The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-16
From the New Orleans Bulletin extra, May Q
FROM THE SEAT OF WAR,

BY the arrival of the schooner Ellen and Clara
Capt Griffin, from the Brazos St. Jago, we have
accounts from Point Isabel to the morning of the
18th ulumo. The news is only one day later, and
Of course not very definite satisfactory The fact
however, that no communication had been had for
three days between Point Isabel and the camp of
Gen. Taylor, is alone sufficient to keep anxiety on
tip-toe.
We learn from Captain Griffin and DR.. N. Briggs,
a passenger, who has been several months with the
army, that Captain Walker, formerly Of the Texan
| revenue service, who has been stationed between
Point Isabel and General Taylor's camp, with a
body oftwenty-four volunteer Texan rangers, found
| several of the teams which had started from the
Point for the camp returning, and reported that
the Mexcans were on the road. He started from
his camp the 18th with his whole force, to recon-
| notre and, if possible, open communication with
General Taylor. He had proceeded as far as about
midway between Point Isabel and the camp, when
| an overwhelming Mexican force appeared very sud
denly. portion of his troops were raw; these he
instructed TO keep on his right and gave orders to
the whole to retire under cover of a chaparelle in
view.
But his raw troops, panlc-stricken, scattered in
confusion, and the Mexicans advancing in over.
whelming numbers, he compelled to retreat
He was followed by the Mexicans to within a mile
of Point Isabel, where he arrived with only two of
! his men, Six others subsequently came in
Captain Walker estimated the number of MeX-
cans he encountered at 500; and he supposes that
at least 80 Of them fell during the fifteen minutes
which he engaged them. This force is supposed to
be portion Of that which had at the last accounts
crossed the Rio Grande some 20 or 25 miles above
Matamoras, and which is estimated at 5000 men.
1t is believed that they had arrived at the position
they occupied by taking crcuitous route on the
eastern side of Gen. Taylor's camp.
No communication had been had with General
Taylor Point Isabel, for three days previous to
the departure of the Ellen aud Clara AT the last
I hat he had h,tte do
provisions. Captain Walker, Immediately after his
arrival CALAMITY rendered his services TO Major
Munroe, the commander at Point Isabel if four
men would accompany him, to make his way to
General Taylor with dispatches, or die in the at
tempt His offer was accepted, and accordingly he
| started at daylight on the morning of the 29th.
During the nights of the 9th and 2Sth the troops
at Point Isabel were in constant expectation Of being
| attacked, and dispositions were made accordingly.
The masters and crews Of vessels in the harbor
called on on the 2Sth, and spent the night under
arms. On that night 500 men were furnished with
arms Of which about SO were seamen.
The works were perfect it possible to
make them under the circumstances, and 1t was
, generally believed that, should but fifteen hundred
Mexicans attack the place, they could be at least
held at bay until reinforcements arrived. Messrs
Munroe and Saunders, it is stated, deserve great
praise for the manner in which they have fortified
Point Isabel.
Captain Griffin and DR.. Briggs inform us that the
officers of the army speak of the Mexcans as being
in very high state of dlscipline-the cavalry par
ticularly. Besides the three thousand who have
crossed the Rio Grande it is minated that there
are about FIVE thousand at Matamoras and it is sup
posed that the Mexican general has not yet display
ed his full strength, but has kept large reserve
back Of Maamoras.
1t is believed that the Mexcans have possession
Of an island at the mouth of the Brazos, which
commands the entrance. Ifso, it is apprehcnded
that the troops by the New York will not be able to
get in. The island is laid down on some Of the
maps "Brazos Village" 1t is a natural fortif-
cation
small schooner, the Aurora, sailed from Point
Isabel on the 2sth, for this port, with dispatches
The weather has been very severe on the coast
and it is to be feared that she has been driven
ashore