[No. 73.] HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I have to report my arrival at this place on the evening of the 8th instant. As previously reported, a large proportion of the regular troops is now concentrated here. The battalions, though most of them very weak, are in good order and ready for the field. The means of transportation are rapidly accumulating, and I hope to commence a movement on Monterey at latest by the 1st of September, with about six thousand troops, of which, say 3,200 regulars. A larger force cannot with present means be transported or subsisted on the route. A reconnoissance has been made up the valley of the San Juan as far as China, a distance of 62 miles, where an irregular force was quartered of 115 inen, under a noted leader, Seguin. Captain McCulloch, who conducted the reconnoissance with about 50 men of his company, made his dispositions to attack Seguin, but the latter became apprised of his approach, and promptly took to flight. This expedition has given valuable information touching one of the routes to Monterey. I shall despatch another on the Mier route, before determining which to follow in the march. Captain Vinton's company is temporarily at Mier, to give security to the inhabitants, who have recently suffered from the depredations of the Indians. The people seem well disposed at Mier, and at Guerrerro, a town higher up. From Monterey I acquire no positive information, nor do I expect to obtain it until we advance and occupy the country. 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. 74.] HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: From the copy of your letter to Captain T. Taylor, 1st artillery, dated July 21st, I perceive that measures have been taken at general head quarters to provide a battery for his company. On the 21st of June, I communicated to your office, in an endorsement upon a report of Captain Duncan, that I had the means, through Captain Taylor's company, of manning a fourth battery at once; and in my "orders" No. 90, of July 20th, directions were given for that purpose. The company has already received its battery, and is daily receiving its horses. It has been filled up by transfers and with recruits, and will take the field before Captain Taylor can possibly join it. His absence at this time is a matter of regret; but I have found it essential to push the preparation of the company, as its services will be greatly needed with its proper arm. I have to acknowledge the communication of the Secretary of War dated July 27th; your communication of July 21st, with copies of your letters to certain recently appointed surgeons and assistant surgeons, and to Major Plympton, 2d infantry, and Captain Taylor, 1st artillery; memoranda of divisions and brigades of volunteers. The commission of Surgeon McPhail has been received, and is returned by this mail, Surgeon McPhail having died at Matamoras on the 13th of July. The other commissions are not yet received, but will be duly distributed when they come to hand. 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. 75.] HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I respectfully enclose a copy of the instructions this day transmitted to General Wool for the conduct of his operations against Chihuahua. It will be seen, that owing to my distance. from his rendezvous, and the limited knowledge of the country through which he must pass, I have been able to give only very general instructions-leaving all points of detail, and many more important ones, to his own judgment and decision, in which I need hardly say I have full confidence. After the main column, under my immediate orders, shall reach Saltillo, the occupation of Chihuahua will be attended with no difficulty except that of procuring transportation and subsistence, in regard to which I apprehend General Wool will meet with considerable embarrassment. I have, therefore, advised him to move with as small a force as consistent with safety, in order the better to insure a sufficiency of supplies. I find it next to impossible to gain accurate information respecting the country, except by actual examination. One of the routes to Monterey has been examined as far as China, and another is now under reconnoissance to Seralvo. At one of these points it will probably be found expedient to establish a temporary depot, to facilitate our forward movement. 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. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: On the 2d of this month I had the honor to address you a communication by direction of the commanding general, preliminary to further instructions, and touching particularly upon the recent proceedings of Colonel Harney, in calling out volunteers and projecting a march towards the Rio Grande. The opportunity, however, failed, by which we hoped to forward that communication; and, as it now becomes necessary to employ a special express, the general avails himself of the occasion to communicate his final orders, so far as it can be done. The instructions which the commanding general has received from general head-quarters, as well as those to yourself of June 11, bring .your movement under his orders, and perhaps contemplate detailed instructions from him in reference to it. These it is quite impossible to give, for reasons mentioned in my communication of August 2. The commanding general therefore can only direct that, after receiving and organizing your force, you march on the city of Chihuahua with such portion of it as can be transported and subsisted. From the best information that can be obtained here, it is not supposed that more than a moderate portion of your command -say the regular troops of all arms, one regiment of volunteer horse, and possibly one of volunteer foot-can be sustained between San Antonio and Chihuahua. The forward movement of the main body to Saltillo, which will precede your march, vill render it entirely safe to penetrate with the above force to Chihuahua by the Monclova route, particularly as the people of Coahuila are understood to be well disposed towards us.. In regard to the route, it is presumed that you may obtain at San Antonio satisfactory information. I enclose a memorandum embracing all the information we have at head quarters on this subject. It is taken for granted that you will find the