Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-07-04


the waters of the Bravo.
The General decided upon crossing
the rest of US at the upper ferry of the
city. AS we approached the ferry we
saw our boys in possession of the Fort,
and rapidly engaged in preparing to
run up our flag. Just as we reached
the bank, Capt Kerr, of the % Ora
goons, ran it up; it floatec gracefully
in the breeze, and proudly waved over
Mexico. The men of the advance
sent up three hearty cheers to welcome
the flag of their country! Perhaps,
Mr.. Esprit" those cheers were some!
There was rope stretched across the
river, and three boats manned by Mex
leans, ready to transport US. We had
the felicity of being ferried across by
the enemyl AS we landed, the CON-
panies formed and awaited the arrival
of the others. When the whole of the
Sd Regiment was formed, it moved off
to the right to the tune of "Yankee
Doodlew Did you ever hear it MIR.
"Spirit?" Ireckon you never did, in
a foreign land. just conquered,by good,
honest, lard blows! II you did, you
never heard such an honest cheer as
arose from the gallant fellows on the
Opposite bank, when the drum and fife
gave us that air, which fills, at all
times, an Americans breast with the
purest patriotism! All was excite.
ment, and every one boiling over with
samor patria" 1t was a proud day
for the American Army. Citizens in
any number came down to see US
Many Of them,who ten days ago would
have cut our Threats, were now appar-
emily our warmest friends, shook our
hands heartily and cried Justify, "Ami-
Igow
We here saw some signs of the hur-
Iry in which Arista had left. AS we
landed n, az the Fort, boxes OF destroy
ed ammunition presented themselves,
and it was rumored, and it has since
been confirmed, that two pieces oil
cannon were thrown into the river
The army left during the day and night
of the 18th, most precipitately, taking
with them, as it appears, LII pieces OF
artillery, and anything but large sup
ply of ammunition. Our victory is
more complete than we have claimed
credit for. The citizens say that Aris-
ia had not over 5000 men with him.
What has become of the remainder OF
the 1000? The bloody battles of the
Sth and 9th. and the "whirlpools OF the
Bravo" can tell the tale.
Our Brigade encamped within half
a mile of the city. We had INDUCED
the hope of being quartered in it, but
our worthy General saw fit to direct
otherwise. Women, they say, are all
curiosity, but if they ever felt more
than we had to see that city, | say God
help them. We had encamped but a
short time, before party Of US rode
up, to crafty the coming passion
Never have been more disappointed
never did distance more thoroughly
sslend enchantment to the view." The
Matamoros as seen from Fort Brown is
not the Matamoros that we hold. AS
it may be interesting to you, ! will try
to give you some idea of the city.
first rode up to the Plaza, which is
quite large square surrounded by
china trees. The houses surrounding
the square are of brick or stone, the
lower parts used as stores, Offices, and
the second story as dwellings. They
have the appearance Of defensive
works. Streets diverge from the
Plaza, and are again crossed by others
The Cathedral occupies large space
of one side of the square, and is an IN
finished mass of masonry. Directly
opposite to the Cathedral is the Prison.
Properly situated, "the poison and the
antidote." There are great many
stores and quite large market house
which am told is well supplied.
went to visit the different hospitals.
They are filled with the wounded & dy-
ing. The stencil that arose from them,
from the want Of police, was disgust
ing. You could tell at a glance the
wounded Of Palo Alto or De Resaca
de la Palma. The latter were mostly
bullet wounds. whereas the amputated
limbs told of the lannon's fearful exc
cutiou in the former. Beside one
poor fellcx beautiful girl Of IL, was
seated keeping oil the flies. She was
his wife. In another corner, family
group, the mother and her children,
were seated by their wounded father
One bright eyed little gitl quite took
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