The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1846-05-21
rom YESTERDAYS SECOND EDiTION.l
[FROM Yesterdays SECOND EDlTIONl
GREAT BATTLE ON THR' Rio GRANDHl
700 MEXICANS KILLED-MATA-l
MORAS BURNT-ONLY q ONE
AMERICAN KILLED-BLOCKADE
OF MEXICAN PORTS ORDERED.

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OF MEXICAN PORTS ORDERED.
BY Southern papers we have the following par
ticulars of battle between part of Gen. Tay-
lor's forces and the Mexicans, on the Sd inst.
Captain Walker, of the Texas Rangers, who
arrived at Point Isabel on the 9TH in the after
noon, from the entrenchment opposite Matomoras,
reports as follows:
He started from the camp with 100 men, and
during the night he lost six men killed, and had
a horse shot under him. adA
Gen. Taylor on the evening of the LIST made
sortie with detachment, for the purpose of OPEN
ing communication between Isabel and the en-
trenchment. y
Major Ringgold, of the flying artillery, COM
inanded the American camp during the engage
ment. l9 - a
The single American killed during the bonn
bardment of Matamoras was by the explosion of
a shell. 8t#&N8
The American camp has been, most strongly
constructed The Mexican fire had not the least
effect upon it.
From the ". o.. Bulletin, Extra, May 10.
Bv the arrival of the steamer New York, Cap
tain Phillips, from the Brazos st. Iago via. Gal
weston, the report is fully confirmed Of the Mex
leans having thrown themselves in force between
the American camp and Point Isabel.
Capt Walker, OF the Texan Rangers who, it
will be remembered, CALAMITY offered to carry
communications from Point Isabel to Gen. Tay
Tor, succeeded ia his desperate enterprise.
Gen. TAYLOR Immediately on being made ac-
quainted with the condition OF affairs, determin-
ed, with part of his army, TO march to Point
Isabel, and accordingly on the evening OF the lst
inst, left his entertainments with from thousand
to twelve hundred men, cavalry, artillery and
infantry. Mh88 A# &G& N
He arrived at Point Isabel on the morning of
the 3D. wthouthaving encountered single Mex
lean. On the morning of the Sd, having heard
the firing of artillery in the direction of Mata-
moros, Capt Walker was again despatched imme
diately to ascertain the cause.
This brave man again succeeded in reaching
the camp, and on his return on the 9Th reported
that the Mexicans finding Gen. Taylor absent
from the camp, and his forces divided, took the
opportunity to open their battery at Matamoros
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 imme-
diatelv opened upon Matamoros The Mexican
battery was silenced in THIRTY MINUTES
number Of the houses in Matamoros DESTROYED.
and the enemy en- the American side Of the river
But ONE American was killed, and none
wounded. What number OF the enemy
killed or wounded is not known to any degree of
certainty. 1t is reported that as many as SEVEN
HUNDRED were killed, and that sufficient
number Of houses was not left standing in Mata-
moros to afford shelter to the wounded
The ultimate result has yet to be known, how
ever, as the firing continued at intervals up
to the time OF the departure of the New York
from Brazos, on the 9th, about /, p. M.
Gen. Taylor was preparing to return on that
day with supplies. He expected to be attacked
on his march, and was fully 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 either 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
much smaller force. They are now estimated
Z at 5000.
The number on both sides of the river are es-
timated by none at less than 1000, and by many
it is believed to be as high as Is or 20 thousand
Santiago and Point Isabel are under martial
law, and every man capable, is required to bear
arms!
I'VE regret to hear that but little has been done
the way of volunteering in Texas.
In, tact, we do not hear of any measure having
been taken to comply with the requisition OF Gen
Taylor
We understand that Col. Hays, the Rangers,
Immediately on hearing OF Gen. Taylor position,
marched to his 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. it is believed with or
ders to the American squadron, to blockade the
Mexican ports.
In the skirmish which Captain Walker had with
the Mexicans, previous 70 the departure OF the
Ellen Clara, 1t is now known that not even the
remainder have returned into camp safe.
The bodies Of FIVE ofthem have been found, but
owing to the shocking manner in which the Mex
leans had mutilated them, Capt. Walker recog-
missed but two, McCliser and Radcliff.
The u. s. schr. Flirt was to leave the Brazos in
day or two with dispatches for New Orleans.s
The y. S. brig Lawrence was still at the mouth
of the Rio Grande, enforcing the blockade. All
well on both vessels. t s}
Steamer Monmouth left on the evening Of the
5th bound to Aransas, Tor the purpose 81 bringing
every man capable Of doing military duty, to- the
camp at St. Jago.
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