The Southern journal., 1846-05-23
From the ". q. Delta.
From the Seat of War!

Fleet
By the arrival of the schr. Louisiana
Capt. Eddy, from Brasos St. Jago, which
place she left on the llth instant, we
have received the following most impor,an,
news:
Gen. Taylor left Point Isabel on the
7th, with 1000 men, and $50 wagons
loaded with stores for the Fort. On the
Sth came in sight of the Mexican Army,
and when quite near, both armies com.
menced firing with their artillery. The
Mexicans, from I to 10000 strong, sur
rounded Gen. Taylor. Those on the r. al
ofthe Mexicans were soon compelled to
retreat. The battle commenced at noon.
aud constant roar of cannon was kent up
until dark, when all was qsiet. Our army
remained on the field of battle ready for,
and expecting another hard days work,
bat in the morning seeing no Mexicans,
Gen. Tay ylors sent out Capt. Duocan's coin.
pany, who found they had all left the field,
leaving their dead and badly wounded, to-
gether with three feld-pieces IN the ground.
About 200 Mexicans were found dead
Those that were taken prisoners say that
our firing was so extremely destructive
that the whole Mexican army was ordered
to charge upon Gen. Taylor's army, but
most of the men refused. One of their
high officers rushed into their midst, sword
in hand, to urge them on, rather than do
which they sho, him down. Some of their
knapsacks were examined and found to
contain nothing bat corn and salt.
Gen. T. kept his position and sent in
his wounded to Point Isabel. 1t was
thought he would not proceed further un-
til he received reinforcement, as some
places he would have to pass would be very
difficult.
Our killed and wounded were 40
Three officers wounded, viz: Maj. Ring
gold, shot through both legs; Capt. Page.
badly shot in the lower jaw; and Lieut..
Luther.
On the 9th, 500 men were landed from
the feet to protect the stores a, the Point,
or to reiologce Gen. \. if necessary. They
were all we'll armed and eager for fight
with the Mexicans.
While the battle was being fought, two
companies Of Mexican Artillery come down
to cross Boca Chica, and it is supposed 10
march up the beach and take possession
OF our vessels, with stores, which were
obliged to anchor very near the Point. Ship
Cumberland got under way and ran down
towards them, seeing which they wheeled
and returned back.
After leaving Brazos, met another ship
OF war and one steamer standing in for Bra
zos st, Jago.
The steamers Telegraph and Augusta,
had not arrived when the schr. Louisiana
left.
We are requested by Capt. Eddy to
return his thanks TO MIR. Benjamin, at the
English Turn, for his polite attention in
furnishing him with horse to enable him
10 reach the city.
Capt. Eddy states that the detachment
which brought in the wounded could no,
state positively whether Gen. 7. would
proceed Immediately to the camp, opposite
Matamoros, or wait for further reinforce.
ment. On the evening of the eth it was
understood that the men landed from the
fleet were TO proceed Immediately to his
assistance--bnt, from some cause or other
they had not left when the Louisiana
sailed.
Left at Brazos St. Jago on the llth,
schr. Waterman, bound TO this port, wait
ing for wind; Col. Harney waiting for
coal; steamers Monmouth, Cincinnati, Ne
va and Leo, lightering government stores
10 Point Isabel; steam schr. James Cage,
schr. Decatur, and small schr. with coal,
waiting to unload, inside Bar; brig load
ed with powder outside, waiting to be light
ed over the Bar; six feet six inches water
on the Bar.
On the l4th, saw a schooner ashore on
The west end of Timbalier Island; masts
and rigging standing; apparently full OF
water, and abandoned.
The Louisiana exneriepced yery heavy