Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-05-13
WAR;!

geration always attending such accounts.
From the N. o. Picayune 30 instant.
The steamship Galveston, arrived this
morning, bringing the certain intelligence
that the United States army under Ge-
neral Taylor, is completely surrounded,
and his communication with Point Isabel
entirely cut of. Dispatches have been
sent TO the Governor of Texas for an inn
mediate reinforcement of 2400 men, and
special messenger, Col. Doane, is now
in this CITY with acquisitions upon Cow
Johnson for four regiments. The emer.
geney IS imminent and immediate steps
should be taken to send the necessary
force TO the relief Of the army.
At Galveston, within an hour after the
receipt of Capt Catlett's letter, there was
a public meeting, and it was determined to
dispatch 200 men that evening in the
Monmouth.
Gen. Taylor has fortified his position SO
strongly that he can stand a siege, but bis
communication with Point Isabel being
cut of he is in danger of being compelled
to take The field with an inadequate force,
on account of tbs shOrtness Of provisions.
Matamoros is almost deserted. The
American army could take the town at
once, but under the circumstances Of his
position, Gen. Taylor cannot divide his
command or weaken his camp by sending
of any considerable number Of men from 1t.
Col. Charles Doane arrived in this city
at an early hour yesterday morning, from
Brazos Santiago, which place he left on
the Goth ult., in the steam schooner Au-
gusta. Sixty miles west of the S. W.
Pass he was transferred to The steamer
Galveston. He is the bearer of important
dispatches from Gen. Taylor, and OF
requisiton upon the Governor of Louisiana
for four regiments. The previous news
received, that the Mexicans had crossed
the Rio Grande, Is fully confirmed, and
detachment Of American troops has been
cut oil. But for the details we refer 10
the following account of operations kindly
furnished US by Col. Doane.
On Thursday evening, the 23d inst,
Gen. Taylor received information that
body of the Mexican army had crossed to
the east side of the Bio Grand, at poin,
some 90 miles above his encampment.-
Early on the following morning he de-
spatched Capts. Thornton and Hardee, of
the ID RegI. Dragons, with detaich,
ment of 70 men to examine the country
above, and Capt. Kerr, of the same regi-
Ia
country below the encnmpment. The lat
ter returned to camp without having made
any discovery of MeXicans,
The former, however, fell in with what
he considered TO be a scouting party of the
enemy, but which proved 10 be the ad.
vance guard Of very strong body Of the
enemy, who were posted in the chaparrul,
Immediately in the rear Of Gen. Taylors's
camp. Capt. Thornton, CONTRARY 10 the
advice of his Mexican Guide, charged up
on tho guard, who retreated towards the
main body, followed by Capt. Thornton,
when in instant he found himself and
command, surrounded by the enemy, who
fred upon him, killing, as it is supposed,
Capt. Thornton, Lieuts. Kane. and Ma
son, and some twenty-six Of the men, and
taking Capt, Hardee and the remainder of
the command prisoners, The Mexican
commander sent into Gen. Taylor's camp,
a cart, with soldier badly wounded, with
message that he had no travelling hos
pita with him and could not, therefore,
render the soldier the assistance which
his situation required.
1t is supposed that the detachment of
the enemy on the east side of the Rio
Grandc consists Of at least $500 men, un.
der the command of Coils. Carasco and
Carabujal, both old and experienced Off.
GERS, and that their object is to cut oil all
communication between Gen. Taylor and
Point Isabel, the depot of provisions. In
the execution OF this object they have sue
ceeded, and have thereby placed the Anne.
rican army in a most dangerous position
as it will be utterly impossible for Gen
Taylor, with the limited number of mer
now under his command, sny $500, tC
force his way through the dense chappar'
raj, in which the enemy are already strong
! ~ posieu'
On the 22d, Gen. Taylor received from
Ampudia, by means OF flag of truce, .
communication in very offensive terms
complaining Of his having blockaded The
Rio Grande; to which he replied tina
Gen. Ampudia had himself been the cause
of the blockade, in having expressly de
clared that unless Gen Taylor common
ced his retreat behind the Nueces within
twenty. four hours after his displaying hi
flag upon the left bank of the Rio Grande
he would consider pdr as being declared
and would act accordingly. Gen. Taylo
furthermore stated that he would receive
no further communications from the Mexi
can commander, unless couched in Ian
guage more respectful towards the govern
ment and people of the United States.
A. n