which it has been concentrated. It will be recollected that the instructions of June 15, issued by Mr. Bancroft, then acting Secretary of War, directed me to" select and occupy, on or near the Rio Grande, such a site as will consist with the health of the troops, and will be best adapted to repel invasion," &c. Brazos Santiago is the nearest entrance to the mouth of the Rio Grande; and Point Isabel, within that entrance, and twenty-one miles from Matamoras, would have fulfilled more completely than any other position the conditions imposed by the Secretary. But we had no artillery, no engineer force or appliances, and but a moderate amount of infantry; and the occupation of Point Isabel, under these circumstances, and with at least the possibility of resistance from the Mexicans, might have compromised the safety of the command. I therefore determined to take up the next accessible position in the rear, which is the mouth of the Nueces river. All the information which I could obtain before leaving New Orleans, seemed to point to Corpus Christi as the most suitable point for concentration; and, although before the President's instructions of July 30 reached me, I would have preferred a position on the left bank of the river, yet a careful examination of the country had already convinced me that none could be found combining so many advantages as this. Every day's experience has confirmed these impressions. Corpus Christi is healthy, easily supplied, and well situated to hold in observation the course of the Rio Grande from Matamoras to Laredo-being about 150 miles from several points on the river. I have reason to believe, moreover, that a salutary moral effect has been exercised upon the Mexicans. Their traders are continually carrying home the news of our position and increasing numbers, and are confessedly struck by the spectacle of a large camp of well-appointed and disciplined troops, accompanied by perfect security to their persons and property, instead of the impressment and pillage to which they are subject in their own country. For these reasons, our position thus far has, I think, been the best possible; but, now that the entire force will soon be concentrated, it may well be a question whether the views of government will be best carried out by our remaining at this point. It is with great deference that I make any suggestions on topics which may become matter of delicate negotiation; but if our government, in settling the question of boundary, makes the line of the Rio Grande an ultimatum, I cannot doubt that the settlement will be greatly facilitated and hastened by our taking possession at once of one or two suitable points on or quite near that river. Our strength and state of preparation should be displayed in a manner not to be mistaken. However salutary may be the effect produced upon the border people by our presence here, we are too far from the frontier to impress the government of Mexico with our readiness to vindicate, by force of arms, if necessary, our title to the country as far as the Rio Grande. The "army of occupation" will, in a few days, be concentrated at this point, in condition for vigorous and efficient service. Mexico having as yet made no positive declaration of war, or committed any overt act of hostilities, I do not feel at liberty, under my instructions, particu larly those of July 8, to make a forward movement to the Rio Grande without authority from the War Department. In case a forward movement should be ordered or authorized, I would recommend the occupation of Point Isabel and Laredo as best adapted to the purposes of observing the course of the river and covering the frontier settlements of Texas. Point Isabel is accessible by water, and can be safely occupied by two brigades of infantry, with a suitable force of field artillery. On the arrival of the steamer Harney, I shall order a careful reconnoissance of Brasos Santiago, as a necessary preliminary measure to the occupation of Point Isabel. To occupy Laredo will require a land march from this point. Supplies may probably be transported by water as high as San Patricio, and possibly to the junction of the Rio Frio with the Nueces. I propose to establish a depot on the Nueces river, probably at the crossing of the San Antonio and Laredo road, from which to operate towards the Rio Grande. You will perceive from my special orders" No. 24, that a reconnoissance has been ordered in that direction. A brigade of infantry, with the cavalry, and a battery or two of field artillery, will be sufficient for the occupation of Laredo. That town is on the left bank of the Rio Grande, and possesses the military advantage of holding in observation the main route from the interior of Mexico through Monterey to Matamoras. In case it should be found impracticable to establish a suitable depot on the Nueces, the entire force, after strengthening San Antonio, might be thrown forward to Point Isabel, where it could be readily supplied, and held in readiness for any further service. I have deemed it my duty to make the above suggestions. Should they be favorably considered, and instructions based upon them, I will thank you to send the latter in duplicate to Lieut. Colonel Hunt-one copy to be despatched direct, without delay; the other to be sent via Galveston, should a steamer be running to that port from New Orleans. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. P. S.-It is proper to add, that, should any auxiliary force be required, I propose to draw it wholly from Texas. I do not conceive that it will become necessary, under any circumstances, to call for volunteers from the United States. