The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-31

cast, west and north sides Of Matamoras-and
you may daily expect to hear Of its fall The
squadron is healthy, and we are all in excellent
spirits.
NEW ORLEANS, May 22d, 1876.
Morning, at 10 O'Clock. {
Tho steam ship Alabama arrived this morning,
bringing much later news from our army, having
been but forty hours on her passage. The
news il very important, as it appears to be be-
yond doubt that Matamoras has been taken with
1t is reported that this mornings mail brings
news from Washington Of authority to General
Gaines 70 muster all the regiments into service. l
hopo il is so, as troops will be pouring down upon
us with rush. This steamboat Sea will probably
be in in the night, wiki news of the taking Of Ma
tamoras.
Tho celebrated sheet iron band are ordered to
meet at the Rose House at nine o'clock this even
ing, TO give enc grand serenade to Ben Story.
Correct description or the two BATH e. by nm
Eye Witness.
The following excellent letter, was written by
Lieutenant A. Lowery, of the I'd dragons, who
was gallanty engaged in the brilliant battles of
tho 9th and 9th insts. II was written to a tr;ara
in this city.
CAMP NEAR MArAMoRAs,
May IA, 1886
Doubtless, long before this reaches yon y~r,
Will havo secn accounts of the two pitched hat
des, fought by our little army with the Mexican
in the first Of which we defeated. and IN TIC go
second, totally annihlated their division Of the
north, capturing all their guns, colors, standards,
drums, arms and ammunition, and making nr;so'
ners, emo general, and nineteen other officers nd
about 400 men. have availed myself of the frs,
opportunity OF writing to you An express wen,
off yesterday, but was out with my squadron in
searcn OF prisoners as was tho case on the two
wrote you last from Point Isabel. on the 9Th
inst, in which mentioned that we should AZ, or,
for this place at p M. that day. We started &C.
~~Jxr ~v~dx IL -
road, without anything of interest occurr;ns W. w.
had 40 wagons in the train, and luckily two lS
Founders which were being taken no. n
complete tho battery at this place-we had also
carriages, wore carried in wagons. and wers No,
used In either action. The eighteen ponndar.
were in addition to Duncan's and Ringroid's baf.
tcrics OF four guns each.
Tho next day we started at the usual ho,,r ~
o'clock was in command Of my company. ex
tended as hankers on tho left of the column With
orders TO cover the whole army, and train from
head 70 rear keeping about 1900 yards from the
line OF march. II was from this side that the ens-
my was looked for, and was therefore directed
10 head the videttes, and make hourly reports IN
General Taylor. About twelve NJ, having arrived
within four miles OF the chaparral woods, which
extend 10 the Rio Grandc, I discovered. about
two miles IN front, single horseman whose nc
lions soon convinced me that he was ono OF the
enemy's vdetIes. Immediately reported II and
en-. Two NO men forward 70 frghten him off TO
half mile further, came in sight of large body
oil Moxicans, but at such distance that I oould
not tell whether they were cavalry or infantry.
inc column was halted, and waS directed 10
collect my force, and get as near as possible to
them, without getting within range of their artil
lery. soon ascertained that they were forming
IN line OF battle, about ono mile from the woods.
ana mat the greater part OF their force was caval
~ When returned, found our forces prepar-
ing for action, BY divesting themselves Of knap-
SACKS, vatses, &C., &c. Everything being ready.
they marched out, and took position as have
s ,.nsN IN ne annexed diagram The infantry
kInggold's battery, covered by the End squadron
Outrageous on their right; next came the 5rd and
4th infantry, having on their right two eighteen
FOUNDERS; the 9Th, and tho artillery battalion had
Duncans artillery on their lef covered by the LIST
squadron, with which remained; in this order we
slowly advanced towards the enemy. until five
minutes past three, when, having arrived within
rnnEe OF their guns. we received full fire from
all their batteriee three or four pieces each: on
came the balls, tearing up the earth in front Of
our line, and causing many a recruit to shake in
his shoes the nrst fire hart no one, their gums
being aimed 80 low a. to loose all their force by
the ncochet, before reaching our line We con-
tinued to advance, and received eight or ten
rounds before we answered them: but when we
did, il was with a terrible effect-every shot
Piougned us way through their ranks, and twenty
horses were seen without riders, galloping over
tho field. II was n magnificent sight and If
should soc one hundred Battles shall never for
get this from my position could see everything
fight field day, than battle Of life and death.
There was a constant roar from both sides. and
not musket was fired until thirty minutes after
tho commencement Of the battle; about this
time upwards OF 100 lancers had nassed
through the woods and made their appearances
on our right flank, ia the position Indicated Ring
COLDS pieces, and the 5th, were Immediately 'front.'
ed IN the now direction, nnd a rolling fire OF mus
kerry commenced, which, with the guns. soon
emPtied many saddle. Scarcely had ten minutes
elapsed, when ! saw Ringgold returning at full
speed my frs impression was, they were pur-
sued, but almost Immediately learned that they
their od po ,ss enemy and were returning to
dead, were being carried the rear by this time;
and even this certninty of a real strife could
scarcely dspel the pleasing novelty Of the scene
20 me. SIX ana nine FOUNDER balls whistled about
US, and fell frequently within six or ten feet OF
u.s. NO one in our immediate neighborhood WINS
killed, though many horses were, particularly
.n9se OF the artillery. Lieut.. Ridgeley, Of Ring
gods company, had twc horses killed under him;
TePt. Bliss had one, which shared a like fate.
Inc cennonadc lasted until quarter past P. NJ,
when the guns Of both armies became 40 hot.
; anele was 80 cessation on both sides During the
,hs me Seexcans displayed white nag, for
Of tho wounded and dead-of which they M.
peared to have great number. At O'Clock. or
, 4 lew an minutes after, the enemy again opened
tneiI Hre, ana. at the same time, made some show
OF charging. on Duncah's battery we immedi-
atcly moved to the front at quick eallop--seeing
which, they retired in good Order They made
the attempt second and third time, retiring
each tune in Like manner, with the hope, no
doubt. Of inducing us TO pursue them this we
could not do, Tor our squadron numbered only Il9
men, whilst tho enemy had nearly 400 on that
flank, alone.
!, BY this time, our moving gradually in front Of
the tires knded by our gun brought US within
musket range OF the enemy they appeared to be
retiring, and we kept them in constant confusion,
by the exactness Of our aim, and the terrible
destruction made by ops 10 pcrudsvs Thev