in your letter which have ex
cited his surprise and deep regret, are those in
which you impute to the President, in terms
not explicit, ill trill towards yourself, or precon-
demnation, and a course of conduct on his part
which has already, as^ou allege, impeded your
labors of preparation and crippled vour ener
gies.
A reference to two or three paragraphs in
your letter will show that he is not at liberty
to give a different construction to your lan
guage. You were, through me, and also at a
personal interview with the President, made
acquainted with his settled determination to
put you in immediate command of the forces
to be employed in carrying on the war with
Mexico, and you had, as you state, been devo
ting your time and attention to preliminary and
preparatory arrangements. “ In the midst of
these multitudinous and indispensable occupa
tions,” (you say) “ 1 have learned from you that
much impatience is already felt, pci haps in
high quarters, that I have not alieady put my
self in route for the R<o Grundc; and now,
with fourteen hours a duy of preliminary work
remaining on my hands for many days, 1 find
myself compelled to stop that necessary work
to guard myself against, perhaps, uttercondem-
nation in the quarters alluded to. I am too oid
a soldier, and have had too much special expe
rience, not to feel the infinite importance of se
curing myself against danger—(ill will, or pre
condemnation) in my rear, before advancing
upon tho public enemy. Not an advantageous
step can be taken iti a forward march, without
the confidence that all is well behind. If inse-
cure in that quarter, no general can put his
whole heart and mind into the work to be done
in front. I am, therefore, not a little alarmed
—nay, crippled in tny energies—by the knowl
edge of the impatience in question; and 1 beg
to *ay I fwar no other danger.”
This language scarcely requires a comment.
That it conveys the strongest suspicion—not to
say a direct imputation of most unworthy mo
tives in the Executive government—of bad
faith towards yourself—of u reckless disregard
of the interests of the country—of a design to
carry on a war against you while you are sent
forth to carry on a war against the public en
emy, there can be, I think, no question. You
must allow me to advert to the only fact to
which.you allude os the foundation for such
grave imputations. You have learned, you
say, from me that much impatience is felt, per
haps in aigh quarters, that you are not atrea
dy put in route for the Rio Grande, Jyc.—
What was said on this point at our interview,
when this subject was alluded to, is not so fully
stated as it ought to be, considering the purpo-
ses to which you have converted it. You pre
sented to roe fully and clearly the difficulties
and delays which, in your opinion, would attend
tho assembling of the volunteers on the Rio
Grande, and, in conclusion, expressed your be
lief that it could not be done before tho 1st day
of September next. I then alluded to the
troops which were now hastening to Gen. Tay
lor’s standard, under his requisition—to the ex-
cited feelings of tho country—to the patriotic
ardor of those troops—to the disappointment
which both they and the country would feel, if
un army of eight or ten thousand men were on
tho Rio Grande comparatively inactive during
their entire tour of service, which, being limit
ed to three months, would terminate before the
period named by you for the assembling of the
volunteers on the Rio Grande. It was with
special reference to the employment of the
troops that would be on that frontier by the 1st
day of June, that I spoke of what would be the
sentiments of the coun«ry, and of the spirited
and gallant men who had enteicd into the ser
vice, and of tho'’expectations of the Executive
upon this subject. I was well aware that the
President was most anxious that tho war should
be prosecuted with promptness and vigor, and
that the bravo and patriotic men who had been
called out should have an opportunity to render
their country active and effective service. I
know, too, that the President confidently hoped
and expected that a large portion of the volun
teers, authorized by the act of May 13th, would
arrive on the frontier in sufficient force for ac
tive operations before the time which you indi
cated. With the view of securing this impor
tant object, the most energetic measures had
been adopted. Every consideration of econo
my an I duty forbade that the troops should, if
thus collected, bo permitted to remain in-ctive-
by reason of the absence of the general officer]
who, fully possessed ol iii.o views of tho Execu
tive, «7as to direct iheir movements.
