Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-07-04

SCENES IN MATAMoRos.
Camp near Fort Brown, Mexico,
May 90, 1916.
Dear p: In my last predicted that
my next would be dated at Matamo-
ros. So it is, although our camp is on
the outskirts of the city. On the 18th
the general had decided that should
move to the point selected for crossing
the river and commence operations "a
gainst the city. We struck our tents
early that morning Our unusual stir
and activity was seen by the enemy, q
no doubt attributedto the proper cause.
We were all anxiously waiting the or
der to move, when we were informed
parley had sounded, and that a depu-
tation from Gen. Arista had crossed to
see General Taylor. General Ricardo
was at the head of it; Arista proposed
to enter into an armistice, until they
could hear from Mexico, not doubling
the boundary would now be settled
Gen. L. said emo, that he had offered
them one some time since; had evinced
the most friendly disposition; that they
would not agree to it when his army
was weak, and now, that reinforcement
had arrived, he should dictate his own
terms" Ricardo wished to know il
the General intended taking Matamo-
ros9 He said eyes" r.; offered to
surrender all the public property am.
munition, &c. if he would not cross
The General said, emo, that he must
have Matamoros if he had to batter it
down, and said that now he was pre-
pared to do it. He told him TO tell
Gen. Arista that these and these only
were his terms. That the city must
capitulate, all public property. ammu-
milton, provisions, &c. must be given
up, and that then the army might
march out and retire."
The deputation then retired to get
Gen. Arista's answer, which was 10
be communicated at P. M. In the
meantime the army marched and en-
camped 3 miles off, at the point select
ed for crossing. Gen. T. told Ricardo
that Gen. Ampudia had written him,
that the war should be conducted a
greeably to the usage of civilized ma
tons. That in the last battle the en-
envy had stripped our dead and multi
ated their bodies. X. replied ".hat
the women who followed the army and
the Rancheros did it, and that they
could not control them" Our brave
old General replied, 81 am coming over
and I'll CONTROL THEM FOR YoUp
During the evening active prepare.
tons were made for crossing the troops
I No reply was given to the Generals
proposition. The country people com
menced crossing to us, and reported
that the army had deserted the city
and retired. On the morning of the
!. 18th confirmation was received of the
reported flight of Arista and his Army
The scare was still working. Early
in the morning the Dragons, the light
companies of the different battallions
, Ridglev's Qate the lamented Ring.
gold's) Artillery, and the 5th Infantry
; were crossed.
l regret to record that in crossing
: 1t. Stevens, of the Cd Dragons wa:
r drowned. He was a fine young Off
] Ger, much beloved by his Regiment
: and his death threw gloom over tbs
camp. For what singular destiniei
$ are we reserved, and how certainly &
Y irresistibly one has to advance and ful
4 I'll his fate! He was among those gal
: liant fellows who stared death 10 thu
d face,in the late brilliant charge Of Capt