the commanding officer, or not, called upon General Marshall, and inquired if he had, that evening, received from Colonel Garland, certain despatches for General Taylor;" to which the general replied that he had; at the same time observing, "we opened them," -&c. It appears that the despatches were opened by General Marshall; were read and canvassed by himself and Colonel Garland; that General M. afterwards spoke of the contents to Lieutenants Smith and Anderson, observing "that they were very important, private," &c.; "that troops were to be moved, certain strong places made weak," &c., &c. I feel it my duty to mention this extraordinary course of the general, (it having been brought to my notice,) that you may know, if the contents are not designed to be made public, from whence the information comes; and further, if blame attaches to the act, it may be placed in the right quarter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major W. W. S. BLISS, GEORGE LINCOLN, Assistant Adjutant General. Assistant Adjutant General, Victoria. A true copy. H. L. SCOTT, HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY, January 24, 1847. A. A. A. General. HEAD-QUARTERS, SALTILLO, January 9, 1847. GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, yesterday, about 4 o'clock, p. m., of your special communication of the 3d instant, by the hands of Lieutenant Anderson, 2d dragoons. Instructions were immediately issued for the movement of all the regular troops in and near this place, of the commands of Brigadier Generals Wool and Worth, except two companies 1st dragoons and Captain Washington's light batteries, with General Wool and Captain Webster's company, with two 24-pound howitzers in Saltillo. In addition, General Worth was authorised to attach to his command the 4th infantry, at Monterey, and Thornton's and Hunter's companies, at Camargo. The troops, together with those under General Taylor's immediate command, after deducting the escort for himself, and a garrison at Tampico, will fully comply with your requisition for regulars, whilst the division of Major General Patterson will, it is believed, supply the number of volunteers, both horse and foot. Ishould state, also, that Blanchard's company of Louisiana volunteers, acting with the 5th infantry, and a company of Kentucky foot, with the 6th infantry, march with General Worth. If a further number be necessary, which it is believed will not, either the regiment of Colonel Curtis or Colonel Drake, at Camargo, could receive your orders in time for the movement by water. It is known that General Patterson's division consists of one regiment of horse and seven of foot, which cannot number less than five hundred each, and the Baltimore battalion (three hundred and fifty) of foot. If the particular troops designated be deemed sufficient without taking an Indiana or Ohio regiment, General Patterson's division and my own would be kept entire, which is extremely desirable. In regard to the selection of the volunteer horse, it is understood that there is no difference between the Tennessee and Kentucky regiments, whilst the former is nearest the point of embarkation. The Arkansas horse I have not regarded, as the main body is at Patos, forty miles, and of this a portion is yet on the line by Monclova. According to your request I have relieved Lieutenant Lay, 6th infantry, from duty at my head-quarters, with orders to report to you in person; and your wishes with regard to Captain De Hart will be carried out the moment it is ascertained that he has been appointed an assistant adjutant general.. The package for Major General Taylor was last night sent by express to him at Victoria. I respectfully enclose herewith copies of orders No. 23 and 24.* Major General United States Army. Major General WINFIELD SCOTT, [Orders, No. 23.] HEAD QUARTERS, SALTILLO, January 8, 1847. 1. The 2d division will immediately proceed to the mouth of the Rio Grande, where Brigadier General Worth, its commander, will report to Major General Scott. The following additional troops are assigned temporarily to Brigadier General Worth's command, and will receive his orders, viz: Five companies 2d dragoons, under Colonel Harney, at Agua Nueva. Captains Thornton's and Hunter's companies 2d dragoons, at Camargo. Fourth infantry, under Colonel Whistler, at Monterey. Three companies 6th infantry, under Major Bonneville, at Incantada. Orders No. 24 directs Lieutenants Lay to report to Major General Scott. It is not en closed. See, however, order No. 23, herewith. H. L. SCOTT, A. A. A. General. 