WAR DEPARTMENT, February 27, 1847. Sir: Pursuant to your direction, I have caused to be copied, and herewith transmit to you, the correspondence called for by the resolution of the House of Representatives, passed the 1st of this month. The documents are numerous, and an attempt has been made so to arrange them as to bring together letters relating to the same subjects; but it has been found impracticable to carry this out to the fullest extent. In regard to the correspondence with General Taylor, from one to two months usually intervened between the date of the letters written by and to him, and the receipt of the answers; and, within that period, several other letters, upon different subjects, were sent and received. Had a strictly chronological order of the correspondence been observed in the arrangement, many different subjects would have been introduced between the letters and the replies to them. An attempt has been made to bring together the letters and the replies, and it has been done to a considerable extent, in regard to those which have reference to the campaign and to military movements. Those which relate to transportation have also been brought together, as far as practicable. Among the letters embraced in the call, several merely formalsuch, for instance, as enclosed returns, proceedings of courts-martial, &c.-have not been copied; but the dates are given, and their contents briefly stated, in the accompanying synopsis. In the correspondence of the quartermaster's department, in reference to transportation, only letters and parts of letters relating particularly to that subject have been selected. In answer to that part of the resolution which calls for the reports of Brigadier Generals Hamar and Quitman of the operations of their respective brigades on the 21st of September last,”? I have the honor to state, that no such reports have been received at this department, nor has any other reports from these generals been received, except those of the 28th of that month, which have been already published. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient seryant, W. L. MARCY. The PRESIDENT of the United States. 18 SYNOPSIS OF CORRESPONDENCE. Letters from the Secretary of War to General Taylor. 1846, May 13.-Transmits proclamation of the existence of a state of war. May 23.-Calls of General Gaines for voluntee:s recognised to a certain extent. copy of letter to General Taylor from the President. Letters from General Taylor. 1846, April 26, (No. 30.)-Reports arrival of Arista; an affair of cavalry, in which a party of dragoons is cut off ; has called for volunteers. April 30, (No. 31.)–Encloses descriptive rolls and acknowledges orders. [Not copied.] Grande; movement of the main army to Point Isabel; encloses reports of Captains position opposite Matamoras. amoras; Major Brown's report; is awaiting at Point Isabel the arrival of recruits, when he shall assume offensive operations. of recruits; four companies 1st infantry and volunteers expected. Connor; shall invest Matamoras; death of Major Ringgold and Lieutenant Blake; statement of killed and wounded; has exchanged some prisoners. May 16, (No. 33.)-Detailed report of the action of Palo Alto. [Published in Sen. ate document No. 388, 1st session 29th Congress; not here copied. May 17, (No. 39.)-Detailed report of the batıle of Resaca de la Palma. [Published in Senate document No. 388, 1st session 29th Congress; not here copied.] Senate document No. 388, 1st session 29th Congress; not here copied.] New Orleans-beyond 2,500; not required by him; fears they may have exhausted 1846, May 21, (No. 43.)-Solicits further instructions; remarks upon the navigability of the Rio Grande; has detached cavalry in pursuit of Arista's army; expects General Smith's column from Barita. regiment of volunteers; Lieutenant Colonel Garland has returned from pursuing the enemy; solicits instructions as to disposition of part of General Arista's baggage. him. given instructions about mustering volunteers; difficulty of communicating with Colonel Harney. portation; last intelligence of Arista; ordnance, &c., found in Matamoras. transportation to push forward a depot to Camargo. Letters from the Secretary of War to General Taylor. 1846, June 26.—Embarrassment caused by the call of General Gaines for troops. July 1, (No. 57.)–From General Taylor, in relation to volunteers enrolled for less than twelve months; asks permission to retain them. August 3.