The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-30


ter date than that by the Alabama, which we pub
lished yesterday. We lay before our readers, how
ever, an interesting private letter from the scene
of operations.
Letter from young officer Ofh 7h regiment, dated
FORr BRowN, opposite Mattamoras,
18th May, 1886.
DEAR s.: presume you will have heard Of the
glorious victory obtained by our army before you
will receive this letter. but | will give you some Of
the items myself as my communication gives, at the
same time, assurance Of my well-being.
We have been necessarily at hard work, since
my last letter 10 Misunderstanding the field fort,
and erecting batteries; and since the affair Of Cap
tain thornton, on the Goth ofApril, we have been
kept almost constantly under arms; for besides
the hard abors Of the day, in order 10 hurry the
finishing Of the fort, we have been kept awake the
greater part Of almost every night.
On the afternoon of the LIST Of May, the general
lert the camp with his whole army, excepting the 7th
infantry and two companies of artillery, ordered to
remain as the garrison Of this fort which still
unfinished, and hardly in state Of defence. The
general went to Point Isabel for the purpose Of OBJ
aiming supplies Of provision and ammunition, in
tending to give the Mexicans battle after his re-
turn. We had intelligence that the Mexcans were
on this side ofthe river with force Of about 5000,
with the evident intention of attacking General
faylor's force, and cutting off bis supplies. The
general made forced march, as 10 get into / he
open prairie, in order that the Mexlcans might not
have him under disad vantage if they felt disposed
TO attack him in the night
Our garrison had TO work hard even day and
night, in order to place the fort Immediately in a
proper state Of defence. After the army left us, we
were Immediately surrounded, in the outskirts Of
the thicket by about fifteen hundred men, and we
were harassed continually with expectations OF at
tacksj so that, being constantly under arms and at
- r.a. I,.,a h.
days and for some hours at night from this time we
never knew repose.
On the Sd OF May we were reused suddenly and
unceremoniously out of our berths at daylight by
heavy and rapid cannonading and bombardlng, d.
rected upon us from the batteries in town. In an
instant every man was al his post. As soon as II
was ascertained that the attack was only from the
other side Of the river, our men were directed to
shelter themselves behind the parapet, and only a
number sufficient TO keep proper lookout were al
lowed TO expose themselves; and these were required
to be covered on seeing the fash. By this means
we entirely protected our men, while our battery OF
four Is-pounders, manned by Captain Lowd's COM
pany, and the light battery Of four 6-Pounders,
manned by Lieutenant Bragg's company, returned
the fire vigorously. We could see our shots fire.
auently jumping through the embrasurcs OF their
batteries, and occasionally we would send an IL
pound ball galloping through the town, merely to
stir up the people, and to keep General Mela
soon discovered that our men were safe from their
round shot, and that the bombshells only gave us
annoyance we shortly built bomb-proof shelters,
which protected us from them.
Finding that we were using up our ammunition
quite rapidly, we discontinued our firing to preserve
suffciency in case we should be attacked; and only
occasionally we would throw few lS-pound shot
into them merely to let the general hear our L.
Founders speak, and to show them that we had am
munton still, and that we were alive and kicking.
On the 3D. (the first day Of the hring,) we re-
turned their FIRE with $40 rounds; and we estimated,
from the rapidty of the Mexican fire, as compared
with our own, that they must have fired at least
1000 rounds Of shells and shot on this day. The
only harm done one man Killed; and after
wards this same man was struck ny shell while
laid out in the hospital.
On the 4th the Mexicans fired only few rounds
at long intervals, which we did not return.
On the 5th they fred few in the morning. to
which we replied from our 15-poundsrs-always
commencing at early daylight
On the 9th, they gave us heavy and rap pom
bardment, which was continued all day. They
had established two mortars on this side Of the
river, and maintained troublesome cross-fre upon
us from four directions. Major Brown had his leg
broke by shell during the morning of the 9Th, and
our estimable commander died on the afternoon of
the 9th, from the effects Of the amputation. This
has given name to the fort-the general having
determined to call it by the of the first officer
OF the garrison Indt was hllieu III ltS uefenCe.
About an hour before sunset on the 9Th, a parley
was sounded by the Mexcans, near the fort, and a
white flag brought in with demand to surrender
which was unanimously answered in the negative.
The bombardment was continued rapidly and
heavily during the 7th, 9th, and 9th, from daylight
ill dark. And we were occasionally vexed at night
by a few shells thrown among us. We were
ceasingly at work, every day, keeping the fort in
the best state for defence, and at night at the most
exposed parts. We were also unremitting in the
construction Of additional bomb.Proof shelters.
We were sometimes annoyed during the day by
aiming to pick our men off; but quickly dispersed
these by a few rounds of grape. More than once,
at night, were fired upon by musketry-gvng
us the idea that we were to be attacked, and of
course calling us up; but this firing we found to be
at distance of at least 500 yards as all the balls
were spent when they reached the fort, although
they came among US with considerable force
We confidently expected an attack from Arista's
army the night the demand made for US to sur
render, as the summons signed by Arsta, and his
5000 would have given us hot work. but our officers
and men were remarkably cool, and determined to
resist to the last. Ii was really gratifying see with
what perfect composure our men expected and
awaited an attack.
70 About o'clock on the afternoon Of the 9th we
were enlivened by the sound of heavy and frequent
cannonading in the distance, which we heard dis
tlnctly in spite of the rapid bombarding that the
hehCdfs Wefo heePnB at tue uHic. we sOOn
satisfied ourselves that the sound was approaching
us, and convinced that General Taylor was
driving the Mexicans before him. This firing was
discontinued at dark. IL
The next afternoon, about o'clock, we again
heard firing and could see the smoke rising; which,
you may imagine, we watched with intense interest
and anxiety and about half hour before sunset
we saw Mexicans retreatng in disorder in the dis
lance towards the upper ferry; and we watched them
steadily from the parapet in spite of the severe FIRE
they poured into as from town. Very soon after,
we greeted some Of our coming in from the
field Of battle. When we saw our dragons ride up,
the fort rang with cheers for glorious news In
few minutes after cheers the firing from town
was entirely discontinued We we're informed Of
the most complete victory and triumph which the
annals of history have ever made us acquainted
with. We had completely routed the Mexicans,
$500, (by their own statement,) and
captured number of prisoners, all the supplies that
they had brought with them to the field including
eight pieces Of artillery, about 1000 small arms,
~ froD ON In S00