I did nnt deem it improper, Indeed I consid
ered it n matter of duty, to communicato to the
general, to whom tho President had freely con
fided the management ot the war, his views and
expectations upon this point. That this com
munication, made in the manner it was, should
not have been kindly received, is surprising to
me; but vastly more so is the tact, that it should
be made the basis of the n; ost offensive imputa
tions against the executive government, which
had voluntarily selected you to conduct our ar
my, and determined to put at your disposal the
amplest means it could command to insure vic
tory, and lo bring the war to a successful and
speedy termination.
It was also a matter of unfeigned surprise to
me that you should have attributed to the Pres
ident the intention of opening a lire upon your
rear, while a lire in front was opened upon you
an assumption rest 7 Had not the President,
in a frank and friendly spirit, just in’rustedyou
with n command on which the glory and inter
est of the country depended, to say nothing of
the success of his own administration ? Row
could you, under these circumstances, arrest
your labors of preparation, and suffer your on-
orgies to bo crippled, for the purpose of indul
ging in illiberal imputations against the man
who had just bestowed upon you the highest
mark of his confidence?
Entertaining, os it is most evident you do, the
opinion that such are the motives and designs of
the Executive towards you, and declaring it to
be your explicit meaning that “you do not d«-
sire to place yourself in the most perilous of all
positions—a fire upon your rear in Washington
aiul the fire in front from the Mezicatis,'' ?nd
so entertaining them entirely without cause, or
even the shadow of juslification, the President
would be wanting in his duty to the country, if
he were to persist in his determination of impo
sing upon you the command of the army ia the
war against Mexico. He would probably mis
understand the object you had in view in writing
your letter, and disappoint your expectations,
if he did not believe that it was intended to af
fect a change of his purpose in this respect. I
am, therefore, directed by him to say that you
will be continued in your present position here,
and will devote your efforts to making arrange
ments and preparations for tho early and vigo
rous prosecution of hostilities against Mexico.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
W. L. MARCY.
Major General Winfield Scott,
Commanding General, &c.
33)t (Ktovflfa snelesrajjij.
MACON. TUESDAY MORNING. JUNE S3, 1846
We yield a large space this morning for the
satisfaction of the public curiosity in regard to
the correspondence between the Secretary of
War and Gen. Scott. The letters on both
sides are. jewels in their way. The reader
can judge which party to the correspondence
renders himself most ridiculous.
THE TREATY.
Like other poor players, after strutting and
fretting their brief hour upon the stage the glo.
ry of the out and outers,—the "fifty-four forty
or fight”—Oregon men has gone down in a
cloud.
We congratulate our readers and the coun-
try generally upon this happy consummation.
The calm, far reaching, clear sighted views of
statesmen have at last prevailed over the ill-tim
ed bluster ofthe little, jealous politicians of the
day. The long pending Oregon dispute has
at last been settled satisfactorily, peaceably,
honorably. President Polk and the Senate
have placed themselves upon a basis of public
confidence and patriotic sympathy by their
course upon this question, as broad as the
bounds of civilization, and as towering os their
country’s destiny.
The Washington Union of the 18th says—
“The Senate have had a long silting to day
with closed doors. It is rumored that they
have advised, by a vote of 41 lo 14, the rati
fication of the boundary treaty, rci’orietl to
have been sent to that body by the President
on Tuesday last. Moreover, we understand
that the injunction of secrecy will cot bo re
moved until the treaty is ratified by the Brit
ish Government.”
The National Intelligencer of the 19th inst.
says—“It is with unfeigned pleasure that we
announce to the public that the ratification by
the Senate, of the Treaty for the settlement
of the Oregon controversy.
“The injunction of secrecy has not been re
moved by the Seriate, but enough of the pto-
ceedings is known, and certainly known, to
enable us to slate that the ratification passed
by a vote of 41 to 14—a majority, we believe,
unequalied on any important treaty except tho
treaty of 1842.
“Report says tho debate in the Senate for
the last two or three days, although in secret
session, has been exceedingly spirited and in.
teresting. Possibly, some time hence, when
no further occasion for secrecy shall exist,
those debates may be given to the public.”
