der, remarking that it was impossible in the first instance to identify the individual with absolute certainty while in the act of crossing the river; and, in the second, to ascertain whether he were actually killed, the occurrence taking place at night. I beg leave to add, that these measures seem to have checked and nearly stopped the practice. How far I should have been justified in seeing our ranks daily thinned by the insidious arts of the Mexican general, without resorting to the most efficient steps to stop it, I cheerfully leave to the decision of the War Department. It may not be improper to say that it is known that some of our deserters were employed against us, and actually, served guns in the cannonade and bombardment of Fort Brown. As connected with this subject, I enclose an original draught, found in General Arista's papers, of an invitation to our soldiers to desert. A similar call was previously made by Ampudia, and has already found its way into the public prints. The department may see from these documents what arms were used against us. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brev. Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. Description of deserters supposed to have been shot in attempting to cross the Rio Grande. HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Matamoras, May 31, 1846. W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General. General Arista's advice to the soldiers of the United States army. SOLDIERS! You have been enlisted in time of peace to serve in that army for a specific term, but your obligation never implied that you were bound to violate the laws of God, and the most sacred rights of friends! The United States government, contrary to the wishes of a majority of all honest and honorable Americans, has ordered you to take forcible possession of the territory of a friendly neighbor, who has never given her consent to such occupation. In other words, while the treaty of peace and commerce between Mexico and the United States is in full force, the United States presuming on her strength and prosperity, and on our supposed imbecility and cowardice, attempts to make you the blind instruments of her unholy and mad ambition, and forces you to appear as the hateful robbers of our dear homes, and the unprovoked violaters of our dearest feelings as men and patriots. Such villainy and outrage I know are perfectly repugnant to the noble sentiments of any gentleman; and it is base and foul to rush you on to certain death, in order to aggrandize a few lawless individuals, in defiance of the laws of God and man! It is to no purpose if they tell you that the law for the annexation of Texas justifies your occupation of the Rio Bravo del Norte; for by this act they rob us of a great part of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Chihuahua, and New Mexico, and it is barbarous to send a handful of men on such an errand against a powerful and warlike nation. Besides, the most of you are Europeans, and we are the declared friends of a majority of the nations of Europe. The North Americans are ambitious, overbearing, and insolent, as a nation, and they will only make use of you as vile tools to carry out their abominable plans of pillage and rapine. I warn you, in the name of justice, honor, and your own interests and self-respect, to abandon their desperate and unholy cause, and become peaceful Mexican citizens. I guaranty you, in such case, a half section of land, or 320 acres, to settle upon, gratis. Be wise, then, and just and honorable, and take no part in murdering us who have no unkind feelings for you. Lands shall be given to officers, sergeants, and corporals according to rank; privates receiving 320 acres, as stated. If in time of action you wish to espouse our cause, throw away your arms and run to us, and we will embrace you as true friends and Christians. It is not decent or prudent to say more. But should any of you render any important service to Mexico, you shall be accordingly considered and preferred. Head-quarters at Matamoras, April 20, 1846. [No. 48.] M. ARISTA, Commander-in-chief of Mexican army. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I respectfully acknowledge your communication of May 9, returning the muster roll of Captain Gillespie's company, to be sent to Colonel Harney for completion. The necessary instructions have been given for the due completion of these rolls. I deem it proper to remark that the most careful instructions were given by my staff officers for the execution of the duty of mustering the volunteers at Austin and San Antonio. Extracts of the laws and general orders governing the subject were cómmunicated to the mustering officers, and no means omitted, by written directions, of securing a proper performance of the duty. It appears that in Major Beall's case it was correctly performed. It will not, I hope, be deemed out of place to call your attention to the great delay which results from forwarding any communication to San Antonio by way of my head-quarters. Our communications with that point are to the last degree uncertain, and generally occupy nearly as much time as to communicate with the seat of government. While serving on the Rio Grande, or beyond it, I cannot be expected to exercise a very direct supervision over affairs on the Indian frontier of Texas. In view of my necessary remoteness from the frontier stations, and my inability to reinforce them by regular troops, I authorized Colonel Harney, when hostilities first broke out in this quarter, to call upon the governor of Texas for an auxiliary force, if one should be indispensable, to hold the Indians in check. He has availed himself of this authority, and called upon the governor for seven. companies. I have no very recent advices from that quarter. