The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-11-19

f,0SestOD OF th9 lh6C1cdH ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
We have the Rio Bravo Of the 9th instant, and
extract from il matter Of much interest
Il becomes our painful duty 70 announce to our |
readers that siege and assault upon Matamoros by |
Gen. Carnival and his forces has resulted in dis
astrous failure. In our two last papers, we have
stated the arrival Of Gen Carvajai and his forces
amounting to about 500 men and six-pounder |
gun, TO invest the city Of Matamoros; we also |
stated in the same papers that Gen. Avslos, Com.
manding for the Central Mexican t5orernment had
in the CITY Of Matamoros force Of about 600 men,
sustained by nine pieces Of artillery Of the respec
tive calibfes Of six, nine and twelve. FOUNDERS.
These guns were established in barricade batteries,
completely defending his headquarters and his
position for all his men, Upon Carvajals arrival
at Fort Parsdes, .bouta mile above Matamoros, he
ordered an attack made upon Avales position
five companies, viz: Walkers, HowelPs, Edmund
sons, Hord's and Shiling's aided by portion Of
the Rsynosa, Mier and Guerrero battalions. These
forces were under the command OF Col. Ford, next
in command to Gen. Carvajal. They made a
vigorous and energetic assault, and after much
severe fighting, reached to within a few houses Of
the Main Plaza of the city of Matamoros. This
was the first contest that ensued between the
forces of Carvajal and Avalos, and resulted so
spicuously in favor Of Carvajal as to occasion the
greatest establishment at the withdrawal Of his men
from their advantageously advanced position. They
had in fact reached nearly within musket shot Of
Avalos's head quarters, and had reached point
near the Main Plaza where they commanded three
of his main batteries. The order to withdraw at
night from such position as this, caused the
greatest surprise to the men to whom 1t was
addressed. They reluctantly obeyed it; and we
are grieved to say that this order the ground
work Of all the fatal and unfortunate errors that
took place during the successive assaults on Mata
moros. Had Col. Ford been allowed to proceed,
we believe that few hours would have reduced
| the city under Carvsjars control. But misled by
I 4
he gave an order that rescued Avalos from the jaws
1 Of destruction.
After this unfortunate movement, a succession of
assaults and skrmishes, running through seven OF
| eight days, occurred, in which the companies
attached to the force of Carvajal very greatly dis
| tinguished themselves. Those Of Captains Hord,
Walker, Edmunson, Howell, and Shilling most
particularly attracted the notice Of the Commander
in Chief and all others; also several Of the Mex-
| can companies conducted, themselves with great
| gallantry and proprety. The contests in which
these companies were engaged were generally very
keen and spirited; and they behaved in manner
| which secured to them the highest encomiums OF
their commanders. We need not detail the par
ticulars it is enough to say, that up to Thursday
morning their conduct had won for them the high
est praise. On this morning, about daylight, Gen.
Carvajal Influenced by some considerations, we
doubt not Of high character, resolved to retire for
limited distance, to recruit his forces for another
assault He arranged his temporary retreat III
such manner as to chiefly place his Mexican
forces in advance, leaving Capt. Walkers company
with some Mexicans, at the rear guard Of his col
umn. They proceeded in this manner to desg
mated point, about twelve miles above Matamoros
on che Bravo river Having attained some four OF
five miles the advance of his rear guard, Avalos
cavalry, amounting to 400 men, led by Col. Por
tillo made two attacks upon the guard headed
by Capt. Walker, and after severe conflicts wer,
repulsed with co siderable loss. During thes'
combats, the Mexican advance and centre, com
| posed of some Mexican battalions, and few strag
Cling Americans, were seized with sudden panic
, and ingloriously fed-not even a company, or
dozen men, could be rallied to return to the rescu
Of Walker but this gallant officer was abundantly
able to rescue himself, and soon put Portlla an,
his superior force to flight.