THE REPUBLIC OF THE RIO GRANDE.
This is the title of a new paper, just com
menced on tho 1st instant, at Matamoros. The
leading editorials are printed both in the Eng
lish and Spanish languages. It is edited by
Arista’s retreat will doubtless continue to tho
mountains. After losing the day with five to
ono at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma,, it is
not likely that lie will make another siar.d on
the plains. Gen. Taylor takes the field with
so overwhelming a force, and so admirably
equipped in that terrible arm, the light artillery,
that it would be madness in the enemy to fight
again, where defeat would be certain and retreat
impossible. Monterey is the first position of
any natural strength, and it also commands the
entrance of the mountain pass to Saltillo. It is
there, in all probability, that Arista will make
his great effort, which tho importance of the
object, his wounded pride, nnd the advantages
of the ground will all conspire to make a brill
iant but a bloody day in the history of this war.
THE GEORGIA REGIMENT.
We are indebted to the Muscogee Democrat
for the following extra giving the result of the
election held on Saturday last:
MUSCOGEE DEMOCRAT—Extra.
Columbus, Ga., June 20, 1846.
' Ths Election for Colonel of the “Georgia
Regiment of Volunteers,” took place this day,
at the Camp, about one mile from the city, and
resulted as follows:
Capt. HENRY R. JACKSON, 310
“ Isaac Holmes, 298
“ James S. Calhoun, 264
Col. J. J. B. Hoxey, 36
Scattering, 2
Total,
910
Gen. Hugh McLeod, formerly of this city, a
gentleman of flue abilities, chivalric, high- j continuance of their charter and provides
THE CHOLERA.
It is stated in some of our northern exchan
ges that this dreadful scourge has again made
its appearance at Quebec, striking this point of
the Western continent first, as it did before.
The Raleigh Standard mentions the sudden
death in that city on the 10th inst. of Mr. Lou
is D. Henry in the 47th year of his age. Mr.
H. has long been one of the most prominent
and distinguished members at the bar, as well
as one of the leading public men of that stale.
He has held various appointments under the
State and Federal Governments, and was the
democratic candidate for Governor in 1842.—
He has fallen in the prime of his years and ze
nith of his usefulness—and has left few nobler
specimens of manhood behind him. Peace to
his ashes.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE TELEGRAPH.
New York, June 17th, 1816.
Your Washington correspondent having been
very unexpectedly to himself called upon to
make a trip to the city of the Gothamites, dates
his letter therefrom, inasmuch as by tbe means
of the Magnetic Telegraph he can communi
cate intelligence from New York almost as ear
ly as from Washington.
Most of the intelligence is of a nature highly
gratifying. First there is the complete and un
doubted settlement ofthe Oregon question by a
treaty signed on behalf of the two powers by
Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Pakenham and submit
ted to the Senate for ratification. The terms
too are such os to reflect honor upon both na
tions. That line has been establiseed as a
boundary between the possessions of Great
Britain and the territories of the United States
which gives to us all that we can justly claim,
, while the accompanying stipulations of the
treaty are of so liberal and enlarged a character
as to show the increasing disposition on the part
of the statesmen of Goat Britain to cultivate
the most friendly relations with the United
States, and to erase the feelings of animosity
vveich in years gone by it seemed to be the pol
icy to encourage. The treaty which has just
been concluded—and which has received in ad
vance a vote of 3 to 1 in the Senate, fur I un
derstand that it was the unsigned treaty which
was submitted to the Senate last week and on
which they voted last Friday 38 to 12 in favor
of advising the President to conclude it—con
tains five at tides only, being very brief, a short
summary of the five articles 1 believe to bo as
follows:
Ait. 1. Defines the boundary—tho line of
49 3 from the Rooky mountains to Queen Char
lotte’s sound, thence southerly through the
Straits of Fuca to the Pacific ocean.
