Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/110

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PLANS FOR THE CAMPAIGN.

necessary supplies for the comfort and health of the troops, their sustenance and equipment, and the requisite facilities for transportation. How well the duties of these ofﬁcers were discharged, is attested by the fact, that an additional force of near 20,000 men was sent into the ﬁeld early in the ensuing summer.

The general plan of the campaign, determined on at Washington, was, to make a series of ﬂank invasions, or attacks, on the western, northern, and eastern frontiers of Mexico. A strong naval squadron was already lying in the Gulf, and orders were issued to Commodore Conner, on the 13th of May, to blockade the Mexican ports. Instructions had been previously given to Commodore Sloat, the ofﬁcer commanding the Pacific squadron, to take possession of the principal ports and towns on that coast, as fast as his means would allow, whenever he was credibly informed that hostilities had commenced. The land forces of the United States were to penetrate the enemy's country in three divisions — one proceeding from Fort Leavenworth on the Missouri river, under Colonel (afterwards General) Kearny^[1] into New Mexico and California; the second, under General Wool,^[2] to rendezvous at San An-

↑ Brigadier General Stephen W. Kearny received his ﬁrst commission, that of a lieutenant, in 1812. He served during the war with credit, and after the peace was mainly employed on the western frontier. He rose by regular promotion to the rank of brigadier general, which appointment was conferred on him on the 30th of June, 1816.
↑ Brigadier General John E. Wool obtained a captain's commission in 1812. His military debut was made at the battle of Queenston, where he highly distinguished himself. He also bore a conspicuous part under General Macomb at Plattsburg. In 1816, he was appointed inspector-general of the army, and continued to act in that capacity for twenty-five years. His acquirements as a disciplinarian, and his skill as a tactician, are conceded to be of a high order. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in 1841.

[1] Brigadier General Stephen W. Kearny received his ﬁrst commission, that of a lieutenant, in 1812. He served during the war with credit, and after the peace was mainly employed on the western frontier. He rose by regular promotion to the rank of brigadier general, which appointment was conferred on him on the 30th of June, 1816.

[2] Brigadier General John E. Wool obtained a captain's commission in 1812. His military debut was made at the battle of Queenston, where he highly distinguished himself. He also bore a conspicuous part under General Macomb at Plattsburg. In 1816, he was appointed inspector-general of the army, and continued to act in that capacity for twenty-five years. His acquirements as a disciplinarian, and his skill as a tactician, are conceded to be of a high order. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in 1841.

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