Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-05-14
Latest from the Rio Grande.


Our friend and correspondent, A. B. c., at New
Orleans, has sent u.s. per steamboat Alexander Scott
papers containing the latest news from the Army of
Occupation, the most interesting of which we copy
below:
From the Galveston Ne,cs 2ih inst.
LATER FROM THE ARMY OF OccUPATIoN.-The
schooner L. NJ Hitchcock, Captain Wright, arrived
yesterday morning. having left Brnsos St. lago last
Sunday. We are indebted for the following informa
ton to COL March, who on board the Hitchcock,
having left the camp of Gen. Taylor on the 10Th in.
slant.
Our former intelligence by the Hitchcock, in rela-
ton to the movement of the army to position three
or four miles below Matamoras, materially ncor
rect. On the morning of the Doth ultimo, when Gen.
eral Taylor found himself exposed to the enemy's fire
with his right and left unprotected in consequence of
the peculiar bends of the river, he ordered div
sion of his army to take position In the bend above
and the bend below the town, while with his main
my he maintained the first position, where he still re-
Mains Gen. Taylor has used all diligence to strength
en- bis position by throwing up breastworks by in
trenchments, Notifications, etc., and the Mexican
General Ampudia has been equally industrious in for
tfying the town, defensiyely keeping his soldiers
ployed night and day. Gen. Taylor's heavy ordinance
of eighteen Founders, are said to be situated within
point blank shot of Gen. Ampudia's house, In the
middle of the city, at distance of three hundr ed
yards. Thus the two armies have been situated for
upwards of two weeks, up TO present dates, nei
Their having committed any positive act of hostility
upon the other. On the 10th instant, Col. Cross,
Commissary General of the army, rode out by him.
SELF about 10 O'Clock in the morning. to the house of
German. about two miles from the army, where Gas
was afterwards ascertancd) he was taken prisoner
by party of Mexican Rancheros As soon he
was missing, Gen. Taylor sent detachment of men
who secured the country In search of him. but to no
purpose.
Two three days after Capt. May, of the ID ORA
goons took runaway negro, In the neighborhood OF
the same place where Col. Cross was captured and
from this negro the above information of the taking
OF COL Cross was obtained. Immediately after, Gen.
TAYLOR sent a messenger to the Mexican General,
requesting information whether Col Cross pris
oner with him or not The next day General AMPU-
Ola sent several officers the American camp, with
the answer that they knew nothing of COL Cross,
but that they had made Lieut. IDEAS prisoner. This
officer, 1t appears, had previously crossed the river
(but without orders, in search of Col Cross, (who
his particular friend), and had fallen into the
hands of the Mexicans. Much uncertainty and
ny surmises prevail in regard the fate Of COL Cross.
But the probable opinion appears to be- that his
capture unauthorized by, and unknown to Ampu-
dia and it is to be feared that he has been murdered
by the party by whom he was taken, and his horse,
money and clothing divided among them.
On the 18th Gen. Ampuda sent formal notice to
Gen. Taylor, ordering him to leave his present posi-
ton within twenty-four hours, and to evacuate the
whole territory west Of the Nueces, or that his refu
sal would be considered declaration of war. Gen.
T. Immediately returned for answer that his orders
were to maintain his position the east bank of the
river and that he should do so, especially the roads
muddy, and it unpleasant retreating at this
Shortly after the reception of this answer the
Mexican army partially withdrew from the town, and
a portion of the troops disappeared from the west
bank of the river. Thus closes the last act of the
drama, far reported, that has yet been per-
formed. This movement of the enemy is quite as
nexpcabe to Gen. Taylor as to every body else.
Col. March informs that report has been put in
circulation that the threatened hostilites only
suspended till the first of June then TO be renewed
1--WE suppose) with redoubled energy and still more
slaughter.
Gen. Taylor is prosecuting the Notifications at
Point Isabel with steady perseverance.
Before he returned the above answer to Ampuda,
he ordered the blockade of the Port of Matamoras,
and directed the commanders of the Flirt and Law
renee to enforce it strictly, which accordingly
done. vessel with cargo of -four, having been
waiting for some time for fair wind to enter the
port, the first to suffer from the measure, and
was compelled to leave the market where flour Is
now worth forty dollars per barrel.