Art. 2. Gives the free navigation of the Co*
Iurnbia to tho Hudson’s Bay Company during
for consideration, has a substitute been offered
for that reported by the Committee of Ways
and Means by Mr. Ilungerford, a so-called
democratic representative from the State of
New York; and which contains highly protec
tive features, intruding heavy specific duties on
iron, sugar, and some other articles, while the
general range of duties on all the principal arti
cles of consumption is 30 per cent. The bill
or substitute is in fact pretty much the same
bill which was reported by the .Committee of
Ways and Means ofthe last Congress as a com
promise which they hoped might get through
the Senate which was then whig, if It were
passed by the House, but which was laid on
the table by the votes of the Pennsylvania and
New York democrats. If this is to be regard-
ed as symptomatic of what the New York dem
ocrats intend to do on this occasion, farewell
to my hopes of a revenue tariff'.
The President yesterday sent a message to
the Senate with a report from the Secretary of
the Treasury on the subject of the Finances in
answer to resolutions which were introduced
by the Committee of Ways and Means, and
passed by the Senate calling for information on
this subject. In this document tne deficiency
of receipts under the present tariff for the ex
penses of the next year including the war with
Mexico is estimated in tho neighborhood of
twenty millions of dollars. If the present tariff
be repealed, and a tariff for revenue enacted
which shall impose duties on tea and coffee,
dye., it estimates that the amount of duties ac
cruing will reduce the deficiency to about
twelve millions, and to raise this sum he rec
ommends an issue of Treasury notes. Wheth-
this message will have any effect on the action
of Congress on the tariff 1 cannot tell—it ought*
to have—but I must reserve further comment
for next week. TATNALL.
minded, brave, an eleve of West Point, and
for many years in the Tcxian service.— Viva
la Republic de Rio Grande.
G E N7TM PUD I A.
We take the following paragraph from a
I5.it for the 1 by Ihc enemy. On wlmt foundation could such
somewhat lengthy letter giving on account of
this Mexican brave, which wo find in the New
Orleans Bulletin.
“An amusing story is told by a Rauchero’s
wife of the huslo and trepidation in which ho
crossed the river on tho bficrnoon of the 9ih of
May—a day likely to be remembered in his
calendar. The good woman says that Ampu-
dia came to her house soon after tho firing com
menced, at full speed anti alone, and begged
her husband like a hound to cross him over the
river before those shouting devils, the Ameri
cans, could overtake him. The poor husband
man comdlied and ferried the poor, crest-fallen,
terror-stricken hero across; but lie ltn<J no soo
ner placed the broad river between himself and
iris pursuers, that he became tho haughty, su
percilious Gc7j. Ampudia again, and ordered
-*•— preserver to play lackey and groom to him
self and horse. * * * *
He is notorious in this city for Ida meanness
in pecuniary matters, especially in swindling
the people from whom ho hired ihe furniture of
his house, since his last arrival—and for Iris
cold-blooded cruelty to our Consul, Mr. Schnt-
zell, u man near 70 years of age, who he or del
ed to leave the place, under u guard, fot the
interior, in such haste a3 to compel tho old man
to go on foot, and sleep the first night in the
open air, in a severe norther. He is also re
membered as the first man from the field of
battle, who, as an apology for bis own cowar.
dice, swore that the entire Mexican army was
destroyed. One of the many rumors afloat is,
that Ampudia has charged Arista with treach
ery—with having sold the army to tho Ameri
can®. A hard bargain, indeed, to Arista, for
hid only pay was cannon balls and cold steel.—
Ampudia says further, that he would have won
the day had he had the command. Tho lying
braggart—tbe man who run at the first volley,
when second in command, to talk of what he
would havo done as chief.
■cr
that if that charter be renewed, this provision
shall also be renewable.
Art. 3. Makes all the Rivers, Ports, and Har.
bors above the liae of 49 free to the commrc e
of both nations.
Art. 4. Provides for indemnity to the Hud
son’s Bay Company for their Forts and trading
stations below tho lino of 49, and to citizens of
tho United Statesubovc that line, ifthere bo any.
