Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-07-01
VOL. II.
SCENES IN MATANORAS.
CORRESPONDENCE OF n. Y. SPIRIT OF THE TIMES.

Dear Pin my last predicted that
nv next would be dated at Matamoras.-
81 it is, although our camp is in the out
skirts of the city. On the 18th the Ge-
neral had decided that we should move TO
the point selected for crossing the river
and commence operations against the city.
We struck our tents early that morning
Our unusual stir and activity was seen by
the enemy, and no doubt attributed TO the
proper cause. We were all anxiousy
awaiting The order to move, when we
were informed that a parley had been
sounded, and that deputaton from Gen.
ARIsTA has crossed the river to see Gen.
TAYLOR. Gen. RICARDO was at the head
Of il; ARISTA proposed to enter into an
armsiice, until they could hear from Mex.
leo, not doubling the boundary would nOW
be settled. Gen t. said ''no, that he
had offered them one some time since;
had evinced the most friendly disposition;
that they would not agree to it when his
army was weak, and now, that reinforce
mpnts had arrived he should dictate his
own terms" Ricurdo wished to know if
the General intended taking Matamoras?
He said .'yes". r. offered TO surrender
al the public property, ammunition, &c,
if he would not cross. The General said
''no,' that he must have Matamoras if he
had to batter it down, and said that now he
was prep red to do it. He told him to tell
Gen. Arsta that these and these only were
his terms. That the city must capItulate,
all public property, ammunition, provI-
-sions, &c, must be given up, and that
then the army might march out and retire.
The deputalion then retired to get Gen.
Arista'S answer which was to be commu-
nicated at 3 P. NJ. In the mean time the
army marched and encamped miles Oft,
at the point selected for crossing. Gen.
II. told Ricardo that Gen. Ampudia had
written to hIm. that the war should be con
Quoted agreeahlv to the usage of civilized
nations That in the last battle the enc
my had strpt our dead and muUlated their
bodies. r replied 4" that the women who
followed the army aud the Rancheros did
it, aud that they could not control them"
Our brave old General replied, +" am com
inc orer and I'LL CONTROL THEM Fur YOUR
During the evening active preparations
were made for crossing the troops. No
ton The country people commenced
crossing to us, and reported that the army
had deserted the city and retired. On the
morning OF the 18th confirmation Was re
ceiyed OF the reported flight OF Arlsta and
his Army. The scare was still working
Early in the morning the Dragons, the
huht companies of the different battalions,
Ridgeley's Qate the Iamented Ringgoli's)
ARTILLERY and the 9th Infantry were cross
ed over
regret to record that in crossing Lit.
Stevens, of the ID Dragons was drowned
He was fine young officer, much below
ed by his regiment, and his death threw a
gloom over the camp. For what singular
de,tiEies are we res rived, and how GER
talny ard IrresisliuIv one has to advance
and fulfil his fate! He was among those
gallant fellows who stared death in the
face, in the late brilliant charge Of Capt.
May, at the battle Of Resaca de la Palma
With balls scattering around him in every
direction his life was spared only to be de-
llvered zap in few days, IN the waters o.
the Bravo.
The General decided upon crossing the
rest of US at the upper ferry OF the city
As we approached the ferry we saw ou
BOYS IN possession Of the fort, and rapidly
engaged in preparing to run up our flag
Just as we reached the bank, Capt her
of the ID Dragons, ran il up; 1t tioateC
gracefully in the breeze and proudly wav
ed over Mexico. The men OF the advance
sent up three hearty cheers TO welcome
the Hlg Of their country! PrehapS, Mr.
esprit" those cheers were some! There
was a rope stretched across the river an
three boats manned by Mexlcans, ready Il
transport us. We had the felicity of be
inc ferried across by the enemy! AS W,
landed The companies formed and awalte
the arrival OF the others. When tn
whole Of the 81 Regt. was formed 1t NOV
ed off to the right TO the tune OF Yam
kee Doodlew Did you ever hear 1t Mr.
"Splut?" | reckon you never did in
foreign land, just conquered, by good, hon
est hard blows! Ii you dld, you neVe
heard such an honest cheer as arose tror
those gallant fellows on the opposite bank
when the Drum and file gave US that all
which fills, at all times, an American
breast with the purcst patriotism! A
was excitement, and every one boilIn
over with "amor patriB!" 1t was pruu
day for the American army. Citizens i
any number came down to see us. Man
of them, who, ten days ago, would hav
cut our Ihroais, were now apparently GU
warmest friends, sho * our hands hearth,
and cried ustdy, f" Amigo!"
We here saw sIrns.Ot the hurry in whc