regard not only to his column, but also to that under your command. In my letter to you of the 6th of May, you were informed of the amount of force which had been assigned to your command, and your opinion was desired as to the employment of that force, under any probable contingency, in the way most effective for the successful prosecution of the war. It was believed here that the most important points in the enemy's country could be reached with much more facility from the Vera Cruz base, and that both General Scott and yourself would advise that the principal, if not the only, expeditions into the interior of the enemy's country should proceed from it. The letter to General Scott was expedited by a special messenger, but, unfortunately, he was cut off on the way from Vera Cruz to the general's head-quarters. Though other means were also employed to transmit that despatch, it is uncertain whether it has ever reached him, or, if it has, when his reply to it will be received. In your letters to this department of the 28th of May and 16th of June, you have presented your views in relation to operations on the line now held by you. In the latter, you say: "If I were called upon to make a suggestion on the general subject of operations against Mexico, it would certainly be to hold in this quarter a defensive line, and throw all the remaining troops into the other column." In view of the difficulties heretofore suggested by you-in getting the armament and the proper description of force for an early forward movement by your column, in procuring adequate supplies and ample means of transportation for so long a line, and in maintaining and securing the numerous posts which must, in that case, be left in your rear-the President approves of, and concurs in, your suggestion, and has determined to carry it out. His direction, therefore, is, that you shall hold such a line as you have suggested; and that, retaining only such a force as you may judge to be necessary to sustain it in security, you should send the remainder of that with you, and that destined for your line, with the least possible delay to General Scott. The necessary orders will be issued from this place to have the means of transportation ready at the Brassos. You are requested to inform this department of the amount of force you will retain to maintain such a line, and the number and description of troops that you may order from it for General Scott's column. Some of those, which, according to former statements, have been assigned to you, not yet being in route, will have their destination changed, and be sent directly to Vera Cruz. The Adjutant General will probably send, by the same conveyance that transmits this communication, a further statement relative to the force destined for your command. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. L. MARCY, Major General Z. TAYLOR, commanding, &c. WAR DEPARTMENT, July 17, 1847. SIR: I transmit herewith a copy of instructions to Colonel Hays, commanding a regiment of mounted volunteers in Texas, requiring him to proceed to Vera Cruz with such of his command as can be spared, for the purpose of dispersing the guerrillas which infest the line between that place and the interior of Mexico, and I have to request that you will cause the same destination to be given to such of the Texas companies of horse now serving under your orders as can be safely spared from your column. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. L. MARCY, Major General Z. TAYLOR, Secretary of War. Commanding U. S. Army at Monterey, Mexico. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp near Monterey, August 16, 1847. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge your communications of the 15th and 17th of July, the former directing the detachment of the surplus force on this line to Vera Cruz, and received by mail on the 7th instant; the latter relative to the detachment of Colonel Hays and his command to Vera Cruz, and received by special express on the 13th. My report of this date to the adjutant general and my "orders," No. 96, forwarded to his office, will advise the department of the measure I have taken to carry out its instructions, the amount of force detached, and the force left to maintain this line. We are absolutely without intelligence from the interior, our last dates from Mexico, on which any reliance can be placed, being fully a month old. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Major General U. S. A., commanding. Hon. W. L. MARCY, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. No. 66. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp near Monterey, August 24, 1847. SIR: I have respectfully to report that rumored movements of the enemy between San Luis and Saltillo, and the consequent representations of Brigadier General Wool, commanding in front, have induced me so far to modify the order detaching a portion of my force to the lower column as to retain the light battery commanded by Captain Deas, 4th artillery. Considering the extent of this line, three batteries will not, perhaps, be regarded as an excessive force of light artillery. The movement of the regiments detached from this line has, I hope, commenced. The Massachusetts regiment now in garrison at Monterey and Cerralvo only awaits its relief, which must now be in route from Mier. General Lane is on the river, superintending the movement of the Ohio and Indiana regiments. General Cushing is here on his way below, to embark with the 13th and Massachusetts regiments. A mixed command of dragoons and Texas cavalry is now scouring the region infested with guerrillas and robbers between this and Camargo. I hope good results will follow this expedition. We have no intelligence from the interior, except by way of Vera Cruz. From what I can learn, the disposition of the people in Chihuahua and other northern States is more hostile than ever. An attempt has been made by the governor of Coahuila to convene the legislature at Monclova