American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-26
BY LAST NIGHTS SOUTHERN MAIL.
FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE DEFEAT
OF THE MEXICAN ARMY-OFFICIAL DES-
PATCHES,


states that it has been favored with perusal Of
the official despatch addressed by Gen. Taylor
to Gen. Gaines, dated from his camp on the
field of battle, three miles from Matamoras,
May 9th, 1916. The Bee says:
at does not differ materially from tho &C
count Of the two engagements already laid be-
fore the public. On the Sth Gen. T. drove the
enemy from their position and occupied it dur
ing the night The loss in this conflict was 2
killed and 80 wounded. On the 9th, the army
resumed its march, until it encountered the en-
envy, protected, as stated in our extra, by a
ravine. This battery was stormcd by Captain
Mays Company of Dragons The number of
killed and wounded on our side could not be
ascertained. Private accounts make the num-
Der something over one hundred.
| In this second engagement Lieut. Inge of the
End Dragons, Lieut.. Cochrane of the 4th In
fantry,and Lieut.. Claiborne of the Sth Infant
| ry, were killed. Officers wounded. Lieut.
Coils. Mcintosh and Payne, Captains Montgom-
cry and Hooe;. Leutenants Caters, Maclay,
Selden, Burbank, Jordon and Fowler of the In
fantry.
The despatch stated that the forces under
Gen. Taylor were two thousand three hundred
men, that they had to contend against $500
Mexcans of tho regular army, and about 1000
irregular cavalry.
The fort opposite Matamoras has been near
ly necessarily bonbarded during one hundred
and sixty hours, during which an immense
number of shot and shells were thrown in it
No material damage has been sustained.
The Galveston Civilian says that Gov.
Henderson, of Texas, was to assume the COM
mand ofthe troops The Galveston News re-
lates the following of the decisive battle of the
9th:
"The battle commenced by heavy cannon
aiding on both sides. Gen. Taylor, in passing
his lines, accosted Capt. Mays of the I'd dra-
goons, and told him-'your regiment has never
done anything yet-you must take that Bate
ry.' Hessaid nothing but turned to the COM
mand and said-'we must take that battery
tollown He made charge with three COM
panies-at least the remainder of three compa-
MES supported by the 5th and 9th regiments
of infantry. They cleared the breast work
rode over the battery, wheeled and came
through the enemy's line, whilst the fire of the
infantry was SO deadly in its effects to carry all
before it. Capt. Mays made a cut at an off.
Ger as he charged through-on his return he
found him standing between the wheels of a
eannon-hghting like hero. He ordered
him to surrender. He was asked if he was an
officer. Capt. Mays answered him in the affir-
NATIVE, when he presented his sword-'You
receive Gen. Vega prisoner of war? Capt.
Mays gave him in charge of one Of his SER
geants who had lost his horse in the charge,
ordering him to conduct HIM to Gen. TAYLOR
out of the line"
In this charge, Capt. Gage, brave and gal
liant officer fell. A complete panic ensued on
the part of the enemy, and they fled in every
direction, many beiug drowned in attempting
to cross the river.
"Eight pieces of artillery fell into our hands,
and innumerable quantity of small arms, mu-
nitions, baggage, camp equippage, military
chest containing large quantity of gold, Gen.
Arista's carriage, baggage, port folio with all
his official correspondence with the Govern
ment, will full plans of the campaign, and in
structions from the Mexican Government, au-
thorlzing him to send Gen. Taylor and his
army when taken prisoners to the city of Mex
leo; to treat Gen. Taylor and his officers with
such care and attention as becomes the mag
nanimity of the great Mexican nation. Four
or five hundred head of mules, &c., with a
large number Of stands of colors.
The plan of the campaign and the instruc-
tons from his Government ordered him to take
possession of Point Isabel, this was to be the
brief act of hostility, he was to fortify it as
strongly as possible. He was likewise order
ed to take possession of the mouth ofthe river
and fortify it at once"
Some 400 Mexicans were buried at the last
accounts, but doubtless hundreds lie dead a.
mong the Chaperal.
Capt. Mays attack is spoken of as being one
g ar. L.aL l,n.
adorned the brightest feather of the plume of
Murat, in the palmest days of his glory. 1t
cost him Is horses with few of the gallant
riders. The victory, says the Extra from which
we copy, entirely belongs to the U. S. Army
No volunteers having arrived in time to share
in the honoTs of the day. 1t will convince our
country, that West Point affords the material
of exhibiting the courage and bravery of A
merican soldiers.
] trust we will have no more of dismounting
our gallant Dragons, the affair of the 9th
shows them to be the arteries of our defence.
The following letters from intelligent officers
of the Army, will be read with interest:
Correspondence of the Baltimore Clipper
POINT ISABEL, Texas, May IL, 1916.
JMessrs. Editors In my last letter, gave
you some account of matters in this neighbor-
hood. informed you of Major Ringgold be-
ing in this camp. We yesterday paid the last
tribute to him; he died on the evening of the
10th, from wounds received in battle. None
others have died among our wounded; but Col.
Mcintosh, is not expected to live. He was
shot through the body by the enemy, and af-
forwards bayoneted. Gen. Taylor returned
last night to this place. Col Payne, who for
| merlv commanded at Fort McHenrv is woun-
ded; Capt. Hooe has lost his right arm. The
fort opposite Matamoras was bombarded for
several days, and but three of our men were
killed, one of whom was the accomplished and
gallant commander Major Brown. We have
great number of prisoners, many of whom
have been sent TO this place. We have ex-
] cha nnad for thacn ihnr tool from nd ha,z