The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-25
AFFAIRS ON THE FRONTIER.


has been sustained.
AFFAIRS ON THE FRONTIER.
We published in extras the substance OF the inter.
esting and important information brought by the
Louisiana, the Col Harvey, and the Galyeston--the
latter being the last Of the arrivals and bringing the
latest intelligence. We now subjoin, from sup.
Elementary edition Of the Galveston News and CT
william Of the 18th, such additional particulars as we
were not able to crowd in our extras
The following anecdote connected with the de-
eisve battle Of the 9th is too good to be omit
ted:
"The battle commenced by heavy eannonading on
both sides Gen: Taylor, in passing his lines, ac-
costed Capt May, OF the I'd Dragons, and told him
Your regiment has never done anything yet
you must take that battery" He said nothing, but
turned to the command and said-'we must take
that batiery-follow!' He made charge with three
companics-at least with the remainder Of three
ompanies-supported by the 9Th and 9th regiments
Of infantry. They cleared the breast work, rode
over the battery, wheeled and came through the
enemy's line, whilst the fire Of the infantry
deadly in its effects as carry all before it, Captain
May made a cut at officer as he charged through;
on his return he found him standing between the
wheels Of a cannon, fighting like hero. He or
dered him to surrender. He was asked If he was
an ofhcerI Captain May answered him in the afr
native, when he presented his sword remarking-
you receive Gen. Vega prisoner Of war; Capt.
May gave him in charge to one of his sergeants who
had lost his horse in the charge, ordering him to
duct him to Gen. Taylor out Of the line"
In this charge Capt. Gage, a brave and gallant
officer fell. complete panic ensued the part Of
the enemy, and they fed in every direction, many
being drowned in attempting to cross the river
Eight pieces Of artillery fell into our hands and
innumerable quantity Of small arms, munitions, an
baggage, camp equipage, military chest containing
large quantity Of gold, Gen. Arista's carriage, bag
gage port folio with all his official correspondence
with the government, with full plans of the CAM
paign, and instructions from the Mexican govern
ment, authorizing him to send Gen. Taylor and
his army when taken prisoners TO the city of Mexi-
co.. to treat Gen. Taylor and his officers with such
care and attention as becomes the magnanimity OF
the great Mexican nation. Four or FIVE hundred
head Of mules, &C. with large number Of stands
of colors.
The plan Of the campaign and the instructions
from his government ordered him to take posses
sion of Point Isabel This be the brief act OF
hostility, he was to fortify it strongly possible.
He was likwise ordered to take possession of the
mouth of the river and fortify it at once"
Some 400 Mexcans were buried at the last ac-
counts, but doubtless hundreds lie dead among the
ch.pparal.
Capt. Mays attack is spoken Of as being one Of
those splendid efforts which would have adorned the
brightest feather Of the plume Of Murat in the palm
lest days Of his glory. 1t cost him l8 horses, with
few of the gallant riders The victory, says the extra
from which we copy, entirely belongs to the U. s.
army, no volunteers having arrived in time to
share in the honors of the day. 1t will convince our
country, that West Point affords the material of ex-
hbiting the courage and bravery Of American sol
diers.
trust we will hear no more of dismounting our
gallant dragons; the affair of the 9th shows them
to be the arteries of our defence.
That redonbtabe hero, Gen. Ampuda, command
ed the Cd division of the Mexican army. 1t is said
he was the first man to make good his escape to
Matamoras, where he reported that Arsta had be-
trayed the army.
fhe Civilian states that an expedition is to be
sent by the boats of the squadron to take the town
of Barita, 16 miles from the mouth Of the river,
where there is a military force.
We copy from the same paper the annexed para
graphs:
A letter has been received here by Gen. Johnson,
from Governor Henderson, dated the 9Th inst, in
which the governor states that he about to leave
for Corpus Christi--to assume his position, pre-
sumo, in the command of the volunteers Of the
State, according to the resolution Of the legisa-
ture.
Gen. Johnson has been ordered to report to his
excellcncy at Corpus Christi
Two companies of volunteers arrived here from
Houston for the army under Gen. Taylor, the first
under M. X Smell on Tuesday night; the other I'M
der Captain Osirander on Wednesday night. They
are a rugged looking body OF men, and have mostly
seen service, and shed bood-their own or their
enemies-under the banner of Texas in days gone
by.
The three companies called for from this county
and Harris about ready to leave for the seat Of
war.
From the Austin Democrat Of the 9th instant we
learn that Gov. Henderson, under instructions from
Gen. Taylor, has made reqhistion upon the militia
the State for seven companies Of mounted men, in
addition to the forces before called into the field to
operate against Mexico.
From the Austin Democrat we learn that the Gu
manches refuse TO treat with or meet the United
States commissioners; and the inference is that these
Indians have been tempered with by the Mexican
emissaries. The governor was to appoint commits
sioners TO ascertain the disposition of the Cuman-
ches, while further steps were to be taken to pro-
tect the frontier from all attempts at depreciation.
The death Of Major Ringgold Of the flying artille-
ry, and Of Major Brown, are events calculated 10
throw shade of gloom over the general exultation
at the glorious result of conflicts with the Mexi-
cans. They were both officers Of great merit, ex,
perence, and bravery Major Ringgold was NEST
valiant soldier, cool, intrepid, sagacious, brave ia
desperation, the very soul Ct chivalry and honor
The death of such a warrior is a national calamity
or him, however, and Of his gallant companions who
fell IN the recent actions, we may repeat what Ma
poleon's bulletins we're accustomed to say when an.
nouncing the loss of some favorte marshal or gen.
era "Their death was glorious aud worthy Of en-
wy" Une mort giOrisuss ct digne d'snpis. Their
names and deeds will be enbsmed in the nationa
memory.
! VoLUSTEERs FOR THE ARMY-To-morrow morn
ing the steamboat Mary Kingsland will leave thu
barracks for Brazos St. Jago and will take on board
| four companies Of volunteers belonging to Genera
Dsvs's regiment, These are the companies o
Captains Gabraith Staples, Warrington, previously
Captain G. X. Johnson, who has been elected lieu
tenant colonel,) ogier and Girault