Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1846-06-10
FROM THE ARMY.
From the Matamoras Eaelc, Man 4th.


left this place 10 join the army, which
had marched a few hours previous, fol
the purpose ofpassing the river at nc
great distance from the enemy's camp
In consequence of the orders given fol
the accomplishment of this dangerous
operation, with proper security and con.
formable to the rules of the military art,
on the arrival of our troops at the point
designated, all the troops under the COM
mand of Gen. Torrejoin, had already oc.
cupied The LEFT bank. The enthusiasm OF
our soldiers to overcome the obstacle
that separated them from their enemy
was so great, tl'atthey appeared sorrow>
fuI al the delay caused by the injuries
received by The flat>boats that had ne
cessarily been conveyed by land on carts,
and were so much damaged that they
Immediately filled with waIer on being
put into the river. Nevertheless such was
the activity Of the works, such the ardor
and activity Of the General-in> Chief,
whose ordrrs we're fulfilled with the
greatest celebrity and exactness tha, few
hours suficed 10 transport to the oppo-
site margin Of the Bravo strong Divis.
ion, with all their artillery and train Of
war. This rapid and well combined
movement ought 10 have demonstrated to
the invaders.lkat the Mexicanshave been
no, only Instruction. and aptitude for V uar,
but that these qualities appear realized
on The present occasion by the most pure
and refined patriotism. The Division Of
the North encounlering fatigues and
overcoming difficulties, ran in search Of
an enemy, who covered by parapets and
defended by cannons of heavy calibre,
can, with this indisputable advantage
await the attack. With deep fosses,
with multitude Of Notifications, the de-
fence were easy agains, those who pre-
sent 10 them their bare breasts. But
General Taylor dared not resist the va.
lor and enthusiasm of the sons of Mex
leo. Well he foresaw the intrepidity
with which our soldiers would have
rushed upon the usurpcrs ofoursnational
Territory ;;..wel, vheeknew'thatr r,IiosssWlIu=
have SO many njuries"to avenge, those
who have grasped their arms not to aug.
ment their own property by despoiling
others, but in favor Of the independence
of the country we'll he knew, we again
repeat, tlIet Mexicans have no dread
either of forces, or fortifcaiions. or
heavy artillery. THUS it is, the chief Of
rhe American fol ces, intimidated the
moment he knew by the proximity OF
the situation Of his camp that our army
prepared to pass the river, sailed out
rrecpitately for the Fronton de Santa
Island, with neaIl y all Of his troops and
pieces of artillery, and some wagons.
The march was observed from this place,
during which his Excelency Sir General
D. Francisco Meja sent an express to
communicate the notice TO the General
mischief. Here we must render to our
heroes the honor they merit. The ex-
press verbally informed some soldiers,
who had not yet rea ached the river, Of the
retreat OF the enemy they Immediately
set of at a run spontaneously the rest of
the distance. Such was the ardor and
The anxious desire to come up with the
enemy. The complete flight and terror
that these so set OF with, from the from
tier, to shut themselves in and evade the
encounter, frustrated the active measures
of Sir Gen. Arista, given with the oh
jecl of advancingithe cavalry ON the plain
to cut off the retreat Of the fugilives.
But it was not possible, even for for
ced march, in The night. Gen. Taylor
left his camp at 2 P. NJ, and as fear
has wings, he succeeded in getting
into the Fronton; for when the cavalry
gol to the point where they ought to have
cut them off, they were already past, and
some leagues ahead. Great was the dis
appointment of our vaiants that they
could not meet the enemy face to face
their roul wunld have been certain, ant
the greatest part Of the American army
who thought to cast down the Mexicans
would have persisted in the first battle O
importance. But we want to fight, and
the Americans do not know how to u.s.
any arms except deceit and perfdy.-
Why did they not remain firm at the foo
t of their hag9 Why did. they leave tht
land they iniquitously pretend to usurp
Is This the way The General fulills hi
4 word of honor {! Has not Mr.. Taylo
} said in all his communications, that ht
was prepared to repel those that offered
10 attack him ? Why then did he rui
u away cowardB, and shut himself up il
S the Fronton? The Chief Of the Amer
: lean army has covered himself with die