Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/84

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72

PREPARATIONS FOR THE MARCH.

be purchased at a fair price; and that, in no case would he go beyond the Rio Grande, unless hostilities were commenced by Mexico. Similar sentiments were expressed to the Custom-house ofﬁcer at Brazos Santiago, by Captain Hardee, the ofﬁcer who commanded the escort covering the reconnaissance of Padre Island. The American troops were also commanded, in general orders, to refrain from the commission of any act of hostility, and to observe the rights and respect the religion of the Mexican people.^[1] Every thing being in readiness for the march, a dépót of forage and subsistence was thrown forward to the Santa Gertrudes, about forty miles from Corpus Christi, on the 28th of February, and on the 8th of March, the advance brigade of the main army, consisting of the cavalry and Major Ringgold's light artillery, the whole under the

↑ The following is a copy of the order issued by General Taylor previous to his march from Corpus Christi, copies of which, translated into Spanish, were sent in advance, and distributed in all the Mexican towns on the right bank of the river. The terseness and vigor of General Taylor's style, as illustrated in his dispatches and orders, elicited universal admiration:

"The army of occupation of Texas being new about to take a position upon the left bank of the Rio Grandc, under the orders of the Executive of the United States, the general-in-chief desires to express the hope that the movement will be advantageous to all concerned; and with the object of attaining this laudable end, he has ordered all under his command to observe, with the most scrupulous respect, the rights of all the inhabitants who may be found in peaceful prosecution of their respective occupations, as well on the left as on the right side of the Rio Grande. Under no pretext, nor in any way, will any interference be allowed with the civil rights or religious privileges of the inhabitants; out the utmost respect for them will be maintained.

"Whatsoever may be needed for the use of the army will be bought by the proper purveyor, and paid for at the highest prices. The general — in-chief has the satisfaction to say that he conﬁdes in the patriotism and discipline of the army under his command, and that he feels sure that his orders will be obeyed with the utmost exactness."

[D84-1] The following is a copy of the order issued by General Taylor previous to his march from Corpus Christi, copies of which, translated into Spanish, were sent in advance, and distributed in all the Mexican towns on the right bank of the river. The terseness and vigor of General Taylor's style, as illustrated in his dispatches and orders, elicited universal admiration:

"The army of occupation of Texas being new about to take a position upon the left bank of the Rio Grandc, under the orders of the Executive of the United States, the general-in-chief desires to express the hope that the movement will be advantageous to all concerned; and with the object of attaining this laudable end, he has ordered all under his command to observe, with the most scrupulous respect, the rights of all the inhabitants who may be found in peaceful prosecution of their respective occupations, as well on the left as on the right side of the Rio Grande. Under no pretext, nor in any way, will any interference be allowed with the civil rights or religious privileges of the inhabitants; out the utmost respect for them will be maintained.

"Whatsoever may be needed for the use of the army will be bought by the proper purveyor, and paid for at the highest prices. The general — in-chief has the satisfaction to say that he conﬁdes in the patriotism and discipline of the army under his command, and that he feels sure that his orders will be obeyed with the utmost exactness."

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