Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-06-04
ARMY INTELLIGENCE.
From the Nesc Orleans Bee, Nay ls.
OFFICIAL DESPATCH TO GEN. GAIN


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From the Neso Orleans Bee, Nay ls.
OFFICIAL DESPATCH TO GEN. GAINES
We have been politely favored with a perlsal Of
the official despatch addressed by Gen. faylor 70
General Gaines, dated from his camp on the field of
battle, three miles from Matamoras, May 9th, 1876.
1t does not differ materially from the accounts of the
two engagements already laid before the public.
On the 9Th Gen. Taylor drove the enemy from their
position, and occupied it during the night.
The loss in this conflict was twelve killed and
thirty-nine wounded On the 9Th the army resum-
ed its march, until it encountered the enemy pro-
tected, as stated in our extras, by ravine with ar
tillery on its right. This battery was storrned by
Capt. Mays Company of Dragons. The number
of killed and wounded on our side could not be as
| certained. Private accounts make the number
something over one hundred.
In this second engagement Lieut.. Inge of the End
Dragons Lieut.. oochrane Of the 9TH Infantry, and
Lieut.. Chadbourne of the 9Th Infantry, were killed
Officers wounded: Lieut.. Coils Mcintosh and
Payne, Captains Montgomery and Hooe Lieu
tenants Gates, Maclay, Selden, Burbank, Jordon
and Fowler of the Infantry.
The despatch states that the forces under Gen.
Taylor were two thousand three hundred men and
that they had to contend against 3 $500 Mexcans of
the regular army and about 1000 irregular cavalry
The fort opposite Matamoras has been incessant-
ly bOmbarded 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, speaking of General
Arsta's correspondence, which fell into the hands
Of General Taylor. says:
The plan of the campaign, and the instructions
from Gen. Arista's government ordered him to take
possession of Point Isabel this was to be the brief
act of hostilty he to fortfy it as strongly as
kID
sion OF the mouth of the river and orfy it at once
After the rout Gen. Taylor dispatched Capt
Carr, OF the Dungeons. with guard, to convey the
intelligence. They bore so many OF the enemy's
colOrs with them that they presumed in the Fort
that 1t was the Mexicans coming up to make an as
saut, it being dark, and the Fort fired upon them.
but fortunately injured no one.
The total number of volunteers furnished by the
State of Louisiana up to the 18th instant was 49,
and companies were still pouring in from every d.
rection.
Capt. d. j. Ricardo's corps of Rangers, seventy
one men in all had left for Point Isabel, without
waiting for their bounty and caps.
In looking over the New Orleans papers and cx-
tlas of the 18th instant, second time, we observe
few items Of sufficient general interest to claim
place in our columns.
The following from the Picayune was written
before news of the engagement of the 9h--tle last
we have any account of-reached New Orleans 1t
is of some importance, however, as it reveals the
reasons which determined Gen. TAYLOR to leave
Point Isabel on the 9TH instant for his encampment
opposite Matamoras before the arrival Of reinforce
ments
Some time after the battle was begun two negro
men ran off from the army, and reported at Point
Isabel that the day was going against the United
States amy-Ihe excitement at the receipt of the
intelligence may be more easily imagined than de-
scrbed. 1t was not till Gen. Taylor sent in his
wounded to the Point, the afternoon of the ensl-
ing day, that the issue of the days bloody business
was known. The smoke of the battle was seen dis
tinctly from Isabel, and every report of cannon
counted. 1t was thought that at least five guns
minute were discharged.
The General left Point Isabel for the entrench-
ments opposite Matamoras before the arrival of re-
Inducements because he was apprehensve lest the
enemy might surround and harrass it as to render
its safety doubtful. The enemy has concentrated
an immense force upon Matamoras and the neigh
boring country. The Mexican soldiers are in great
er strength than has hitherto been supposed
No further news was heard from Gen. TAYLOR
after the evening of the 9th, nor was any more fir
ing heard. We are informed that when the two
companies of Mexican artillery were seen--as they
could be from Point Isabei--whist vet the battle
was raging, coming down to cross Bocha Chica,
and marching upthe beach to take possession of our
boats and stores. the belief was that Gen TAYLOR
had been cut off Such spectacle, taken in con-
junction with the story OF the negroes who deserted
must have been sad one, indeed. to the few brave
men who remained in the fort. Fortunately the
United States Ship Cumberland was at hand to
drlve off this detachment The Mexicans must
have felt confident of obtaining victory, to have
sent these men down to take charge of the American
stores before the close of the battle
The impression was that Gen. TAYLOR would
throw up redoubt upon the field Of battle, and
remain there till the volunteers arrived. This was
a conjecture only, as the General is one of those
men who keep their own counsel. We have seen
letter from one of the officers at Isabel, who
thought such would be his course
| Whilst congratulatng the country upon the sue
cesses already achieved, something is due TO the
brave men who have fallen in battle and the cal
liant officers who have been so severely wounded in
| the field. Major RINGGoLD is an honor to the ser
vice, and victory is dear that is purchased with
the loss OF such an officer Capt. PAGE we know
well. He Is as true soldier as ever faced his
country's foe They will be remembered by theil
countrymen. Honor to the living and peace be
with the dead.
A correspondent of the New Orleans Bulletin
writing from Point Isabel on the evening of the l2tl
! inst. remarks
Many instances occurred Of our men handing
their canteens to the wounded Mexicans, and turn
ing from them to fire upon others. There was no
single occurrence of cruelty towards the enemy
The morale of the army is at its hghest-it car
now accomplish anything, and they would die fo
commander who does not ask them to go wher,
he is moi willing to lead, and in whose judgmon
they fully confdc.
The following particulars OF the capture Of Gen
Vega by Capt. May, is copied from letter in tn