The New York herald., 1846-06-07
THE FIRST FLASH
OF THE
LIGHTNING LINE
FROM WASHINGTON TO NEW YORK.
Important Intelligence.
FROM THE
S E A L OF w A r.
The Particulars Of the Investmen
of the City Of Matamoras
BY THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION.
The Retreat of the MeYicans,
REQUEST OF GENERAL hRISTA FOR AN
ARMISTICE OF SIX WEEKS.
More Mexican Prisoners,
&c. &c. &c.

Ihe lightning Ina Tom washington to this
city IS complete. and we received the fist fash
the first intelligence, at early hour last evening
eighteen hours in advance of the mail
The completion OF this line is of vast impor-
tancc 1t enables us to give in this mornings
Herald, the interesting intelligence from the Rio
Grande, one whole day in advance of the old
dog-trot way Of receiving news from the South.
Other equally important results from this most
remarkable invention, of this most remarkable
age, will be seen in day or two.
The news from the Rio Grande is highly inter-
esting. II reached New Orleans on the evening
ofthe 10Th ult by the steamers Galveston, Captain
Wright, and James l.. Day, Captain Griffin
They sailed from the Brasos dc Santiago on tho
27th--one an hour after the other.
1t appears that on the 18th ult a large
portion of General Taylor's army moved up
the river for the purpose Of crossing General
I. remained at the Notifications with about
800 men. When the army were seen by
the Mexicans, ON the opposite side of the river,
to leave tho encampment, they approached the
fort and Gen. 4drista sent flag of truce to Gen.
Taylor requesting armistice of sir ,ceeks, giving
as reason for has request, that he desired to eomu
'icate mith his Government. Gen. Taylor replied
that he ,cou'd give Gen Arisa utaS o'clock the nert
morning to eracuate the city Of Matamoras, and
,rod permit him to take airay the public property
n,ide, his charge.
The flag then returned and on the next day
the 18th, the "army of occupation crossed OH
flats OF their own construction, and the bodies of
wagons caulked. The passage was made about
four miles above Fort Brown. On arriving at the
city, 1t was discovered that Gen. Arista had de-
parted with his forces, leaving only tie mounted
battery. al the mm'tars, aud such Of the military
apparatus could not be rGmorcd, in his haste to
estape wcrc hropn into the tccils.
Immediately after the entrance Of General Tay-
lor into Matamoras, detachment was ordered
out 70 reconnotre. They overlook portion of
the Mexicans, who were retreating, twenty-five
of whom were made prisoners
1t is understood that Gen. Arista's headquarters
are at San Fernando, about ninety miles from
Matamoras.
Gen. Taylor issued orders to his army not to
take anything from the inhabitants without pay
ing full value for what they took. The citizens of
Matamoras were permitted to transact business
as usual. with the exception of selling strong
drinks.
Com. Conner, with most of his squadron. had
sailed for Pensacola, for the purpose of reftting
The steam schooner Cincinnati, Captain Smith.
was at Matamoros.
The Mary King was laying at anchor of tho
bay, and the Augusta aground The Sea, Florida,
and Monmouth were lighting over the bay The
ship Ondaka had arrived safely.
On the passage OF the Galveston to the Brnsos,
man named Mitchell, of the McElry Guards, on
board, stabbed one of his comrades, giving him a
mortal wound He died on Monday morning.
+ Nrx nr 4, Co.t-
a letter from Point Isabel dated the 26th ult 1t
gives some interesting items. The writer saws
that Fort Polk is now complete museum filled
with Mexican prisoners, mules, ladies' saddles,
curlousy wroughtleather pack saddles, huge sad
die-bags, muskets, drums, ordnance copper
cannon balls, grape shot, letters, and an
kinds Of documents, picked up on the ground
where Ampudia was encampcd. One of
the officers who was in the two engagements of
the Sth and 9th says, that the supper which the
Mexicans, in their confidence, had prepared for
themselves, and which they were obliged so sud
denly to abandon, afforded a rich repast to our
tired and hungry officers and men, who pro-
nounced their liquors. chocolate, SOUP roast beef,
&C., 10 have been first rate.
II IS announced that Ampuda's plate, which
was valuable, was promptly returned to him.
Most of the wounded had been taken to Corpus
Christi.
Capt. Page, whose under jaw had been shot
away, is in a fair way of recovery.
Capt. Hooe was walking about with the stump
OF his right arm dangling by his side, and appear
ed to be in excellent humor.
COL Mcintosh who was badly wounded, wa.
stretched out yesterday morning in Mexican
wagon, trying to read. He was stabbed in the
throat or rather down the throat in the neck, and
other parts of his body, and was repeatedly
knocked down in the fight.
Capt. McClay, who was wounded in the action
OF the 9Th, is here, with awfully bad chin
which Mexican grape shot passed, shaving
little closer than was safe, as il carried with il
some OF the bones and sincws.
The Picaynne states that the amount Of money
found in the Mexican army chest, after the battle
of the 9th, was $4,000 in gold
The commanding General has ordered that the
Rio Cirande shall be considered as closed in re-
gard to all vessels bringing cargoes for merchant.
IN Matamoras, except such as contain munitions
OF war.