Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/505

Rh middle of June, and it is known that the news of the victory of Buena Vista reached Washington in time to countermand Gen. Cadwalader's orders for the Rio Grande. Before his departure from New Orleans two rifle companies, with him, received the countermand there and joined me.

I know that I had the misfortune to give offence early to the department by expressing myself to the same effect, from Jalapa, May 6th; in a report of that date I said the subject of that order (No. 135, old Volunteer), has given me long and deep solicitude, to part with so large and so respectable portion of this army in the middle of a country, which, though broken in its power, is not yet disposed to sue for peace, to provide for the return home of seven regiments from this interior position, at a time when I find it quite difficult to provide transportation and supplies for the operating forces which remain. And all this without any prospect of succor or re-enforcement, in perhaps the next seven months, beyond some three hundred recruits—present novelties utterly unknown to any invading army before, with the addition of ten or twelve thousand new levies in April and May, asked for, and until very recently expected, or even with the addition of two or three thousand new troops destined for the army; but suddenly by the orders of the War Department, diverted to the Rio Grande frontier. I might, notwithstanding the unavoidable discharge of the old volunteers, seven regiments and two independent companies, advance with confidence upon the enemy's capital. I shall nevertheless advance, but whether beyond Puebla will depend on intervening information and reflection. The general panic given to the enemy at the battle of Cerro Gordo still remaining, I think it probable that we shall go to Mexico; or, if the enemy recover from that, we must renew the consternation by another blow.

Thus, like Cortez, finding myself isolated and abandoned, and again like him, always afraid that the next ship or messenger might recall or further cripple me, I resolved no longer to depend on Vera Cruz or home, but to render my little army