American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-27
THREE DAYS
LATER
FROM the ARMY
AN EXPEDITION sTARTED TO AT.

AN EXPEDITION STARTED TO AT
TACK BARRITA---GEN'L TAYLOR
PREPARING TO CROSS THE RIO
GRANDE, AND ATTACK AND OCCU-
Ply MATAIOROS.
By last nights Southern mail, we have ex-
tras from the New Orleans Bulletin, Picayune,
and Delta, containing dates from Brazos st.
Jago, to the 10th inst, brought by the arrival
of the steamer James L. Day. We copy the
following from the Bulletin:
The Steamer James L. Day. Capt. Griffin,
arrived this morning from the Brazos st. Jago,
which place she left on the 18th inst. bringing
intelligence two days later than that by the
Galveston.
& The news is important! Captain Griffin in
forms US that General Taylor left Point Isabel
on the morning of the 18th, with about two
hundred men, and a supply of provisions for
the army at the camp. After proceeding
short distance, however, he deemed it expe-
dent to return and increase his escort, and take
with him large quantity of supplies He did
30, and took up his march again for the camp
on the morning Of the l4th, with from six to
eight hundred men, a park of artillery, and
about two hundred and fifty wagons. He was
met about midway between Point Isabel and
the camp, late on the evening Of the 18th. Up
Ia that time he had not met the enemy, nor
was it anticipated that he would encounter OPP
position, as the general impression was that
the enemy had retreated from our soil, immedi-
ately after the defeat on the 9th and 10th, and
sought safety on the west bank of the Rio
Grande.
While General Taylor was at Point Isabel
he received intelligence that the Mexicans
were gathering in large numbers at Barrita,
a Mexican town, Immediately on the bank of
the Rio Grande. On being thus informed, he
ordered the two companies of Louisiana Volun-
teers, under Captains Desha aud Stockton, and
a detachment of United States infantry: num-
beTng in all, regulars and volunteers, abou
one thousand men, composed entirely of Infant
ry, to proceed to the attack of that town.
These troops embarked on the morning of
the 18th, on the steamers Neva, Leo and Gin
cinnati, and were landed at the Brasos at P.
M, and Immediately marched for the Rio
Grande; the steamers being ordered to ascend
the river and transport the troops and their
ammunition across. Commodore Conner with
his whole squadron, consisting ofthe steam fri
gate Mississippi, the frigates Cumberland, Rar-
itan and Potomac, slooplSt. Mary,the brig Law
renee, and the schr. Santa Anna, at the same
time weighed anchor and sailed for the mouth
of the river, intending to assist the troops in
crossing with his boats, and to aid in the attack
with his men. The expedition was under the
command of Col. Wilson.
General Taylor intended to cross the river
at or near his camp, to take possession of Mat
amoras, and the expedition was ordered for the
double purpose of disodgng the Mexicans
from their position at Barrita, and assisting
Gen. Taylor in occupying Matamoras should
he be opposed.
Gen. Taylor intended to cross the river on
a bridge formed of the boxes of his wagons
caulked tight. For this purpose he had order
ed all the oakum at Point Isabel 10 be sent up
to the camp.
Capt. Griffin heard nothing whatever of the
report that Paredcs was marching to Matamo-
ras with Is, 900 men, nor was there any GER
tanty that the Mexicans had been reinforced;
the general opinion, however, was that they
had been.
There were none of the enemy between the
camp and Point Isabel; ifany remained on this
side of the river they'ar above the camp
The Volunteers taken out by the Jas. l..
Day were all landed in safety on the 4th.
steamer, supposed to be the New York, was
seen standing in for the Brazos as the Day
came up.
The Telegraph arrived there in about Sc
hours after the Day.
Capt. Griffin left Point Isabel at 10 o'clock
on the morning of the 10th, and got under way
at P. M.
From the Delta, Extra, we learn that the
force at Point Isabel has been increased to about
1900, by the arrival of volunteers. All speak
of the prospects of Gen. Taylor as being in the
highest degree suspicious.
We make the following extract from letter
in the Delta, dated Point Isabel, May Is, 8
o'clock, P. M.
The report prevalent i'll camp at this time is,
that the Mexicans are within our immediate
vicinity to the number ofsome or 1000 strong.
AS to Its correctness cannot vouch, but GER
tain, it is, we are in the neighborhood of the
enemy, and an attack at any hour would sur
prise no one here.
Gen. Taylor left this place on the morning
Of the 18th for his camp on the river above, ac-
companied by only one company of Artillery
and one of Dragons. He was dressed in sim
pie farmers apparel, and his mode Of convey
ance light wagon, driven by negro servant
There seems to be little doubt but he will
reach his camp in safety-after which, the ge-
neral suppositlon is the Mexicans will have to
look out for squalls; his dander is up since the
last engagement, and he seems determined to
start the ball
, When the ball is fairly opened the amuse-
rnent must not cease until the tune is played
and the fiddlers paid