The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-16
BY this Evenings Southern Mail
TWO DAYS LATER

TWO DAYS LATER.
.f'ytVaI at SsW Orleans Of the Steamship Mao York
Later from hs United STATES .i,my on the RiC
Grands.
| We learn from the New Orleans papers thai ar
extra Of the Galveston News, issued on the after.
noon of the 4th instant was received at New Orleans
by the steamer New York on the 9th. 1t contained
information that the pilot boat l.. M. Hitchcock
which sailed from Brazos, ST. Jago, the LIST inst
had arrived at Galveston on the 4th The boat
brought intelligence that upon the arrival Of the ar
my Of occupation in front Of Matamoras, the Mexi-
can troops were drawn up on the opposite bank Of
the river On that day, however, no hostile move
mems were attempted or threatened.
On the next morning, the 29th instant, the Mex
lean artillery consisting mostly OF sightsen- pound
ers was diseoyered-drawn up in line on the rivers
bank, and pointed towards the American camp.
Subsequently the American army moved their en-
eampment four miles down the river. "This STEP"
says the news, Twas doubtless taken by General
Taylor, in order to avoid every appearance of at
tack and TO maintain strictly the defensive character
of his operations"
The Mexican force was estimated TO consist Of
1900 soldiers, and 500 rsncheros The Mexican
citizens in the region Of the Rio Grands seemed OF
be dissfscted to their own government, and friendly
10 the American cause.
We give the following letter from the New Or
leans Commercial Bulletin. Il was written from
the American camp, opposite Matamors, under
date, March 70, 1886, two days earlier, il will be
perceived, than the dsle of the News (sxtra) from
which we Jake the foregoing items. We publish
the letter indicating the expectations Of the Amer
lean army:
CAM orrosIrE MErAsoRAs,
"Mareh %. 1886.
We arrived on the Rio Grande, opposite Me-
tsmoras this morning, without any serious opposi-
ton from the Mexican troops, though they prom
ised fight more than once. We first met with them
al the Colorado and were told that the first man who
entered the stream shoad be shot. The dragons
and first brigade had preceded Us by day. On our
arrival, we found them drawn up in battle array on
the bank Of the river, Ringgold's artillery being
posted so as to cover the passages. The Mexieans
had been psrlying with General Taylor all the
morning, threatening, and asserting that they were
900 strong. As soon we (the 2d) arrived, the
general told them that he now going TO cross,
and they had fifteen minutes 10 leave the bank Of
the riyer and II one of them showed himself after
be shot The light battalion of the first brigade first
entered the stream then the Dragons, then the in
fsntTy. The river where we crossed is a sort Of
tide creek and ia about eighty yards wide, and
-four and half feet deep, with a thick chaparelle
on either bank. OF course It was the place for the
Mexieans to have shown fight They retired
precipitately, however, and we saw no more
OF them, except in small nupbers, skirting the
prsiries as we marched, until our arrival here.
Their failure To make resistance, to-day, has
lowered them very much IN our estimation
for the country passed for eight miles is very
advantageous for light troops acquainted with the
localities, having more or less chsparelle, with
small prairies here and there. The Mexicans over
the river very angry, and will have nothing TO
say to US. General Worth went over this afternoon
but they would not let him enter the town, nor
would Gen. Me a come out 10 receive him, sending
one Of his officers. Gen. w. took over a dispatch
from Cen T., but Gen. NJ. would not see him,
he brought It back. Gen. NJ. says he will only
condescend To see Gen. Taylor himself In few
days we expect To come TO a better understanding.
at is said that General Ampuda is daily expected
here with 5000 men. IL he brings that many, we
will have our hands full, for we will number a few
over 1000. Reports vary as TO the number Of
troops now in Matamoras, some say $3.50, some
1000. Toe town is much superior to what ! had
expected. The houses appear 10 be made of brick or
stone, and some are quite large IL contains at least
500 or 1900 inhabitants. We have established
our depot at Point Isabel distant about twenty-five
miles from this. Our march across the country was
anything but pleasant yet doubt if we did not
s'leet the very best time for crossing. After tray
cling over sixty or seventy miles of such country
that about Corpus Christi, you come to the sail
and sandy plains, which are about thirty miles
sids, almost entirely without fresh On these
plains the Mexicans said to have lost thirty
in one day, by heat and thirst in 1886, when they
retreated from Texas. On these plains Filasola dug
"wells." We encamped at them one night.
March give find that the Mexicans have,
during the night, established battery opposite
position, but as it only commands single point, we
pay no attention to it. | hear we throw up in
trsnchments to-day.