Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-09-05
NATIONAL iNTELLIGENCER.
THE COMMANDMENT OF FORT BROWN.

with the snooined communication, narralng PH
ticuar acts of galantry and other interesting m
cidents which occurred during the bombardmen' OF
Fort Brown, on the Rio Grande. The brilliant
bravery and gallant achievements which distinguish
ed the battles of the 9Th and 9th OF May command
the warmest admiration; but assailed on all sides
by vigorous incessant, and long continued attack,
as Fort Brown was, there IS no event IN our mill
tary annals in which, it appears to us, higher de-
cree of military skill and resource, courage and en-
durance, under the most trying circumstances, were
displayed than in the brave and successful defence
of that post In all of these conhicts-those in the
field, under Gen. TAYLOR, as we'll as that of the
fort-the high spirit and training of West Point it
should be remembered, were every where conspicu-
GUS and, if any thing were needed to sustain the
friends of that noble institution against the dema-
gogue-clamors which have assailed it, they might
point with pride TO these actions on the Rio Grande
which have shed so much lustre on our arms.
The various letters which have been written on the subject
Of the bombadment Of Fort Brown have gotten
up the spur of the moment-wten during the high ex-
element which prevailed amongst without regard to justice
TO officers, non-commssoned officers and soldiers and the
importance of such in military history
Having occupied position to judge Of the combined
ton OF the garrison, and of observing all the various incidents
OF the bombardment, take pleasure in furnishing correct
account Of IT. as am not only anxious to do justice TO all
concerned, but anxious that which bear
important place In military history should be fully and
correctly detailed the public. And if succeedn rcscung
from oblivion any of those which rebound much to
the credit and honor regular army shall feel that
have at least contributed mite towards e-esabshing It's
worth in the estimation Of those of people who from long
continued peace, had almost forgotten it,
On the Goth Of April the day after the attack and capture
of Thon,ons squadron Of I'd Dragons possessed
of information that the enemy had crossed the Rio
Grande in considerable force, and evident that he had
in view of objects, either advance Point Isabel
to off supplies, attack Gen Taylor position
either of which rendered the completion Of Fort Brown
immediate necessity in order that might be held by small
force, whilst the remainder of the army free move
against the enemy leaving the United States flag still planted
and protected the left bank of the Rio Grande. The inn
pcrtance of this well conceived by the Commanding Ge
neral and its execution but portion of plan of opera
tons not less boldly conceived than successfully accomplished
and to which history shows parallel From this time
the lt OF May the forces kept constantly engaged
the work. aborng hard by day. whilst night they
kept constantly the alert in expectation of attack
On the LIST of May the Commanding General ordered the
movement of his army, designating the garrison Of Fort
Brown the seventh regiment of infantry, Captain Lowd
company of the second artillery and Lieut. Braggs battery
light artillery composed OF FOUNDERS two
FOUNDER howizers. The army moved O'Clock F. NJ. on
the ls, and the garrison Of Fort Brown marched n-,wo
companies Of the seventh infantry being assigned every has
ton except the occupied by Capt Lowd's company,
which manned the egheen-pounder battery of four guns
bearing the town Of Matamoros and the Mexican batteries
When the army marched confidently expected that the
fort would be attacked but that Gen. TAYLOR would GER
tainy have fight either in going returning from Point
Isabel. The fort far from being finished, in
proper state Of defenceone curtain entirely unfinished the
dawbndge and interior deences yet commenced Our
commander before him an immense deal of labor 10 be
expended the work before could be regarded in proper
state of Defence and that ought to be lost lis
completion.
Immediately aterrevei the ID ofay the seventh na
try turned work. and continued labor hard during
the whole day, and until long after dark the unfinished
curtain and gateway, whilst the artillery companies
less usauy employed placing their batteries in condition
for offensive and defensive operations At night
gallant commander the alert and fully impressed with
the importance of his trust ordered his command under
arms, and saw every at the post he to occupy in
Of attack directing that every should be
ed to be ready repair his place the paapet moments
warning During the day muskes placed in the hands
Of every man capable OF bearing and force number
cd five hundred and sixty and forty officers thirywo
officers and three hundred and oyone rank and file seventh
infantry three officers and forytwo rank and file Of Capt
Lowds company four officers and ftyo rank and file Of
Lieut. Braggs company six Dragons and one officer and
nnety,w rank and file Of detachment Of inefficient men
eh from other regiments OF this number ninety five were
on the sick report seventy being Of the number OF in
efficient men left from other regiments and the remainder Of
the five hundred and sixty citizens and suffers twenty
five in number This the strength Of during
the whole Of the bomhadmen and has been truly said
that eve surrounded by many thousands we had
hundreds"
Revele the memorable morning of the Sd found the
gallant Brown at his post and whilst giving order his
staff officer to have the seventh infantry turned out 10 work
the defences, his attention attracted to the first shot
fired by the enemy With smile Of Joy ne turned to his
staff officer ,apd said Sir have other work to do To-
day order the batteries manned go the right and that
every is at his post will go to the left" Lowds bat
terry needed order already manned and each piece
directed by officer, Capt Mansfield our engineer having
volunteered to aim the fourth piece At this time Observed
that the flag had been overlooked and vet raised when
Lieut. Van Dorm volunteered raise which was done
der the fire Of the enemy which drawn upon him. The
work commenced and notwithstanding the fear entertained
that the axes Of the old lspounders would it,
done, and well done.
The enemys fire opened from the fort,