The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1846-05-15


he considered TO be scouting party of The
enemy, but which proved TO be the advance
guard Of n very strong body of the enemy,
who were posted in the chaparal, immedi.
ateiy 10 the rear OF Gen. TavloI's Camp.
Capt. Thornton, contrary to the advice Of
the Mexican Guide, charged upon the
guard, who retreated towards the main
body, followed by Capt. Thornton, when in
an instant he found himself nnd command
surrounded by the enemy, who fred upon
him, kIilIng, as II Is supposed, Capt. Thorn.
ton, LeuIs. Kane aud Mason, and some
~ Of the men, aud taking Capt. Hardee
and the remainder Of the command prison.
ers. The Mexican commander sent into
Zen ieylor's camp, cart, with soldier
badly wounded, with message that he had
40 travelling hospital with hun and could
not, therefore, render the soldier the assis.
| lance which his situation required.
II Is supposed that the detachment Of The
enemy on the east side Of the Rio Grandc
consists Of at least 800 men, under the
command Of Coils. Carusco and Carrabaial,
both old and experienced officers, and that
heir object Is 10 cut Off all communication
between Gen. Taylor and Pom, Isabel, The
depot 81 provisions. IN the execution oc
lh,s object, they have fully succeeded, and
have thereby placed HE American army m
a most dangerous position, 40 it will be ut.
terry impossible for Gen. Taylor, with The
limited number of mon now under his com.
mand, say ? 800, 10 force his way through
the dense chaparal, in which the enemy
are already strongly posted.
On the 22d, Gen. Taylor received from
Gen. Ampudla, by means Of flag of truce,
communication in very offensive terms,
complaining Of his having blockaded the
RIO Grande TO which lie replied, that
Cen Ampudiu had himself been the cause
Of the blockade IN having expressly dec ar.
ed that unless Gen. Taylor commenced
his retreat belindihe Nucccs within lwen.
- four hours after his displaying his nag
upon the left bank Of the Rio 6 rande, he
would consider rdr as being declared, and
would act accordingly. Gen. TAYLOR fur.
thermore stated that be would receive
no further communications from the Mex.
ican commander, unless couched IN Inn
guago more respectful towards the Gov.
crnmeni and people Of the United States.
Gen, TuyIuf's position, 50 the rear Of
Matamorus, Is sufficiently strong to with
stand successfully an attack of the whole
Mexican force, and commands the town,
which, with the batteries already mounted,
could be RACED 10 the ground in an hours
time Gen. Taylor has IN camp foil ra,ions
tor , days, 4hich he thinks can be made
to last ,hlfiy days. By which time he l. ID
hopes to receive large reluforcemens from
Texas and Louisiana, upon each .! Mch
States he has made a reqg.s,uon for the
immediate equipment and Transmission to
Point Isabel of four full regim ats Of mill
TIA. 1t is thought by the superior officers
os Gen. Taylor's Army that 90 900 men viii
DO required within a very short period, as
Il IS well known that the Mexican army is
daily receiving large reInforcements from
the interior. II was supposed by the A.
mcrcan officers that Gen, Arlsta reached
Ma;amoros on the evening Of the writer's
leaving camp. No communication had been
received BY Gen. Taylor from Atlsta
Subsequently to his leaving the Camp
on the 26lh ult. Col. Doane learned that ,
Gen. Arsia addressed polite note to Gen.
Taylor informing hlm that he, Arisia, had .
assumed the command Of the Mexican for. |.
ces.
At Point Isabel grca, fears we're enter.
taucd o( night attack, which from the /
presen, exposed situation Of thai post could
not be otherwise than successful II conduc-
ted with energy. The post is defended by
Major Munfoe, ~tlh detachment Of so
artiIers,s. There are also at the post a.
bout 200 armed wagoners and 80 laborers
under the orders OF the QuartefmasIer, and
some 100 citizens furnished with arms by
the L. 5. Ordnance officer, organized un.
der the command of Capt. Peklus, and de. I
the kron,ou Guards. com.
pany Of 80 Mexican cavalry we're seen on
the night of the och within FIVE miles Of
Point Isabel. They were supposed 10 be
a corps Of observation.
The Plcay0ne of the ID al o'clock
says
The Legislature has just passed by &C.
clamtion, Bill approprailng ONE Hun.
DRIED THOUSAND DOLLARS, to
quip and forward volunteers from this
place To Point Isabel, or at whatever point
they may be required.
The city is in great excitement. Guns
are being fired from the Public Squares,
and drums and flags are paraded through
the streets. Louisiana Will do her duty IN
this crisis.
---..e Ser
METHODIST SOUTHERN CONFER
ENCE.
THIS body assembled in Petersburg on
the lst Instant. 1t was called TO order by