2. Major C. Thomas, quartermaster, Captain G. W. Hughes, topographical engineer, will report to Brigadier General Worth. By order of Major General Butler: L. THOMAS, Major General SCOTT. Assistant Adjutant General. HEAD-QUARTERS, 2D DIVISION, GENERAL: Major General Butler received your despatches at 3, p. m., on yesterday. Having his verbal authority in the premises, my troops are in motion, and ordered to move as follows: artillery battalion, Duncan's horse battery, moved at day-light this morning; 5th, at 12 m., with Taylor's battery; the 8th to-morrow morning; 6th, three companies, is now entering the town, and will move this evening. Five companies of cavalry, under Colonel Harney, expected this evening, being twenty miles in advance, will move tomorrow morning. I calculate the marches as follows; three or three and a half days to Monterey, seven to Camargo, five to Matamoras; all instructed, on reaching Camargo, to place invalids and superfluous baggage on steamers and continue the land route, if, as I suppose, there be a deficiency of steamers and water. The corps are moved in echellon for despatch and convenience. Herewith is an informal statement of the command I shall bring. With Twiggs's you will receive: 3d, about 350, four companies; 1st, about 180; one squadron cavalry, (May) about 90, all told. I urged General Butler to let me take a fine battalion of Kentucky horse, well officered and commanded, but he declined, saying you [have] 500 Tennesseans. As regards volunteers, I can give you no information; all, except the general, (Taylor,) are in total darkness as to their numbers or whereabouts, except Wool's command, ten miles in advance. would I am told that at Monterey your despatches were opened by a general officer, not him to whom they were directed, and read aloud to many persons! I shall inquire, and if I find such to be the fact, make you a formal report thereof. I delay to see my last battalion in motion, shall then proceed to, and pass the leading division, to make necessary arrangements at Camargo. Rely upon it, my whole soul and that of my entire (original) division at least, will be thrown into the coming service. Very respectfully, general, Major General SCOTT, W. J. WORTH, Brigadier General. Commanding in-chief, &c., &c., head quarters. P. S. General B. has detained two companies 1st dragoons. W. J. W. Report of the strength of the several corps of the 2d division. This report is, in respect to some corps, approximative, but does not probably vary a dozen men. J. C. PEMBERTON, W. J. WORTH, Brigadier General. 1st Lieut. and A. D. C. True copy. T. WILLIAMS, A. D. C. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp near Victoria, Mexico, January 15, 1847. SIR: The communication of Major General Scott of the 6th instant, accompanied by copies of his letters of the 3d to Major General Butler and myself, was received yesterday. The original of his letter of the 3d has not yet reached me, nor have I any dates from Major General Butler later than December 28th. The communication of December 20th has never been received. I effected a junction with Major General Patterson at this place on the 4th instant, and have since been awaiting advices from Major General Scott, not doubting that I should hear from him on his first arrival at Matamoras, or, perhaps, from Tampico, whither a confidential messenger was despatched on the 6th. But, owing to the state of supplies, it became necessary to move the command, and a movement was accordingly ordered in the direction of Tam pico. The regular troops, under Brigadier General Twiggs, marched yesterday. The brigades of Major General Patterson's division march to-day and to-morrow. This force will reach Tampico by the 25th instant, or soon after. The enclosed return* will exhibit the entire force now in route, or about marching on Tampico, from this point. I have retained Lieutenant Colonel May's squadron as part of my escort to Monterey, and also the Mississippi regiment, partly as escort to headquarters, and partly to guard a train of supplies just arrived from Matamoras, and which I deem it unnecessary to send forward to Tampico. No troops will be left in garrison here. As I presume that General Butler, under his instructions, has ordered the batteries of General Worth's command to march with it to the mouth of the river, and as I infer from those same instructions, that not more than two batteries are required by Major General Seott, I have directed the return to Monterey of Captains Bragg's and Sherman's. If I have mistaken his wishes in this matter, I beg to be advised without delay, as the batteries may still join him in time. To the troops, regular and volunteer, marching hence on Tampico, may be added, perhaps, 300 artillery of Colonel Gates's battalion, and the Alabama regiment, about 500 strong. The Tennessee horse will more than fill General Scott's requisition for volunteer cavalry. Not knowing the action taken by Major General Butler, under the instructions of the general-in-chief, I cannot now write more fully. On reaching Monterey, I may be able to give my views in regard to the wants of the service on the defensive line which it is proposed to hold. I respectfully enclose a return of the regular troops of the army of occupation for November. Since its date, some 600 recruits have joined, exclusive of such newly organized companies (rifles or other corps) as may have recently arrived. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Lieut. H. L. SCOTT, A. D. C., or chief of the staff, HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp near Victoria, Mexico, January 15, 1847. SR: In a communication addressed this day to your staffofficer, I have replied to so much of your letter of the 6th instant, and its enclosures, as relates to points of detail; but there are other • The return transmitted by Major General Taylor exhibits the following force en route fo Tampico: Regulars-28 companies, with 72 commissioned officers, and 1,393 non-comnissioned and privates. Volunteers-63 companies, with 244 officers, and 3,024 non-commissioned and privates; making a grand aggregate of 4,733. H. L. SCOTT, A. A. A. General. |