Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1846-04-25
LATE FROM BRAZOs SANTIAGO,

NNN @NRN" EE%tI AA1N%A ~ AANhA
tiago, whence she sailed ON the 10th inst
She brings us adviees from Gen. Taylor
camp down to the 18th instant,
The accounts which have already beer
given of Gen. Taylor's march TO the Rio
Gra1de, and of disposition opposite Mata
moros are fully confirmed. The advanced
guards ofhis forces were met some seven.
ty miles from the Rio Grande, and warm
ed to advance no farther. Again upon the
Arroyo Corlorado, a written notice wa:
received, that any further advance Woulc
be deemed an net Of hostility. stun Gen.
Taylor continued his march, meeting with
no resistance. lie himselfwas wal tied up.
on ut Brazos Santiago, when in advance
ofhis army, by a deputation of the civil
authorities of Matamoros, and again warn
ed to retire. We have had all these facts
in substance. before. In spite of all these
warnings, Gen. Taylor took up his posi-
ton on the 2sth ult. directly opposite Nat
amoros, and within reach of the Mexican
batteries. Utterly disregarding these, he
proceeded 10 plant four . Is Founders, go
that any moment he could batter down the
city at pleasure.
Thus affairs remained till the l1th inst,
when Gen. Ampudia arrived at Matamo-
ros. The following day Gen. Ainpudia
sent a written notice to Gen. Taylor re-
curing him to retire at once to the left
bank ofthe Nueces, and insinuating to him
that his persistence In maintaining his
position would be deemed an overt act of
hostility. To this Gen. Taylor replied
substantially that he had received orders
from the President Of the United States to
take up his position upon the Rio Grande,
and to see that no e%ncroachment was
made upon our Territory that he should
obey his orders, and repel any hostile at
tempt to cross the river. At the sanIe
time he assured the Mexican hat he had
no hostile designs upon the people that
they might remain in the undisturbed en-.
joyments of their property and rights and
that his sole business was to resist ag-
gression.
Gen. Taylor, however, thinking it pos
sible that Ampudia might attempt HOSTILE
ties, changed his position somewhat ON the
18th inst, and thereby withdrew his army
beyond the reach ofthe Mexican batteries,
he still commanding the town with his
Is Founders and the only practicable fords.
AT the same time, he chose to regard Am-
pulia's letter as so fir hostile, that he d.
rected the c%ommandant ofthe force at Bra.
z0s Santiago to act as in case Of war, and
he gave q verbal intimatioa to the same
~efectto the naval officer in command on
that station. lie particularly e~nioined up
on the latter to seize vessels expected in
the Rio Granle with supplies for the Mex
lean forces at Matamoros. Both these
notices would appear to be rather precau-
tionary measures that intended to lead to
aggressive acts.
Gen. Ampudia made no hostile demon
~stration after receiving Gen. Taylor's letter,
but, like the valiant Meja before him, de.
termined to forward Gen. Taylor's letter
to his Government, and await further or
dcrs.
We are assured by this arrival that
Gen. Ampulia had but 1000 troops with
him when he reached Matanoros. or
these 1000 accompanied him from the
city OF Mexico the rest joined him on the
march. He lost about 1000 more between
San Luis and Matamoros by mutiny and
desertion. He found in the latter town a.
bout $500 troops, so that the whole force
there on the 10Th was moi far from $500.
The Mexicans have 1S or 20 pieces of
at Matamoros which may be call
ed serviccable. The Americans IL field
pieces besides the four Is Founders before
mentioned.
Upon the whole, therefore, we think
here can he little doubt that we shall hear
Of no fighting for some time to come /; and
yet less doubt, that when it does come to
blows, our army will render such an nc.
count of itself as the country anticipates,
md has a right to anticipate. In the
mean time the troops are well supplied
with fresh provisions, chiefly by the Mex.
cans themselves. Citizens ofthe country
ire allowed to come and 90 ~undisturbcd,
md to traffic at their pleasure. Partially
by their fears of the Americans, but more
~ the threats of the Mexican officers, the
inhabitants on this side the river have very
generally been induced to cross over to the
side. The Mexican have in their
'ower to concentrate q large number of
nen at Matamoros, but they ought by no
means to be called soldiers. They have
the equipments, the discipline, nor
he moral force ofwell.organized troops.
We have reports that Gen. Taylor has
a checkto desertions from his ranks by
hooting ten or twelve men who were in
he act of crossihg the river.
It has been mentioned to us that Gen.
is on his wayto this port in the iron
teamer Hunter.
The United States brig Lawrence and
he schooner Flirt, lying off Brazos Santi-
go, hadbcen compelled to put to sea by
gale ofwind, and they had not returned
II the 10th inst. We think it more than
robable the Lawrence proceeded to the
Mouth of the Rio Grande to look after those
essels laden at this port with supplies for
he Mexicans. Their owners had better
ct insured
At the late hour at which we write, we
nd we have neither time nor room for a
ord more.
FROM ST. DOMINGO.
%rT