American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-20

EIR CAPTUR E-SEMIsOFFICIA l.
RRATIVE OF THE ATTACK ON
IN. TAYLOR'S CAMP-PREVIOUS
pVICES CONFIRMED-ARR
DISPATCHES, &c.
fe New Orleans papers of the 18th inst.
us some further and highly interesting
igence from the Army, full particulars of
b we give below. The following letter
IN worthy and intelligent friend attached
Q Army:
correspondence of the Baltimore Clipper.l
Fort TAYLOR, opposit eMatamoras,
May 4th, 1916.
rite you in haste, lest false reports may
reached you of the state of affairs with
rmy of Occupation.
In. Taylor left here with the main body of
rmy at O'Clock on the LIST inst. for Point
near the mouth of the Rio Grande, to
h up supplies and munitions of war. His
hg with so large force was in conse-
nee of the main body of the Mexican T.
eng reported III full march for the Point.
we're left here in an unfinished feld-work
the 7th regiment U. S, Infantry, and
Loud and Lieut. Braggs' companies of
patton, in all about 600 men and officers,
IL 100 of them unable to do full service.
the main body leaving, we Immediately
henced to strengthen our position and pre-
+ for the defensive. The enemy gave
#Taylor time to be beyond reach of sue
lg US, and yesterday about daylight open
batteries upon us with shot and Shells
ire was hot at first and kept up with great
ION their part until we silenced one bat
a With our Is Founders and made mere
of the other. Yet one of their long 6's
bomb mortar kept up their play upon us
the second battery, and have continued
ervals, up to the time | write, TO work at
believe they commenced from five pie
+ hnd | think we have destroyed three of
hen their fire was hottest we diverted their
lion by opening our ISIS upon the town,
everal houses are riddled by our shot; but
be- no means of heating our balls we were
10 to fire the city, as our howitzer shells
I'd worthless, bursting almost at the mezzle
e pieces. AS yet we have had but one
killed and another slightly wounded. Of
nemy many are supposed to have fallen,
r artillerists were very sure in their aim.
e had many hair breadth escapes, and am
kfu for the provident protection of Al
tyhGod. Shells have burst above and a.
| me; and in one instance within fifteen
demolishing one of my hospital tents and
ating the already dead man (the only one
who had been laid out in that tent.
at the time, in the act of removing piece
ell from wound in the neck of the only
wounded, when the shell dropped and ex-
ID, covering him, my assistants and one
but, and blowing the dead man acros the
. look forward with anxiety for wha
hour may bring forth. A few days will
Q the contest,a least for this army Victo-
or defeated, we will hold out in this work
e last, aad if forced to captulate it must
the most honorable terms.
o are in expectation of relief from Gene
Taylor, but believe the Mexican force is
posted between him and us; if so, he must
battle with them. l..
e steam schooner Florida arrived at N. Or
on the 18th inst. with news to the 5th
The Picayune says: ....
Though her dates are not so late by one
is the New York's, they contain fuller and
authentic details of events on the Rio
hde, and put quite new aspect on affairs.
10 reader will be delighted to hear that
er Capt. Thornton nor Lieut. Kane was
1 in the affair of the surprise of Capt.
rnton's Dragons. We give below mi
account of the surprise and action, of the
facy of which we have no doubt. 1t will
ad with universal interest.
RPRISE AND SURRENDER OF CAPTAIN
THORNTON'S COMMAND.
the evening of the Esd ult., Gen. Tay-
spies brought in intelligence to the effect
about $500 Mexicans had crossed the Rio
lde to the Texas side above the American
and that about 1900 of them had crossed
W. Gen. T. Immediately dispatched a
dron of dragons to each place of crossing
ne purpose of reconotring them and ascer-
ng their position. The squadron ordered
" was in command of Capt. Ker, the one
e was commanded by Capt. Thornton and
posed of Capt. Hardee, Lieut's. Kane and
bn, with g. privates and non-commissioned
ers. The former commander, Capt. Ker,
IRVING at the point where it was supposed
had crossed found that the report was
that they had not crossed there but had
rossed above, which was afterwards prov
Capt. IT'S command being surprised, in
CHI Lieut.. G. Mason with nine men were
ID and two wounded. The wounded were
to Gen. Taylor's camp; the army having
ospital in the field. Capt's. Thornton,
dee, and Lieut.. Kane miraculously escaped
lther with the balance of the non-commis-
ed officers and men, but were captured and
now prisoners of war in Mexico.
The circumstances which led to the surprise
these: After Capt. T. command had pro-
led up the Rio Grande about twenty-four
es, and as was supposed, to within about
miles of the Mexican camp, the guide re-
to 60 any further, and stated for his rea-
that the whole country was infested with
[tcans. Capt T. however, proceeded on
i 4 This command about two miles when he
lie to farm house, which was enclosed en-.
lily by chapparel fence, with the exception
ilat portion of it which bordered on the
Pr, and this was so boggy as to be impassa.
Can't, II. entered this enclosure throuoh