Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-06-17
The Taking of MatamOraS.
Fort Polk, May %, 1916
To the Editor of the Delta:


portunlty TO give you the news of the fall
OF MatamorGs-wilhout the firing OF
single shot. Glorious as were the days
OF the Sth and 9th, on the fields OF PdtO
Alto and RGUind del PdimaS, their bright
ness is clouded by the recollection that so
many gallant spirits have fled: but now
the march of the Star of Freedom, as
westward it takes It's course, was uncheck-
ed. unclouded, amid even the loud huzZas
of the citizens of Matamoras. Aye, still
more: when the proud flag of the Mexi-
cans, which had so long flCated over their
forts. was TO give place 10 the Stars and |
Stripes, the hand of the Mexican was as |
eager to aid in It's elevation, as it was a |
few moments before proffered and used |
in the landing of our troops upon their
own soil.
On the morning of the 18th, Gen Tay-
lor demanded an interview with Gen, AM
pudia, which was granted. Ampudia ar
rived at our camp, and bic talk was to
be had. question very much If the willy
Mexican had any doubt in his own mind
as to The nature of the proposed talk; at
any rates, surprising that he had, the poll
cy pursued by our General, in taking the
utmost pains, and with an air of the ut
tnORchatdnce, to point out to him all the
preparations he had made, in the shape of
mortars and eighteen Founders, TO back
any suggestions he might make, must
have told Ampudia plainly what was to be
the result of their interview.
Ampudia talked of an armistice Gen.
Taylor demanded an unconditional sur
render of the town. Ampuda wished the
armistice: Gen. Taylor told HIM that the
time for such things had passed; and that it
was no use now to talk about it, particular
ly since he had been put to the trouble Of
transportlngS those heavy pieces of artiI-
lery. Ampudia still hesitated; at length he
proposed to exclude the public buildings
and property. "No," says the General,
81 will have every thing" Finally, Am.
pudia agreed TO return an answer by a
certain hour that dav--and took his leave,
casting a woelui look at the heavy mortars
as he passed them.
The hour at which the answer was 10 be
given arrived, but no answer came. Gen.
Taylor Immediately ordered preparations
to be made for crossing The river; parties
were sent up and down the river, to Sc
cure all the boats that could be seen on Ell
Their side. That night, just after dark, the
army moved three miles up the river, and
encamPed for the night opposite the eros
sing. Next morning every thing being reR-
dy the passage of the river was commenced
Just after sunrise and the whole army land
ed on The opposite side without firing of a
single gun. 1t was understood that the
Mexican army, after throwing a part of
thler ammunition and cannon into the river
and conceaing another portion oft same
had commenced their retreat about dusk
on the evening before, by way of the main
road towards the interior, in number from
four TO five thousand men, Arista at their
head.
After our troops had crossed, Adjutant
General Bliss advanced towards the main
fort in front of the town, and sounded a
peal. The principal AIcaIde made his
appearance and fDrma! demand was made
for surrender of the town, with a promise
that all religious and civil rights should
be secured to them-all private property
protected. The Alcalde wished to know
if the public buildings and property woulC
be free. The answer was, every thing
belonging to The Government must be gi
ven up. The Alcalde then said Gen
Taylor could take possession as soon as he
thought proper, and that he would NEE
with no resistance. This was done, GU
army encamping in front of the town.
What could be more happy than this
AS our troops approached the town, they
were greeted, it is said, by the loud huz
zas of the citizens. The Mexican fla!
was hauled down, giving place to the Star
Spangled Banner, which in a momen
gracefully spread its wings and was kisse
by the same breeze that moment befor
wooed the flag of the naughty Don.
A party OF Dragons and Texan Ran
gers were Immediately dispatched in pur
suit of Arlsta,- but up to the time of closn
this, no news has reached us of the re
suit. have only moment to say
word about the volunteers : for some day
they have been arriving very fast, bJ
none of those from the States were il
time to share in the taking of MatamoroS
Coils Walton and Marks have organized
and under the command of Gen. Smith
are on their way to Matamoros, ria Brazo
Island, Boca Chica and BERTHA Col
Wilson, of The LIST Infantry, with fOu
companies of Regulars and several con
panies Of Volunteers, have taken poses
sion of Berrita, and commenced entrenct
ing.
1t is supposed by every one here tina
1he Mexicans will make Il stand at RENO
So; but this is only conjecture. | hav
not as vet had time TO write out accoun