Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-21

ly confirmed Of the Mexicans having
thrown themselves in force between the
American camp and Point Isabel.
( = Capt. Walker Of the Texan Rangers,
who, it will be remembered, gallantly Of.
fered to carry communication from Poin,
Isabel to Gen. Taylor, succeeded in his
desperate enterprise.
/ Gen. Taylor, Immediately on being
made acquainted with The condition of
affairs, determined, with part of his ar
my, to march TO Point Isabel, and ac-
cordngly on The evening of the | ST inst,
left his entertainments with from thou
sand to twelve hundred men, cavalry,
artillery and infantry.
I He arrived at Point Isabel on the morn
ing Of the Cd, without having encounter
ed single Mexican. On the morning of
the Sd, having heard the firing Of artillery
in tho direction Of Matamoras, Capt.
Walker was again despatched immedi-
ately to ascertain the cause.
This brave man again succeeded in,
reaching the camp, and on his return on
the 9th reported that the Mcxicans find
ing Gen. Taylor absent from The camp,
and his forces divided, took the opportu-
nifty to open their battery at Matamoras
on the camp, and those on the Eastern
bank Of the Rio Grande, at the same
time made an attack in the rear.
The four gun battery in our camp was
Immediately opened upon Matamoras.
The Mexican battery was silenced in
thirty minutes, n number Of the houses in
Matamoras destroyed, and the enemy on
the American side Of the river compelled
to return.
But one American was killed, and
none wounded. What number of the
enemy was killed or wounded is not known
to any degree Of certainty. Itis report
ed that as many as 100 were killed, and
that a sufficient number of houses was
not left standing in Ma,amoras to afford
shelter to the wounded.
/ The ultimate result has yet TO he known,
however, as the firing was continued at
intervals up TO the time of the departure
of the New York from the Brasos, on
the 9th, about p. Nj.
Gen. Taylor was preparing to return
on that day with supplies He expected
to be attacked on his march, and was full
y prepared to meet the enemy. 1t was
supposed that he would take with him the
regulars sent down by the New York,
all of whom were landed in safety on the
morning Of the 9th.
As to the number Of Mexicans on ei-
ther side of the Rio Grande, it is still, in
great measure, matter of conjecture.
Those on this side Of the Rio Grande
have already been estimated at 5000, and
it is not probable that they would cross
with a much smaller force. They are
now estimated at 5000
The number on both sides Of the river
are estimated by none at less than 10, 900,
and by many it is believed to be rs high
as 900 or 10000.
Santiago and Point Isabel are under
martial law, and every man capable is
required to bear arms.
We regret to hear that but little has
been done in the way OF volunteering in
Texas.
In fact, we do not hear Of any me as
ures having been taken to comply with
the requisiiion of Gen Taylor.
| We understand ,ha, Col. Hays, of the
Rangers, Immediately on hearing of
Gen. Taylor's position, marched to bic
relief with 400 men, determined to force
his way through the Mexican lines,
| Gen. Taylor, after his arrival at Point
| Isabel, dispatched the schooner Alert,
under command OF Lieut.. Frank Renshaw,
Of the United States brig Lawrence, to
Vera Cruz, il is believed with orders
to the American squadron, to blockade
the Mexican ports.
In the skirmish which Captain Walk
er had with the Mexicans, previous to
the departure ofthe Ellen Clara, it is now
known that not even the remainder have
returned into camp safe.
II The bodies of five ofthem have been
found, but owing to the shocking manner
in which the Mexicans had mutilaie d
them, Capt. Walker recognised but two,
Nc Clistcr and Radcliff.
N The U. S. schr Flirt was TO leave the
Brazos in day or two, with dispatches
for New Orleans The u. S. brig Law
renee was still at the mouth of the Rio
Grande, enforcing the blockade. Al
well on both vessels.
Steamer Monmouth left on the even.
ing of the 5lh, bound to Aransas, for the
purpose Of bringing every man capable
Of doing military duty, to the camp at St
Jago.
II From the Extra OF the Galveston Civilian.
The Texan schooner Santa Anna has
been despatched from the Brasos St. ia.
90 with communication from Gen. Tay.
lor for the American squadron al Vert
II CruZ