The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-05-23

NY OF TEXAN RANGERS AND THE
MEXICAN TROOPS GENERAL TAY
LOR SURROUNDED-THREI THOU
SAND MEXICANS STATED TO BE
ON THIS SIDE OF THE RIO CIR NDE.
The schooner Ellen and Clara, Capt. Grit
fin, arrived at New Orleans on Saturday morn
ing, the 9th inst, from BraZos st. Jago, with
accounts from Point Isabel, 10 the morning
of the 29th ult. The news is only one day
later, and is meagre, not definite, aud as far
as it goes, disastrous. No communication
had been had for three days between Point
Isabel and the camp of General Taylor.
The news brought by this arrival is thus
given by an extra from the Bulletin office.
We learn from Captain Griffin, and DIR. N.
Briggs a passenger, who has been several
months with the army, that Capt. Walker,f for
merly of the Texan revenue service, who had
been stationed between Point Isabel and Gen.
Tayl0r's camp, with body of twenty-tour
Texan Rangers, found several of the teams
which had started from the Point for the
camp were returning, and reported that the
MeXicans were on the road. lie started from
his camp on the 18th with his whole force, TO
reconnoitre, and, ifpossible, opeG commu-
nicatied with Gen, Taylor. He had proceed
ed as far as about midway between the Point
and the camp, when an overwhelming MeXi-
can force appeared very suddenly. A por-
ton of his troops were raw; these he instruct
ed TO keep on his right and gave orders to
the whole to retire under cover OF a chnpdrrM
in view.
But his raw troops, panic-stricken, scatter
ed in confusion, and the Mexicans advancing
in overwhelming numbers, he was COMPEL
ed to retreat He was followed by the MeXi-
cans until within mile ofPoint Isabel where
he arrived with only two of his men. Six
others subsequently came in.
Captain Walker estimated the number of
MeXicans lie encountered nj 1900, and he
supposes that at least 30 of them fell during
the Is minutes which he engaged them
! This force is supposed to he portion of that
which had at last accounts, crossed the Rio
Grande some 90 or p miles above MataInor-
as, and which is estimated at 5000 men. 1t
is believed that they arrived at the position
they had occupied by taking n circuitous
route on the Eastern side of Gen. Taylors
camp.
/ No communication had hecn had with Gen.
| TAYLOR ut Point Isabel for three days previous
| TO the department of the Ellen and Clara
| At the last accounts il was reported that he
had but ten days provisions Capt. Walker
Immediately after his arrival, calamity tend
cred his service TO Major Monroe, the com
mander at Point Isabel, if four men would
accompany him, TO make his way TO Gen
Taylor with dispatches, or die in the attempt
His offer was accepted, and accordingly he
started at daylight on the morning ofthe 18th
During the nights of the 9Th and the 2Sth
the troops at Point Isabel were---in constant
Expectation of being attacked, and DISPOSE
tons were mnde accordingly. The masters
and crews ofvessels in the harbor were call
ed on the 2Sth, and spent the night under
arms On that night 500 men were furnish
ed with arms, of which about 80 were sea.
men.
The works were as perfect as it WINS posi-
BILE to make them, under the circumstances
and it is generally believed that should bu
fifteen hundred MeXicans attack the place
they could he at least held at bay until rein
forcements arrived. Messrs Monroe ant
Saunders, it is stated, deserve great praise for
the manner in which they have fortified Poin
Isabel.
Capt. Griffin and DIR. Briggs inform us tina
the officers ofthe army speak ofthe Mexican'
as being in n very high state of discipline
the cavalry particularly. Besides the three
thousand who have crossed the Rio Grande,
ii is intimated that there are about five thou
sand at Matamoras, and il is supposed tina
the Mexican General has not yet displayed
his full force, but has kept a large reserve back
of Matamoras.
1t is believed that the Mexicans have pos
session of an Island ut the mouth OF the Bras
SOS, which commands the entrance. lfso, j
is apprehended that the troops by the New
York will not be able to get in. The island
is laid down on some of the maps as "Bras
SOS Village" 1t is natural fertilization.
An extra from the office of the Bee, say:
that Capt. Walker had with him rs men.
An extra ofthe Picayune states that during
the skirmsh of Capt. Walkerand the MeXi
cans,six of his own men, a. about thirty oftht
Mexicans fell The next day Capt Walker
with four men, set off from Point Isabel, to
carry an express through to Gen. Taylor, bp
with what success is not known.
There are now about three thousand Mex
leans on the American side ofthe Rio Grande
one halfabove and one half below Gen. lay
lor's camp. .. -e.. ..e
The greatest apprehension now felt for thu
American position is, that the Mexicans MAJ
erect Notifications which will command Bra
EOS Santiago. !.
Tn New Orleans preparations were still
continued for reinforcing the army. SixteeI
companies had been mustered into the serv
ice.
/ About 1000 was to embark on the afternoon
of the 9Th. Arrivals ofvolunteers from the
country, and as far up the river, as Vicks
| burgl continued TO occur:and considerable
number were waiting at Baton Rogue, ant
! Alexandria. a .Il#
1t is confidently stated in the papers tina
he Governor had ordered, or was about e
order a draft. An enrolment had been d
rected. The number of troops raised wa
not far from fifteen hundred; aud about 1901
more required. Many ofthe papers say thu
no draft will be needed, though the voun
teers come in slowly
| Later from the Army.
Tho National Inteligencer, of Monday