Art. 5. Provides for indemnity for private
property belonoing to subjects or citizens, be-
below or above the line of 49, if those subjects
or citizens shoulJ wisli to retire within the boun
dary lines of their respective governments.
I believe the above is a correct outline of tho
proposed treaty, and it will be seen at once that
the terms are liberal aad honorable, settling as
they do too a question so complicated, and
which has threatened for so many months to
involve the two leading nations of the earth in
a devastating war. Every lover of his country
will rt joico at this honorable settlemant of long,
pending difficulties, and we may now hope that
a long continuance of friendly relations and in
tercourse will be continued.
Another subject of gratulation is the very
decided vote by which tho House of .Represen.
latives agreed to take up and consider tho Tariff
question on Monday last. A majority of forty-
six is something respectable though very consid
erably below tho Democratic majority in thut
House. What tho result will be in modifying
the tariff however, it is exceedingly difficult to
say. It may be that some approach may bo
made to a revenue tariff from tho present one,
but I greatly fear that whatever modifications
may be made tho Tariff will still remain highly
protective. L shall be glad to find from the re
sult that my anticipations are unfounded, but I
greatly fear that they will not be, Alreany on
the same day on which the bill was taken up
Gen. Taylor’s official report of rite battles
of Palo Alto and Resca de la Palma, as pub
lished in the Union, will be found in our co
lumns this morning.
We make no apology to our readers for de
voting so much of our space to these reports,
to-day, for we know that none is needed.—
The recent 'victories on the R'o Grande—
Resaca de la Palma particularly, like another
Thermopylae has an informing power—di
recting by its examples, controlling by ils pa
triotic enthusiasm, commanding by its determ
ined, indomitable valor, which will challenge
the admiring applause of vast communities of
minds while the human heart cherishes one sen
timent of reverence for cool intrepidity, [or stea
dy persevering courage.
To every American reader therefore, the
simple and modest, yet graphic and eloquent
narrative of the engagements by the leading
actor himself, cannot be otherwise than inte
resting.
The communication of our correspondent X. and many
things, have been postponed to day, to make room for the
correspondence between Gen. Scotland the Secretary of
War, and the official despatches from the Army. They
ahallhave atentioo in our next.
Gen. McDuffie has been elected Chairman
of Foreign relations in the Senate on the 20th
ballot, vice Senator Allen, of Ohio, resigned-
LATeITfROM EUROPE
The steam-ship “ Great Western,” arrived ot
New York on the 15th inst., bringing eleven
days later intelligence.
Tho nows is of no great interest.
The Corn Bill passed the House of Lords by
a majority of 47.
The Cotton market was quiet, and but little
doing, with no inclination to sell at lower rates.
The prevailing opinion was that tho news re
ceived in England would be favorable to hold
ers.
Intelligence relative to the war between the
United St ties and Mexico reached England on
the 2Sth ult., by tho “Cambria.” It produced
some little sensation, and some apparent sympa
thy for Mexico, as the weaker party,—though
a few days will, doubtless, sink it among the
cast-off' marvels of the day.
From the Charleston Mercury.
THE BATTLES ON THE RIO GRANDE.
OFFICIAL REPORTS.
WASHINGTON, June 12, 1846.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I transmit herewith, for the information of
Congress, official reports received from the of
ficer commanding the Army on the Mexican
frontier, giving a detailed report of the opera
tions of the Army in that quarter, and particu
larly of the recent engagements between the
American and Mexican forces.
JAMES POLK.
RERORTS FROM GENERAL TAYLOR.
Head Quarters Army of Occupation,
Camp near Matamoros, May 16,1846.
Sir : I have now the honor to submit a more
detailed report of tbe action of the 8th inst.
The main body of’ the army of occupation
marched tinder my immediate orders from
Point Isabel on tbe evening of the 7th May,
and bivouacked seven miles from that place.
