American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-29

III OF lncluent, anu THROWS goou oeal OF
on some circumstances of the engagement
h have not been fully understood in this
ter.
U. S. FRGATE CUMBERLAND,
May 18th, 1916.
Of the River Rio Del Norte, Merico.
entlemen:-I take this opportunity of a few
Seat of War. You will hear before the re-
of this, that an action has commenced be-
kn the Mexican and American Armies. |
ot properly call the American party as yet
|rmy, for they are but mere handful ofmen
Comparison with the enemy; yet most gal
|y do they oppose the fearful odds, and in
raj engagements have compelled them to
e; and even while / am writing, news has
he'd us that in the last engagement, a cou-
bf days ago, the Mexican army were COM
zely routed, with great slaughter, and their
llery, ammunition and stores captured; be-
) a large number of prisoners, amongst
m was their General Vega, and many Off
/. The American loss is small. Among the
General Brown, of Texas, but formerly
Ailadelphia;) and the gallant Ringgold, of
far-famed Flying Artillery, are numbered.
tended Ringgold's funeral myself-he was
led back of the entrenched fort we occupied,
oh has been made around the provision and
nunition tents.
Ne left the Sacri6cos on the Sth instant in
siderable of hurry, caused by news des'
ehed to the Consul, and transferred through
agency to our Commodore. We knew thai
hething was out, for all sail was cracked or
we flew over the water, followed by the
BILE squadron excepting the Falmouth, which
pained at SACRIFICES. Our Quarter Gunneri
e all employed for whole day in casting
bket balls, making cartridges, cleaning mus
and sharpening cutlasses and boarding
,rds. All was hustle and animation, but nc
could tell whittier we were bound. We
we'd here on the 10th, distance of 400 miles
anchored about miles from shore, as the
Ter on the bar will not permit large vesse
bnter the river. The coast is low and sandy
mt Isabel, on which the provisions and am
milton of the army are placed, was right OPP
lite to our anchorage. We found the Schr
TT and the Brig Lawrence here; and from the
It of the latter which boarded us, we hearc
4t the two armies were at it. On the same
ernoon the deep booming sound of artillery
upon our ears, and the smoke of the con
{ met our gaze in the direction of Matamo
All was now excitement on board. Off
and men were on nettles to get on shore
3 your humble devoted friend, gave up writ
and was as anxious as any one to have
nd in the row. Presently Signal No. 5
Auesting immediate assistance was displayed
1.-THE Flag Staff on shore, and a steamboat O
! hit draught put off towards us for compile
Int OF men. Our first division comprisin,
|e crew Of five large Paxain guns were calleI
muster, and 25 of the strongest and best mel
bre picked out to go on shore. They wer
dered to dress in blue flannel shirts and pants
straw hats, and put change of dress, shoes
q coat and blanket in canvass knapsacks, an
IN themselves with musket, bayonet, boardin
Rord and forty rounds of ball cartridge. The
|ere ready in fifteen minutes, and with fort
|arines and six officers left for the steamboat
applied to the First Lieutenant for permission
60 also, but he refused to let me. wa
(sheartened and viewed boat after boat fror
(ch of the vessels going to the steamboat an
biting their same number of men on boare
hen the complement was made up. In al
slant the rigging of each and every vesse
las crowded with men, and as the boat proceed
D with her valuable load, we gave from each
iiee deafening cheers, which were returned b
ose on board, aid they passed on, and 500
bundled the point.
This evening news came that Gen. Taylc
hd again repulsed the enemy and maintaine
is position. The next day signals for MOI
Bsistance were made. Men were wanted I
|rotect the stores OH shore-as the guard le
|, charge of them, was to take some provision