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

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From the Nt,c Orleans True Delta of the 18Th inst
Important News from Mexico.
The report which we published this mornin!
of the abandonment of the siege of Matamoras
and the dissolution of the revolutionary forces
under Carvaja, is confirmed by the Rio Brau,
of the 18th instant, just received.
We copy from that paper an account of the
operations of the contending forces, without the
comments and specuations of the editor: F.
The force of ,Carvajal consisted of about SOC
men and six FOUNDER, and Ava!os's force in the
city amounted to about 600 men, with nine pieces
OF artllery-six, nine, and twelve Founders
These guns were established in ba ARCADE bat
teries, completely defending his headquarters
and his posi-, 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, HoweIl's, Edmundson's, Fords,
and Shlling's, aided by a portion of the Rey-
| nosa, Mler, and Guerrero battaIions. These
| forces were under the command of Colonel
I Ford, next in command to General Carvajal.
They made vigorous and energetic assault I'D
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 conspcuously in favor of Car
vaJal as to occasion the greatest astonishment
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 point near the Main Plaza where they
commanded three of his main batteries. This
order to withdraw at night from such position
ina III 1. n.
to whom it was addressed They reluctantly
Obeyed it 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
Carvajals control. But misled by false infprma.
ton, or some other mistaken influence, he gave
an order that rescued Avalos from the Jaws OF
destruction.
succession of assaults and skirmishes fol-
lowed this movement, for seven or eight days.
and both Americans and Mexicans, under Car
vnJal, behaved calamity, the contests being keen
and spirited On the morning Of the 30th nit,
about daylight, Carvaja determined to retire
short distance 10 recruit his forces for another
assault
lie 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 a designated
point, about twelve miles above MatamOras, on
the Bravo river. Having obtained some four or
five miles the advanced Of his rear guard
Avalos's cavalry, amounting 10 300 men, led by
Col. POrilla, made two attacks upon the rear
guard, headed by Capt Walker, and after severe
conflicts, were rcpul-ed with considerable loss
During these combats, the Mexican advance
and centre, composed Of some Mexican battal-
ions, aud a few Struggling Americans, were seized
with sudden panic and inglofiously fed--nOt
even company or dozen men could be rallied
to return 10 the rescue Of Walker but this gal.
liant officer was abundantly able 20 rescue him.
SELF, and soon put Porillla and his superior
forces 10 fight Carvaja proceeded with his ad
vance guard and forces up the river and left
Walker and the portion Of his auxiliary force.
who followed him to defend bis rear Captain
| Nheate, who commanded the noble six.pounder,
which lad answered Avalos' batteries with 20
much spirit, was ordered TO cast his gun into the
river
The Rio Braro attributes the result Of this
affair 10 the unacc usto nedness of Carysial 90
command Americans and the lack Of confidence
in the Americans, in his fitness for the position
he occupied, and says:
Forthe present, Carvajrl's forces are dispersed,
and can only be recognized at Canargo or
some other internal point, TO resist the forces Of
the central government
Vigorous efforts have been taken TO re.unite
and re.snimate the scattered troops in this vici
nifty. Col. Ford's wound is so far healed, as 10
justify the hope, hat he can put himself at their
head in few days. a junction can be easily
| formed with Gen. Carvajll and n far stronger
and better organized body Of men, be held in
readiness for action, than any which has vet ap.
peared, under the banner Of TIE libersting army.
In another part Of the paper the editor of the
Rio BRAVO says:
II is Understood that Gen. Carvaial is strongly
posted in Reynosa, and is daily receiving rein
forcements. The failure Of the attack on Ma
tamoras seems not 10 have disheartened his
troops, but on the contrary has rather inspired
them with determination to succeed. This
! accords entirely with the we'll known character.
istics Of his auxiliary forces. From present APP
pearances the war has just begun.
In the same paper of the 18th instant, il is an.
nounccd tat Carvajal was still at Reynosa, and
would soon be completely reorganized and ready
| for the field with an enormous force. The
| rancheros,who were with Carvalajal TO the num-
Der Of 200, are with Avalos. Gen. UnaCa with
force Of regulars, estimated variously from 400
to 1900, was marching TO the frontier &c aid
Avalos He was believed TO he ct Victoria, in
Tamaulipas. Carvajrl, at last advices, had re.
moved his forces 10 point commanding all the
roads to Matamoras, and had force Of rangers
in the reighborhoOd Of that city. "There will
be stirring events shortly" the Rio Bravo says