-In relation to the retention of six-months' men, (from the Secretary of War.) Letters from General Taylor. 1846, July 16, (No. 60.)—Relative to the obligation of Louisiana volunteers to serve more than three months. July 22, (No. 64.)—Acknowledges instructions relative to the discharge of volunteers, and reports measures for their execution. July 25, (No. 65.)— Return of volunteer force; adverts to the case of Alabama volun teers, which he has ordered to be mustered out of service in Mobile. July 31, (No. 70.)— Position of volunteers from Texas; necessity of retaining them beyond three months; regiments of Kentucky and Tennessee horse will not arrive in time. August 31, (No. 82.)-Relating to volunteer regiments, and some detached companies from Texas and Louisiana. Letter from the Secretary of War to General Taylor. 1846, Jane 8.-Relative to conducting the war. Letter from General Scott to General Taylor. 1816, June 12.-General instructions in relation to his assignment to the chief command of . Letters from General Taylor. the army in Mexico, and the enumeration of force sent to him, &ci, with a copy of a letter of instructions to General Wool, &c. 1846, June 26, (No. 56.)—Acknowledges communications from the Secretary of War of 28th, 29th and 30th May, (with letter from the President,) and 4th and 8th of June. July 2, (No. 58.)-His views on the sulject of operations against the interior, in an. swer to communications of the 28th of May and 8th of June. Letter from the Secretary of War. 1846, July 9.-Plan of campaign, &c. Letter from General Taylor to the President. 1846, August 1.—His views in regard to operations, in answer to letter of 9th of July. Letters from Secretary of War. 1846, September 2.-Intention to make a descent on Tampico; [intercepted by the enemy.] September 22:-Change of instructions in relation to operations. Letters from General Taylor. 1846, September 25, (No. 91.)- Capitulation of Monterey. October 12, (No. 96.)--Acknowledges despatches of the 220 September. to the letter of the 22d September; erts to instructions to General tary of War. Letters from the Secretary of War to Generals Taylor and Patterson. 1846, October 13.-Directing that the armistice shall cease, and in relation to the opere tions of the war. Letters from General Taylor. 1846, November 3, (No. 105.)- Acknowledges the receipt of the despatch of 13th October. November 8, (No. 107.)-Replies to despatch of 13th October, relative to armis. tice. November 8, (No. 108.)-Has notified the Mexican general of the conclusion of ibe armistice; shall occupy Saltillo; adverts to the position of General Wool; has taken the first step towards an expedition to Tampico. Letters from the Secretary of War. 1846, October 22.-Instructions in regard to operations. October 22 - Major McLane, bearer of despatches. on the galf coast. General Scott has been directed to repair to the seat of war. November 23.-Directing General Scott in regard to operations. September 12.-Letter from General Scott applying for the command of the army in Mexico. command. letter received by Commodore Conner from a reliable source. Letters from General Taylor. 1846, November 12, (No. 110.)-His views in answer to the despatch of the 22d October. November 16.-Acknowledging communications. [Not copied.] army rious in:erferences of bis plans and orders; letter from General Patterson, 8th De cember, 1846. December 22, (No. 123.)—Return of force from Monterey in consequence of intelli gence from the frontier ; measures taken to reinforce General Worth ; shall march again for Victoria ; correspondence with Santa Anna. December 26, (No. 124.) - Arrives at Montemorelos; shall march for Victoria on the 271h ; intelligence from the interior. December 26, (No. 125.)- Acknowledges communications ; capture of Tampico ; CO2 fusion and embarrassment have resulted from the correspondence with General Pat terson by the department. 1847, January 7, (No. 1.)–Occupation of Victoria. From the Secretary of War to General Taylor. 1847, January 4.-Secretary of War 10 General Scott in relation to operations. January 27.-On the subject of the publication of General Taylor's letter to Goneral Gaines. 1846, July 6.—Letter from the Secretary of War to General Taylor in relation to commerce and trade with Matamoras. Letters from the Secretary of War. 1846, July 17.-Transmits resolution of the State of Connecticut. July 27.-Relative to a captive Mexican boy. an officer. |