Carvajal proceeded with his advance guard an,
forces up the river, and left Walker and The por
tion of his auxiliary forces, who followed him t
2 defend his rear Captain Wheate, who com
manded the noble six FOUNDER, which had answers
Avalos's batteries with so much spirit, was ordere
to cast his gun into the river. We frankly comics
that this state OF things has caused us more surprs
and modification than any event it has been gu
misfortune to witness during our whole lives.
may have been severe contest to have assaulte
and taken Ayaloss batteries, in the city of Mata
i moras but the idea that such force as Carvaja
l. commanded, consisting of SO large portion {
il | Americans and the best description of Mexica
: troops, should have fled with such precipitatio
from the field of battle, is degree of shameft
. debasement which we cannot comprehend Ther
d is no douh, that the experience and habits Of
j. Mexican officer are SO different from own, this
we can hardly understand the peculiar notions thu
l regulate his motions. American citizens and so
diers are not in the habit of being subjected to tn
procrastiDang and uncertain orders that are usu,
!, among the best disciplined troops of Mexico.
General Carvajal, as a Mexican officer, CON
r. manded in spirit suited to his Mexican troop
The result was, that he lost the confidence of h
American followers, who deemed him inefficeI
and Inadequate to the stern grasp of military col
C tention. Had Colonel Ford, his second in con
a mand, not been wounded, we believe that the ia
ring and discordant state Of feeling with his Amer
= can allies would have been avoided-and that ii
firm and infexibe character of his auxiiar,
= would have sustained the shrinking courage of h
other troops in the most critical state of his affair
Il For the present Carvajal's forces are dsperse
u and can only be re-organized at Camargo or son
Y other Internal point, to resist the forces of Il
Central Government.
Vigorous measures have been taken to re-uni
and reanimate the scattered troops in this vicinit
Col Ford's wound is go far healed as to justify II
= hope that he can put himself at their head in
u few days. A junction can be easily formed wi
j. General Caryajal, and far stronger and bett
organized body of men be held in readiness
!, action, than any which has yet appeared under Il
u banner Of the LiberatIng Army.
Q II is due to General Carvajal and his fugiti'
}, they commenced their march from Matamoros,
report spread with great rapidly among them, III
u reini0rcements. amounting to about five hundr
men, with several pieces of heavy ordnance, we
e on their way TO join Avalos, and would be enabl
to concentrate before that city during the day,
7 terday 1t was at once reported that Carvaj
would be surrounded and cut off, and hence in
lgreat measure, no doubt, the disgraceful stampe
G of his troops
= 1t is proper also to remark that Carvajals fore
were hastily collected, and with the exception
two companies, had enjoyed the advantage Of We
T. little experience and discipline. They hardly kne
Is their officers, or were known to them. They wei
"a however, as brave and resolute as men could
a. and constituted as fine raw material for soldiers
IN the world could produce-but they lacked disc
., line and obedience to orders, and that high militia
pride without which all army is little better thar
as rabbe, and The bravest men, most likely 10 crea
n, disturbances and discord. Besides, number
as irregular and eyil-disposed persons, had fou
their way into some of The companies in the servit
and Occasioned much trouble and uneasness
IN their officers These circumstances increased t
er difficulty of Carvajal's command, and ought to
nd taken into account, in estimating his conduct
:, regard him now, as we have ever done, as
10 honest, high minded, and patriotic man.
w. The State Of the War.-It is understood II
1eneral Carvajal is strongly posted in Reyno
vi, and Is daily receiving achievements The ia
Aft ure Of the attack on Matamoros seems not to Ina
Der ldsheartened his troops, but ON the contrary h
GA rather inspired them with determination to s,
nav coed This accords entirely with the well kno,
~ characteristics of his auxiliary forces. From pr
.n' emit appearances the war has but just begun.
IN The reported arrival of Generals Uraga a
lies uaray with large renorcements for General A,
Mt los, turns out to be mistake; no troops have
NJ hnsa ,f NJ. L. IS