Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-04-01


finding himself too holly pressed on al
sides, by force greatly outnumberine
his, retired before the enemy in goot
order, and made good bis retreat to Mon
ierey, spiking six pieces OF ordnance
and leaving at SaltiIlo some 10000 ra
tions, which have fallen into the enemy
hands.
The different engagements are said 4
have occupied the space Of three days
The enemy followed closely upon Gen
lTayIor's retreat until he arrived at Mon
terey, where the battle was renewed, ou
forces gaining decided advantage owe
the enemy, forcing him TO precipitatel)
retire, when Gen. Taylor, with battery
| OF flying artillery and q squadion OF dra
goons. pressed them warmly, creating
such havoc in their routed columns thai
the slain are represented 10 have beer
ridden over in piles "three deep"
The enemy was pursued for 18 mile,
on the SaItillo road, having suffered il
all the engagements to the amount o.
5000 killed, wounded and missing Gen
Taylor's loss is said 10 be 100. ~
AT the last advices Santa Anna is said
TO have been endeavoring TO rally his
forces for another desperate onslaught
while Urea had fallen in Gen. Taylor's
rear, near Passa Victoria, with 5000
cavalry and an irregular force OF ranche-
ros. for the purpose Of impeding rein
forcements and cutting off all communi.
cations between Monterey and Camargo.
Gen. Taylor is confident that he can
maintain his position until adequate as
sstance may arrive.
The following letters from very authen-
tic sources, are the only ones we receiv.
ed by the VIM. c. Preston.
Mourn OF THE RIO GRANDE, Mar. 10, AT.
Under present circumstances you will
be extremely anxious to know the ru-
mors from this quarter. / wish ] could
myself ascertain the truth, which among
the thousand lies that are circulating, is
like a grain Of wheat in a bushel Of chaf.
Our whole line Of communication has
been threatened by Santa Annals over
whelrning force for some time past, and
columns are constantly in motion threat.
ening an attack on our depois. As late
as four o'clock this morning the accounts
from Matamoras are dolorous indeed, ,and
an attack is expected every moment.
Heavy firing was heard last night at
Matamoras, said TO be a salute on ac-
count OF victory gained by Gen. Tay-
lory over the Mexicans at "Buena Wis.
ta," 90 miles this side Of Saltillo. The
fight is said TO have lasted three days.
The Mexican loss is put down at 5000,
and the American loss at 100. l have
just seen letter from a German mer-
chant at Matamoras, who confirms the
rumor.
/ put some confidence in the report, as
il corresponds with Mexican rumors cur
rent for some days past.
] must add that up 10 our very latest
dates from Camargo there had been
nothing heard from Gen. Taylor since
the ODD February. Since that time all
had been cut off at Ca
as the brave old man was com.
pIetely surrounded.
/ knew, of course, Gen. r. would do
the country honor, but such glorious re.
suits as are now reported may be con-
sidered miraculous and while / be-
|ieve them in part, we must wait farther
official intelligence.
Mourn OF THE Rio GRANDE, Mar. 10, al.
A Private express reached here this
with the news, or report that
Gen. Taylor had defeated Santa Anna,
and driven him back to SaItillo, killing
1000 Mexicans.
The news is probably correct as far
as regards Santa Annals defeat, but the
number Of killed may be exaggerated
We heard firing at Matamoras yesterday
afternoon, and il was doubtless upon the
arrival Of the steamboat Brownsville 9
news - now hourly expected at this
place.
The express came down by land, and
in half The time il would take boat !;
we have consequently nothing official
The person who brought the news has
so jumbled il up that it is hard to get at
the correct result. or one thing, how
ever, you may be certain General Tay-
lor has defeated Santa Anna. But at
what sacrifice, Of course, we cannot
precisely tell.
] will send you all the particulars by
the schooner ID. Coffin or OwusIow, 10
leave to-day, should the Brownsville
reach here in time.
As we have done before, isays the N.
Y. Commercially so now, at the moment
Of receiving this fresh batch Of rumors,
we put some restraint on our credulity,
and content ourselves with saying that,
although there may be truth in the story,
we shall believe il much more freely
when it is better authenticated. Mean
time we copy the following from the
Picayune, also Of the 2lst -
There were a thousand and one ru-
mors put in circulation as soon as the
w. c. Preston was reported some ol
them TO the effect that Gen. Taylor had
had three days hard fighting, during
which he fell back upon onterey where
he repulsed the Mexicans with terrible