The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-01
THE UNION.
FURTHER DETAILS FROM THE ARMY.

lly the picturesque letter from Point Isabel"
Extract Of letter from Point BABEL, Tsras, May
~, 1876,
gMr DEAR sin I came down here on the spur OF
the moment assist in the defence Of this point IN
company with about 20 others from Galveston,
bringing with us long brass nine FOUNDER
General Taylor came down here from his camp
lopposte Matamoras on the % instant, 10 place the
works here In good state Of defence, which was
completed on the 9th. The next day, at g. p m, he
took up his line Of march for his eamp, with about
800 exes1se men, The army halted al the aler-hoe
about miles from this place. the next morning the
scouts and spies brought IN word that the enemy 5
whole force had taken up position in the chappa-
rail- about miles distant, and had thrown his works
across the road which was well fortified with can
non. General Taylor put his army IN motion, and
on reaching the spemy no time was lost, they
ceiyed him with fire. when the battle became gen
| eral on both sides.
| "The Mexican cavalry, under cover Of the smoke,
attempted TO charge our infantry, but they were
ceiyed with such deadly fire that they fell back 10
confusion. The flying artillery, under command Of
Major Ringgold, and the other corps, under Cap
tain Duncan, created such havoc with the enemy's
horse that It was utterly impossible To bring them
| up TO a second charge. The result Of the day
the enemy relreated, few prisoners, among which
were two or three officers fell into the hands Of
forces, with three pieces Of eannoni Il have since
i heard one piece)
| "Msior Ringgold received wound through both
thighs, killing his horse under him. lie died on
yesterday morning, much regretted, for his brave
| and gallant conduct won him the admiration Of the
army. Captain Page had his lower Jaw shot of.
The Mexcans had between five and six thousand
men in the battle, 800 Of which were cavalry and
rancheros. The officers who were taken prison
ers were asked "why their cavalry did not charge"
| They replied at was impossible to get them 10 do
so after the first attempt; that the order given
| repeatedly, and few would advance, but finding
they were not supported by their comrades, would
fall back again into the lines; that Of the Off
GERS commanding them rode in amongst them, when
he found his orders dlsobeyed, and commenced cut
ting right and le and that Of the men drew out
| a pistol and shot him dead' Our wounded and
| killed was about As.
"The next day Gen Taylor left his train, with d
few pieces Of artillery to protect themselves, and
pushed on to his old camp. After going some sew
en- miles, he found the enemy had entrenched them
selves about two miles below his camp and in fac
was occupying some of the old works which he haG
thrown up for his own defence The battle soon
commenced again; our forces charged, drove over
the breastwork, carrying all before them, taking
eight pieces Of cannon killing about 500 Of the enc
my, numerous stands Of cOors, military chest, sup
| plies &c.-eyen to Gen. Aristas PORTFOLIO with all
his official papers, and dispatches from government
| Gen. Vega and several other oflicers taken
prisoners. The latter have not yet been able to
comprehend the result. Thalit is so, they have
uar proof but the very possibility of the valor and
Il
smote to atoms by handful Of americans perfect
ly astounding to themselves. Gen. ArisIa and nu-
merous others made their escape the Rio
Grande. He Immediately sent over the few pris
| oners that he had picked up from time to time, vol
UNFAIRLY on his part, forthwith, not losing moment
in setting an example OF magnanimity to the Amer-
| cans! Gen. Arsta had received reinforcement of
| 500 men from Matamoras, making some 7 900
men, whilst Gen. Taylor had only 1900 menu
This glory belongs emphstically to the army. Our
al Tor
pany and were kept behind for the defence of Point
Isabel Capt. Walker, with some twenty rangers
was the only volunteer force present.
"In Arista's portfolio found his instructions
from the Mexican government, how to dispose Of
| Gen. Taylor and his army when captured-to treat
| them with due attention in sending them TO Mexco
| "How terrible will be their CONSERVATION! What
ridiculous attitude she has placed herself in before
the world by her bombast and Mexican bravado!
"Gen. Taylor told him (Gen. Vega) that he had
made call for the Texas troops and that Mexico
would have about 5000 down upon her before long
1t created most dreadful forebodng of destruction
upon the Mexican natlon and they expressed them
selves in perfect horror of the terrible Texanos and
thought that they (the Mexcans) had better pack
up and be off, and leave the country east of the
mountains at once"
The rest Of the force starting with Taylor from the
| camp left as guard with the train and baggage.
Extract Of a letier from Galveston, May l5 1916.
81 enclose you slip from the press of this city,
giving full particulars Of the operations fthe army
| on the Rio Grande. You will that the American
arms have been most signally triumphant. The
news from the interior is also important. The Gu
manche Indians have again become hostile, and dis
solved the treaties which you had formed with
| them. No serious aggression had yet been commit
ted by them, but much difficulty with them is appre-
hended.
"a company Of rihemen was raised in Houston,
and another is being organized in this place. leave
| in day or two for Point Isabel The Texans have
| not responded with much alacrity to the call Of
General Taylor; on the contrary, much apathy is
| manifested throughout the country; this is mainly
attributable to the belief that the army of occupa
ton is entirely capable Of taking of itself
against any force that Mexico may bring into the
| field. Captain Tod, who arrived this morning from
Point Isabel, informs that intelligence had reach
ed that place that Santa Ana and Amonte had land
ed at Vera Cruz. Judge Pilsbury is elected repre-
| sentative from the wesern district, and Maj Kauff-
man, believe, from the eastern.
''The navy of the late republic Of Texas was
transferred to Governor Runnels the lth ult by
order of Governor Henderson. The officers arc
waiting anxiously to know what disposition the
general government will make Of them-at worst, we
can but lie relieved from present state Of sus.
pense. All of US look confidently to your kind off
| ces in our behalf"