The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-06-09

AJE1tNAA LSIt-n11
TAYLOR PREPARING T0CR0SS
THE RIO GRANDE, AND At
TACK AND OCCUPY MATAMO-
RAS.
By last nights Southern mail, says the
Baltimore Clipper, we have extras from
the New Orleans Bulletin, Picayune, and
Delta. containing dates from Brazos ST.
Jago, 10 the 18Th inst, brought by the ar
rival of the steamer James L. Day
We copy the following from the Bull
lelin
The steamer James L. Day, Capt.
Griffin, arrived This morning from Bra
zos ST. Jago, which place she left on the
18th inst. bringing intelligence two DAYS
later than thai BY the Galveston.
The news is important. Captain Grif-
fin. informs us that General ravlor left
Point Isabel on the mo rning of the 18th,
with about two hundred men, and sup
ply of provisions for the army at the
camp. After proceeding short distance
however. he deemed it expedient to re-
turn and increase his escort, and
take with him large quantity of
supplies. He did SO, and took up his
march again for The camp, on the morning
of the l4ih, with from SIX or eight hun
dred men, park of artillery, and about
two hundred and fifty wagons. He was
metabou. midway between Point Isabel &
the camp, late on the evening Of the 18th.
Up to that time he had not met the ene-
my, nor was ii anticipated that he would
encounter opposition, as the general i'm
preston was that the enemy had retreat
ed from our soil, Immediately after the
defeat on the 9th and 10Th, and sought
safety on the west bank of the Rio
Grande.
While General Taylor was at Point
Isabel he received intelligence that the
Mexieans were gathering in large rum
bers al Barrita. Mexican town. imme-
diateIy on the bank of the Rio Grande.
On being thus informed. he ordered the
two companies of Louisiana Volunteers,
under Captains Desha and Stockton, and
a detachmant OF the United States infan-
Try, numbering in all, regulars and volun-
ieers, about one thousand men, composed
entirely of Infantry, 10 proceed 10 the al
tack of that town.
These troops embarked on the morn
ing OF the 18Th. on the steamers Neva,
Leo and Cincinnati, and were landed at
the Brasos at p. NJ, and Immediately
marched for the Rio Grande; the steam
ers being ordered 10 ascend the river and
transport their troops and ammunition
across. Commodore Connor, with his
whole squadron, consisting of the steam
frigate Mississippi, the frigates Cumber-
land, Rarilan, and Potomac, sloop St.
Mary. the brig Lawrence, and the schr.
Santa Anna, ct The same time weighed
anchor and sailed for The mouth of the
river, intending 10 assist the troops in
crossing with his boats, and 10 aid in the
attack with his men. The expedition
was under the command OF Col. Wilson.
Gen. Taylor intended 10 cross the riy-
er al or near his camp, TO take possession
of Matamoras, and the expedition was or
dered for the double purpose of dislodg-
ing the Mexicans from their position at
Barrita, and assisting Gen. Taylor in oc-
cupying Matamoras should he be oppos-
ed.
Gen. Taylor intended 10 cross the riy-
er on bridge formed Of the boxes of his
wagons caulked tight. For this purpose
he had ordered all the oakum at Point
Isabel 10 be sent up to the camp.
Capt Griffin heard nothing whatever
of the report that Paredes was marching
to MataInoras with $4,000 men, nor was
there any certainty that the Mexicans had
been reinforced; the general opinion, how
ever. was that they had been.
There were none of tie enemy be-
tween the camp and Point Isabel; if any
remained on This side of the river they
are above the camp:
The Volunteers taken out by the Jas.
L. Day were all landed in safety on the
4th. A steamer, supposed TO be the
New York, was seen standing in for the
Brszos as the Day came up.
The Telegraph arrived there In about
So hous after the Day.
Capt. Griffin left Point Isabel at 10. o.
clock on the morning OF the 18th, and got
under way at P. NJ.