[The following is a copy of the Adjutant General's letter to Captain Kinton, referred to in the preceding communication.-R. J.] WAR DEPARTMENT, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, January 22, 1847. SIR: Your wishes expressed to the Secretary of War with respect to returning to your regiment in Mexico have been duly considered, and I am directed to say that, as your health has been restored, you are hereby authorized to return to the army and join your company for duty, which you will proceed to do without unnecessary delay. Your discharge from the service, to take effect the 31st December, which you say it was not your intention to obtain when you applied for leave of absence, may have resulted from some misapprehension as to the character of your application, as the discharge states that you had tendered your resignation, or was directed by the commanding general in Mexico, in consequence of the suggestion found in the letter to him from the department of the 21st of September, touching the subject of furloughs granted to so many officers of the volunteers-the general supposing at the time, it may be inferred, that if you could not receive the furlough for the recovery of your health, it would be necessary to leave the army by resignation or discharge, which he was authorized to grant. In either case I doubt not that Major General Taylor, on learning your anxiety to return to the seat of war, (your health being restored,) will be gratified on being informed that your absence is now viewed by the War Department as one of leave, and that you are now authorized to resume your station in your regiment. I am, respectfully, &c., To Captain S. B. KINTON, R. JONES, Adjutant General. 2d regiment of Ohio volunteers, Washington, D. C. C. Synopsis of letters addressed to Major General Z. Taylor, from the office of the Adjutant General of the army, since the " commencement of hostilities with Mexico," to wit: April 24, 1846, that being the day when General Arista, on the part of Mexico, announced said commencement; furnished in compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives, February 1, 1847. (Those not marked B are unimportant, and not copied.) May 5, 1846.-Acknowledging receipt of despatches, orders, &c. May 7, 1846.-Full copy furnished-series B. May 8, 1846.-Full copy furnished-series B. May 12, 1846.-Full copy furnished-series B. May 18, 1816.-Memorandum of resignations of officers. May 25, 1846.-Full copy furnished-series B. June 9, 1846.-Acknowledging receipt of despatches, orders, &c. June 15, 1846.-Relative to the resignation of a medical officer. June 27, 1846.-Full copy furnished-series B. July 8, 1816.-Directing investigation into the conduct of an officer. July 9, 1846 -Full copy furnished-series B. July 18, 1816.-Requesting a copy of the charges preferred against an officer. July 21, 1846.-Enclosing commissions for surgeons and assistant, surgeons to volunteer regiments. July 29, 1846.-Full copy furnished-series B. July 30, 1846.-Full copy furnished-series B. August August August 3, 1816.-Acknowledging receipt of letters, orders, &c., relative to returns. 5, 1846-Relative to discharging a soldier. 5, 1846.-Desiring that a medical officer be relieved August 13, 1846.-Full copy furnished-series B. September 18, 1846.-Refusing leave of absence to a medical cfficer. September 19, 1846.-Relative to a lost mail; acknowledging re- October 5, 1846.-Relative to an officer whose resignation the October October October 8, 1846.-Full copy furnished-series B. 13, 1846.-Full copy furnished-series B. 14, 1846.-Full copy furnished-series B. 15, 1846.-Acknowledgment of despatches, orders, &c. 29, 1846.-Full copy furnished-series B. October 31, 1846.-Forwarding blanks. November 3, 1846.-Full copy furnished-series B. December 15, 1846.-Acknowledgment of despatches, orders, &c., approving the transfer of officers. December 24, 1846.-Relative to alteration of the returns for the use of the army in the field. December 29, 1846.-Requesting the withdrawal from Mexico of a medical officer for duty in Surgeon General's office. December 31, 1816.-Acknowledgment of despatches, orders, &c. January 23, 1817.-Full copy furnished-series B. R. JONES, Adjutant General. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, February 6, 1847. Orders No. 50. - D. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp near Matamoras, Texas, April 23, 1816. The commanding general has the painful duty of announcing to the army that the doubt which has so long prevailed in regard to the fate of the late Colonel Cross has at length been resolved into the melancholy certainty of his death-there is too much reason to fear, by violent hands. The high rank of the deceased, and the ability and energy which he carried into the discharge of the important duties of his office, will cause his loss to be seriously felt in the service, while the untoward circumstances of his demise will render it peculiarly afflicting to his family and personal friends. The remains of the late colonel will be interred with military honors at four o'clock, p. m., to-morrow. The funeral escort will be composed of a squadron of dragoons and eight companies of infantry-the latter to be taken from the 2d brigade, and the whole to be organized and commanded by Colonel Twiggs. The necessary arrangements for the funeral ceremony will be made by Lieutenant Colonel Payne, inspector general. All officers off duty are respectfully invited to attend the funeral. Orders No. 53. S W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General.. