The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-11
. From the New Orleans Picayuns Maya
DEPL ORABLR NEWS FROM THE ARMY


lDEPLORABLR NEWS FROM THE ARMY.
early hour Yesterday morning, from Brasos Santa
80, whleh place he left on the 18th ull., in the
steam schr. Augusta. Sixty miles west Of the
southwest pass, he was transferred TO the steamer
Galveston. He IL the bearer Of important de-
spalehes from General Taylor, and OF requisition
upon the governor Of Louisiana for four regiments.
The previous news received, that the Mexicans
had crossed The Rio Grande. Is fully confirmed, and
a detachment OF American troops has been cut of.
But for the details, we refer 10 the following ac-
count Of operations kindly furnished US by Colosel
Doane: w. ,..
On Thursday evening 23d instant, General Tay-
lor received Information that body OF the Mexican
army had creased the Rio Grande at point some
twenty miles above his enoampmeDt. Early on
the Rlowing morning, he despatched Captains
Ihornlon and Handee, OF the I'd regiment OF
Dragons, vita detachment Of 20 men, 70 examine
the country above, and Captain Kerr, OF the same
| regiment, with company, 70 examine the country
below The eheampmenL The latter returned TO
camp without having made any discovery Of Mexi-
cans.
sidersd to be a scouting party Of the enemy, but
which proved 10 DO the advance guard OF very
strong body OF the enemy, who were posted In tho
ehapsral, Immediately in the rear OF Gen, Taylors
camp. Captain Thornton, contrary 70 the advice Of
his Mexican guide, charged upon the guard, who
lfcucntca toWnus inc main oouy, followed by CAPT.
Thornton, when in an instant he found himself and
command surrounded by the enemy, who fired
upon him, killing, as II Is supposed, Capt Thorn
too, LieuIenants Kane and Mason, and some TWEEN
ty-six Of the men, and taking Captain Hardss and
the remainder OF the command prisoners. The
Mexican commander sent into General Taylors
camp cart, with soldier badly wounded, with a
message that he had no travelling hospital with him,
aud could not therefore, render the soldier the
sistanee which his situation required.
| Its supposed thar the detachment Of the enemy
on the east side Of the Rio Grande consists Of at
least 500 men, under the command Of Coils, Carusco
and Carrsbsjal, both old and experienced officers,
and that their object is to cut off all communication
between Gen Taylor and Point Isabel, the depot of
provisions. In the execution of this object, they
have fully succeeded, and have thereby placed the
American army in a most dangerous position, as il
will be utterly impossible for Gen. Taylor with the
limited number Of men now under his command
say 2300-to force his way through the dense chap
srral, 10 which the enemy are already strongly
posted. '....-'
Gen. Taylors position, in the rear of Matamoras,
is sufficiently strong 10 withstand successfully an
attack Of the whole Mexican force, and commands
the town, which, with the batteries already mounted
could be razed 10 the ground in hours time.
Gen. Taylor has in camp full ratons for Is days,
which he thinks can be made to last 80 days,
by which time he is IN hopes to receive large rein
forcemenis from Texas and Louisiana, upon each
Of which States he has made a reguistion for the
immediate equipment and transmission to Point Is
abel OF four full regiments Of militia. II is thought
by the superior officers Of Cen TayIor's army,
that 900 will be required within very short
period, as IL Is well known that the Mexican army
Is daily receiving large renfocements from the inte-
rior. II is supposed by the American officers that
Gen Arista reached Maamoras on the evening OF
the 22d nit with brigade; but up to the period of
the writer's leaving camp, no communication had
been received by Gen. Taylor from Gen. Arista.
Ill. H.. =. - n L.
26Ih ult. Col. Doane learned that Gen. Arista ad-
essed polite note 70 Gen. Taylor, informing him
that he, Arista, had assumed the command OF the
Tbs ss,a Of u. Galveston New. ..y. that re-
QUESTIONS have leen made upon the governors of
Alabama and Miss,ss,ppi for troops The News
supposes that General Taylor would open his FIRE
UPON Mstamorss the morning OF the 23th utiuo.
We have also received an extra from tbeoice ofthe
Galveston News, where the intelligence was re-
ceived by the steamboat Monmouth, with Captain
| a lett on bpard-a bearer of dispatches from Gen
Taylor to Gov. Henderson, OF rexas--calling upon
him for aid. We give the letter to the Galveston
committee IN full, as il best shows the urgency of
the call upon Us all: ..-...., 49,. n.r ..- ...
LETTER or CAPT cATLErT TO THE PEOPLE OF
GALVESTON Pea.
On BOARD STEAMER MONMOUTH,
OF ST. Josephs, April %, 1886.
u
from Gen Taylor to Gov Henderson, requesting
to be Immediately reinforced by twenty companies OF
foot rfemen. My destination is Victoria, and
thence to Austin. was instructed by the general
to send express from the former place by land to
your city with communications to Lieut. Kinesbu-
ry, and at the time 10 spread the information
through the country. But IL having been left dis
cretionary with me, and the Monmouth being avail
able, have determined to send the co communications
by her, and also to write to YOU in order to facii
tate much as poasible the nding Of troops.
Gen Taylor is in very precarious situation at his
camp near Matamoras, and an attack is feared on.
the post at Point Isabel. believe reinforcement
of two hundred men would save that place. This is
vastly important, as a large amount Of comissarat
and ordnance stores deposited there, and If that
place should fall, Gen. Taylor win be left without
resources Of any kind. o. ~ lo FL = ooe 30" '.,
was instructed by Gen Taylor to send out from
Victoria expresses in such directions as might
deem most advisable, so as TO have all the men pos
sible on their march to his relief without awaiting
the order Of the governor. You will have il in your
power to send to the Lower Brazos, Houston, and
Montgomery, sooner Than an express can 60 from
Victorla, therefore leave that, 10 you, knowing
that il viii be promptly attended to-. / shall send TO
Maagorda, Texana. Richmond, and San Felipe
II you have an opportunity, please send To Wash
ipgton shall send there from La Grange. frs
The place Of rendezvous for the foot companies is
suggested BY tho general at Galveston; that Of the
mounted men at Corpus Christi, at which place
there will be provisions and forage. No party less
than 400 should think Of going through the direct
road To Matanoras, an there Is alarge force Of Mex-
leans on the Aroyo Colorado for the purpose Of
cutting off reinforcements in that direction Small
parties cross from Corpus Christi to Padres
island. Arrangements are made for crossing from
| the lower point of the island to Point Isabel. -
II two hundred men could be raised even tempo.
rarily at Galveston, l am decidedly Of opinion it
would be better to send them forthwith by the M on
| tho If hal nFf laat
importance.
| From the hest information we could obtain, the
force of the Mexcans is down at seven thousand
certain, and reports go high twelve thousand.
| All communication is now cut off between the
camp and Point Isabel except by running the gaunt-
let | came out, in the night Of the 26th, with
guide, and proving all night through chaparal,
swamps, and lakes. LIN ..... .... 81 lis. $780,.
Capt Baker will be able to give you all the partic-
uars Of what has happened, the situation Of Point
Isabel, &c, &c. . $500, ...r ...r.. ......
The old general is as cool a cucumber, and has
so strengthened his position that ! Of opinion
|