American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-27

| inadvertently omitted to mention the cap
ture of large number of pack mules left in
the Mexican camp.
am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
z TAYLOR,
b. Brig'r General U. S. A., Cong.
The fourth despatch is signed by Adjutant
General Bliss, dated May lth, from the same
camp as the above, and is as follows:
l. The commanding general congratulates
the army under his command upon the signal
success which has crowned its recent opera
tons against the enemy. The GOODNESS and
steadiness of the troops during the action of the
8th, and the brilliant mpetuosity with which
the enemy's position and artillery were carried
on the 9th, have displayed the best qualities of
the American soldier. To every officer and
soldier of his command, the general publicly
returns his thanks for the noble manner in
which they have sustained the honor of the
service and of the country. While the main
body of the army has been thus actively en-.
ployed, the garrison left opposite Natamoras
has rendered no less distinguished service by
sustaining severe cunnonade and lombard
ment for many successive days. The army and
the country, while justly rejoicing in this
triumph Of our arms, will deplore the loss Of
many brave officers and men who fell gallant
ly in the hour of combat
2. 1t being necessary for the commanding
general to visit Point Isabel on public business,
Colonel Twiggs will assume command OF the
corps of the army near Matamoras, including
the garrison of the field work. He will occu-
py the former lines of the army, making such
dispositions for defence and for the comfort of
his command as he may deem advisable. He
will hold himself strictly on the defensive until
the return Of the commanding general.
By order of Brig. Gen. Taylor:
w. w. J. BLISS, Act. Adj. General.
The fifth despatch is from Gen. Taylor, dat
ed Point Isabel, May IL, as follows:
SIR: am making hasty visit to this place,
for the purpose of having an interview with
Commodore Conner, whose squadron is now
at anchor off the harbor, and arranging with
him combined movement up the river.
avail myself of the brief time at my command
TO report that the main body of the army is
now occupying its former position opposite
Matamoras. The Mexican forces are almost
disorganized, and shall lose no time in in
vesting Matamoras, and opening the naviga-
ton of the river.
regret to report that Major Ringgold died
the morning Of the 18th inst, of the severe
wounds received in the action of Palo Alto
With the exception of Capt. Page, whose
wound is dangerous, the other wounded officers
are doing well. In my report of the second en-
gagement, accidentally omitted the name Of
Lieut.. Dobbins, Sd infantry, among the officers
slightly wounded, and desire that the omission
may be supplied in the despatch itself. | am
under the painful necessity of reporting that
Lieut.. Blake, Typographical engineers, after
rendering distinguished service in my staff du-
ring the affair of the 9Th inst, accidentally shot
himself with pistol on the following day, and
expired before night
1t has been quite impossible as yet to furnish
detailed reports of our engagements with the
enemy, or even accurate returns of the killed
and wounded. Our loss is not far from Off
GERS and 40 men killed, and Is officers and 100
men wounded; while that of the enemy has in
all probability exceeded 800 killed; more than
battle.
have exchanged sufficient number of rs-
oners to recover the command of Capt. Thorn
ton The wounded prisoners have been sent to
Matamoras-the wounded officers on their pa
role. General la Vega and few other officers
have been sent to New Orleans, having declin-
ed parole, and will be reported to Mai. Gen
Gaines. am not conversant with the usages
| of war in such cases, and beg that such provis'
ion may be made for these prisoners as may be
authorised by law. Our own prisoners have
been treated with great kindness by the Mexi-
can officers.
am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
u. TAYLOR,
BIT. Brig. Gen, u, S. A.. com'dg.
The ADJurANr GENERAL of the army,
Washington, G.
The remainder of the dispatches are of little
interest. Adjutant General Bliss, by order Of
General Taylor, announces that the work con-
structed at Point Isabel, to cover the main de-
pot of the army, will be known as "Fort Polk, d
as mark of respect to the President The
commanding General expresses his thanks to
Major Munroe, the commanding officer, Cap
tain Sanders of the engineers, Majors Thomas
and McRee, and Captains Sibley and Hill Of
the quartermaster's department, Captain Ram
sey of the ordnance, and Lieutenant Mont
gomery of the subsistence departments, for
their zeal and activity in making dispositions
for the defence and protection of Point Isabel
also to the citizens who volunteered in its de-
fence, and to Com. Conner and Commander
Mercer for the reinforcement from the brig
Lawrence, under Lieut.. Renshaw, and for a
large force of seamen and marines on the arri.
val of the squadron.
AS many Of the sick and wounded at Point
Isabel, as may be indicated by Surgeon Wood
will be sent to St. Joseph's Island, accompa
MED by Assistant Surgeon Byrne.
The dispatches which close the series, are
from Com. Conner, of the Home Squadron, ir
which he states that 800 eap,o, and ,,.r;nes