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Corpus Christi, Texas, October 11, 1845. SIR: I respectfully report the arrival at St. Joseph's island, on the 9th instant, of five companies of the 5th infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel McIntosh, two companies of the 8th infantry, under Captain Montgomery, and one company of the 7th infantry, under. Brevet Major Seawell. Lieutenant Colonel McIntosh's command (of 17 officers and 239 men) arrived here to day. These troops are in good health, and complete the entire number ordered to this coast. I feel a satisfaction, which I cannot doubt will be shared by the department, in being able thus to report the completion, without disaster or notable accident, of the transfer of so many bodies of troops from remote points to this coast at an unfavorable season of the year. Lieutenant Colonel Payne will be announced in orders to-morrow as acting inspector general of this army. I shall assign Major Ewing to the command of the field batteries, leaving Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Childs in command of the battalion of artillery companies in the 1st brigade. In regard to the discharge of the volunteer artillery from New Orleans, I would respectfully remark that their term of service will soon be drawing to a close; and as their service here has been most creditable to them in every respect, and they would feel a mortification in being summarily discharged, I would ask leave to retain them until such a time as will allow them to reach New Orleans by the expiration of the period for which they were mustered. You will, I hope, readily appreciate the motives of policy which may, in the long run, render their detention an absolute benefit to the public service. I need hardly say that I much regretted their employment in the first instance; but, under all the circumstances of the case, I think it best to keep them for the short period of their term which yet remains. The excellence of their discipline and instruction has won the most favorable opinions from the officers here. Recent arrivals from the Rio Grande bring no news or information of a different aspect from that which I reported in my last. The views expressed in previous communications relative to the pacific disposition of the border people on both sides of the river, are continually confirmed. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Corpus Christi, Texas, October 15, 1845. SIR: I respectfully enclose the return of the army of occupation for July. At the end of that month all the corps of the army had not reached Texas, some of them being yet at sea; which is the reason that no return was furnished at the proper time. All the troops destined for this point are now in position here, except Major Ringgold's company, which is expected daily from St. Joseph's island. The morning report of to-day exhibits an ag gregate present of 3,733, which Ringgold's company and an absent detachment of cavalry will increase to 3,860. Captain Burk's company remains as a guard at St. Joseph's island. Three hundred recruits are now wanted in the regiments and detachments here; which number, I can hardly doubt, will be increased to nearly five hundred by the close of the year. I hope measures may be taken to supply the requisite number of recruits, or as many as can be spared, from the depot. The utmost activity prevails in the instruction of the brigades and regiments. Colonel Whistler's brigade commenced to-day with evolutions of the line, and will be followed by the others as rapidly as possible. Several of the regiments have been so long cut up in small detachments as to render it necessary to dwell for some time upon the school of the battalion before proceeding to the higher manœuvres. I have nothing of interest to report from the frontier. Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Corpus Christi, Texas, November 7, 1845. SIR: I respectfully enclose a copy of a letter from Commodore Connor, commanding the home squadron, which I received by the "Saratoga," sloop of war, on the 5th instant. The intelligence communicated by the commodore will, doubtless, reach the seat of government long before the receipt of this letter. The communication from the Secretary of War, dated October 16, was received and acknowledged on the 1st and 2d instant. I purposely deferred a detailed reply to the various points embraced in that communication until I could receive an answer to mine of October 4, which covered (at least in part) the same ground. The intelligence from Mexico, however, tends to modify, in some degree, the views expressed in that communication. The position now occupied by the troops may, perhaps, be the best while negotiations are pending, or, at any rate, until a disposition shall be manifested by Mexico to protract them unreasonably. Under the supposition that such may be the view of the department, I shall make no movement from this point, except for the purpose of examining the country, until further instructions are received. You will perceive, from my orders, that reconnoissances are almost. constantly in the field, the officers of engineers and topographical engineers rendering valuable service on those duties. I refer you to the reports made by those officers to the chiefs of their own bureaux for the information which is thus procured in relation to the country. An examination of the harbor of Brazos Santiago will be ordered in a few days as soon as a proper vessel shall become disposable for that service. In case no movement is made this season towards the Rio Grande, I may find it necessary to detatch a portion of the army a short distance into the interior, where wood can be more readily procured than here. But in no case do I deem it necessary to hut the troops. Sheds, with platforms, on which to pitch the tents, were extensively used in camps of position in Florida, and will, I cannot doubt, form a sufficient protection here. On the hypothesis of an early adjustment of the boundary, and the consequent establishment of permanent frontier posts, I cannot urge too strongly upon the department the necessity of occupying those posts before the warm weather shall set in. A large amount of sickness is, I fear, to be apprehended, with every precaution that can be taken; but the information which I obtain leads me to believe that a summer movement would be attended with great expense of health and life. As in Florida, the winter is the best season for operations in Texas. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C. U. S. SHIP FALMOUTH, Off Vera Cruz, October 24, 1845. GENERAL: I hasten to inform you that the Mexican government has accepted the proposal made by that of our country to arrange the existing difficulties by negotiation. This information left here for Washington yesterday, by Mr. Parrott, and we may consequently soon expect an envoy to be sent out from the United States. I deem it advisable you should be thus early apprized of this change in the state of our relations. No troops have marched towards the frontier for a length of time; and I am told by Mr. Parrott, who left Mexico a few days since, that many of Arista's officers had returned to that city in a a state of utter poverty. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, D. CONNOR, Commanding Home Squadron. Brigadier General TAYLOR, Commanding Army of Occupation. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Corpus Christi, Texas, November 8, 1845. SIR: I beg leave to call your attention to the present condition of our communications with the United States. |