The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-20
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THE MAILS.
.BRILLIANT NEWS FROM
THE RIO GRANDE.
GRAND OPENING BATTLE.
GENERAL ENGAGEMENT
BETWEEN THE AMERICAN AND
MEXICAN TROOPS.
SEVEN HUNDRED MExIGANS
KILLED.
TERRIBLE RE TRlBUTlON ON THE
MEXlCANS.
MATAMORAS In ASHES.
TEE AMERICAN HONOR
INDICATED.
Dreadful Vengeance.
POINT ISABEL SAFE.
THE MEXICAN PORTS TO BE BLOCKADED.
Military Preparations Throughout
the Union,
&C., &c.,
Military Preparations Throughout
the Union,
&C., DC,

TsLEeRAPHIC DEsPATCH-No. 1.

news by telegraph yesterday morning. 1t will be
seen that the tide has changed, and that the Anne
rican army has indicated the honor of the coun-
try.
Tho blow must be- followed up with des-
patch, and the war brought to a conclusion rs
speedily as possible.
The telegraph, early yesterday morning, con-
veyed TO this city the following gratifying inte-
gence. which we hastened to communicate with
out a word of comment. The thrill of pleasure
able excitement which passed through the COM
munity, was shown by general turnout Of our
citizens.
BY the steamer New York, at New Orleans, from
Point Isabel, the following report was received
from Capt. Walker, of the Texas Rangers, who
arrived there the 9Th inst, at P. NJ, from the
intrenchment opposite Matamoras. An engage
ment had taken place between the United States
troops and Mexican forces.
Gen. Taylor, on the Sd inst. left the entrench-
ments with detachment of over 1000 United States
troops, for the purpose Of opening commune
cation between Point Isabel and the entrench-
msnts. On the morning of the 4th or 9th inst the
Mexicans, taking advantage Of the departure of
Cen. Taylor, opened heavy cannonade on the in
trenchments, which was gallantly returned by the
United States troops, only $50 in number, Vho, in
thirty MINUTES sls,,csd the enemy's batteries in the
rear, and soon after reduced the city of Matamoras to
ashes. The slaughter among the Mericans pas ire
n'endons-up,Oards of seven hundred lay dead
on the field of battle; and the number of houses
left in Matamoras ,cas not sufficient to accommodate
the ,uounded. Accounts say that the number of
Mexicans in and about Matamoras was 5000, and
pfo rce,,,opts xyara do;l, oxpaotad
Our troops were in fine spirits. Only one
American ,oas killed in the general engagement.
The wo,ks arc so ,csu constructed, that the Mcricans
could not iyHrs them in the least, and hence the
small loss on our side. Major Ringgold, of the ar.
tillery, commanded the American camp opposite
Matamoras during the engagement.
Gen. Taylor was to leave Point Isabel on the
9th instant, with detachment OF troops, deter
mined to open communication between Point
Isabel and the army opposite Matamoras, which
had, for some days. been cut of, and only effected
in one instance, by the gallant Walker, whose
horse was shot from under him, with the loss Of
six men. McClister and Radcliffe are two
among the six men Of Captain Walkers party
killed while forcing their way through the Mex
leans to the U. S. camp.
According to the Galveston News of the 9Th
inst, Gen Taylor had left Point Isabel, and there
was not the slightest doubt but that he would
hew his way to the intrenchments, though vastly
superior numbers of the enemy were known
to be posted in large forces among the almost
impossible thickets Of chapporal in the road
to cut him off. The number of Mexcans is esti-
mated at from 1900 to 10000. 1t seems reason
able to suppose that glorious aud decisive battle ,ras
fought on the It'll tst., and spe ,cait ,cth painful
anricty to hear the result
On the morning of the 9th, previous to the de-
parture of the New York, heavy cannonading
was heard, supposed to be another attack of the
Mexicansl on the United States troops opposite
Matamoras.
If the Mexicans made an attack on the intrench-
ments on the 9th inst, IT is very probable that they
will be repulsed, perhaps with dreadful slaughter
According to the report Of the Captain of the
steamer New York, heavy cannonading was
heard on the 9th inst, supposed to be second at
tack of the Mexicans on the American camp
On the same day Gen. Taylor was to have left Point
Isabel for the intrenchments. Thus the Mexicans
will be received with warmth by Major Ringgold
from the intrenchments, and be attacked in the
rear by Gen. Taylor ;-being thereby placed be
tween two fires. limo accident occurs the Mex
leans will be completely annihilated. 1t would
seem by this that the Mexicans had placed them
selves in very awkward and critical position
Our next intelligence WILL therefore, be of the
greatest Importance.
TELE0RAPHIC DEsPATCH-NO. III.
We have just received second despatch over
the lightning line confirms oil that IRE hare pub-