American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-08-04
From a Matamoras Paner.

From Matanoras Paper.l
APT. THORNTON'S DEFENCE.
he trial of Capt. Thornton, I'd Dragons,
he charges preferred against him by the
E manding General, for the loss of his squad
pf Dragons, captured on the 25th April
Z terminated on Wednesday. 1t is long
blshed custom, we believe, in both the Ar
nd Navy, to bring to trial the commander
n expedition, whenever unfortunate; and
however, unfortunate to individuals, APP
S but Just to the accused and the country
is indicated, and the community learns
ther her interests are committed to safe
Dis. Capt. Thornton was assisted, in the
lagement of his case, by Capt Barbour,
Infantry, and Lieut.. Bragg, Sd Artillery;
OF 10 o'clock, on Wednesday, his writ
defence was made to the Court by Mr..
- gg.
everal members of the Court, veterans who
stormed the breach, could not restrain a
of sympathy-and many moist eye was
be seen in the large audience which attend
o hear the vndication of this gallant and
Eersally popular officer.
Ne regret that we are not able to lay before
readers the whole the admirable defence
he gallant Captain. He commenced by stat
that long established principle of his pro-
ion, and a stern sense of duty on the part of
accusers, had brought him before the Court
ais present position. Success, he was aware,
}, with military men, often the best of merit;
he hoped to be able to show, even ifhe were
successful in his expedition, his failure was
owing to the omission of necessary precau-
D.
On the night of the cath of April, with a
nmand OF three commissioned officers and
rank and file, he was ordered to recOHnol-
country some twenty-seven miles in eX-
t, and TO bring information whether the enc
had crossed the Rio Bravo, his numbers and
position; and he had also further vested Or
is from the Commanding General, to ascer-
b, if possible, whether he had crossed his
ilery, and to report by the next day at IL
Clock. He referred to the testimony Of Capt.
ardee and Lit. Cane, for the manner i'll which
executed these instructions. He regretted
ht he could not lay before the Court the tes-
nony of Lit. Mason, but regarded his loss as
|bthiDg, compared with that of his friends and
[ations Of the gallant Young officer, who fell
he had lived, in the discharge of his duty.
From the recapitulation of The testimony OF
apt. Hsrdee, and Lieut., Cane, in the defence,
appears that every precaution was used to
lard against surprse-that an advance guard
as thrown out, that f1ankers were impossible
: the most part, from the nature of the coun-
~, it being a perfect de6Ie, admitting at times
! single horseman with difficulty; that when
|apt, Thornton halted his squadron to rest his
en- and horses, which was extremely necessa-
y, sentinel was placed at both ends of the
bad, so that no one could approach without his
About daylight next morning the
|bmmand proceeded towards the river, and to
he constant enquiries made of every one that
as met, "whether the enemy had crossed
he reply was che had, but all spoke from ru-
hor-this Capt. Thornton believed to be unre-
liable authority upon which he could not base
report, and he referred, as an evidence of this
b the numerous false rumors with which the
american camp had abounded for month pre-
'ious. Capt. T. alluded to the suspicious con-
luct of his guide, which induced him to ques.
ion his fidelity;* and subsequent events, he
bought, proved that he was employed in connex-
on with other spies, to lead him into position
rom which retreat was impossible. Subsequent
upon which he could rely, satisfied
him that his return to camp had been cut off
hat the enemy was in his rear with force Of
BOO cavalry and party of Indians. Upon the
receipt of this information, he redoubled his
precautions-he increased his advance guard
and placed it under the command of Lieut.. Ma
son, with minute instructions to keep aheac
and be ygilant, but not to fire upon the enemy
unless forced to do so. From tais time, Capt
Thornton proceeded without a guide, CaptC
having deserted him. Capt. Thornton here
argued, and we think conclusvely proved, tina
an attempt to return would have been more
disastrous than his move forward; he also con
tended that a "rear guard" with such a small
force, would have been untacticnl, and, in hi
opinion, unnecessary; and, further, that it wa
not prescribed. The rear was ass gned to Capt
Hardee, and he never left it without being or
dered back by Capt. Thornton. He went Of
further to state, that fthe command had obey
ed his instructions, they would not have enter
ed the field in which they were afterwards cap
tured; but. he remarked, emo precaution fror
myself, or any one else, could have altered tn
result, our fate was sealed long before enterin
that field"
Capt. Thornton, here summoned I'D the fact
of the case, as shown by the testimony. fior
which it appears he had too responsible an
The character of Capito is well known TO most
the citizens of Western Texas. He was always he,
looked upon as double faced, treacherous scoundre
and we have no d0ubi that he has been in The en-,
my's employ ever since the army landed at Corpu
Christi,