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. [No. 49.] HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I respectfully enclose herewith a field return of the forces in and near Matamoras, both regular and volunteer. The corps known to have arrived at Point Isabel, of which no returns have yet been received, will carry the entire force under my orders to nearly 8,000 men. I am necessarily detained at this point for want of suitable transportation to carry on offensive operations. There is not a steamboat at my command proper for the navigation of the Rio Grande, and without water transportation I consider it useless to attempt any extensive movement. Measures have been taken to procure boats of suitable draught and description, and one or two may be now expected. In the mean time I propose to push a battalion of infantry as far as Reinosa, and occupy that town. For any operations in the direction of Monterey it will be necessary to establish a large depot at Camargo, which I shall lose no time in doing as soon as proper transports arrive, unless I receive counter instructions from the department. I trust the department will see that I could not possibly have anticipated the arrival of such heavy reinforcements from Louisiana as are now here and on their way hither. Without large means of transportation, this force will embarrass rather than facilitate our operations. I cannot doubt that the department has already given instructions, based upon the change in our position, since my first call for volunteers. Our last accounts of Arista represent his force to be halted at Coma, an extensive hacienda on the Monterey road, about 100 miles from this point. He has pickets covering the roads leading to Matamoras, with a view to cut off all communication with the interior. The departmental authorities have issued a decree, denouncing as traitors all who hold intercourse with us, or with those who do so. I am nevertheless disposed to believe that in some quarters, at least, our presence is not unfavorably viewed. We have no intelligence from the city of Mexico. Ordnance stores and other munitions of war are continually discovered in the town. Five pieces of cannon and a very large amount of balls, shells, and ammunition generally, have been brought to light. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brig. General U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. [No. 50.] HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I respectfully enclose herewith the return of the army of occupation for April. We have been many days without intelligence from the north; our last date from New Orleans being May 26th, and from Washington May 16th. I anxiously await advices and instructions from general head-quarters. The body of the Mexican forces is understood to be in the vicinity of Linares. We hear from quite good authority that General Garcia has died, and General Torrejon is severely ill from fever, and that the troops are suffering from the same cause. From the south we learn-but I hardly know what dependence to place upon the information-that General Alvarez, who some time since raised the standard of revolt, has declared in favor of Herrera, and that the troops ordered against him by Paredes had joined his party. There can be little doubt that there is some commotion in or near the capital. I have not heard from Vera Cruz since the arrival of the fleet. Lieutenant, Colonel Wilson's command marched yesterday. I await the proper kind of transportation to push forward supplies to Camargo. I have to acknowledge "general orders" No. 12, and "special orders" Nos. 40 and 41. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brigadier General U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. [Nos. 53 & 54.] HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I respectfully enclose here with the return of the regular troops of the army of occupation for May, 1846. We are still without advices from general head-quarters later than the 26th of May, although the newspapers bring intelligence as late as the 8th of June. A mail is hourly expected, and I cannot explain why it has been so long delayed in New Orleans. Some volunteers have arrived at Brazos Santiago from Tennessee, presumed to be of the 12-months quota; but I have received no report from their commander. The volunteers which previously arrived from New Orleans have nearly all moved to Barrita, except two regiments at this place; and I shall bring them up the river as soon as I can procure transportation, which I am impatiently awaiting, and for want of which I am still unable to make a forward movement. The volunteers from Texas are encamped near Point Isabel, and are now organizing under the direction of the gover nor. We have no authentic intelligence from the interior of Mexico. The army at Linares is believed to be moving towards Monterey, much reduced in numbers by desertion and sickness. It is rumored that Bustamente is at the head of the government, and that Paredes is advancing with a large force to this frontier. Another report places Herrera at the head of affairs, but there seems to be no intelligence on which we can safely rely. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, June 26, 1846. SIR: The department has been very much embarrassed by the proceedings of General Gaines in calling out, muster ng into service, and sending to you troops not comprised within your requisi |