The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-07
FROM THE COMMUNICATING.

Extract " letter from officer Of the army, daleO
.1p'H lim, az ms camp opposite naiaD.Oras, 10 gen
tisnan ia Washington.
III IS hardly necessary 10 put you on your guard
&c. The experience Of Corpus Christi will no doub
10 sufficient TO stamp with their true value all such
crude rumors.
"For reasons Of policy, dictated by his kno Wedge
OF Mexican character, General Taylor decided ic
march directly upon Matamoras and accordingly
displayed his force upon the bank Of the river, di
rectly opposite the town, and within musket range
Of the other shore. After brief examination Of the
position, he decided TO encamp for the moment on
the same ground and the army accordingly pitched
It's tents within cannon range of the town, though
somewhat favored by accidents of ground. Orders
were then given for the construction ofa heavy bat
terry, to bear upon the town, and also field fort OF
the strongest kind, by which the position could be
held by small force, and the army be otherwise
disposed Of
I'VE Ind our engineer officers invaluable, but
feel the want Of sappers and miners The educa-
ton and intelligence of our officers supply great
deal.
"Gen. Ampudis arrived on the llth; and on the
following day summoned Gen. Taylor to leave
within "a hours. II was now supposed that, in de-
fault OF our leaving, he might open his batteries and
arrangements were Immediately made, before the
bearer of the despatch recrossed the river, to put
the troops in strong defensive positions beyond the
moved that night, the other two early next morn
ing; 80 that when the "a hours expired, all our
people were secure themselves from the Mexican
artillery, and prepared TO drive back any force that
could be possibly brought against US on the land
side. Four days have elapsed and not shot has yet
been hrod, and shrewdly guess there will be none
La the meantime, our infantry are Strengthening
themselves, by artificial offences hedges &c; and
am conhdeni can repel many times their numbers
The absence Of Col. Cross is a distressing circum
stance. Gen: Ampudia, in answer to a note in re-
gard 10 hun, says that nothing is known respecting
his fate in Matamoras. Lieut. Deas, Of the 4th ar
ullery, crossed the river, TO investigate the fate Of
his friend, Col. Cross and was Immediately taker
prsoner-he is now in Matamoras. As he loft oul
side OF the river voluntarily, is question whether
Gen. Taylor can reclaim HIM ''s
eve have reason to beheye Chat Gen. Ampudia
had been relieved from ths chef eenpspd on the
northern frontier, il indeed he has notleI Matamo-
ras IL Is the pgort that Arista has been appointed
IN his place, and is daily expected at Matamoras
This would indicate change in the policy of Mex
leo, il we are correctly informed to Aristas char
acter II will serve % show you how complete il
the non-intercosrse, thar we do not know who is il
command. .".
ave have lost about 40 by desertion since W,
came here. The shooting Of three by our pickets
the drowning Of four more, and some severe meas
ures understood to have been adopted on the othe
side with deserters supposed TO be spies have nearly
stopped the practice.
"April IS, 3, p. m.-Nothing new since writing
the above. We hear that Gen. Arsta is heurl,
expected. What will then be done, no one cal
divine / shall be surprised if the Mexicans attael
US; but at any rate we are prepared. Nothing NOR
is heard concerning Col Cross Our last dates from
Washington are to March 30; from New Orleans, q
April 7th. We cannot certainly learn whether Mr.
Slidell has left Mexico for the United States.n =
We are happy to believe that the report
of Lieut.. Porter's death cannot be true, as letter
have been received from the camp as late as tn
2lst, which do not mention it.