The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-11-26
From the .Naac Orleans True Delta of the 18Th inst
Important News from Mexico.

From the .Nau Orleans True Delta of The 18Th inst
Important News from Mexic0.
The report which we published this morning
OF the abandonment of the siege of Matamoras
and the dissolution of the revolutionary forces
under Carvajal, is confirmed by the Rio Bravo
of the 9th instant, jus; received.
We copy from that paper an account of the
operations OF the contending forces, without the
comments and speculations of the editor:
The force Of Ca,vaa consisted of about 800
men and six FOUNDER, and Avaos's force in the
city amounted to about 600 men, with nine pieces
OF arllllery-six, nine, and twelve Founders.
These guns were established in bafrcade bat
teries, completely defending his headquarters
and his position for all his men.
Upon Carvajal's arrival at Fort Paroles, about
mile above Matamoras, he ordered an attack
made upon Avalos' position Five companies,
viz Walkers, Howelps, Edmundson's, Ford's,
and Shing's, aided by portion of the Rey-
nosa Mier, and Guerrero battalions. These
forces were under the command of Colonel
Ford, next in command to General Carvajal.
They made vigorous and energetic assault and
after much severe fighting, reached to within a
few houses of the Main Plaza of the city of
Matamoras This was the first contest that en-
sued between the forces of Carvajal and Avalos,
and resulted so conspicuously in favor of Car
vajal as to occasion the greatest establishment
at the withdrawal of his men from their advan-
tageously advanced position.
They had in fact reached nearly within mus
ket shot of Avalos' headquarters, and had
reached a point near the Main Plaza where they
commanded three of his main batteries. This
order to withdraw mt night from such position
as this, caused the greatest surprise TO the men
to whom it was addressed. They Reluctantly
obeyed 1t; and we are grieved to say that this
order was the groundwork of all the fatal and
unfortunate errors that took place during the
successive assaults on Matamoras Hal Col
Ford been allowed to proceed, we believe that
few hours would have reduced the city under
Carvajal's control But mised by false informa-
ton, or some other mistaken influence, he gave
an order that rescued Avalos from the Jaws OF
destruction.
A succession of assaults and skirmishes fol-
lowed this movement, for seven or eight days,
and both Americans and Mexicans, under Car
vajal, behaved CALAMITY, the contests being keen
and spirited. On the morning of the 30th ult.,
about daylight, Caryaal determined to retire
short distance to recruit his forces for another
assault
He arranged his temporary retreat in such
manner as to chiefly place his Mexican forces in
advance, leaving Capt Walkers company, with
some Mexicans, AS the rear guard of his column
They proceeded in this manner to designated
point, about twelve miles above Malamoras, on
the Bravo river. Having obtained some four or
five miles the advanced of his rear guard,
Avalos's cavalry, amounting to 200 men, led by
Col. Porlilla, made two attacks upon the rear
guard, headed by Capt Walker, and after severe
conflicts, were repuIsed with considerable loss
During these combats, the Mexican advance
and centre, composed Of some Mexican batta-
ions, and few struggling Americans, were seized
with sudden panic and ingloriously fled-not
even a company or a dozen men could be rallied
to return TO the rescue Of Walker but this gall
liant officer was abundantly able TO rescue him.
self and soon put Portilla and his superior
forces to fight. Carvajal proceeded with his nd
vance guard and forces up the river and left
Walker and the portion of his auxiliary forces,
who followed him to defend bis rear Captain
Wheate, who commanded The noble six .pounder,
which had answered, Avalos' batteries with 80
much spirit, was ordered to cast bis gun into the
river
The Rio Bravo attributes the result Of this
affair to the unaccusto medness of Carvsla al TO
command Americans, and the lack of confidence
in the Americans, in his fitness for the position
he occupied, and says:
For the present, Carvajal's forces are dispersed
and can only be re-organized at Cemargo or
some other internal point, 10 resist the forces OF
the central government.
Vigorous efforts have been taken TO re-unite
and re animate the scattered troops in this Wei.
nifty. Col. Ford's wound is so far healed, as TO
justify the rope. hat ne can put himself at their
head in y few days A junction can be easily
formed With Gen. Carvajal, and far stronger
and better organized body Of men, be held in
readiness for action, than any which has yet APP
peared, under the banner Of the berating army
In another part Of the paper the editor of the
Rio BrGpo says:
II is understood that Gen. Carvajal is strongly
posted in Reynosa, and is daily receiving rein
forcements. The failure of the attack on Ma
tamoras seems not TO have dsheartened his
troops, but on the contrary has rather inspired
them with a determination TO succeed. This
accords entirely with the well known character.
istics Of his auxiliary forces. From present APP
pearances the war has ust begun.
In the same paper of the 18th instant, il is an
nounced that Carvaia was still at Reynosa, and
would soon be completely recognized and ready
for the field with an enormous force. The
rancherosw who were with Cnrvaajal to the num-
Der Of 200, are with Avalos. Gen. Unaga with
force of regulars, estimated variously from 40O
to 1900, was marching TO the frontier &c aid
Avalos lie was believed to be at Victoria in
Tamaulipas. Carvajal, at last advices, had re-
moved his forces TO point commanding all the
roads TO Matamoras, and had force of rangers
in the neqhborbood Of that city. "Tbere will
be stirring events shortly the Rio Bravo says.