Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-05-16

lOHlCeTS tndl ueu. hrtstd TcaCHeu MdldtIOIdS on
the evening Of the 22d uli. with brigade; but
up to the period Of tho writer's leaving the camp
no communication had been received by Gen.
Taylor from Gen. Arista.
subsequently 10 his leaving the camp on the
Goth ut., Col. Doane learned that Gen. Arisa
addressed polite note 10 Gen. Taylor inform.
| ing him that he, h,ista, had assumed the com.
mand Of the Mexican forces.
| AT Point Isabel great fears were entertained OF
a night attack, which, from the present exposed
situation OF that post, could not be otherwise than
successful il conducted with energy. The post
is defended by Maj. Monroe, with detachment
OF 80 artllerists There are also at the post
about 200 armed wsgoners and so laborers. I'm.
der the orders Of the Quarternaster, and some
100 citizens, furnished with arms by the United
States Ordnance officer, organized under the
commend Of Capt. Perkins, and denominaled
the FIonton Guards.
A company Of fifty Mexican cavalry were
seen on the night Of the 26th within five miles Of
Point Isabel. They were supposed 10 be corps
| OF observation.
| The body OF Col. Cross was found on the 2lst
ult., about three miles from the camp frightfully
mutlaed and entirely destitute Of clothing. The
body Of Lieutenant Porter, who was killed some
days previous by party OF bandlti, under COM
mand OF Ramon falcon, had not been found.
The principal officers known 10 be in COM
mand Of the Mexican forces, are Generals Ar.
ista, Ampudia. Meja and Canales, Coils. Caras.
co and Carajaba: all men Of talent.
The extra OF the Galveston News says that
acquisitions have been made upon the Governors
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 Matsmorss the morning Of the 18th ult.
The Plcayune also containing letter
from Lieut.. HRNRY, which follows-wilh
some Introductory remarks Of the editors
Not to omit any thing that may relieve
the anxiety fell by all to obtain the smallest
item of information in regard to the disaster
his command, we give place TO the follow.
ing letter, direct from the camp. In some
particulars, i, differs from the statements
that have been laid before the public by the
press Of the city-and particularly, it sets
down the loss occasioned by the surprise OF
Capt. Thornton's command as less than il is
made by any other report we have secn.-
Other letters which we have from the army
breathe the same calm spirit OF determine.
ton as Lieut.. Henry's from which we
will no longer detaln the reader:
CAMP OPPOSITE MATAMoRAs, April &c, 1916.
Gentlemen: knowing that in the presen,
excited state Of the public mind as regards
our Mexican affairs and the welfare oil our
lille army, that most exaggerated reports
creep into the public prints, thereby carry
ing with them sorrow and anxiety into the
bosoms of the friends and relations of many
officers, deem it my duty to give you has
ty but correct account Of the capture OF capt.
Thorton, and squadron OF the % Drag
oons, by force Of 1900 Mexcans, under
the command Of Gen. Torreion. Gen. Tay.
lor, on the Oath, had received report tina,
the enemy were crossing the river above
this camp. Capt. Thornton, with his COM
mand, was sent out on the evening Of the
Gath 10 examine the country above, and see
whether there was any truth in the report.
His command was composed Of Capt. Har.
dee, Lieut.. Kane, Lieut.. Mason, sergeants,
corporals, bugler and 40 privates. His
Mexican guide returned this morning, sta.
ting that he had been attacked al 8 o'clock
on the morning Of the 25th by large mum.
Der OF the enemy, and that the whole COM
mand was captured or destroyed. The
guide warned him that he was in the vicin
ty Of The enemy and refused to proceed. He
waited until night, and none ofthe party
coming in, he returned home. About | |
this morning, private Of the party was
brought in cart. He was wounded in two
places. The man who brought him was the
bearer OF a note from Gen. Terregon to Gen.
Taylor, the amount Of which was. that "on
the score Of humanity he claimed the priv.
legs Of sending into him two dragons, who
were wounded in an engagement, brought
on by charge from an American cavalry
officer against his command OF 200 men, as
he had no flying hospital" He then spoke
oil the rest being prisoners, and said "they
would be treated with the consideration due
prisoners Of war, agreeably 10 the custom OF
civilized nations"
From the wounded dragoon we obtain
the following facts: That the charge was
made in open ground when the command
" charge" was given, but few Of the enemy
were seen; bu, as they dashed over hill
the whole command presented themselves,
they were fired upon, and Immediately sur
rounded and taken prisoners. He does not
know what became of Capt. Thornton.-
Capt. Hardee and Lieut.. Mason are prison.
ers, and are well. He reports Lieut.. Kane
as shot, and il is feared he is Killed. Ten
men were killed. Before the cart left, one
OF the Two men mentioned died. From the
letter of Gen. T. it seems that he accuses
Capt. Thornton of charging upon him. One
can hardly conceive of such madness as
charging 200 men with 63, and it is fair to
presume that he was surrounded and charged
10 cuI his WAY through. Time will clear il