The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-26
BY this evenings Southern Mail.
FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.
From the New Orleans Picsyuns. May 10.
ARRIVAL OF THE JAMES L. DAY.
I'M. - -


The steamboat James L. Day arrived this morn
ing from Brazos Santiago having left there on Sat
urday afternoon the lelh instant. The news is not
important.
Gen. Taylor left Point Isabel on Thursday, the
l4th, for his camp with about 600 men only On
the 18th two companies Of volunteers, under Capts
Desha and Stockton, with some regulars-in all
amounting to about 900 men-marched under
command Of Col. Wilson, for Barta.
On Saturday, the 10Th, intelligence was received
rom General Taylor that he intended crossing the
Rio Grande, just below his camp, by making
bridge with his wagons. SO far every thing looked
favorable to his design. The feet had sailed from
OIL the Brazos to the mouth Of the river, and To
send up deaehments to cooperate in the attack upon
Barita.
Another account says that General Taylor, ere the
departure Of the James l.. Day, opened his commu-
nestion with his camp. IL will be seen that two
companies OF artillery reached Point Isabel on the
l4th, from Pensacola The annexed letter gives de-
tails Of the arrival Of volunteers, &c, and OF the
movements Of the troops from the Point:
Correspondence Of the Delta.
PoMT ISABEL, May Is, 9p. m.
GENTLEMEN; The steamer James L. Day, which
which leaves here in a few hours, affords me an OPP
porunty Of sending you few lines Of information
from this place.
We arrived here, Chat is, company A, to which !
am attachedO on the above named boat, on the
morning Of the l4lh, after a pleasant passage OF
three days, and found everything wearing the most
warlke aspect, anxiously awaiting the hour when
| the order should be given 10 "strike tents" and
take up the line Of march for that section Of country
where Mexicans most do congregate. A more cheer.
full set Of men the sun never shone upon; you would
suppose, TO look upon them, that they were prepa
ring for festival rather than encounter with
merciless enemy-so cheerful and light'heartod do
they 20 about their labor
The report prevalent in camp at this time is, that
Nh.M
the number Of some 5000 or 1000 strong As to
Its correctness cannot youch, but certain It is
| in the neighborhood Of the enemy, and attack
at any hour would surprise no one here.
General Taylor left this place on the morning Of
| the 18Th for his camp on the river above, accompa-
MED by only one company Of artillery and one Of
dragons. He dressed in a simple farmers APP
pare, aud his mode Of conveyance n light wagon,
driven by negro servant. There seems TO be but little
doubt that he will reach his camp in safety-after
which, the general supposltion is, the Mexicans will
have TO look out for squalls; his dander is up since
| tho last engagement, and he seems determined 10
start the ball.
When the ball is fairly opened the amusement
must not until the tune is played and the I'D
| dlers are paid.
Four companies Of the regular infantry, sccompe-
nied by one volunteer company Of artillery, and the
Mobile volunteers, left here to-day for Barts, q
point on the Rio Grande, where they will be joined
in few days by all the companies from this place,
which will swell the number to some 200 or 500
men. Ii is Gen. Taylor's intention to keep posses
sion Of this Point anil to the volunteers he has
| signed the honor Of maintaining il. am Of opin-
| ion that he will never have occasion TO regret the
hour he placed its guardianship in their hands. Al
least they will, am sure, never dishonor them
selves or the country whose rights they are main
tanning.
| Col. Fomo arrived here this morning with FIVE
companies, which increases the force now here to
| aha he nd lahn
Der some 300 men, who are liable to be called al
any moment for military duty; so the post may be
considered perfectly safe from any ncursons Of the
enemy.
During the engagements Of the 9th and 9th about
| 900 sailors and marines from the feet at anchor
of here landed, and were formidable set OF
men to keep the place while the soldiers alb
sent. They are now on board their respective yes
sells, and will not be called on again till a similar
occasion may demand their services.
Major Rnggold was buried with all the military
| honors
| It would suppose, be superhuous to send you
Of the actions Of the 9Th and 9Th they
must be in your possession per steamer Galveston.
| In the two battles we lost about 100 men, whilst
that Of the enemy was near on to 900. Some Of our
men acted remarkably brave, amongst whom none
seems more conspicuous than the commander and
| COL Twiggs
| would write more in detail had not the fatigues
of the day drilling and preparing for departure) r.
capacita,ed me; but my next shall make amends for
| this, as | will advise you of everything which will
interest your readers.
Yours, C..s....
where, as before stated, we will Immediately leave
| for
PoNr ISABEL, May Is, 10 o'clock, p. m.
| GENTLEMEN: | wrote you last night by the James
| L. Day, as supposed she would sail this morning
according to notice; but she got on the bar and
cannot leave before tomorrow morning, give you
all the particulars as far as have been able to COL
lect them to date. The steamer Telegraph arrived
to-day with Lient. Col. Forno, after six days pas
sage, with five companies of the Washington reg-
mcnt, commanded by Captains Glenn, Breedlove,
Bryel, r. c. Stockton, and Somat. Four companies
Of u s. infantry, together with Capt j. F. Stockton's
company Of Louisiana volunteers, and the Mobile
volunteers left here this morning for Post Barita l6
miles from this place, Point Isabel where they
ordered to remain until reinforced by the Wash
ington regiment, Col. Walton, and the Andrew
Jackson regiment, Col. Marks. However, there is
rumor in camp this evening that all the volunteers
here, and those to arrive will be landed by vessels
| Of war on the west side of the mouth of the Rio
| Grande, and march Immediately to Matamoras
This we are led to believe, is beyond doubt, from
the active preparations in camp, the extra and
slant drill Of all the companies here, and the heavy
| amount OF ammunition with which they are all sup
piled. The rife company Of Capt. Head are on
drill from morning till night, and begin to look more
like company Of regulars than volunteers. They
will give good account Of themselves "the boys
in fine spirits, and anxious for opportunity to
show what kind of stuff they made of.
| The whole force here tonight, including team
sters, &c, amounts to about 1000, all well armed
and equipped, under the command of Major Mum
roe. This place, under cover of the breastworks,
could not be captured by any force the Mexicans
can muster. So confident do we feel, that all the
troops encamped along the beach of the Brazos,
outside Of the breastworks, and present most war
| like and imposing appearance.
The strictest military discipline is rgdly enforced
in every part of the camp, and it is really surprising
to see how quick the citizen be transformed into
the soldier; but it may be laid down, however as
certain rule, that the bad citizen is always bad SOL
der, and the only difficulties that have occurred
which, however, are but few-have been with that
class of persons.
We have news from Gen. Taylor's camp to-
day, and expect the first news you receive Of any
active measures, will be the crossing of the Amer
| lean troops over the Rio Grande.