Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-22
From the New Orleans Picayune, April 10.
EITPTlEP FROM THE ARMY

S7ftv Of Capt. Thornton and Lieut.. Kane-Anaek
uDon Gen. IaviOr', CamP-.Narraiipe Of the
Action, &c, &c.
J he steam schooner Florida, Capt. Gilt, ar
rived a this port last evening from BrazOs San
tago, whence she sailed on the 5th instant. Al
though her dates are not late BY one day as The
New Yorks they contain fuller and more anthem
tic details Of events on III Rio Grande, and puI
quite new aspect or affairs.
The reader will be delighted 10 hear that nell
Their Capt Thornton nor Lieut.. Kane was killed
in the affair of The surprise of Capt Thcrnton'>
Dragons. We give below a minnie account II
the surprise and action of the accuracy of which
we have no doubt II will be read with nniver-
sal interest.
The Florida brought over official dispatches
from Gen. Taylor for the Government. Col.
Whistler came passenger on the Florida. A
gentleman, who also came passenger on the
schooner, has furnished rs with The following
narrative of Gen. Taylor'S march from his camp
10 Point isabe and OF The subsequent attack upon
the camp. II differs from the accounts received
bv The New York. via Galveston. The reader
NAV repose entire confidence in The following, as
il NAV be considered almost Official:
ATTACK UPON GEN. TAfLOR'S CAMP.
On The l., OF May the main body OF The army
oil Occupation marched from the camp on the
works opposite Matamorss, The I'h Regiment OF
Inianlry and iwo companies Of Artillery, CON-
panded by Capt Lowd and Lieut.. Braeg-,he
whole commanded by Major Brown, 9TH Infan-
try.
On the ID the army encamped al Point Isabel
Early in The morning OF the Sd heavy cannon
ade was heard 10 the direction of Malamoras
which was continued during the day, and at in
tervals through the night and during Inc day O
The 4th Owing TO The difficulty of communica
ling with The fort, no intelligence was received
a, head quarters respecting the result OF tie
cannonade until The morning Of The 9Th, when g
party sent forward 10 communicate brought &c
spalch from Major Brown announcing he par
culars, bre statement OF which follows:
Al o'clock on The morning oi The 3d. a fire
was opened upon he fort from one Of The Mcxi
can batteries, and was continued with sever
guns. The fire aas immt dia'ey returned, anC
line battery sienced by our guns in hr,y mnure.
Two 81 the enemy's guns supposed 10 be dis
mounted.
The enemy then commenced firing from hi
lower tort and mortar battery-a brisk FIRE o
shot and shells was kept up, bu, without damage
to the fort or garrison
A deliberate fire was now kept up by our eigh
teen FOUNDERS upon The enemvs guns and the city
I 0. Malamoras, the consulate flags being respected
The FIRE OF The enemy was KEEP, up withou
cessation until half pasl7 Al 10 ii was lie npo
rary suspended, hni RECOMMENDED and continuet
al ,n,ervals until ~ i, night. Although il is he
ieved that some 200 or 500 shot were fired by
The enemy during his reriod bu, ore casually
occurred-a sergeant Of Company Sd Infantr,
! being killed. Not one OF our guns was dis
mounted, honsh the enemy's FIRE was concenTa
led for some time on The ls FOUNDER battery, anC
the sho, frequently struck The embrasures. AT.
O'clock on the morning Of the 4lh, the fire wa
resumed by the enemy, continued for Twelve O
fifteen shots, and kept up a, long intervals during
The day, but without effect.
The amount of damage done TO the enemy, be
You'd silencing their batteries, cannot yet be cor
recily known.
| Our informant assures Us that it was understood
10 be Gen. Taylor's intention 10 remain at Poin
Isabel until that post should be perfectly fortified
and large accession of troops should arrive; gu
he further gives Us every reason 10 encourage
those enrolling or who may desire 10 enroll them
selves, TO believe that Gen. Taylor will lead then
at once into active serrire-tbal j, is his firm in
eniion 10 carry the war into Africa
We proceed now 10 lay before the reader al
account of the surprise and subsequent surrende
OF Capt. Thorntons command. Though not OF
fetal, We have /, from gentlemen familiar viii
J the circumstance, Of The cate, and upon WHOM