The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-26

twelve 90 ....,
-E-s Total. 81. 49,, IL
In tho Battle, May sth-Brass Il Artillery Pieces.
The Eighteen al and At Twelve y I've
rear with tho wagon
train.
am in haste therefore excuse the confusion,
as all here are in a state of excitement. Com
modore Common has just landed, to see General
Taylor, supposed to plan an expedition to take
possession of the Rio Grande; ifso, you will soon
again hear of gallant exploits Of the Yankees, as
the Mexcans now call US.
Major Ringgold's company ofkght artillery, after
he fell, was commanded by Lieut. R. Ridgley, in
stead of Lieut.. Thorn, who was second in COM
mand, as mentioned in my other letter, and
beth behaved CALAMITY,
Major Jacob Brown, 7th infantry, commanding
Fort Cross, was killed by the bursting of shell,
after sustaining five days bombardment--in which
only lost two men,
Ihavetj just been convsrsing with General La
Vega and his aid, who have just arrived, en- route
to New Orleans, as prisoners of war--he refusing
to receive his parols-stating that, if he did, it
would be of no use, as he would be forced to fight
if he returned to Mexico. He is a fine looking,
gentlemanly fellow, and appears to appreciate
the kindness shown him and the ether prisoners,
and is perfectly satisfied that we can. conquer
them.
PoINr ISABEL, (Texas,J May 7, 1876.
One slightly acquainted with the geography of
Texas. her coast and harbors, sees the relative inn
portance Of Point Isabel to. Northern Mexico.
Thishas long been the port of entry for Matamo-
ras; and in old times, canal, long since gone in
to decay, was cut from the Rio Grande to the la
gune, to facilitate the intercourse Before the late
march of our army from the Nueces, a collector
of the customs was stationed here; but on the APP
preach Of Gen. Taylor the village was burnt, and
the officers fled. Having taken position near Ma
Isabel becomes our base of operations. We have
not yet taken possession Of the banks of the Rio
Grande below Matamoras, nor attempted its ma
until this time, all our stores and
supplies have been landed here A fow days
since, the most reliable. information induced the
belief that a large body of Mexicans was concen-
trating on the prairie this side of the river, with
the evident design of cutting off our wagon train:
defensible. the main body Of the army moved out
to escort the supplies. We reached the Point on
Saturday, the I'd. Early on Sunday morning the
sound of heavy cannonJ which continued brlskly
for several hours, told that the fort had been at
tackled. Scouts were Immediately despatched for
information. One entered the fort, and brought
away the commanding officers official report.
The Mexican batteries opened at5 A.. N. on the
fenced the former in thirty minutes: The en- envy
moved his guns to another position, and CON tinu
ed the firing until about ii o'clock A. NJ, when it
ceased for awhile II was resumed towards eve
ning; and up TO the time the despatch was writ
ten,, the enemy had sent us about fifteen hrn-
dred shells and shot, with the total effect
OF killing one and wounding one on our
side Wa not only disabled their guns, but
battered seriously several of Their finest build
ings. The fort, was left under the command Of
Maj. Brown, of the 7th infantry, with his regi-
nent and two companies 'of artillery; Lieut..
Bragg. with his field 'bauery; and Capt. Lowd Of
the I'd artillery, with his destructive battery Of IL
Founders. Our fort is, twenty-seven miles from
this place. The road is across open pra irie for
two-thirds of the dstance; the RENAL nder is
through the thick chapazral, An attack IS Proba-
Mexico having, elected war, she must be made to
feel its inconvcniences; and should it now be vi
gerously carried into Africa, il is still defensive
war - our part and should Ma.amo ~ rs yGma1
tains-shouh her capital be occupied by our ar
mies-let not Mexico forget that il was on her own
pressing invitation that we were induced TO visit
"ose 'iHn =. I vi L. IS 80 ,s.4r -
Speclak, Despetclles from, Now Orleans 20 the
New York Herald omcfs ,...,e.A
~ NEw onLE4Ss. May L.; lsi 3
last evening at IL O'Clock, bringing dates q the
18th from Point Isabel.
1t appears that oh the morning Of the 9th inst.
Gen. Taylor left Point Isabel for his camp, with
two thousand troops. When within three miles
Of camp, he found himself surrounded by about
eight thousand Mexicans, who attacked him in
ravine, which he had to cross The battle lasted
three hours, when the Mexicans retreatcd from
the field; in their flight leaving three hundred
Killed. They lost three Standards, nine pieces OF
artillery, and number Of small arms and pack
mules. -,s 4. "A .,,,sg an s1r ~. .tssl
:. Gen. Taylor lost sixty men, among them Lieut..
Inges, OF the dragons, Lieut.. Cochran, Of the 4th
infantry, Lieut.. Chndburn, of the 9th infantry.
Wounded, Col Mcintosh, of the 9th infantry, 1t.
Col Payne Of tho 4th artillery, Capt. Hooe, Of the
9th infantry-nonc MORALLY. 4... n, ..sr .as
Vega Lieut. Prada YeIeH, It. Col Marines, aid
to Gen.. La Vega. A large quantity Of ammuni-
ton, taken by Gen. Taylor, was used by him in
the second attack. Capt: Walker, the hero, was
2 Major Brown, who was left in command Of the
camp opposite Matamoras, died on the 10Th, Of
wounds received in defending his post. Major
Ringgod, Of the flying artillery, died on the llth
He was shot through both legs in the action Of the
9Th. Z = 'rs'' 81 s.ais.f e. SOL ~
= Capt. Page, who was also wounded, IS recover
irik, also Lieut.. Luther. 80 I. ~ -, 49,.
= Zen. Taylor, when he found out the position in
which he was placed, exclaimed 8" Friends, we
must vanquish or de.' He ordered the. dragons
slaughtered number OF the Mexicans, and took
possession Of the park of nine guns, send you
The amount, 500 900, appropriated by our Lee
gislature, has been all expended. It's expected
ike sum viii, Tomorrow, be appropriated to FUR
thsr the volunteers now in this city To the amount
ID sevcn hundred, TO the seat OF war: Il is now
fourteen days since our express ieftfor Washing
ton, yet tfdinBs have as yet been received from
there. What has become Of the administration
hope Polk and his cabinet have No died from
The Oregon indigestion. y. ia go. -.
I. Considerable excitement prevailed in the city
Yesterday. Aappears that Gen. Gaines, as usual,
has sce fit to assume the responsibility Of com.
COL l.. Saunders, w. Is. lewis, and
COL Payton, to raise three regiments OF mounted
men to proceed to Texas. Col. Payton did so, and
called on the Governor of this Stale for funds, &c.
He was told that he must apply to Gen Gaines,
who had ordered him that the requisition made
by him, the Governor, in obedience with orders
sides which, Taylor, had, asked for infantry only:
The Colonel took umbrcgc at his Exuellcncy, and
dealt out some severe Language. - .7-r
acted f9i pe y t right. If Gem Gaines assumes
responsibility in the first instance with shadow