Our march was resumed on tho following
morning. About noon, when our advance of
Cavalry had reached the water-hole of “Palo
Alto,” tho Mexican troops were reported in
our front, and were soon discovered occupying
the road in force._ I ordered a halt upon reach
ing the water, with a view to rest and refresh
the men und form deliberately our line of bat
tle. 7’hc Mexican line was now plainly visi
ble across the prarie, and about three quar
ters ofa mile distant. Their left which was
composed of a heavy force of cavalry occupied
the road, resting upon a thicket of chaparral,
while masses of infantry were discovered n
succession on the right, greatly outnumbering
our own force.
Our line of battle was now formed in the
following order, commencing on their extreme
right; 5th infantry, commandfcd by Lieuten
ant Colonel McIntosh; Major Ringgold’s ar
tillery ; 3d infantry, commanded by Captain
L. M. Morris; two IS pounders,commanded by
Lieut. Churchill, 3d artillery; 4th infantry,
commanded by Major G. W. Allen ; the 3d
and 4th regiments composed tho third brigade,
under command of Lieutenant Colonel Gar
land, and all of the above corps, togcthei with
two squadrons of dragoons, under Captains
Ker ar.d May, composed the right win", under
Colonel 1 wiggs. The loll was formed by the
baltnllion of artillery commanded b- T;
ant Colonel Childs, Captain Duncan’/S’
artillery, and the 8th infantry under C •
Montgomery, all forming the'fi rst brwade^" 1
der command of Lieutenant Colonel B e ik U "
The train was parked near tho jv nter "‘JP’
direction of Captains Crossman and Mv r
and protected by Captain Ker’s squadron
About two o'clock we took up t|, 0 m J.
heads of columns in the direction ofthe e 1 ^
the 18pounder battery following t| ie ro.T*’
While the columns were advancing T• " ’
nnt Col. Blake, Topographical en-.’i
lunteered ajvrconnoissanco of the auetnv’sY* 0 *
which was handsomely performed, and re I ‘
ed in the.discovery of at ieast two brmerittT r
artillery in the intervals of their c a v a irv w
infantry. These batteries were soon open d
upon us when I ordered the columns U e J
and deployed into line, and the fire to be »
turned by all our artillery. The 8th infant
on our extreme left, was thrown back to sen,,,
that flank. Tho first fires of the enemy did
little execution, while ou r 18 pounders a „d
Major Ringgold’s artillery soon dispersed the
cavalry which formed his left. Captain Dun
can’s liattery, thrown forward in advance of
the line, was doing good execution at this tin*
Captain May’s squadron was now detached
support that battery and the left of our pofi
tion. The Mexican cavalry, with two pieces
of artillery, were now reported to be m 0 vi nr
through the chaparral to our right, t 0 threat
en that flank, or make a demonstration ngaiW
the train. The 5ti> infantry was immediately,
detached to check this movement, and sinpon
cd by Lieutenant Ridgely, with a section of
Maj. Ringgold’s battery, and Capt. Walker’s
company of volunteers, effectually reposed
the enemy—the 5th infantry repelling a charge
of lancers, and the artillery doing great exe.
cution in their ranks. The 3d1nfantry vas
now detached to the right as a still furiher se
curity to that flank, yet threatened by theen-
emy. Maj. Ringgold with the remaining sec
tion, kept up his fire from an advanced posi-
tion, and was supported by the 4th infantw.
Tiie grass cf the prairie had been accident'
ly fired by our artillery, and the volumes of
smoke now partially concealed the armies from
each other. As the enemy’s left had evidently
been driven back, and left the road free, and
as the cannonade had been suspended, l or
dered forward the 18 pounders on the road
nearly to the position first occupied bv the
Mexican cavalry, and caused the first brigade
to take up a new position, still on the left of
the 18 pounder battery. The 5;h was advan
ced from its former position, and occupied a
point on the extreme right of the new line
The enemy made a change of position corres
ponding to our own, and after u suspension of
nearly an hour the action was resumed.
