Of the last division it is quite uncertain how many will go forward; with it we shall have a force of 6,000 men. Had Riley joined me, the regular force would have amounted to 3,300 men. I feel the absence of his regiment, but have replaced it by the Maryland and Washington battalion. The 2d division, except Taylor's battery, is now thrown forward to Seralvo and Puntiaguda; the 1st division, except the cavalry and artillery, is en route for the latter point. Major General Butler's division will march, say, by the 6th instant; I shall move with the head-quarters on the 5th, and pass rapidly forward to Seralvo, the advanced depot of the army. I respectfully enclose a map of the valley of the San Juan, exhibiting the routes to Monterey and Saltillo. The usual travelled route. from this place to Monterey crosses the river at Paso de las Culabazas, and passes through Manteca and Caiderita. The difficulty of crossing the San Juan when swollen, and some other considerations, have induced me to prefer the route by Mier and Seralvo. At the latter place, an admirable healthy position, a large depot of supplies has been established, and I propose there to concentrate the whole or a greater portion of the marching force. The route from that point to Monterey, whether by Caiderita or Marin, will be determined hereafter. Spy companies are now sent forward to make the necessary examinations in front. We have no very recent intelligence from the interior, nor have I yet satisfactory means of judging whether our occupation of Monterey and Saltillo will be disputed. A confidential messenger is now sent forward, and I hope to communicate his intelligence before we march. Despatches this day received from San Antonia represents that Brigadier General Wool, on account of delays resulting from Col. Harney's movement and other causes, would not be able to, move before the last of this month. On the 23d of August it seems that no portion of the general's command had arrived. The Illinois and Arkansas troops were daily expected. Colonel Harney had crossed the river with difficulty at Presidio Rio Grande; and while halted there received my orders to return to San Antonio, which I learn from General Wool he had obeyed. General Wool had taken measures to arrest that officer. He had encountered no opposition at Presidio, and seems to have been well received by the authorities and inhabitants. Major General Patterson, daily expected here, will have command of all the troops left in my rear, and will be specially charged with providing for the sick. I have used every effort to extend the hospital accommodations and the medical force, but the service is suffering greatly in this latter particular. There has been great sickness and mortality in some of the volunteer regiments; their surgeons are not always men of education and experience, and our army surgeons are too few even for their appropriate duties. Great numbers of volunteer sick are taken into the several general hospitals, and no exertion is spared to ameliorate their condition. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z: TAYLOR, Major Gen. U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. (No. 86.] HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I respectfully enclose herewith a report this day received from Brigadier General Worth, conveying recent intelligence from the interior of an important character, and transmitting a proclamation of Ampudia, the new general-in-chief. I shall lose no time in moving forward with the marching columns, and bringing the matter to an issue of arms, if the enemy attempt to hold his position. I am gratified to report that Major General Patterson has arrived in time to assume the command of all the troops left in rear. I respectfully enclose a return of the army of occupation for July. It is necessarily defective in some particulars, but it is impossible, under existing circumstances, to furnish one more satisfactory. As reported in my last, I shall march with the head-quarters to-mor row. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Major Gen. U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C.. HEAD-QUARTERS, SECOND DIVISION, SIR: I have to acknowledge you letter of the 28th (2d of that date) by My messenger returned last evening from Monterey. Herewith you will receive Ampudia's bulletin: it is ingenious, and well calculated through the clergy, to operate upon the fears of the ignorant Mexicans. Santa Ana had reached the capital and t ken the reins of government, as general-in-chief. It is understood at Monterey that he proposes to place himself at the head of the army of the east. Two thousand troops of the line arrived on Monday with four pieces of field artillery: ten guns had previously been placed in position, and efforts are making to remount some old discarded pieces. Previous to the arrival of the troops from Potosi, desertions were numerous from Arista's men, after hearing of our approach: severe measures are taken with those apprehended or suspected. There is no cavalry at Monterey-supposed to be at Caiderita. Canales is at Marin, with six hundred, having an advance between that and Papayallos. Many families are leaving the city, which would appear to indicate a design to stand siege. When the general arrives I shall be able to lay before him a tolerable accurate map or plan of the city, showing with some details the approaches and projected points of resistance. Lieutenant Meade has the subject in hand. The weather has been for several days very unpropitious, and will, I fear, have impeded the trains; but a few days fair weather will restore the roads to good condition. We have secured some five hundred bushels of corn, and might have had as many thousand with funds. I have sent a trusty agent, to Sabinos, in which neighbourhood he lives, and where he does not doubt being able to contract, for delivery here in fifteen days, for some five or six thousand bushels. To secure the delivery, however, it will be necessary to advance a cavalry command on that road, as otherwise the enemy may oppose obstacles. Nothing has arrived from the depot since my last report. Lieutenant Colonel Garland will, I suppose, reach Pentiaquo to-day at furthest. On Monday last one hundred and three mules started for Camargo, rendered on my requisition upon the authorities of Aqualiqus and Pentiuguado; to-morrow or next day a like or greater number will start. