Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-06-04
HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF OccupAr,os,
Point Isabel, (Texas,) May IL. 1876.

Point Isabel. (rexas,) May IL, 1876.
Sir: am making hasty visit to this place, for
the purpose of having interview with Commo-
dore Conner, whose squadron is now at anchor off
the harbor, and arranging with him combined
movement up the river. l avail myself Of the
brief time at my command to report, that the main
body OF the army is now occupying its former posi-
ton opposite MatamOras The Mexican forces are
almost disorganzed, and shall lose no time in in
vestlng Matamoras, and opening the navigation Of
the river
regret to report, that Maj Ringgold died the
morning Of the llth inst, Of the severe wounds
received in the action of Palo Alto. With the ex-
ception of Capt. Page, whose wound is dangerous,
the other wounded officers are doing well. In my
report of the second engagement, l accidentally
omitted the name of Lieut.. Dobbns, 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 engineer, after render
ing distinguished service in my staff during the af
fair of the 9Th inst, accidentally shot himself with
a pistol on the following day, and expired before
night
1t has been quite impossible as yet to furnish de-
tailed reports of our engagements with the enemy,
or even accurate returns of the killed and wounded
Our loss is not far from officers and 40 men killed
and ID officers and 100 men wounded; while that
of the enemy has in all probability exceeded 800
killed, more than 200 have been buried by lis on
the two fields Of battle
have exchanged sufficient number of prison.
ers to recover the command of Capt. Thornton
The wounded prisoners have been sent to Matamo-
ras-the wounded officers on their parole Gen. Ia
Vega and few other officers have been sent to New
Orleans, having declined parole, and will be re-
ported To Maj Gen. Gaines. l am not conversant
with the usages Of war i'm such cases. and beg that
such provisions may be made for these prisoners rs
may be authorized by law Our own prisoners have
been treated with great kindness by the Mexican
officers.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obd'i. serv't.
II. TAYLOR,
BIT. Brig. Gen u. S. A., Com'dg
The ADJUTANr GENERAL of the Army,
Washington ID. C..
HEAD Quarters, ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Fort Polk, Texas, May IL, 1876.
ORpERs--No. GOT
As mark OF respect to the Chief Magistrate O
the Republic, the work constructed at this place t.
cover the main depot Of the army, will be known
as ''Fort Polk"
The Commanding General takes this occasion tc
express his satisfaction with the dispositions made
tor the defence and protection of this point, so vi
tally important to the efficiency and security of the
army. To Maj. Monroe, the commanding officer
Capt Saunders of the Engineers, Majors Thomas
and Blacltee, and Captains Sibey and Hill of the
t3uartermaster's department, Capt Ramsey of the
Ordnance, and Lieut.. Montgomery Of the subsist
ence departments, credit is especially due for theil
zeal and activity. The General returns his thanks
to the numerous citizens who volunteered their ser
vices in the defence of the depot Their assistance
added materially to its strength and to his conf
dence in its ability to resist an attack The rein
torcement from the brig Lawrence" under Lieut.
Renshaw, and the large force of seamen and ma
rnes SO promptly furnished by the squadron on its
arrival, require special acknowledgment to Com
modore Conner and Commander Mercer of the
navy. The army is deeply grateful for this sup
port and cooperation from kindred branch of the
public service
BY order of Brigadier General Taylor
t w. w. j. BLISS,
Acting Adjutant General