The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-15
The War With Mexico.


AesseAbArOm tne hrmy-NOI.
MArAMoRAs, MEXICO, June %, 1876.
The newspaper is undoubtedly priceless
blessing in any country, but among our people it
is the very staff Of int llecua ifs Yet, so vora-
cious is the popular appetite, that little attention
is given to the bare quality of the materials of
which the bread is sometimes composed ms
TACT has been strikingly illustrated IN some recent
accounts of movements and dongs in the little
army of occupation. So exaggerated nave been
many OF the statements-so contrary 10 ruin ana
a reasonable probability, The narrative Of events
happened, as to fill The regular officer with mort-
1cation and regret, and draw from him that
mournfully disparaging soldoquy, How this
The papers from the United States are now ar
irving, freighted with varied reports of sieges,
and marches, and battles on the frontier of Mex
100; and it would appear that almost every camp
follower, whatever his capacity or means of in
rial report of transactions here, was q sacred debt
he owed to his country and the world Profess
sional knowledge was not deemed necessary.
He had call, and with presumption similar to
that with which the ignoramus, under the plea of
this canting expression, enters upon the sublime
mysteries of theology, our historian infinitely de-
sc bes the progress of battles he did not see, and
passes verdict upon military operations he does
not understand. And here let me state, for the
credit of army literature and veracty, that ma
jority OF the extravagant, and oltentimes puerile
accounts, purportng 10 come from an officer In
camp, proceed from no one commissioned in, or
In any way belonging to the public service. The
writer of I lis was at Point Isabel early in May,
when Captain Walker returned from his daring
and successful expedition TO the fort opposite Ma
tamoras. The clear report from its commander
Of the first two days operations and results was
well known throug hout the army, and to every
citizen at the Point Judge of our surprise to be-
mold, few weeks afterwards, the story that four
ls-poundsrs had, in thirty minutes, totally de-,
stroyed the well city Of Matamoras, and
killed seven hundred of its defenders! Now, who
told this improbable falsehood! Certainly no one
accurately acquainted with the effect OF shot, or
the usually adhesive character of brick and NOR
tar. Yet this marvellous story went to the United
States, and served the good purpose Of text for
patriotic addresses to the thousands assembled in
your park, and gave the subject to great ma
tonal drama, written, rehearsed and acted within
five hours after it reached Philadelphia. But
with all its utility, it wanted the becoming orna-
ment OF a degree oftruth.
Richly did we merit that bitter sarcasm Of the
Canadian editor. who, on the report that the
American army was about to take Matamoras,
quietly suggested that Matamoras had no exist
ence for several days. And the official ed tor
may herein find some excuse for his incredibly
when the rumor of our battles first reached WI ash
lngtton
To quarrel with the charity believing us capa-
bic of so great and marvellous things, may appear
ungratetul; but the modification, on account OF
the Munchausens returning TO US by every mail,
II 90 great, tIdL 1 nave lett IL my uu'y 10 owen
upon the evil at some length, and to caution the
public that all tho latest intelligence" from the
seat of war is not worthy of implicit belief. We
deem the unadorned truth sufficiently extraordI-
nary for the most wonder-loving reader, and ask
no higher praise for the army oil occupation than
this truth simply stated.
With these views, and to correct, in some n,ea-
sure an evil frequently prejud cal TO the public
interest as II Is annoying TO individuals, would
..k place in the col INNS OF the universally read
Herald, wherein to record passing events on the
HIo Grande and with the invading army, as they
ire seen to the writer. Shouli this privilege be
accorded, it is hoped that numerous errors may
be corrected, and more avoided in future.
1t cannot be doubted that the operations Of Gen.
Taylor, in his brief and brilliant campaign, are to
occupy a conspicuous place on the page OF Ameri
:an history, as they have elevated HIM among the
first of Amer can heroes. Two days stand in
bold prominence, but ii must not be supposed
that all of high importance was enacted on the 9th
and 9Th of May. War would be- indeed a holiday
had we but 10 meet and engage the enemy at q
given time, and, after sharing in the excitement
of battle, and perhaps the glory of triumph, behold
| the work accomplished, and be permitted to re-
turn quickly mt home. But every day shows moi
battle field Ii is in patient endurance, in learn
ing Ito labor and to wait" that the soldier is most
severely tired. Incidents apparently the slightest,
may have the most important bearing upon the
grand result, and hence the history Of any day
from the march of the army from Corpus Christi
10 the occupation of this Mexican city, may not
be unworthy of record. In this spirit, propose
write currente calamo of transactions in and near
the army OF occupation, without regarding strictly
The order OF time, as often and with as much
IN nuteness as soldiers duties IN The field may
afford him leisure and opportunity. X. y. Il.
Movements OF tho Army Of Occupation
Affairs In MstsmOras.
lFrsm the Matamoras Revellle, June 30
portion OF Capt. MCullough's company, afew
days since, while en- scouting expedition, near
Reynoso, captured two officers of the Mexican
army. They are reported to have had despatch
es from Canales to the Mexican army near Mon
terey. The nature Of the communications, as q
matter OF course, have not transplred.
We are gratited, us an American citizen, at the
terms III which the conduct and character oil zen.
Taylor is spoken Of in Matainoras. His remaining
in camp and sharing all the hardships OF the sol
diers during the extremely disagreeable weather
which we have lately had, Affords they say, a Ia
conduct of Mexican General, under similar cii-
| cumstances. The latter would have occupied the
best house In town, even II he had TO force Inc
inmates into the streets. T"
Capt. Walker, of the Texas Rangers, has re-
oeved his commission rs captain in the United
States army, of company OF the regiment Of
Mounted rlficmen. He IS instructed, we are In
formed, to repor, by letter and not in person. as
| MS services may be needed here, to Maj. Bur
orde, Newport, by, and TO recruit his company
as speedily possible, SO as not TO interfere with
more active duues.
| The commissioners sent from this place, by the
permission of Gen Taylor to the commander OF
the Mexican forces, to obtain money tor the sur
| port OF the sick and wounded Mexican soldiers,
returned yesterday with $1,000. The poor MAIN
ed wretuhes, when they are turned OUT Of the hos
pal, will got the permission OF the government &c
beg. . -
The DEGREES Of Ayuntamento of the city Of Ma
tamoras, are published in 10 days paper. Their
| object is certainly laudable, and will meet with
the approval and hearty cooperation of the Amc-
rican portion OF the population. The taxes TO be
collected, we are informed, will be applied to III
main object of the edct, the promotion OF the
cleanliness OF the streets of the city.
The steamer Neva, Capt. Stone, arrived here
yesterday, having left Reynoso on "Wednesday
last We are informed by the captain, that the
riv-r had fallen fully three feet SINCE his upwart
"TRIP, SILL there is enough for his boat, which
draws three and half feet. The health Of til,
troops stauoned in Reynosa was good, no Cases o
sickness having occurred, except such as are ne
cessarily incident to camp life.