Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1846-05-16
IS. R. THURsToN { JAMES TIzzARD.1

upoa him, killing. as it is supposed, Cant.
ThGnton, Lieuts. Kane and Mason. and
some twenty-six Of the men, taking Capt.
Hariee and the remainder of the command
prisoners. The Mexican commander sent
into Gen. Taylor's camp, cart, with a
solder badly wounded, will. message
that he had no travelling hospital with him,
and could not, therefore, render the soldier
the assistance which his situation required.
It's supposed that the detachment Of
the enemy on the east side Of the Rio
Gra,de consists of at least $500 men.
under the command of Coils. Carasco and
Carabajal, both old and experienced off.
Gers, and that their object is 10 cut OF all
communication between Gen. Taylor and
Point Isabel, the depot of provisions. In
the execution Of this object they have full
~ succeeded, and have thereby placed the
American army in most dangerous posi-
ton, as it will be utterly impossible g,
Gen Taylor, with the limited numbeys 81
men now under his command. say 1900,
to ierce his way through the dense chapar-
raj, in which the enemy are already strong
ly posted.
On the ed, Gen. Taylor received from
Gen. Ampudia, by means of flag Of truce,
communication in very offensive terms,
complaining Of his having blockaded the
Rio Grande; to which he replied, that
Gen. Ampudia had himself been the cause
of the blockade, in having expressly de-
clared that unless Gen. Taylor commenced
his retreat behind the Nueces within twen-
ty-foar hours after his displaying his flag
upon the left bank Of the Rio Grande, he
would consider scar as having been declar-
ed, and would act accordingly. Gen. Tay-
lor furthermore stated that he would re-
ceive no further communication from the
Mexican commander. unless couched in
language more respectful towards the Go
vernnent and people Of the United States.
Zen. Taylor's position in the rear Of
Matanoras. is sufficiently strong to with
stand successfully an attack of the whole
Mexican force, and commands the town,
which, with the batteries already mounted.
could be RACED to the ground in an hours
time. Gen. Taylor has in camp full rations
for fifteen days, which he thinks can be
made to last thirty days, by which time he
is IN hopes to receive large reinforcements
from Texas and Louisiana, upon each of
which States he has made requisition for
the immediate equipment and transmission
to Point Isabel of four full regiments Of
militia. 1t Is thought by the superior off,
GERS Of Gen. Taylor's army that 5000
men will be required within very short
period as it is well known that the Next
can army is daily receiving large reinforce
ments from the interior. 1t was supposed
by the American officers that Gen. Arista
reached MalamQras np the evening of the
ooa ..it Ia. brigade; but up to the Pc
rid OF the writer's leaving camp, no COM
had been received by General
Taylor from Gen. Arista
subsequently, to his leaving the camp
on the 26th ult. Col. Doane learned that
Gen. Arista addressed polite note to Gen.
Taylor, informing him that he, Arista, had
assumed the command of the Mexican
forces.
At Point Isabel great fears were enter
tanned Of night attack, which, from the
present posed situation Of that post, could
not be otherwise than successful if con-
Quoted with energy. The post is defended
by Major Mnnroe, with detachment Of 80
artillerists. There are also at the post a
bout 200 armed wagoners and SO labosers,
under the orders Of the Quartz, master,
and some LOO citizens. furnished with
orrnS H., <ba Hated C%atn, n.Ja.r.~ IT
Ger, organized under the command Of Capt.
Perkins, and denominated the Fronton
A company Of fifty Mexican Cavalry.
were seen on the night of the 26th will in
five miles Of Point Isabel. They were
to be corps Of observation.
The body Of Col. Cross was found on the
2lst ult. about three miles from camp,
mutilated and entirely destitute
Of clothing. The body Of Lieutenant Por-
Ter, who was killed some days previous BY
! party Of banditti, under the command Of
Ramon falcon, had not been found.
The principal officers known to be in
Of Mexican forces, are Generals
Arista, Ampudia Meija and Canales. Coils.
Carasco and Carajabal: all men Of talent.
We have also received an extra from the
,ffice Of the Galveston News, where the
was received by the steamboat
with Capt. Catlett on board, a
bearer Of dispatches from Gen. Taylor 10
Gov. Henderson OF Texas. calling upon
him for aid. We give the letter to the
Galveston committee in full, as it best shows
he urgency of the call upon us all.
The extra Of the Galveston News says
hat acquisitions have been made upon the
Governors of Alabama and Mississippi for
roops, though our own informant says
nothing Of this. The News eupposes that
Gen. Taylor would open his fire upon
Matamoras the morning Of the 18th u!t.
The Picayune also contains letter from
Lieut.. HESRy, which follows-with some
Introductory remarks Of the editors:
Not to omit anything that may relieve
he anxiety felt by all to obtain the smallest
ITEM Of information in regard to the disas-
Ter which has overtaken Capt. Thornton
md his command, we give place to the fol-
owing letter, direct from the camp. In
ZONE particulars il differs from the state
nents that have been laid before the pub
ic BY the press Of the city-and particu-
arly. il sets down the loss occasioned bv