The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-29
L A T Els T N E w S
M "A ] u s..
The War ON the Rio 0rande.
News from the Army--Military Preparations
Incidents, lie. &c.
CAMP NEAR MArAMoRAs,"
May 18th, 1876. !:

movements OF the Mexican Army II was really
difficult matter to be persuaded that the Mexi-
In open conflict the "Anny of Occupation" But
they became embodcned by the apparent apathy |
ofour actions, our pacific assurances. and our neu
trail demonstrations of no further advance than
the Rio Granao. The honor of the Mexican ma
ton was involved, and permitting US to remain in
quiet possession until the best troops could be COL
lected from the interior, and probably all that |
could be mustered, they flattered themselves that
we were in their power if hosttes actually en- |
sued. The Mexican General (Ampudia) ordered |
our troops back to the Nueoes until negotiation |
settled the boundary, OF in "a hours he would
made to draw from US the first gun-we had pos
tive orders to the contrary. A guerilla warfare |
commenced, and scouting parties We're attacked |
open warfare. Gen. Arista arrived and displaced
Ampudia !; troops were crossed over the river
several miles above, and learning the fact, q
o. wsr; sen. to
captured. One wounded man was returned to
us, as they had no travelling hospital This Mex
lean army intended to attack Point Isabel, our
most important depot on the Gulf coast; and had
they been successful, our whole army would have
been taken. We left fort opposite Matamoras
with regiment of infantry two batteries of four
pieces each, IL and Founders; by forced
march, night and day, we arrived at Point Isabel
just in time to thwart the attack. The morning
after our arrival, we distinctly heard the batteries
from the opposite side open upon the fort, and
pulse was to return Immediately to their relief
this was changed by prudent reflection, and the
army strengthened Point Isabel by intrenchment.
We heard the bombardment open next morning;
evidence that the fort was not taken. That day
a few Texans went to the fort, and returned with
the intelligence that but one man had been killed
The enemies batteries had been silenced except
the fort, and all were in high spirits. We learned
also that the Mexican army had returned on their
way to Matamoras, and had taken position to
If
numbering between 200 and 300 wagons, and
a very great incumbrance to our movements.
On the second days march, about noon, we
learned that the he Msscans were s1raysS along
been crossing prairaie and struck the woods,
where we found water to refresh the whole
command. The train was parked, and the
army advanced. The enemy were visible in long
lines, appeared overwhelming in numbers, and
were posted on a rise, which commanded the
prairie over which it was necessary to meet
them. They had selection Of position, and were
confident of success. The firing was done by the
batteries almost entirely the musket was called
into requisitiou but once. whom the enemy on
horse made charge, and wero repulsed. After
upon us-the Mexicans positively refused to obey
the order The account Of this. days fight (thc
0th) you will more fully in the official report
70 be published, and the accounts IN the papers.
chaparral; but we were ignorant of the fact-we
had taken no prisoners 1t was near dark when
the firing ceased, and if we had made a charge,
we should have routed them the first day and
taken many prisoners. The next morning we
made demonstration to draw them out-;here
were bodies Of cavalry visible-as soon they
saw US advance they retreated in excellent order,
and it appeared AS if they would meet US but
they disappeared in the chaparral. We continued
TO advance to their ground, and discovered that
tho cavalry had been left behind to bury their
dead that they had not sufficient time, and were
compelled to leave many on the ground, and one
wounded beyond recovery. It was then deter
mined to advance 10 the Rio Grande, nine miles
distant-fght or no fight When within five miles,
thor their advance picket, fred upon our advance
guard, and NE battle commenced-this was be-
tween and O'Clock. My regiment had been
left in the rear, in charge of the train, together
with another battalion, and a squadron OF dra-
goous. The firing became very warm, and the |
9th regiment was ordered to advance. was for !
tunate enough to be as high in rank as second in
command on this cccason, and, therefore, en-
titled to horse. We arrived at point blank dis
tancc Of their battery, passing by the other reg-
ments, which had already driven the enemy to
their strongest point. Here, the horse was shot
under mo by grape shot; he reared fell, and
threw mo without any hurt. advanced afoot on |
the run, regained my position, and our regiment
succeeded in taking the battery. We made heavy
charges, and the enemy fed in awful confusion
This ended the main engagement. 1t is impossi-
BILE for person engaged to give account of a |
battle; he only tell what he saw, and you
must excuse my selfshness in speaking only of
the 9th regiment You win see full detail in the
official report. The enemy was 50 certain of de- |
feating us, that two days previous, they summon
ed the fort to surrender for the sake ofhumanty,
as an ovcrpowering force would annihilate the
American army, and they would then have a |
small prospect Of holding out. We took large |
quantity Of plunder-eight pieces Of artillery, i'm
mense quantities Of ammunition, and a military |
chest, not yet opened, but supposed to be full Of
gold, General officer, and some twelve other |
officers. Yesterday we exchanged prisoners, re- |
covered the dragons taken BY ambuscade, and
battle Of the Sth, and yesterday, we have been
busy burying their dead aswe as ours and collect
ing trophies, well as plumber. We have greatly |
troops They have been in arms many Years.
struggling out of one revolution into another, |
and thus becoming well used to fighting |
but the inhuman barbarity Of the rancho ran |
chwos, (the volunteers, or miltia) shows but little
advance in civilization, beyond the backest
Of savagcs they not only stripped our officers |
who were killed by them, but stripped their own |
officers left dead on the battle field of every arti-
Gle upon them-men who fell from shot were cut |
in the throat afterwards, and every disgusting bar
barity that they could execute was carried out. |
We have one more fight before us, and If success
Of Mexico viii be ended. We have to take Mat |
amoras. This can be accomplished without losing
a man on our side, IN ny humble opinion. We |
have 30 many pieces OF artillery, with the two |
mortars and two Paixhan guns soon expected |
here, that we can open upon the town in every |
direction, and sweep it entirely empty OF course
there will be varied estimates of the strength of |
the enemy. From the best information have |
been able to collect, think there were At least
1000 foot and about 1000 horse; time will detor-
mine more correctly. We numbered 1900 or
1000 altogether, a. far as can ascertain. Their
priests were with them in the battle to give en-
couragement, and many poor fellow was seen
to raise the cross to hislips or cross his forehead
In his last human effort. Such men may be beat
en-, but they are not conquered. Many Mexican
dropped on his knees as he was shot, and begged
for mercy, expecting to be slaughtered after
falling--the only response to such, was sheer of
disgust at the suspicion.
saw at Point Isabel your nephew Lieutenant
$. Hamilton, who had Just arrived from New
York conducting recruits. He informed me of /
the health or yon all, and appeared to be in good
health himself He remained al Poinf Isa hel az