細節
TAYLOR, Zachary (1784-1850), President. Autograph letter signed ("Z. Taylor") as Brigadier General, to Robert C. Wood, Matamoros, Mexico, 19 May 1846. 3 pages, 4to (9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.), light blue stationery, fine.
ZACHARY TAYLOR CROSSES THE RIO GRANDE: "THE WAR MUST BE CARRIED ON...WE ARE ALL NOW ENCAMPED ON THE MEXICAN SOIL WITHOUT FIRING A GUN"
One of Zachary Taylor's earliest Mexican War letters from his first camp south of the Rio Grande. Following the annexation of Texas and the failure of diplomacy to reach agreement on the new territory's borders, Polk had ordered Zachary Taylor into the disputed area. At Palo Alto, on 8 May, Taylor's small army soundly defeated a Mexican force under Major General Mariano Arista; at Resaca de la Palma the next day, he again drove the Mexican army from the field, attracting national attention.
In the wake of these highly publicized triumphs, Taylor writes to his son-in-law, proudly recounting his recent capture of Matamoros: "... ...on the morning of the 17th, returning from examining several places for crossing the river recommended by the Engineers, I rec'd by a flag a communication from genl Arista by a genl officer, proposals for an armistice; & if that was not acceded to, that said officer was authorised [sic] to enter into any arrangements we might agree on to put a stop to hostilities. I at once informed him that the war must be carried on, that they had commenced it, & I could not put a stop to it, without orders from my govt, but that, if he would deliver up all the public property here he might withdraw without interruption their troops from Matamoros including his sick & wounded. He then made some proposition, for me not to occupy Matamoros, or to cross the Rio Grande, that many of their wounded could not be removed; I stated that we never made war on the sick, wounded, or women or children, but that I would cross the river the next day, & if the town made any resistance would destroy it, which I was then prepared to do, as our morters [sic] had that moment arrived."
At daylight, Taylor, relates, he and his men crossed the river, only to find the city abandoned except for the sick and wounded. The Mexican Army had evacuated the town, throwing some supplies and a large quantity of ammunition into the river. Taylor reports that, with the exception of one officer who drowned, "we are all now encamped on the Mexican soil without firing a gun."
Many Americans had rushed to volunteer for service with the army in Mexico, but Taylor fears that "so many volunteers will come we will hardly find any thing for them to do." He is diffident about his sudden national fame, and confesses "I truly regret to see they are organizing a compy. of Taylor Guards in N. Orleans as I have a great horror of being made a lion of." The future campaign is undecided: "Whether we should be ordered to carry the war into the heart of the country or confine our operation to the banks of the Rio Grande, time must determine. As to myself, I heartily wish the war was at an end."
Just over a week after writing this letter, Taylor received the thanks of Congress and promotion to the rank of Major General. His army continued to march south as part of a two-pronged invasion of Mexico. While Taylor won important battles at Monterrey and Buena Vista, General Winfield Scott led another army towards Mexico City.
Provenance: Ken Rendell, 1979.
ZACHARY TAYLOR CROSSES THE RIO GRANDE: "THE WAR MUST BE CARRIED ON...WE ARE ALL NOW ENCAMPED ON THE MEXICAN SOIL WITHOUT FIRING A GUN"
One of Zachary Taylor's earliest Mexican War letters from his first camp south of the Rio Grande. Following the annexation of Texas and the failure of diplomacy to reach agreement on the new territory's borders, Polk had ordered Zachary Taylor into the disputed area. At Palo Alto, on 8 May, Taylor's small army soundly defeated a Mexican force under Major General Mariano Arista; at Resaca de la Palma the next day, he again drove the Mexican army from the field, attracting national attention.
In the wake of these highly publicized triumphs, Taylor writes to his son-in-law, proudly recounting his recent capture of Matamoros: "... ...on the morning of the 17th, returning from examining several places for crossing the river recommended by the Engineers, I rec'd by a flag a communication from genl Arista by a genl officer, proposals for an armistice; & if that was not acceded to, that said officer was authorised [sic] to enter into any arrangements we might agree on to put a stop to hostilities. I at once informed him that the war must be carried on, that they had commenced it, & I could not put a stop to it, without orders from my govt, but that, if he would deliver up all the public property here he might withdraw without interruption their troops from Matamoros including his sick & wounded. He then made some proposition, for me not to occupy Matamoros, or to cross the Rio Grande, that many of their wounded could not be removed; I stated that we never made war on the sick, wounded, or women or children, but that I would cross the river the next day, & if the town made any resistance would destroy it, which I was then prepared to do, as our morters [sic] had that moment arrived."
At daylight, Taylor, relates, he and his men crossed the river, only to find the city abandoned except for the sick and wounded. The Mexican Army had evacuated the town, throwing some supplies and a large quantity of ammunition into the river. Taylor reports that, with the exception of one officer who drowned, "we are all now encamped on the Mexican soil without firing a gun."
Many Americans had rushed to volunteer for service with the army in Mexico, but Taylor fears that "so many volunteers will come we will hardly find any thing for them to do." He is diffident about his sudden national fame, and confesses "I truly regret to see they are organizing a compy. of Taylor Guards in N. Orleans as I have a great horror of being made a lion of." The future campaign is undecided: "Whether we should be ordered to carry the war into the heart of the country or confine our operation to the banks of the Rio Grande, time must determine. As to myself, I heartily wish the war was at an end."
Just over a week after writing this letter, Taylor received the thanks of Congress and promotion to the rank of Major General. His army continued to march south as part of a two-pronged invasion of Mexico. While Taylor won important battles at Monterrey and Buena Vista, General Winfield Scott led another army towards Mexico City.
Provenance: Ken Rendell, 1979.