The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-11-04
NEW ORLEANS:
TUESDAY MORNING, NOV. A, 1851


s VIC coPy the tohoWlng from the nIo bravo Of
the 29th utmo:
We gave our readers !. hasty sketch. Of the first
battle at Matamoros in our last paper, and now
proceed to furnish brief summary Of the suisse
quent occurrences up to- the moment Of going to
press. Gen. Avaos has kept strictly within his
fortified position in the center Of the city, which is
defended with good deal Of skill, by nine guns.
Gen. Casvajal has removed his headquarters from
Fort Paredes, into the market place, and within
the portion Of the town. He has only one six
FOUNDER, and with this inadequate battery, has
been forced to fight under every disadvantage
against Avalos's forces and heavy guns. Daily
skirmishes have taken place. and on some days and
nights three or four happened Of fierce and deter
mined character. Besides inhumerab.e shots Of
rifles, muskets and pistols Avalos has fred between
four and five hnndred cannon shots Of canister,
grape and bail--and Carvajal about one hundred.
The exact number Of killed and wounded on the
Mexican side, is not known to us, but two days
ago there were l04 wounded men in their hospital,
number have been killed and wounded since, and
1t is fair to presume that nearly half IS many have
been killed as are wounded. This would make the
killed and wounded on the side Of Avalos, about
40 or $50 men. Carvajal has had three or four
killed and about dozen wounded Lieut.. Culver
and Surgeon Finley are two Of the killed, and Col
Ford, Capt. Norton, and F. r. Gracesqui-the lat
ter by an accidental discharge Of gun-wounded.
When the circumstances are considered, this dis
parity OF loss is almost miraculous. The fighting
has been often hand to hand, both sides firing
through the same hole in brick walls at each other.
The siege has lasted for six or seven days, and,
with constant hostile action, the men are worn
down, but do not complain. They are resolved to
take the place, and this resolution, they will,
probably, make good quickly. If Carvajal had
twelve or eighteen FOUNDER he would capture Ava
loss whole force in two hours. As we are writing,
the firing is tremendous, and we have reason to
think decided movement is at hand. We have
nfs al rfyro
Jals army, and the services Of each company and
detachment; as soon as we can do so we will pub
iIsh them-and we happy in the meantime to
state, that all who have had opportunity to par
tlePate in the conflict, have behaved with the most
commendabe galantry and frmness. The contest
has been harrassng and exhausting beyond descrip-
ton, and it is to the highest honor Of all engaged
from the General down to the humblest private, to
state that they have faithfully discharged their
duty We learn that some pillaging of houses has
been committed, but by whom is unknown. A.
considerable band of marauding scoundrels hang
about all such beleagured places as Matamoros.
ready to rob or murder all who fall in their way
We are glad to learn that Carvajal has resolved to
punlshs with the utmost rIgor, every disreputaole
offender that he can detect.
Yesterday, says the Rio Bravo of the 29th ult.,
Major Gvnzales, of General Carvajal's staff, while
entering Aalamoros with flag OF truce, was fired
on and shot through the hat by one of Avatos' Ma
tOnal Guards. The potroon was ordered under
arrest by Col. Portilla. who was in command.
There are l04 wounded men in Gen. Avaio's hos
paI From this fact the killed may be inferred
They cannot fall short of halfihat number r.
Gen. Carvajal ordered Two of his soldiers who
mad committed thefts to be severely whipped yes.
erday, and issued the most stringent orders for the
punishment of those who should offend IN like
manner. Such are the rules of discipline ant
honesty enforced in this army OF pirates and out
laws VIII Avalos follow the example!
This Rio Bravo of the 29th gives the interesting
correspondence below, prefaced as follows:
The following correspondence between Capt
Phelps, commanding al Fort Brown, and Geners
Carvajal, Commander-in-C Chief of the LiberatinI
Army Of Mexico, will be read with the most livell
interest II originated in protest. addressed t
Capt. Phelps, by Gen. Carvajal dated the 24tl
instant, against the use Of United States Govern
nent steamers for the purpose of transporting rein
iorcements from Brazos Santiago, in Texas, 3
Ma'amoros. for Gen. Avalos. These troops cam
from Vera Cruz and Tampico, under command q
Gen. Gsray, TO aid Ayaos in defending the city Q
Ma,a,noros. 1t was understood that permissio
had been given them to land within the territor
of the United States, and that they were to b
Drought up to Matamoros on the Governmen
steamer, the Menioria 1t is said and believe
thai they were embarked on this steamer, vii
their cannon mounted, etc, and after proceedin
part OF the way, that the order was countermanc
ed, and thev were returned on board their ow
steamer, the Neptune. We know not how corret
this information may be- but il comes 10 us in yer
authoritative shape, Capt. Phelps replied verbal
extraordinary q character that he hardly knew hO'
TO reply 20 il, even If Gen. Carnival occupied n
cognized official postion-aud in addition,
states several specific charges, which are respe
lively taken up and answered by Cen CarvaJa
IN his accompanying reply. Capt. Phelps col
cludes by solemhiy warning Gen. CarvaJal, IN Il
name OF his Government, against the consequence
of these proceedings.
We give Capt. Pheipss letter, but are compelle
by want Of room 10 omit The protest of Gen. Carv
jail and his brief note of reply alluded to in the fe
lowing answer. This letter of Gen. Carvajal d
fines his true position before the world, aud W
satisfy all candid and dspassionate men that
object, and that Of his men, is of the highest al
most patriotic nature. The Americans who a
serving as their auxilaries are placed on the rig
footing, and have cause to be ashamed of the
position or their conduct. We are glad to see II
expositon--it will justify the iberating forces, al
silence the carping attacks of their traducers.
the National Government can find any comfort
this communication, they must be thankful
small favors. The style, facts and spirit Of CarV
jars letter are worthy OF the occasion. This is
highest praise: t.
FoRT Brown. Texas Oct. Is. 1851
The Jose Marie j. CdrUaJ0l-SIR: receiv
your note ofthe oath instant this morning, infor
ing me that yon had learned that vessel belongl
to the United States, is at present en- route FRI
the mouth of the Rio Grande with reinforceme
for Gen. Avalos; and soemnly protesting aga
this open outrage upon the rights Of the people
whose behalf you presume to speak.
To the person who delivered me this note, ga
verbal response to this effect-that to docum
of such peculiar character should hardly KIN
how to reply, even though it should emanate fir
one in recognized official position; and this "
the only action that ever expected to have
honor to take in the in connection with y
Rut cir ovents fysuobt with the rnost seri