Joseph E Johnston to Robert M. McLane, April 5, 1847

[Joseph Eggleston Johnston at Veracruz (aka Vera Cruz), Mexico, to Robert Milligan McLane at Baltimore, April 4, 1847, Box 3, Louis McLane Correspondence (1795-1894), MSS 57083, Library of Congress.] 

My dear Bob,

You will have seen by the public prints before this reaches you that on the 29th ulto. Genl S. took possession of this place. This mail will, I suppose, carry you his order congratulating the army upon so important a conquest, almost bloodless too - & bloodless too apparently by miracle -- for the Mexican guns were admirably-aimed & served, yet the siege & investment have cost us less than 70 men killed & wounded. 

This story, after Buena Vista, will disappoint newspaper readers -- how many Democrats will vote (as such) at the next presidential election? Unless you can covert Old Zach let him convert you. For my own part I acknowledge my error. Or rather the old fellow has improved more in the last year than any man in America. Without doubt he'll be a capital president by the end of the first year of his administration. It is reported here that he is preparing to move on San Louis. However, it is useless to mention public matters to you, for Col. Bankhead will reach Balt. as soon as this. I hope you'll see him. He can tell you the report from Mexico & state of the country. He commanded the artillery (the batteries I mean) not the nominal arty. regts., & the gen'l in chief, for his services, makes him the bearer of the trophies.

I received your letter of the 7th March, by the last mail, but my brother's letter to which you refer, is missing, & you give me no hint of the information contained in it. I am, however, principled against refusing promotion, & shall therefore accept. When the promotion is offered -- for it would seem that the ad:Gen'l's letter is lost as well as my brother's. Gen'l Scott has been informed by the Sec: of War, that the Voltigeurs will be organized as a reg't in this country, that companies will be sent on as they are formed. I told Gen'l W. what you said of the cause of the delay of his brevet -- he desi[red] you (the brevet being conferred) to take a . . . opportunity to say to the President that al[though] he has not the honor to belong to  the political party of which Mr. Polk is the head yet since this war began no democrat has been a ore zealous supporter & advocate of the measures of the administration than himself.

Quitman's brigade & a naval force detailed by Com: Perry, & to which Allan belongs has just taken possession of Alvarado, which had been abandoned. Want of means of transportation (I suppose) prevents an immediate movement upon Mexico [City]. Gen'l Twiggs with his division which I shall accompany, will set off about the 9th to Jalapa, the rest will follow when they can get mules.

I do believe, & with great satisfaction too, that God's curse will fall upon those who make invasions with such troops a compose a greater part of this army.

My love to Georgina. Lily tells me that Em is the sweetest little creature living. 

[Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891) -- forty at the time, married to Lydia "Lily" Milligan Sims McLane Johnston (1822-1887), sister of Robert "Bob" Milligan McLane (1815-1898); the latter was married to Georgine Urquhart McLane (1813-1899); Allan = Allan McLane (1823-1891), another brother; Em = Mary McLane (1843-?)
Colonel Bankhead = James Monroe Bankhead (1783-1856), with Joseph E. Johnston, part of "Major General Winfield Scott's "Little Cabinet" general staff. Gen'l S = Scott
My brother = probably Edward William Johnston (1799-1867)
Gen'l W = William Jenkins Worth (1794-1849)] 

[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]