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp near Matamoras, Texas, April 29, 1846. The great importance of bringing the field work into a state of • defence renders it necessary for the commanding general to call upon the commanders of battalions and company officers to use all their exertions to forward the work. Every man will be sent out with the working battalions that is not detained by other indispensable duty, and the battalion commanders will themselves superintend their commands, and cause all to do their duty. A report will be made daily to head-quarters, from each brigade, of the number of men sent to work from each battalion. By order of Brigadier General Taylor: W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General. Orders HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp near Matamoras, Texas, May 1, 1846. 1. The 7th regiment of infantry, with companies I 2d artillery, and E 3d artillery, will form the garrison of the fort under Major Brown, who will receive special instructions for his government. Captain Mansfield will remain with the work, and report to Major Brown. 2. The remaining corps of the army will march as soon as practicable after 2 o'clock, p. m., this day., Captain McCall will march with his detachment at 12. The army will march through the chapparal in the following order: 1 company dragoons, 5th infantry, 2 companies dragoons. 8th infantry, Duncan's artillery, Artillery battalions, 2 companies dragoons. All under the command of Colonel Twiggs. Under Lieutenant Colonel Belknap. The wagons will be distributed between the different corps. In the event of an attack while passing through the chapparal, the alternate companies of the battalions nearest the point of attack will face to the right and left, and enter the chapparal deployed as skirmishers, driving back any force they may meet. By order of Brigadier General Taylor: W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General. Orders No. 56. S HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, In order to strengthen the defences at this depot, and enable the army to assume the offensive, the alternate battalions of each brigade will work upon the entrenchments under the superintendence of their officers, commencing to-morrow. The wings of the 5th infantry will alternate in the same manner as the battalions of the 1st and 3d brigades. The morning battalions will work from 61 until 12, and the evening battalions from 12 until 6 o'clock, p. m. By order of Brigadier General Taylor: W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General. Orders No. 58. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, 1. The army will march, at 3 o'clock, to-day, in the direction of Matamoras. It is known that the enemy has recently occupied the route in force; if still in position, the general will give him battle. The commanding general has every confidence in his officers and men. If his orders and instructions are carried out, he has no doubt of the result, let the enemy meet him in what numbers he may. He wishes to enjoin upon the battalions of infantry that their main dependance must be in the bayonet. 2. Major Charles Thomas, quartermaster, is announced as the chief of the quartermaster's department with the army of occupation. All officers of the department, and of the line serving in it, will receive his orders and instructions. Major Thomas will remain for the present at this depot. 3. Captain Crosman, the senior assistant quartermaster, will have charge of the operations of his department with the marching force. All officers doing duty in that department with the marching columns will receive the instructions of Captain Crosman. 4. Orders communicated by the chief of the subsistence department, and by officers of the engineers, topographical engineers and ordnance, attached to head-quarters, will be obeyed and respected as if delivered by the commanding general in person. By order of Brigadier General Taylor: W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General. Orders No. 59. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, 1. The commanding general congratulates the army under his command upon the signal success which has crowned its recent operations against the enemy. The coolness and steadiness of the troops during the action of the 8th, and the brilliant impetuosity with which the enemy's position and artillery were carried on the 9th, have displayed the best qualities of the American soldier. To every officer and soldier of his command the general publicly returns his thanks, for the noble manner in which they have sustained the honor of the service, and of the country. While the main body |