The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-12-18
OTTAWA, ILLINOIS, FRIDAY DECEMBER


his banners, at San Luis Potosi,
which place he is intrenching and
certifying with all possible diligence
and precaution. 1t is estimated that
there are already 10000 men there,
and that he means to increase this
force to $4,000, and with them to
await an attack from Gen. Taylor
and make desperate-a final fort
to defeat our forces.
He will, however, have to await
some time, is believed, before Gen.
Taylor "calls him out." For it is
now believed, indeed, il is known,
that henceforth the base Of the OPP
erations Of our army is to be--not
from Monlerey-not from Camargo
not from MatamoroS or Linares--
but from the highest navigabIe point
of the river above Tampico, and
there our men and munitions are
benceforth to converge-but, nous
Gcrr0GS.
We should have stated that re-
port reached Monclova, before Capt.
Davis had reached there, that CHI.
huahua had been taken by detach-
ment of troops from Gen. Kearny's
division.
In addition TO the above, we give
the two following letters, from our
correspondence. We have receiv-
ed a file of the Matanoros Flag, but
find nothing in it to copy.
The loss of our troops by sickness
on the Rio Grande since the open
ing Of the campaign, is estimated at
Fifteen hundred. 1t is believed that
more of our brave men have died
from disease than were killed Of the
enemy in the three battles.
.7mpHdia is reported to be conlin-
ed in prison at Nadagard, because
of his capitulation at Monterey.
At Camargo from 1000 to 1860 are
on the sick list. The Camanches
have taken a number Of pack mules
on the route from Monterey to Ca
margo, and murdered their drivers
who were MeXicans. The funeral
of Maj. Ridgley, at Monterey, was
very impressive.
At Camargo, two Of the Tennessee
Regiment were killed by the MeXi-
cans, and it so inccnscd the soldiers
that they forgot for a moment all
sense of propriety and discipline,
and in retaliation commenced shoot
ing MeXicans wherever they could
be found. 4 friend Of mine told me
that lie believed % or 20 lad been
killed by Tennessee rifles. To put
stop to it Gen. Patterson ordered
the roll to be called every two hours,
and any man who did not answer to
his name was court-martialed.
Troops are again filling Matamo-
ros, and extending their encamp-
ments along the lower Rio Grande.
Yesterday about 300 infantry re-
cruits, who sailed from New York
on the seth October, under Maj.
Hawkins, landed here. They viii
here be drilled, and be ready to serve
with any column which may advance
from this point.-Rumors are Dolly
coming in, respecting the Mexican
plans and operations. The natives
here, however, are more quiet and
docilc than a few weeks age.
Mai. Chase has seized a vessel
consigned to the Prussian Consul,
and size will be condemned for vio-
lation of the laws of war. Her car
90 is valued at 100000. The Nc
Kim experienced heavy gale on
her voyage--Iosing overheard two
passengers. Other vessels sustain
ed heavy damages. The Lipan IN
dians are annoying travellers on thc
Corpus Christi road. An ARRAY oc-
CURED at Matamoros, in which an
Italian was killed and two Texans
wounded. Col. Thomas Regiment
lad reached MatamoroS.