The daily union., 1846-04-30
Correspondence Of the PhisdePhs Inquirer and Gazette
Lsiisr 10 the Editor, dated
Anril ISlH

|, Letter 10 the Editor, daisa
CAMP, NEAR MArAMORAs, April IL, 1886
DEAR SR: Anxious to keep you correctly inform
ed Of passing events IN THIS quarter OF the world,
} avail myself Of some Of the very few leisure mo-
ments | am permitted TO enjoy. | wrote you last
from Point Isabel, and will take up my narrative
from that point
The day after writing my letter we set off for this
place and the first day encamped with the main
body. We started early next morning in one col
umn, the nature Of the country being such as to
prevent any other order Of march. When arrived
within four or five miles Of the river we found our
advanced guard halted with the information that
they had lost two men and three horses, captured
by party Of Mexicsns. This looked belligerent
indeed, and preparations were made accordingly.
The trains were parked and the traces cast loose
| from the wheel mules, while the whole command
moved forward covered by light infantry skir-
mishers.
At last we came in sight of the Mexican flag,
| and few minutes and the town and its forti-
heatons lay within $50 yards of US. We defled
directly along the river bank, (he river is about l60
or 200 yards wide,) and hating within musket-shot
OF their batteries hastily erected Temporarily flag
| staff, and unfured the "stars and stripes" Our
standards and colors unfurled by the different
| regiments as they passed it, and the bands sauted
it with the national airs. We encamped in some
large corn fields, (in which the corn was eighteen
inches OF two feet hish,) and almost Immediately
1en. w Orth, win mis- stdU Ofncer1 sent with
white flag to demand parley.
In short time, boat put out from the other
side, bringing two Mexican officers in splendid uni
forms, who, in answer TO General Worth, stated
that they forbidden to allow his crossing the
river. They consented 10 receive letter from Gen
Taylor, however. directed to Gen, Mejia. stating
peaeeable Intentions c. and so the matter end
| ed for the day. The next day, In answer 70 a de-
mand from Gen. T., they returned us the two men
and two ofhe horses they had captured, stating that
| the act had not been authorized by their military
authorities, and that their magnanimous nation did
not war upon individuals, &c, in their usual strain
| By this time they had commenced new batteries,
| and at daylight next morning, we found that they
had, during the night. thrown uPa sand-hag battle
! ry Of very formidable appearance. The next night
| word was brought into camp that GOO cavalry had
| crossed the river below-destnatiOn supposed TO
be Psini Isabel. My squadron was ordered down
there Immediately. We received the order TO sad
die up at 25 minutes past o'clock and at half past
two o'clock, we at Point Isabel, 25I miles
| distant. The night was rainy and 50 dark that we
lost the road twice. We remained there two days
without hearing or seeing anything.
Whilst there, the garrison Of the place completed
their field redoubt, and mounted four six-pounders
in IT, We brought up with US six elghteen-poun-
ders and on return found two field works thrown
up on our side, and another one is now nearly fin
ished, The latter is intended to fight three brgades
within It's walls, II necessary. made another night
march, four nights ago, with fifteen men and lieu
tenant | started at dark and kept the river bank
for eight miles down, returning about o'clock, a.
m, without seeing anything
3 O'CLOCK, Pm.
About an hour since, two Mexican officers crossed
to this side with flag bearing a despatch to Gen.
Taylor. What do you think it was General
Ampuda has arrived there in advance of his army,
which is said to be from 1000 to 5000 strong He
has notified General +. to retire from this TO our
old camp at Corpus Christi; FAILING TO DO THIS BY
TWO o'cLocK TOMORROW, he is going to open
the batteries upon US The declaration further
says that upon will rest the responsibilities Of
long and bloody war, which, far as they are con-
cerned, will be carried on with a strict regard
TO the rules and observations Of civilized nations.
An express was started Immediately for Point
Isabel, for more ANN muntion, and TO place them
on their guard; the dispositions OF the camp are al
ready being changed, and a large command Of dra-
goons is ordered for secret service after dark. You
cannot imagine how arduous this service is upon US
dragons. | have been out seven times this month
on outlying piekets, and only yesterday rode 43
miles before 3 O'Clock.
A prisoner has just been brought in by the picket.
a certain point tomorrow. A squadron goes with
him to the place at daylight 500 men are hard at
work at the rampars and traverses and Gen. T. and
his staff Just now passed by at galop-all show
ing that matters are growing serious. The lower
picket also reported about an hour since large body
Of cavalry on their way down the river bank about
4 miles below, on the other side, Of course. am
so tired and sleepy, | must go TO bed. know
shall not sleep the less soundy for all this; that is
one great luxury ] have always enjoyed, a sound
rest through all troubles.