The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-17
INTERESTING FROM THE ARMY OF oC.
CIJpATION

We are favored by gentleman Of this city with
the following letter, addressed to him by his broth
er-an officer now in the camp of Gen. Taylor, OPP
posto to Matamoras-one day later than the las, ad
vices. This letter is sufficient to contradict re-
port that rife in New orleans on the 9th inst,
viz: "that Gen. Taylor, when he saw the formidable
array of Mexican guns pointing into his camp on
the Rio Grande, removed his forces four miles from
his position" The New Orleans Picayune Of the
9th publishes very interesting letter from corre-
spondent attached to the army, written as late as the
advices of the Galveston News from the Rio Grande,
and no mention of any such thing is made. On the
contrary, our correspondent informs that Gen.
Taylor was about to throw up a feld-work where
he was-opposite Matamoras'
"CAMP OPPOSITE MArAMoRAs,
March &c. 1916.
"From the above caption, you perceive we are at
last on the RE Grande, army having reached
and encamped opposite Matamoras, about II clock,
M, the 2Sth, and yet but few tales of battles
to be recountcd.
eve first encountered the advance of the Mexi-
cans at a stream some thirty miles from here, call
ed the Rio Colorado, where had an opportunity of
witnessing large army crossing stream in oppo-
sition to the will of an enemy-our advance guard
having the day previous encountered party OF
Mexicans stationed at this CROSSING with orders, if
possible, to prevent our crossing; and our general
remained until the next day, our baggage-tran bc-
ing very large and, not knowing what force the
Mexicans might have had, the mosquito and
chapperel bushes were very thick and prevented our
seeing beyond the bank. The next morning we
formed line of battle the bank Of the river, pre-
paratory to crossing. (At this time our force con-
sisted Of the dragoons Maj. RinggoIds horse artil-
lery, and Gen. Worth s brigade. Maj. Ringgold's
battery the right, battery from the artillery OF
Gen. Worth's brigade on the left, that they
| could cross.fre, and cover US we crossed---the
dragons on the left of Maj. RiDggolds artillery,
| and Gen. Wor.h's brigade the left Of the dra-
goons; and after the pioneers had graded road to
the river, the crossing was commenced by the lnfan-
try, up to their necks in water huzzaing, and IN
gallant style reached the opposite bank, when the
musicians struck up 'Yankee-doodle,' and amid the
universal shout, a squadron of our REGIMENT cross
ed formed, and charged in the cover; another por-
ton of the infantry dashed in, followed by the re-
mander of the Dragons, and in fine, crossed with
| out firing shot, which was a pity, for certainly
every officer and soldier anticipated fight; and if
other good results from gallant crossing, and,
as we expected in the face of large army, il as
| sures our officers that army will night. From
that time up leaving the brgades ofinfantry,
which was some twelve miles from here, to proceed
to Brazos, Santiago, for supplies for the whole ar
my, but the scouts Of the rancheros; but
when we're within some few miles OF Santiago,
met by some Mexicans, who, approaching
with white flag, were permitted to parley, and
turned out to be delegation from Matanoras, (the
purport do moi kno,o; but just as letter had been
handed to the general, we discovered the houses at
the point on the bay to be on fire, Immediately in
'front.' and the prairie on fire directly in our rear,
which tended greatly to shorten the interview; and
our general dismissed them, without regard either
to Mexican or French politeness After loading our
train with supplies, we joined the main army, and
| arrived here planted the stars and stripes on the
bank of the Rio Grande and expect a battle any
moment. Last night the Mexicans threw up a
breast-work of bags Of sand; their sentines pa
raded on the bank of the river opposite our own;
we hear each others toimpets and drums; the
consuls from the different governments display their
respective flags Except ours, if we have any here,)
that their residences may be saved from our shot
and, in short, if we don't have fight this pop,
will only say, the Mexcans are afraid, and we dare
| not, mot having orders.
"Ths may possibly be the last letter you will
ever receive from me- for all depends upon the fate
| Of war. God alone knows the result Of the next
few hours or days. as at any moment their batteries
may open upon us from the other side Of the river
BY the first change Of affairs will write TO you, If
j living.
i Farewell, my dear brother, hll you hear from
me again Give my love TO all; and IL il is my lot
to be killed in the anticipated fight have only paid
a debit owed my country"