The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-11

steamship Galveston from Brazos Santiago, with
later news from the army justfying the worst apPre-
tensions which had been previously entertained OF
the critical position Of Gen Taylor's forces. We
issued Immediately upon the receipt of the news a
second edition Of the Piesyune, laying full state
nen OF affairs op the Rio Gnnde before the reader.
4 viii be found IN Ibis days paper, commencing
the FIRST page. But not 70 omit any thing that may
relieve the anxiety fet by all 10 obtain the smallest
TEN OF Information In regard to tffe Disaster which
has overtaken Captain Thornton and his command,
ye give place TO the tppowins lsiter received from
pe camp In some particulars Il differs from The
statements that have been laid before the public by
the press OF this city, and particularly as IL sets
downthe loss oeessoned by the surprise Of Captain
Thornisn's command les4ihan on other report, We
have oIh e. letters from the army which breathe
the same calm spirit of determination LieaIensnt
Henry's, from which we will no loAger detain The
reader; and here follows ths letter; a. IN
4, .,.,.r.r ,r.,r "CAsIr OPPOSITE MArAMoRAs,
,s4r ,5r.-g "a s7sI7., a9 y"ApriI &c, ls4G
'iGxSrLkmxS, Knowing that in the present ex-
cited state of the public mind, regards our Mex
can affairs, and the welfare of our. little army,
most Exaggerated reports creep INTO The pdbhe prints,
Ihereby carrying with them sorrow and anxiety into
the bosoma Of the friends and relatives Of many Of
hoers, feel II my duty TO give you hasty but cor
rect account OF the capture Of Captain Thornton and
I squadron Of the second duagoons by "a force of
two thousand hIexicans under the command of
had received a report thai the enemy crossing
! The river above the camp Captain Thornton with
his command, was sent out on the evening of the
2sh 20 examine the country above, and see whether
| there ~as any truth In the report. His ommand
was composed Of Capt Hardee, Its. Kane, Mason,
i've sesgeants, four corporas, buger, and forty
nine prvaies. His Mexican guide returned this
morning, stating that he had been attacked at 3
O'Clock on the morning of-tke 25th by large num-
/ Der Of the enemy, and that the whole command
L rad s.sd
that he was in the vicinity OF the enemy, and
fused 10 proceed. He waited until night, and none
| OF the party coming In, no returned. About III
O'Clock this morning private was brought in cart,
wounded IN two places. The man who brought
| him was the bearer Of a note from Gen. Toneon
TO Gen. Taylor, the amount Of which was that, on
the score Of humanity, he claimed the privilege of
sending in to him two drag oons, who were wound
ed in an engagement brought on by charge from
an American cavalry officer against his command of
200 men, as he had no flying hospital He then
spoke Of the rest being prisoners, and said they
would be treated with consideration due prisoners
| OF war, sgreeaby to the custom Of civilized ma
tons.
"Prom the wounded dragoon we obtained the fol-
lawing facts; That the charge was made in open
ground; that when the command charge was
given but few OF the enemy SEEM but, as
| they dashed over the hill the whole command pre-
scented themselves They were fired upon and i'm
mediately surrounded and taken prisoners. He does
| not know what became Of Capt Thornton. Capt.
Hardee and Lieut.. Mason are prisoners, and are all
well. He reports Lieut.. Kane as shot, and 1t IA
/ feared he rs dead. Ten men killed. Before
the cart left one Of the two men mentioned in the
note died. From the note Of Gen Torrejon il
that he accuses Capt. Thornton Of having charged
upon him. One can hardly conceive of such mad
ness as charging 300 men with 63, and it s fair to
presume that he was surrounded and charged 10 cut
| his way through. Time will clear 10 all up. The
capture Of Captain Thorntons party, and the sad
1 L.. - Al