Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-05-27


1Grande. in the rear. The Americans
Iho,ly returned the fire. The attack in
the rear was Immediately repalsed, and
lin less than thirty minutes the Mexi-
lean batteries were silenced. and the
city of Matamoros battered down.
| The loss 10 the Mexicans in the ac-
ltion is variousiy set down. While no
account makes it less than 200, the lat.
Jest account we find in regard to u. and
which we find in the Galveston News,
carries it as high as 700. The Ameri>
cans lost but single man, il is said,
who was killed by she'll. None were
:. wounded-so admirable were the works
before Gen. Taylor left them. The
town Of Matamoros is complete ruin,
there are scarcely houses enough left
standing to serve as hospitals for the
wounded. :.t.,..... .-.,.,
This attack and repulse. however. is
considered but the opening Of the cam.
paign. Cannonadlng was distinctly
heard at times, down to the hour OF the
departure of the New York. Gen. Tay.
lor set forth on the 9th inst, to return
to his camp with ample supplies. The
Galveston News states that when ne
left Point Isbel, there was not the slight.
est doubt entertained that he would
have to cut his way to his entrench-
ments through vastly superior mum.
bers of the enemy, who were known
to be posted in large forces among the
almost impossible thickets Of chaparal
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 en-.
tirely vague and uncertain, though al
the statements agree in estimating them
at not less than ten thousand while ma
my accounts put their numbers at Is tc
20 thousand. All accounts agree also
in stating that the Mexican forces were
rapidly focking in from all quarters.
How many crossed the river could not
be told, though the News thinks it
would be reasonable to presume that a
large part Of their forces would be
brought into requisition to dispute the
march of Gen. Taylor.
They could not but see the impor.
tance of cutting him off, and would
doubtless employ all their advantages
of local knowledge. skill in horseman>
ship and all their acknowledged resour-
ces in stratagem to accomplish their
object. Gen. Taylor anticipated des-
perate opposition to his march, but de-
termined to accomplish it or perish.
Thus reasons the News and accor.
dinghy anticipates intelligence of de-
cisive general action. We are greatly
inclined to doubt whether the Mexicans
would venture to attack Gen. Taylor's
whole force, although they so outnum-
bered him; but should they do so, we
are confident that we shall have
glorious victory.
One account before US states howev-
er, that Gen. T. had not left Point Isa-
bel, and probably would not before the
arrival of further reinforcements, he
having full confidence in the ability of
the troops left in camp to maintain the
position against any odds.
The arrival of the New York at
Point Isabel was most opportune. 1t
will be recollected that she had nearly
200 regular troops on board under
Lieut.. McPhial, as we'll as several field
pieces. These were all safely landed.
Even without the arrival Of further re.
Inducements, the Post at Point Isabel
must have been so strengthened as to
place its safety beyond reasonable
doubt. Martial law has been proclaim.
ed there and at Santiago, and every
man pressed into the service.
Col. Hayes, OF the Rangers, with his
force of about 400 men stationed in the
San Antonio country, determined to
march at once for Gen. Taylor's camp,
as soon as he learned that it was in a
critical situation; nor would it surprise
US to hear that Col. Harvey, with his
dragons had done the same thing.
While Gen. Taylor was at Point Is.
abel he despatched a schooner to Vera
Cruz with intelligence Of the proceed.
ings upon the Rio Grande. We pre-.
sumo that Com. Connor will at once
formally blockade every Mexican port
on the Gulf . g..
With great pleasure we see it men.
toned in the Bulletin that the comman.
der of the U. S. schooner FIirt having
observed small encampment ofMexi-
cans on the island at The mouth Of the
Brazos Santiago,and knowing the great
danger of the point at the entrance of
the harbor being in possession of the
Mexlcans, landed with his men and dis.
persed the camp. The reader will
recolIect that the utmost fear was felt
that the Mexicans might fortify posi-.
n ton here which would command the
, approach 10 Pt. Isabel a4a. 3g nj !