The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-05-16

goons, with detachment ofseventy men, to
examine the country above, and Capt. Kerr
of the same regiment, with n company to eX-
anime the country below the encampment-I
The latter returned to the camp without maxi
ing any discovery of Mexicans.
The former however, fell in with what he
considered scouting pnrty ofthe enemy, but
which proved to be the advance guard of n
very strong body ofthe enemy, who were
posted in the chaparral, Immediately in the
rear of Gen. Taylor's camp. Capt. Thornton
contrary to the advice ofhis Mexican guide,
charged upon the guard, who retreated tow
ards the main body, followed by Captain
Thornton, when in an instanthe found him
selfan command surrounded by the enemy
who fired upon him, killing, as it is supposed,
Capt. Thornton, Lieuts. Kane and Mason
and some twenty-siX of the men, and taking,
Capt. llardee and the remainder of the COM
mand prisoners. The Mexican commander
sent into the American camp, II cart, with n
soldier badly wounded, with message that
he had no travelling hospital with him, and
could not, therefore, render the soldier the
assistance his situation required.
| 1t is supposed that the detachment of the
enemy on the east side of the Rio Grande,
consists ofat least $500 men, under the COM
mand ofCols. Carusco and Currabajal, both
old and experienced officers, and that their
object is to cut off all communication between
Gen. Taylor and Point Isabel, the depot Of
provisions In the execution of this object,
| they have fully succeeded, and have thereby
placed the American army in n most danger
Gus position, as il will be utterly impossible
for Gen. Taylor, with the limited number of
men now under his command say $500, to
force his way through the dense chaparral, in
which the enemy are already strongly post
ed.
On the 22d, Gen. Taylor received from Gen.
Ampudia, by means of flag of truce, a com
municatiou in very offensive terms, complain
ing ofhs having blockaded the Rio Grande;
to which he replied, that Gen. Ampudia had
himself been the cause ofthe blockade, hay
! ing expressly declared that unless Gen. Tay-
lor commenced his retreat behind the Nuces
within twenty-four hours after his displaying
his flag upon the left bank of'the Rio Grande
he would consider ,or us being declared, and
would act accordingly.
Gen. Taylor's position, in front of Mata-
moras, is sufficiently strong to withstand sue
Cesslully All attack ofthe whole Mexican force
and commands the town, which, with the
batteries already mounted, could be raised to
the ground in an hours time. Gen. Taylor
has in camp full ratons for fifteen days which
he thinks can be made to last thirty days, by
which time he is IN hopes to receive large re-
.
on each of which states he has made requi-
sitons for the immediate equipment and
transmission to Point Isabel of four full regi-
ments of militia. 1t is thought by the superb
or officers of Gen. Taylor's Army that twenty
thousand men, will be required, within very
short period, as it is well known that the Mex
lean army is daily receiving large reinforce
mcnts from the interior. IL was supposed by
the American officers that Gen. Arista reach
ed Matamoras on the evening of the 22d ult.,
with brigade; but up to the period of the
writer's leaving camp, no communication had
been received by Gen. Taylor from Gen. Ar
ista.
/ AT Point Isabel great fears were entertaip
ed OF night attack, which, from the present
exposed situation ofthat post, could not be
otherwise than successful, if conducted with
energy. The post is defended by Major
Monroe, with detachment of so artllerists.
There are also at the post about 200 armed
wagoners and so laborers, under the orders
the Quartermaster, and some 100 citizens
furnished with arms by the u. 5. Ordnance of
ficer organized under the command of Capt
Perkins, and denominated the Fronton
Guards. A company of50 Mexican cavalry
was seen on the night fthe Doth, within five
miles ofPoint Isabel. They were supposed
to be a corps of observation.
The body fLieut. Porter, who was killed
some days previous by party of banditti,un-
der the command of Ramon falcon, had not
been found.
The principal officers known to he in COM
mand of Mexican forces, are Generals Arisa,
Ampudia, MeZia and Canales, Coils. Carasco
and Carajabal; all men of talent
The extra ofthe Galveston News says that
acquisitions have been made upon the Gov
errors of Alabama and Mississippi for troops,
though our own informant says nothing of
this. The news supposes that Gen. Taylor
would open his fire upon Matamoras the
morning of the 2Sth ult.
We have also received an extra from the
office of the Galveston News, where the in
telligence was received by the steamboat Mon
mouth, with Capt. Catlett on board, bearer
ofdespatches from Gen. Taylor 10 Governor
Henderson ofTexas, calling upon him for
aid.
The following is a copy ola letter address,
ed to the Editors ofthe New Orleans Tropic:
ST. JosEPH's ISLAND,
TEXAS, APRIL 2Sth, 1876.
Messrs. Editors,-By the arrival ofthe stea-
mer Monmouth this day, intelligence has
been received at this place of the Army of
Occupation being surrounded by 10000 Mex
lean troops. The Mexican army passed the
Rio Grande in the night. Capt Thornton, I'd
Dragons, in attempting to cut his way out
with his company, was killed. Also, two sub
alterns and ID privates, the remainder taken
prisoners. Gen. Taylor, on this day, 2oth,
engages with the enemy. His whole force of
fighting men will not number 5000, his mot
to is, ''conquer or dien' The United States
troops are eager for the fray. ****
The following is the call issued at Calves
ton, to arouse the Texans to Arms