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, To Major BLISS, Assist. Adjt. General, Head-quarters, Army of Occupation, Camargo. [Translation.] GENERAL-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY OF THE NORTH. Considering that the hour has come for taking energetic and timely measures to free the department of the east from AngloAmerican rapacity, and that by the laws of nations and of war every traitor to his country or spy of the enemy should suffer the penalty of death-and, finally, considering that it is my indispensable duty to oppose a barrier to the torrent of evils caused by the contraband traffic which has been carried on in the most barefaced manner with the usurpers of our sacred territory, in virtue of the powers confided upon me by existing laws I have determined to decree: 1st. Every native or foreigner who, of his own accord, shall give aid directly or indirectly to the enemy, shall be shot. 2d. Those who, after the publication of this decree, shall continue contraband traffic with the enemy shall suffer the penalty stated in the preceding article, 3d. The authorities of every branch of the public administration will take care, strictly and under the most rigid responsibility, that these provisions be punctually fulfilled. 4th. This decree is intended to produce action among the people, since all citizens have the right and are under obligation to denounce any infraction of it, and to apprehend the criminals in order to deliver them up to the judicial authority; and, that it may reach the notice of all, and that none may allege ignorance, I order it to be published and circulated to all to whom it belongs to see that it be faithfully executed. Given at head-quarters, Monterey, 31st of August, 1846. PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. [No. 87.] HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival at this place on the 9th inst. with the first division, under command of Brigadier General Twiggs. The regular troops are now concentrated here with one brigade of Major General Butler's volunteer division. The other brigade will arrive to-morrow morning, when I shall commence the forward movement towards Monterey. It is 'three marches hence to Marin, distant 24 miles from Monterey. At that point, if the enemy show a disposition to oppose our advance, I propose to bring the columns together. To the Texas mounted troops, under Governor Henderson, I have given the route by China and Caiderita, and expect them to join me at Marin. The enemy is reported in considerable force at Monterey, and may give us battle there. It is also reported that Santa Anna is on his way from the interior, and expected in a few days. The health of the army is much improved since approaching the mountains, and it is generally in excellent condition for service. Agreeably to your special instructions of August 13, Brigadier General Shields has been ordered to report to Brigadier General Wool, for service with the column against Chihuahua. I have to acknowledge copies of your communications to Col. Harney, of July 18 and August 14; to Colonel Clarke, of August 14; the letter of Brigadier General Gibson to your office, dated August 6, and of Mr. George E. Blake, of August 17; "general orders" Nos. 35, 36, and 37, and special orders Nos. 71 and 77, inclusive. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major General U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. [No. 88.] Camp near Marin, 24 miles N. E. of Monterey, Sept. 17, 1846. SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival at this place on the 15th inst. with the 1st division, under Brigadier General Twiggs. The 2d division, under Brigadier General Worth, arrived yesterday, and that of volunteers, under Major General Butler, to-day. I am looking impatiently for the arrival of the Texan cavalry from China. It should be here to-day; but I shall not delay my march in case it does not arrive. To-morrow I propose to move forward to Monterey. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, From Papayallos to this place our advance was continually in sight of the Mexican pickets, but drove them in without combat, except at Ramas, where a trifling affair took place betweem McCulloch's rangers and the enemy's rear guard. One or two Mexicans. were wounded, with no damage on our side. A cavalry force, perhaps 1,000 strong, under General Torrejon, has been constantly in our front, driving off the citizens and committing many outrages upon persons and property. I cannot communicate any authentic intelligence from the interior. Vague reports of Santa Anna's advance, with reinforcements, reach us from time to time. It is even yet doubtful whether Ampudia will attempt to hold Monterey. A few days will now determine. His regular force is small-say 3,000; eked out perhaps to 6,000 by volunteers-many of them forced. I am gratified to state that our own force is in excellent condition, fully prepared for the most active and arduous service. I respectfully enclose a proclamation of Ampudia and a circular to his commanders, which have been dropped in numbers on the road. It will be seen that the enemy has not forgotten his former arts. 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. [Translation.] GENERAL-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY OF THE NORTH. Circular. The annexed publication, in English, has for object to make known to individuals of the troops of the United States, who, as I am informed, wish to abandon their colors, the good disposition with which they will be received and admitted under the auspices of the Mexican flag, whose only desire is to resist the unjust aggression of the neighboring republic, and to receive with open arms those who may approach it as friends: wherefore I give you |