Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-05-15

uncertainty and many sur,niscs prevailed in re.
gard to the fate Of Col. Cruss. But the more
probable opinion appears To be that his capture
was unauthorized by, and unknown 10 Ampu
dla and It is TO he feared hat he has been ,nur.
dercd by the party by whom he was taken, and
his horse, money and clothing divided among
them.
On the l4'h, Gen. Ampudia sent formal no.
tice TO Gen. TAYLOR, dering him 10 leave
hrs position wllhn - h ,urs.and to evacuate The
whole territory Yves; of the Nueces, or that his
refusal would be considered a declaration OF
war. Zen. !. immediately returned for answer,
thai his orders were 10 maintain his position on
the East bank o. the river, and That he should do
so, especially as the roads we're muddy, aud i,
was unpleasant rerealing a, this season. Shortly
after the receipt N OF this answer, the Mexican
army partially withdrew from the Town, and
portion OF the troops disappeared from the West
bank OF the river.
Thus closes Inc last act Of the drama as far
as reported, that has yet been performed. This
movement Of the enemy is quite as inexplicable
TO Gen. Taylor as to every body else. Col
March informs uslhat report has been put in
circulation that the threatened hosti,ies are
only suspended TIL The LIST of June, then to be
renewed, we suppose, with redoubled energy
and still more slaughter.
Ten. Taylor is prosecuting the Notifications
al Poht Isabel with ,dy perseverance.
Before lie returned the above answer TO Am
pudia, he ordered the blockade Of Matamnras, e.
directed the commanders OF the Frt and Law
renee to enforce it strictly, which was accord.
| ingly done. A vessel with cargo Of -four. hav.
ing been waiting some time for a ar " ind 10
enter The port, was the first TO stuff from this
me- asure, and was compelled 10 leave the mar
ke', where -four is now worth forty dollars per
barrel.
| From the Galveston New. of the 9Th.
The Telegraph, Capt. Aud, arrived last nigh
from The Brazos 81. Iago, and four days later
| from the Army OF Occupation. This steamship
lett Brazos 81. lago a, 10 O'Clock, A. N. day he
lore Yesterday being only % hours out The
Captain has kludly furnished us with some me.
tnnranda, stating lhat on The 10 II inst. L,eut.
Porter of the Alb Regiment, tson OF the late
| Commodore Porier) being out with fatigue
party ot ten men, (soInc of them wearing uni
form) and fired upon them when within few
miles uf the camp.
Lieut.. Porter aud three of his men were kill.
ed, in the attack, the rest Of the party escaping
returned To the camp next day. 1t is stated tina
the guns Of the Americans were wet and would
not fire. We see no explanation given why this
party Of soldiers should be ranging about the
country with guns that wOuld not fire.
| Lieut.. Van Ness informs us that nothing far
Their had been heard Of Col, Cross up the 10Th
bu, that the general opinion is that he is still a
prisoner, though not at MataInoras.
About fry Of the American army have de
serted and swan the river for the Mexican camp
but number OF them were shot as describes
willie in The wafer. The whole number OF Amer
Ican troops is estimated at between two ant
three thousand, and they are said to be in excel
lent discipline, and eager for an engagement
with the enemy. Ampuda's forces are report,
ed at between two and three thousand. II il
rumored that Arsta is about to supersede Am
puala in the command.