for purposes not friendly to us, but a quorum could not be assembled. I have to acknowledge your communications of July 23 and 26, and copies of those to General Arbuckle, of July 7 and 26, and to Colonel Wilson, of July 27. The inquiry contained in your letter of July 23 will be answered as soon as I can obtain a report from General Wool. I am, sir, &c. Z. TAYLOR, Major General U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the army, Washington, D. C. No. 69. HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp near Monterey, August 31, 1847. SIR: I respectfully enclose the reports of Lieutenant Colonel Fauntleroy, 2d dragoons, Major Washington, Brevet Major Bragg and Captain Sherman, 3d artillery, and Captains Rucker and Carleton, 1st dragoons, made in conformity with instructions, in order to carry out the provisions of section 17, act of March 3, 1847, with my general approval of them. It has been found impracticable to obtain the action of the colonels of the several regiments, not one of them being under my orders, and that of the 1st dragoons being in California. Our last intelligence from the city of Mexico is to the 14th instant, at which time the Americans were said to be quite near the capital, and a feeble defence was anticipated. We are looking hourly for further intelligence. Six companies of the 16th infantry arrived here yesterday, and will relieve the Massachusetts regiment in Monterey to-morrow, when the latter will march for the Brassos. On its way hither the 16th was attacked near Papayallos by a guerilla force, but repulsed it without sustaining any loss; that of the enemy unknown. With this exception, all has been quiet in this quarter. I am happy to report that the health of the troops near Saltillo is much improved. Our last date from Washington is July 27; from New Orleans, August 9. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Major General, U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL Of the army, Washington, D. C. No. 70. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp near Monterey, September 7, 1847. SIR: I have no intelligence to communicate from this line since the date of my last report, except the lamented death of Brigadier General Hopping, on the 1st instant, at Mier. You will receive by this mail the order announcing to the troops this melancholy dispensation.. From Saltillo we receive to-day the information that, about the 22d ultimo, General Scott entirely defeated a division of the Mexican army, under the orders of General Valencia; General Salas being killed, and almost the whole division destroyed or captured. This action is said to have taken place at St. Angel. This intelligence is from a respectable source, and believed in Saltillo. It is now twenty days since we have received any advices from the city of Washington, the last date being still July 26. I am, sir, &c., The ADJUTANT GENERAL Z. TAYLOR, Major General, U. S. A., commanding. Of the army, Washington, D. C. No. 71. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp near Monterey, September 14, 1847. SIR: I respectfully enclose, herewith, Colonel Belknap's report of an affair with a party of guerillas near Mier, in which a small detachment of the 3d dragoons, with a few citizens, defeated the enemy with considerable loss. Brigadier General Marshall had reached this place, and was un der orders for Buena Vista, when I received your instructions of August 11. Although Brigadier Generals Lane and Cushing had already been detached to the other line, I thought it best not to retain General Marshall, and have accordingly ordered him to report to Major General Scott. I have desired for some time to relieve Captain Britton, at Camargo, but have had no competent officer to take his place. Under your instructions of August 5, Major Roman, now at Buena Vista, has been selected for that purpose, and Captain Britton will, as soon as practicable, join his company. Your communication of August 12, requesting the transmittal of the muster roll of Captain Meares's company of mounted volunteers, has been referred to Brigadier General Wool, with instructions to forward a copy of the roll, which is supposed to be on file at his head-quarters. We have dates from the city of Mexico, through the government papers, of August 22 and 25, the latter containing a copy of the convention for an armistice, consequent upon the defeat of General Valencia near St. Angel. We look daily for further intelligence. I am, sir, very respectfully, &c., Z. TAYLOR, Major General, U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL Of the army, Washington, D. C. HEAD-QUARTERS, UPPER RIO GRANDE, SIR: I have to report that yesterday morning, between one and two o'clock, a party of robbers, numbering near forty, rode rapidly into the plaza at this town, and, halting before the company quarters, fired upon the guard, killing one man. The company quickly turned out, and returned the fire, when the robbers retreated towards the camping ground of the trains, where were encamped five wagons, containing merchandize valued at $75,000, and understood to belong to the French consul at Matamoras. This dash into town is thought to havebeen made, simply to distract attention from another party, of about thirty men, which was at the same time engaged in seizing these wagons and goods. Another party, yet, was towards the late camp of instruction. As soon as the teams could be made ready, these parties united and retired, with the property, in the direction of Aldamos. With as little delay as possible, I sent in pursuit of them thirty privates of Captain Butler's company, 3d dragoons, under Lieutenant E. C. Davidson, same regiment, with Lieutenant McGarry, and twelve or fourteen citizens, who cheerfully volunteered for that duty. This party came up with the robbers in camp, about sixteen miles from Mier, and, after a brief but spirited engagement, dispersed them, killing (as correctly as can be ascertained) about twelve, and wounding others. |