New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-05-08
From the Galveston News of the 24,h.
Later from the Army of Occupations.

The schooner l.. NJ. Hitchcock, Capt. Wright
arrived Yesterday morning, having LETT BreZos 81
Iago last Sunday We are indebted for the follow
ing information to Col March, who came on board
the Hitchcock having Ieit the camp OF Gen Taylor
on the 18th inst.
Our former intelligence by the Hitchcock, in re.
gard to the movement of the army to position three
or four miles below Matamoros. was materially In
correct On the morning OF the IOth ut Wnen zen.
TAYLOR found himself exposed 10 The enemy s hre,
with his right and left unprotected in consequence
of the peculiar bends of the river he ordered one
division of his army to take position in the bend
above and the bend below the town, while with the
main army ne maintained his first position. where
he still remains Gen. Taylor has used all diligence
10 strengthen his position by throwing up breast
works By entertainments Notifications &c. and the
Mexican General, Ampudia, has been equally indus
trious in terrifying the town defenslvey Keeping his
soldiers employed, night aud day.
Gen Taylor's heavy ordnance OF eighteen pound
ers are said to be situated within point shot OF
Gen Ampudias house in the middle OF the City, at
distance of 300 yards Thus the two armies have
been situated for upward of two weeks up 10 our
present dates. neither having committed any posi-
tive act of hostility upon the other. On the 10th
inst Col Cross Commssary. General Of the Army.
rode out BY himself aboat 10 o'clock in the morn
ing to the house of German, about two miles
from the army, where las was ailerward ascer-
,ainedl he was taken prisoner by a party of Next
can Rancheros AS soon as he was missing, Gen
TAYLOR sent detachment of men, who secured the
country in search of him, but to no purpose
Two or three days after Capt. May. OF the cd ORA.
goons took runaway negro in the nelshoorhood OF
the same place where Col. Cross was captured and
from this negro the above information of the taking
of Col Cross was obtained Immediately after Gen.
\ ayior ....-----..,-- 49, Csra-ol
requesting information whether Col. Cross was
prisoner with him or not. The next day Gen. Am
nudia sent several officers 10 the American camp,
ill ,Ln thott hcI, q
Cross but they had made Lieut.. Deas prisoner.
This officer II appears had previously crossed the
river (but without ordersl in search OF Col. Cross
Who was his particular iriend and had fallen into
the hands of the MexicaRs. Much uncertainty and
MANY surmses prevailed in regard TO tine fate of Col
Cross Bat the more probable opinion appears 10
be that his capture was unauthorized by. and un.
known TO Ampudia and it is TO be feared that he
has been murdered by the party by whom he was
taken and his horse, money and clothing divided
among them.
the iih Gen. Ampudia sent formal notice
TO Gen Taylor. ordering him TO leave his present
position within 81 hours and TO evacuate the whole
territory West of the Nueces or that his refusal
would be considered n declaration Of war. Gen. I.
Immediately returned for answer. that his orders
were to maintain his position on the East bank OF
the river and that he should do especially as the
roads were muddy, and II was unpleasant retreat;
ing at this season. Shortly after the reception OF
this answer, the Mexican army partially withdrew
from the town and portion OF the troops disappear
ed from the West bank Of the river.
Thus closes the last act of the drama MS far as re-
ported that has yet been performed. THIS move
ment of the enemy is quite as mex pllcable 10 oeh
TAYLOR ns 10 every body else. Col March informs
us Tint report has bean put in circulation that the
Threatened hosiilties only suspended I'LL me ISL
of June then 10 be renewed. We suppose, win re
doubled energy and still more slaughter
Gen TAYLOR is prosecuting the ior''ncauo"s w
BEFORE he returned the above answer 10 Arnpuuia,
he ordered the blockade of Mniamoros and directed
The commanders Of the Flrt and Lawrence 10 en-
force il strictly, which was accordingly done. "A
vessol with cargo OF -four, having been waiting
some time for fair wind to enter the port was the
frs, IN suffer from this measure, and was compelled
10 leave the market, where flour is now worth Sio
per bbl .,
The Telegraph, Capt Aud, arrived last night
from the Brazos 81. lago aud four days later from
tho Army of Occupation. This steamship left Bra
EOS ST. lago al 10 o'clock A. NJ. day before yester-
dav being only IS hours out. The Captain has
kindly furnished us with some memoranda. stating
that on the l9;h inst Lieut. Porter Of the 18th Resl-
ment tson of the late Commodore Porter helng out
with fatigue party oiien men, some OF them Wear
ing unorm and fired upon when within a lew
miles Of The camp.
Lieut.. Porter and three of his men were killed. in
the attacK Inc rest o. ine party sSNaP'"S
10 the camp next day. II is stated thar the guns OF
the Americans were wet and would not fire. We
see no explanation given why this party OF soldiers
should be ranging about the country with gRS that
sco.iG not IRE
Lieut., Van Ness informs US that nothing farther
had been heard of Col. Cross up to the 18th, but
that the general opinion is that he is still prisoner
though not at Matamocos
About fifty OF the American army have deserted
and swan the river for the Mexican camp, but a
number of them were sho; deserIers while IN the
water The whole number Of American troops is
estimated n; between two and three thousand, and
they arc said 10 be in excellent discipline and eager
for an engagement with the enemy. Ampudla
forces are reported al between three and our thou
sand Its rumored tha, Aris,a is about 10 super
sede Ampudia in the command.
skill Later.
rro,p the Galveston News Extra