The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-04-28

to the GaiUesfon NetCs of the 4th lnstan,
for an extra containing late and interesting
news from the "Army of Occupation,
brought TO Galveston by the United
States cutter Woodbury., Capt. FOSTER
from Brasos Santiago, which place she
left on the 30th ult. We extract all that
is important, as follows:
.The army of occupation, numbering
in all 3, 800, arrived and encamped on the
23d ullimo opposite Matamoras.s General
Taylor, with company OF dragons
under the command of Colonel Twlggs,
having left the main army arrived al
Point Isabel, simultaneously with the
fleet of transports from Aransas, on the
23th ultimo, there not being hall an
hours difference in the arrivals by land
and water.
:.On the appearance of the fleet the
Captain Of the port Rodriguez set fre
TO the custom-house and several other
buildings at Point Isabel, and made his
retreat good to the river, although pur-
sued some distance by order of General
TAYLOR. The buildings destroyed were
OF little value, being constructed Of logs,
matched with straw.
"The thousands and tens of thousands
enemy who have been reported as in
readiness TO dispute the march Of Gen,
Taylor's army seem TO have entirely dis
appeared upon his approach. The only
opposition experienced by the army of
occupation was first at Little Colorado,
where Mexican officer with about $50
mounted men threatened to fire upon
Gen. Il. if he attempted to cross that
stream, stating that such were his posi-
tive orders, and that Mericans knetU no
fear. The artillery was Immediately
ordered up when the troops formed and
commenced fording in perfect order, the
water being nearly to the armpits, where
upon the gallant Mexican prudendy re-
treated without executing his positive Or
ders.
1.-The only other show Of opposition
had been previously made by party of
fifty or sixty, who, having met the army
in the prairie, informed Gen. Taylor that
he must proceed no further in that direc-
ton. By order Of Gen. T. the army O.
pened, and this party were permitted to
march through to the rear, and then de-
part.
"When near Point Isabel with the
dragoons, Gen. Il. received deputation
of thirty or forty men, bearing procla-
nation and message from Gen. Melia,
filled with threats in the usual style of
Mexican gasconade. At this moment
the conlagration made at Point Isabel by
Rodriguez was discovered, and Gen. L.
dismissed the deputation, directing them
TO inform Gen. Mejia that he would re-
ply 10 his message opposite Matamoras
on Saturday, the 2Sth of March.
Extraordinary success attended get
ting the vessels over difficult bar with
out pilots. The schr. Belle del Mar was
however driven on the south side, after
beating heavily on the bar, and now lies
in two feet water. II is thought that she
be saved. The U. S. brig Law
renee, Commandant Mercer, remained
at anchor off the bar.
The brig Porpoise, Commandant Hunt
sailed for Pensacola on the 26th ult.
"Cpt. F. informs that forty wagons
with supplies for the army left Point
Isabel on the morning Of the 26th, in fine
condition, and having an excellent road
% miles to the army opposite Matamoras;
and the morning after Gen. Taylor fol-
lowed, leaving company Of artillery at
Point Isabel in command Of Major Mum
roe. We understand that Gen. Tay-
lor's orders are to cross the Rio Grande
and attack Matamoras, should he be fired
on from the town.
"Lieut. Fobil, Of the U. S. Navy, who
was bearer Of dispatches to Gen. Taylor;
arrived in this city this morning in the
cutter Woodbury., on his way to New
Orleans.
"Capt. Foster states that the average
depth of water on the bar at Brasos San
togo is eight and half leet;and that from
thence to Point Isabel, distance of a
bout three miles due west, the uniform
depth is about five feet. Point Isabel is
a perpendicular bluff of sixty feet above
the.water, and the surrounding country
is hilly and undulating. The country
was in highly favorable condition for the
march of the army; more rain would have
made the travelling bad, less would have
occas;oned a scarcity of water.
"Col. McCrea was disappointed in his
attempt 10 take the barges across the
Laguna la Madre for the want Of sufficient
water. They will in consequence, have
TO be taken by land.
''The steamers Monmouth and Cincin-
natl are constantly employed in transport
Ing from Brasos Santiago to Point Isabel"
The Army on slle Rio Bravo.