The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-13

fne-looking sci Of men, and did much good service
| In the field.
Captain Walker q believe now major is here
with his men. He rode by our quarters yesterday
on Tornado, the horse sent from New Orleans to
him. Tornado seems as fond of his hacker rs the
hacker does Of him, and they were the observed OF
all observers. Walkers men say he has but one
fault and that is brave for his discretion. Cap
tain Price, also Of the Texan Rangers, is here, with
| a fne set of men, and is a rough customer for a
Mexican to run against Major Hays is occupying
the post at San Antonio by Taylor's orders, ana
will remain there until we march We were ABOUT
| issuing an Army Chronicle here but before we
could get possession Of the Office some one took It,
and paid, or agreed to pay, the original owner Tor
| the Of II.
Our troops are in excellent spirits, and long for
the moment which will place them face to face with
the enemy. The two volunteer regiments from
your city are in particularly buoyant spirits, not
wIthstaDding their late heavy march. They have
too much pride to complain
p S-Since the commencement Of my letter ]
have copyersed with a gentleman of much Intell.
gence, who informed me that General Taylor would
positively offensive operations until he heard
from Washington. He says that Matamoras was
taken without orders, as the commanders were en-
phaticaly TO act upon the defensive and not cross
the river under any preteIce. tie VIII sut be
blamed, admitting he has oyersIepped his orders,
for he has done some good service on the frontier.
Unless Arsta returns 10 Matamoras, there viii be
no further hostlities until Uncle Sam tells his sons
to 60 ahead. ...
Yours, &c, THE CORPORAL.
CAMP OPPOSITE MArAMORAs, May -, 1916.
~ o'clock, a IN.
GESrLEMES: From the date Of this you will per-
celve thaLwe are again on American ground, though
within Il stones throw Of the enemy1s bank Our
stay on the MalamOras side of the Rio Grande was
bref-too brief 10 sausfy the curious portion Of our
troops IN the perambulaiOns through the captured
city. But suppose IT'S all right the policy Of our
commander is TO annoy the Inhabitants Of the place
lutte possible. We are, however, allowed to
cross the river occasionally in small squads, and
to remain tor portion OF the day. When say
we, mean the volunteer regiments, for the greater
part Of the regulars with the rangers and Dragons
are on the other sde-dIyldIng the troops on the
two sides. company Of regular troops are en-
camped on the public square to preserve order, Is
also a company Of Mexican citizens, whom the
general has induced to organize TO keep their own
citizens under proper restrictions. You must not
infer from this that the liberty Of the Mexican cItl
zens has been in any manner curtaed--.t Is not So
for myself heard Gen. Taylor tell citizen, who
complained Of an injury received from one OF his
own peope,) that he did not, nor would not, exer
else the least civil jurisdiction over the place, but
leave them to administer their own affairs so long
as did not conflict with his duty commander of
an invading army.
Whilst a, the headquarters, two Mexican women
came crying TO the general, and entreated HIM to
release their husbands who were prisoners in the
fort He simply Uade the interpreter tell them he
could net, and they went their way apparently
not the least surprised at his refusal. ranchero
also wanted the release of some servants saying that
his cotton was full Of grass but his request met the
same success.
Captain Thornton, OF the Dragons, whom, you
will recollect, was sent out some time ago TO take
observations, who charged the enemy, was defeated
and taken prisoner, Is still under arrest, and will
shortly be tried for acting without orders. IL Is not
likely that anything will he done to hun more than
censure, If that. He is spoken Of brave and
worthy officer. Lieutenant Deas exchanged
for though he was suffered to remain with the
enemy punishment for his indlscretlon. He
was taken for a spy, and that was one rest son why
Gen. L. used no eXertion 10 get him back, thinking
twould be bad precedent No one thought him
So and attributed his singular conduct to generous
disposition TO find out what had been the fate OF
Col. Cross.
Looking over the papers received yesterday, saw
several attempts at description Of etd1pnrdl but
all incorrect. 1t is series of thlckets of various
Sizes from 100 yards TO ME through, with
muskett trees nerspersed with various kinds Of
bushes, and brars, all covered with thorns, and so
closely entwined together to prevent the passage
of anything through larger than wolf or hare
When they are in the curse of traveller he must
travel around them, sometimes four FIVE miles be-
for he can make half mile on his route. In the
middle of most of them you will find small
prairie with numerous beds Of prickly pears, the
fruit of which is often ventured for by those who are
accustomed to its use, and "know the ropes" 1t
was in one of those praries where Captain Walker
L trad Of thn h1t
tles-the enemy had cut down the bushes, and
drawn piece Of artillery to its edge and planted
it just as Walker emerged from the thcket by a
mustang trail on the side. In the large thickets, a
good woodsman crawl on his belly, without,
coming in contact with the branches, and thus APP
proach near enough to its outer edge to take de-
llherate aim at an object in the prairie.
Four O'CLOCK, p. m.
rsa1.r Lcc,iIac | had