The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-05-20

his forces, determined to cut his wav
through, leaving behind him, for the de-
fence of the works opposite Matamoros,
between 700 and 800 troops.
This movement of Gen. TAYLOR upon
Point Isabel was effected without en-
countering single Mexican. In place
OF molesting him they concentrated their
troops about the camp which he had
just left.
On the morning of the Sd, Gen. Tay-
lor despatched Capt. Walker back to the
camp for intelligence. The gallant
Ranger executed his commission with
success, returning to Point Isabel the
afternoon of the 5th. He reported that
the Mexicans, taking advantage of the
supposed weakness of the camp, COM
menced an attack upon it in front, the
morning of Sunday, the Sd, with all
their batteries from the opposite side of
of the river, and simultaneously with
detachment of their forces on this side of
the Rio Grande, in the rear-the Anne.
ricans hotly returned the fire. The at
tack in the rear was Immediately repul-
sed, and in less than thirty minutes the
Mexican batteries were silenced, the city
of Matamorous battered down. The
loss of the Mexicans in the action is va
riously set down. While no account
makes it less than 200, the latest report
in regard 10 it, which we find in the
Galveston News, carries it as high as
700. The Americans lost but single
man. it is SAID, who was killed by a shell.
None were wounded-so admirable was
the state of the works before General
Taylor left them. The town of Mata-
moros is complete ruin; there are
scarcely houses enough left to serve as
hospitals for the wounded.
This attack and repulse, however, is
considered but the opening of the cam
paign. Cannonading was distinctly
heard at times, down to the hour of the
departure Of the New York. Gen.
Taylor set forth on the 9th instant to re-
turn TO his camp with ample supplies.
The Galveston News states that when
he left Point Isabel, there was not the
slightest doubt entertained that he would
have to cut his way to his entertainments
through the vastly superior numbers of
the enemy, who were known to be post
ed in large forces among the almost
impossible thickets of charparal on the.
road, with determination to cut him
off, if possible, in his attempt to regain
his other forces. The number of the
Mexicans is entirely vague and uncer-
tain, though all the statements agree in
estimating at not less than ten thousand,
while many accounts put their numbers
at Is to 20 thousand. All accounts
agree also in stating that the Mexican
forces were rapidly flocking in from all
quarters. How many crossed the river
could not be told, though the News
thinks it would be reasonable to pre-
sumo that large part of their forces
would be brought into requisition to dis
pute the march of Gen Taylor. They
could not but see the importance of cut
ting him of, and would doubtless en-
ploy all their advantages of local know
ledge and resources in stratagem to ac-
complish their object. Gen. TAYLOR an
ticipated formidable and desperate op-
position to his march, but determined to
accomplish 1t or perish.
The arrival of the New York at Point
Isabel was most opportune. 1t will be
recollected that she had nearly 200 regu-
lar troops on board under Lieut.. Nc
Phial, as we'll as several field pieces.
These were all safely landed. Even
without the arrival Of re-enforcements,
the post at Point Isabel must have been
so strengthened as to place its safety be-
yond reasonable doubt Martial law
has been proclaimed there and at Santi-
ago, and every man passed into the SER
vice. But ere this, support has reached
Point Isabel from this city and Pensa-
cola.
New ORLEANS, May 8.
Drafti*g.-We learn that the
Governor has issued orders for a