The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-27
THE Wa ON THE RIO aRANDE
1asary Operations.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the Union.


PAEAAorIsa6.
'pee'a' De'pa'ch % 0 sMhsyew York Herald
CAMP, oPProsr< MAr.xorAs.,
May lfk IaaS
The army of occupation marc.ed from Point
Isabel towards this camp, on Thi~saav' the It'll
instant On Friday, about 2 p. M, She Mex;cans
appeared in large force in our 'front.' In a few
minutes the battle began with artillery. The
firing was very active; and the fighting Continued
at intervals, until dark. We encampcd half
mile in advance ofour position when tho battle
commenced. But for our immense train, to guard
which two regiments were detached, the victory
would have been complete. The casualties Of
this day are not yet distinctly known. Major
knggold, Of the artillery, and Captain Page, It'll
infantry, were severely wounded by a cannon
ball. Early on Saturday morning, we saw the
enemy retiring into the chaparral, towards Mata-
moras. Their artillery had been Withdrawn in
the night We pursued vigorously, and after
marching about five miles, found The enemy in a
strong positlan in our road. The action here COM
menced, at PM, by discharge of grape from
the enemy's cannon upon our advance guard.
Our main body soon came up, and after an action
severe and well contested, considering the gene
raj reputation of Mexican troops, we gained the
most complete victory ever achieved by an Amer
lean army. We took all their artilery-ten pieces
prisoners without number-and their camp,
containing an immense amount OF ammunition,
army stores and private baggage.
have, at present, only time to say, that the
field Is covered with the Mexican dead-our loss
was considerable. The numbers engaged were.
on our side, considerably less than 1000. The
enemy acknowledge theirs to have been 1000
the finest troops ever raised in Mexico. Thus, all
their resources have been exhausted in the de-
ermined effort to crush the little force sent here
to take possession of the country. Let our peo-
pie, at home, decide ifthey have been fifty repre-
sented. Let certain members of Congress cam
ddly ask themselves if the regular army is a use
less encumbrance!
Gen. La Vega is our prisoner, together with
ma NV Yer nflic pf anl- Hhr..s,
our side, Lieuts Inges. of the Dragons, Cochrane
and Chadburne, OF the infantry, were killed.
U. s. FLAG SHIP CUMBERLAND,
BRAsoS DE SANTIAGO, May Is.
To-day, hear that the Somers sails for New ORE
leans, and avail myself of the opportunity OF
writing. Since my last, which l sent you from
Vera Cruz, the aspect OF things has materially and
essentially altered. We are no l,nger at peace
War with all its Splendid pageant and horrors
some tame before this reaches you. The Herald
will give all the particulars of the two battles and
in fact, we shall not know them ourselves, till we
able to tell something of affairs, Of which myself
have been the eyewitness. week ago, last Sab
bath, while you were quietly listening to the
preacher Of the gospel, Cor at least ought to have
been,) we We're laying at anchor near Vera Cruz.
AT o'clock, P. NJ, we were all thrown into a
state Of excitement, from the fact that orders had
been given TO prepare for Our consul
informed that the Mexican army were
u
Next morning, the squadron was under way
with the exception of the Falmouth, which we left
standing to sea, no one knowing where we were
bound, except Commodore Conner and the Lord,
for he is mysterious the grave. Conjecture
was busy and the supposition that we were
bound for the entrance Of the Rio and Bravo del
Norte, proved to be true, for last Friday we were
Oft the mouth of the river, but came up TO this
place, which is called Brasos de Santiago, which is
the entrance Of large lagoon on the side OF which
is Point Isabel, which is fortified, and possession
OF the American army. The same day we anchor
ed here, n distant cannonade was heard at three
O'Clock, PM. We discovered the smoke arising
from the field ofbattle. The country being low and
very level we saw quite a distance inland and as
the spot where the conflict was going on was dis
tant but about Is or l6 miles, could plainly see
the smoke. and hear the report of lnusketry and
cannon. From the mizen-top, with spy glass,
could see the jets of white smoke, as it rolled up
from each discharge OF cannon. The two ar
mics fought all day, and when night came on,
there was nothing of decisive nature. But the
next day, for two hours, they had hot and heavy,
and the result was the total route of the Mexican
army, 1000 strong, by the Yankees, (only 2,2OO.)
We have got one Of their generals and 500 taken
prisoners The general is to be sent to the Uni
ted States by the Somers. No description of mine
can give you any idea of the excitement that pre-
walls. We have landed about 800 men from the
squadron to reinforce Point Isabel but there is no
danger of an attack from the Mexicans, and
two steamers have arrived with troops, and
now while ! am writing this, small stea-
mer is bringing our men off. You never
saw such rush to get ashore, men and officers
there were only two midshipmen went, and as il
happened | was one of the cursed unlucky ones
who had to remain home; they have had no
fighting; SO have not lost much, but what is most
discouraging, is that this morning heard that the
war had been suspended for twenty days. This
is too bad because it will probably end by peace
being established, and that is altogether against
our interest. Yesterday the Mississippi came in,
and brought me some papers, but no letters from
you. Much Obliged to you was for them. Twas
little disappointed in not having received a
few lines from you. ! expect the squadron
(Which now consists of the Potomac, Raritan,
John Adams, st. Mary's, Somers Lawrence and
Misslssippi0 will separate and and proceed to
tie different sea-ports in readiness to blockade
them at the expiration of the armisce, or at once
If there IS no arinistice, which ! hope there is
not. Then we will have some cutting out expe-
ditions; and am of the officers Of the
launch, if opportunity offers, ! hope you will
hear from me. Squire, if you were only here,
It would put new life in you. All is excitement
none OF your dull, dogging, tedious days-all on
the qti Ufue for anything OF account from the ar
my. You will have fun details in the Herald, and
the one which contains it, send me. In the mean
time, if anything occurs, will let you know.
have just learned that the report about the arms-
tice is not true. The war goes bmvely on, and
there is not Il Mexican to be seen on this side
the Rio Grande.
Special Despatch from New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS, May Is, 1886
wrote You after the closing Of the mail yes
tcrday, and forwarded my letter by the boat 20
that you would receive the intelligence brought |
by the Galveston, at as early an moment posi- |
bic. Since writing, have been able to gain few
additional particulars; and for them. am under