The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-06-12
OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
FROM THE SEAT WAR.
From the washington Union.l

A large mass OF correspondence has been re-
ceved at tho War Office from General Taylor
The three first letters relate TO the details of the
two actions of the Sth and 9th, and the defence of
Fort Brown. As these will probably be sent into
Congress tomorrow morning by the President of
the United States, II is most respectful to that
body to suspend their publication until they have
been laid before il. Four other letters Were re-
ceived al the War Office at the same time from
General Taylor. We are obligingly furnished
with copies of such portions of them as are con-
sidered proper for publication. They will be
found to be OF an interesting character.
HEApauARrERs ARMY OF OCCUPATION, I
CITY OF MATAMoRAs, May Is, 1886 .
siR-I have the honor to report that my very limited
for crossing rivers prevented a complete prose-
cution Of the victory Of the 9th instant ponton train.
year would have enabled the army to on the even
ing OF the battle take this city with all the artillery and
stores OF the enemy and great number Of prisoners:
was compelled to await the arrival OF heavy mortars,
with which to the town from the left bank and
also the accumulation of small boats In the time
the enemy had recovered from the confusion
Of his flight and ought STILL with the 1000 lett him.
paraton the river above the town. while Lieut.
Colonel Wilson made diversion the side of Barita
yesterday from the camp near Fort Brown, when was
waited upon by General Regucna, empowered by Gen
Arisa commandingin chief the Mexican forces to treat
for arinistce Until the governments should finally
settle the question replied to this that an armiscs
was out OF the question; that month since had pro-
posed ono to General Ampudin, which was declined;
that circumstances were now changed that was re-
ceving large reinforcemens, and could not now sus
pend operations which had not initiated provoksd
that the possession of Matamoras sine qua non;
that would occupy the town; but that General
Arsta might withdraw his forces, leaving the public
property OF every description.
An answer to the above promised in the after
noon but came, and repaired at shutdown to join
the army, already in position at crossing some two
miles above the town. Very early this morning the
bank was occupied by two 10 FOUNDERS and three
batteries of field artillery and the crossing commenced
the light companies of all the battalions first
thrown followed by the volunteer and regular
valry No resistance was made, and was soon inform
cd from various quarters that Arsta had abandoned the
town with all his troops the evening before leaving only
the sick and wounded Immediately despatched staff
officer TO the project demand surrender, and in the
meantime commission sent by the project to con-
fer with me the point ! gave assurances that
the civil rights of the citizens would be respected and
troops at dropped down opposite the town and
crossed at the Upper Ferry the American flag being dis
played at Fort Paredes, Mexican redoubt near the
crossing The different corps now encamped in the
outskirts OF the CITY, Tomorrow shall make suitable
arrangements for the occupation of the town. and for
taking possession Of the public property More than
three hundred OF the encmys wounded have been left in
the hospitals Arsta in full towards Monterey
with the fragments of his army.
deeply regret to report that Lieutenant George Ste
vens very promising young officer Of the second dra.
goons, accidently drowned this morning while at.
tempting to swim the river with his squadron
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedent servant,
T. TAYLOR,
Breyet Brig. Gen. u. 8. A. comding.
y Washington, D. c.