The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-29

nearly all Florida. The position is healthy, and
soon take Matamoras, steamboats, will
ply up and down the Rio Grande, and we shall
have free and easy intercourse with New Orleans.
have been in the enjoyment Of good health since
we began to campaign, and arm satisfied that a
life of activity is nece ssary to me- and suits my
constitution better than a sedentary one /; but, ]
prefer a cold to hot climate.
Interesting Letter from . Soldier OF Captain
Duncan's Company.
CAMP, NEAR MArAMoRAs, under the guns of
Fort Brown, May 18th, 1876.
In compliance with my promise Of the 10th inst.
take the earliest leisure hours at my disposal to
give you some further account OF the two battles
fought on the 9th and 9th instant.
These actions, which will be credit to the u.
s. arms and recorded with pride in the annals of
our country, are called the battles of Paio ditto
and Resaca dc Ia Palma.
name in honor of Major Brown, of the 7th in
fantry, who was killed defending it, during our
absence at Point Isabel |; himself and a sergeant
of the same regiment were the only persons kill
ed, though the Mexicans fought hard for one
whole week to get possession oft. Capt Lowd's
cap was twice knocked from off his head by can
non balls, and himself and company receive great
praise for the manner in which they performed
On the lst we sailed out, leaving behind the
7th infantry, Capt. Lowd's company, and Lieut.
Bragg's company of light infantry-in all, about
500 men,leaving rs but 2.2So to figh. our way to
Arista sent word to Major Brown to surrender the
fort in one hours time, or that it would be storm
ed by an overwhelming force. The Major, of
course, sent him word that he would not comply.
They then commenced their fire from MataIno-
ras, with their heavy artillery, and crossed over
5000 men, who surrounded Just out Of range of
our guns, and used every effort to get possession
with i'll success. We saw nothing Of them in
going to the Point, but in returning on the 9Th,
about ten or twelve miles from here, we espied
their whole force of 800, drawn up in line ofbat-
tie. Our train Of $50 wagons was turned to the
rear, and the troops formed in line. Our battery
was then advanced 600 yards, and before we got
the guns numbered, they opened fire from ten
pieces Of artillery upon US. We returned them
shot for shot, with interest in a short time Ring
COLDS battery opened, and the cannonading was
kept up on both sides for two hours; their fire
then ceased for about half an hour, and we took
advantage Of this brief space replenish our am
mnnition chests, which were nearly exhausted,
repair broken carriages, and supply the places of
the horses that were shot, with others. They,
then, again commenced the attack-our battery
moved towards one of their fanks, and opened
most destructive fre-they made charge after
charge, without driving us, as we were well sup
ported by the 9Th infantry and the dragons The
action continued until darkness concealed both
friend and foe-and officers and men threw them
selves under the guns, which we had so well
served and directed, and slept soundly till morn
ing.
On the following morning, as soon as il was
light, we observed them hurrying off, towards the
woods, in the direction Of Matamoras-General
Taylor determined to give them battle again, and
care Of the wounded and sending them towards
Point Isabel, we found all kinds of camp equip
age, arms, ammunition, DC, &C., in abundance
and from the great number of their dead (4OO)
have suffered severely. Our brave little army
then moved forward, and found the enemy hnd
taken position in the thick woods, which are on
each side Of the road, from the first battle ground
II n.x.
woods, as the road was necessary for our field
pieces to move in, and the action soon became
general They had two large guns planted in the
road, which our infantry charged on, and took
from them, and after about two hours hard fight
ing they retreated in the greatest confusion we
pursued them closely and captured all their bag
Dpge, IA commissioned officers and 400 men, 500
mules, 10 cannon, and some thousands OF mus
kets, swords, lances, colors, ammunition, &c. &c.
They swan over the river in small parties and
many OF them were drowyned-ther loss on this
day fell little short of 1000. When we arrived in
sight Of the Star SpangIed Banner waving at our
fort the hearty cheers that were gwen by the men,
and responded to by those who had so nobly defen-
ded il, will never be forgotten.
Our company has deservedly great credt-we
done our first days work in presence of the
whole army, and can appeal with confidence to
was not aCipod, vet we fred not less than 6oo
rounds ~ he the two hours struggle, and UNI
doubleday killed many. Our loss is about $50 men
Col; Payne, Inspector General, and Lieutenant
Luther, and many other officers, werc wounded.
Gen. Taylor intends to take Matamoras for our
summer quarters, and / suppose we will have
some hard fighting to obtain il.
From the New Orleans Picayune, May 2ol
The received by the James L. Day YESTERDAY In
interesting and more important than at first glance
had supposed.
This ARRIVAL establishes the important fact that the re-
port brought by the Galveston that immense reinforce
ments had been received by the Mexcans unbound
cd least exaggerated Gen. Taylor arrived at his
camp the evening OF the 18th nsant without molestaton
BY the way. md that the camp opposite Matamoras
has been chrisencd Fort Brown" in honor Of the gal
liant Major Brown. Of the It'll Infantry who fell In it, de-
fence. The fertilization at Point Isabel ID styled
ted States We trust may nc safely say that COM
municstions between Fort Polk and Fort Brown have
been permanently re-established-
All eyes are now turned towards Matamoras All our
letters Indicate that the mast stsn IN he taken by Gen