Tho fire of artillery was now most destruct.
ive; openings were constantly made through,
the enemy’s ranks by our fire, and the con
stancy with which the Mexican infantry sus
tained this severe cannonade was a theme of
universal remark and admiralio \ Capt. May's
squadron was detached to make a demonstra
tion oil the kft of the enemy’s postion, and
suffered severely Pom the fire ofthe artillery,
to which it was for some time exposed.
The fourth infantry, which had been order
ed to support the 18 pounder battery, was ex
posed lo u most galling fire of artillery, by
which several men were killed and C q>t. Pa®»
dangerously wounded. The enemy’s fins *’*»
directed against our IS pounder battery and
the go's under Major Ringgold in its virility.
The Major himself, white coolly di ectingtha
fire of his pieces, was struck by a cannon ball
and mortally wounded.
In the mean time the bait >linn of artillery
under Lieuteuuut Colonel Childs had been
brought up to support the nrtidery on our right,
A strong demons!ration of cavalry ivas noir
made by tire enemy against thit part of our
line, and the column continued to a Ivaitee un
der a severe tire from the 18 pound'rs. The
battalion was instantly formed in square, and
held ready to receivo the charge of cavalry,
but when the advancing squadron were within
close range a deadly fire of canister from the
IS pounders dispersed them. A brisk fire of
small arms was now opened upon the square,
by which one officer (L'eut. Luther. 2 i art 1-
!ery) was slightly wounded ; but a well direct
ed volley Irom the front of the square silenced
all further firing from the enemy in this quar*
ter. It was now nearly dark and the action
was closed on the right ofour line, thee - emy
having been completely driven back from his
position and foiled in every attempt against our
line.
While the above was going forward on our
righ\ and under mv own eye, the enemy hail,
made a serious tatempt against the left of our
line. Captain Duncan instantly perceived the
movement, and, by the hold and brilliant
manceuvering of his battery’, completely repul
sed several successive efforts of the enemy to
advance in force upon out kft flank. Suppor-,
ted in succession by the 8th infantry and by
Ca pi.Ker’s squadron of dragoons, iie gallant
ly held the enemy at bay, and finally drove
him. with immense loss, from the field. The
action here nnd along the whole line contained
until dark, when the enprcy retired into the
chaparral, in rear of Iris position. Our arm)
bivouacked on the ground it occupied. During
the afternoon the train had been moved fijrwsr
about half a mile, and was parked in rear o
the new position. .
Our loss tills duy was nine killed, forty’i° ur
wounded, and two missing. Among the ' ,voU ‘ 1 '
ded were Major Ringgold, who has since at •
and Copt, Page dangerously wounded, Lieu •
Luther slightly so. I annex a tabularstatenten
of the casualties of the day. .
Our own force engaged is shown by tl' e
report herewith to havo been 177 officers an.
2,111 men, aggregate 2,288. The
force, according lo the statements of thc'.r ®
officers taken prisoners in the affair °*" l lC -a!'
was not less than 6.C00 regular troop'i .
ten pieces of artillery, and probably e * eee
that number—the irregular force not *n° -
Their h>ss was not less than 200 killed jit .
wounded—probably greater. This estim*
very moderate, and formed upon the ” mn ,
actually counted upon the field, end up fl!
reports of their own officers.. _ • f del’
As already report* d in nty first l’> ie ^
patch, the conduct of our officers and j
every thing that could be desired. X P
for hours to the severest trial—a can' 103 ^
artillery’—our troops displayed a co °‘ ne .
constancy which gave mo through 0111
sunance of victory. . j; v jdu'
1 purposely defer the mention q^,
als until my report of the actioD " 8D j
when I will endeavor to do justice 11 J a yj.
instances of distinguished conduct on ,0 j e -
In the mean time I refer for more .,jeis-
tails to lhfi reports of individual CO> nn
I am, sir, very respectfully.
Your obedient servan ,
2. TAYLOK^
Brevet Brig. Gan. U. S. A- c0nl! ” 1 ' 1 \yV‘
The Adjutant General ol tjj® An - ’
in "ton.