Presidio and Monclova route the most eligible, if not indeed the only practicable one. On the supposition that Monclova will be a point in your route, the commanding general desires that particular pains be taken to conciliate the people on the route, and generally in the State of Coahuila, of which Monclova is a principal town. The people of that State are understood to be of the federal party, opposed to Paredes, and so far favorable to us. It is not doubted that their neutrality, if not co-operation, may be secured by judicious management. I respectfully enclose a number of proclamations in the Spanish language, which the general desires you to distribute after entering Mexico, in such manner as you may deem most expedient. It is the wish of the government that you should occupy the city of Chihuahua, and such other points in the State of that name as may be necessary to a thorough occupation of the country. "The Paso del Norte" will probably be one of these points. Another will be found in the direction of Parras or Saltillo; but the general cannot at this distance, and in advance of your operations, pretend to give definitive instructions on this subject. In regard to supplies, beyond what you may transport from San Antonio, your command will be obliged to depend upon the country which it occupies. It is impracticable at this time to throw supplies up the Rio Grande above this point. It is believed that sufficient supplies of beef and mutton may be obtained on the entire route from Presidio; but no pork. Flour may be obtained at Monclova, or in that vicinity, to the extent perhaps of a thousand barrels. Beyond that amount the general has no assurance of supply. In case of a deficiency of flour the troops must depend upon corn, the breadstuff principally used in this part of Mexico. Hand-mills are almost indispensable for the preparation of corn, and the general advises that you take immediate measures to procure a sufficient number of them. The proper dispositions for the defence and protection of the Indian frontier of Texas are necessarily left to your direction, and the commanding general desires you to make the suitable arrangements for that object. It is not supposed that it will be necessary to retain any of the companies called out by Colonel Harney. After designating the corps to march in the direction of Chihuahua, and such detachments as may be necessary for the protection of the border settlements, the remainder, I am directed to say, had better fall back on Port Lavacca, where they can be easily subsisted and held in readiness for any service that may be ordered at Tampico or other points on the coast. It The regular troops, except the cavalry and three batteries of artillery, are now concentrated at this point. The 12-months volunteers are daily arriving, and the general hopes to move on Monterey by the 1st September, with a force say of 6,000 men. is quite possible that our advance to that point may be resisted; but the general anticipates no serious difficulty in reaching and occupying Saltillo, say by the 1st of October. Please avail yourself of the return of the express to forward any communications you may have for head-quarters. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General. Brigadier General J. E. WooL, [No. 76.] HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I have respectfully to report that the 1st brigade of regular troops, under the immediate command of Brigadier General Worth, has taken up the line of march for Seralvo, a point on the Monterey route, say 70 miles in advance of this position, where I have taken measures to establish a depot of supplies for the consumption of the army in route. This brigade will be followed as rapidly as practicable by the remaining regular corps and such regiments of volunteers as I may be able to throw forward. The regular cavalry and remaining batteries of artillery will join me in a few days. In the mean time, the volunteer regiments are gradually arriving and taking up a position at this place. Two brigades (Indiana, and Illinois and Missouri) remain in rear, near the mouth of the river, until further orders. One regiment (3d Ohio) has been halted at Matamoras for the better protection of that important point. Brigadier Generals Pillow, Hamer, Lane, and Quitman have reported to me, and are now on duty with their proper brigades. Major General Butler and Brigadier Generals Marshall and Shields have, I understand, arrived at Brazos Santiago, but have not yet reported. Of the numerous quartermasters and commissaries, but two or three have yet reported. Their services are greatly needed with the army. 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. 78.] HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I have to report that the intelligence has reached us by several sources from the interior, and is believed to be authentic, that the government of Paredes has been overthrown, and that Gomez y Farias is now at the head of affairs. It is reported that Paredes was on his march to this frontier with 8,000 men; that while at San Luis Potosi he heard of revolutionary movements at Valadolid and Queretaro; that he returned with his troops, and on reaching Queretaro, where the revolutionary troops seem to have assembled, his own not only refused to fight, but themselves declared against him and for federa ion, and even made him prisoner. Many of these details may be inaccurate, but I am inclined to believe the material fact, that Paredes has been deposed. This intelligence is brought from Monterey by a confidential messenger, who says there are at Monterey not more than 2,000 or 2,500 regular troops, the remnant of those who fled from Matamoras, and a considerable number of militia of the country gathered together, many of them forcibly. Some attempt has been made to fortify the city by the erection of batteries which command the approaches. He heard of no reinforcements in rear. The 2d brigade, 624 strong, marched this morning, and will occupy a point on the route within supporting distance of the 1st brigade. The remaining brigades, whether of regulars or volunteers, will be thrown forward in like manner, in echelon, along the I hope to march with the rear column say by the 5th proximo. The means of transportation come in slowly, and many inevitable delays are encountered. route. 1 |