Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-12-01

an extf2It0fu tt1e new Vfteabs ifcHi'
] pnder date Of 18th iust.. furnishes the fol-
e owing account OF the attack on Ma'arno-
gas, aud Subsequent destruction OF the rev.
olusiopary, force rnlcr Carvajal.
The force of Carva "a consisted of about
500 men and six FOUNDER, and Avalos'
force il, the city amounted to about six
hundred men, with nine pieces Of artillery
six, nine anil twelve Founders. These
guns were established in harricade battle
res, completely defending his head quar-
tiers, and his position for all his men.
ssssUpon Car.ajal's arrival at Fort Paroles,
about mile above Matamoras. no or
2 sdercd an attack TO be made upon Avalos'
position. Five companies. viz: Walkers.
o Howeil's, E.hnundson's, Ford's aud Shil
hng's, aided by portion Of Reynosa,
Mier and Guerrero baftalIons. These
forces were under tho command Of Col.
Ford, next in command to Col. Carvajal
They made vigorous and energetic as
) sauk, and after much severe fighting reach
ed to within lew houses Of the main
i Plaza Of the city Of Matamoras. This was
the first contest that ensucd between the
forces Of Carvajal and Avalos. and result
ed 90 conspicuously in favor Of Carvsjal
- to occasion the greatest establishment at
tie withdrawal Of bis men from their ad-
e vantagcously advanced position.
sgp They had in fact reached nearly within
n1uskrt shot Of Avalos' headquarters. and
had reached point near the Main Plaza
here they commanded three Of his main
batteries. This order TO withdraw at
night from such position as this, caused
the greatest surprise TO the men to whom
II was addressed. They rcluc,sntly obey
ed IL; and we arc gTievcd TO soy that this
order was the groundwork OF all the I'M
"a fortunate errors that took pltcc during the
successive assaults on Matamoras. Had
Col Ford been allowed to proceed, we
believe that few hours would have re-
b duccd the city under Carvajars CONTROL
But misled by false information, or some
other mistaken influence. he gave an order
that rescued Avalos from the jaws of de-
= structioD.
A succession ofassaults and skirmishes
/. followed this movement, for seven or eight
DAYS, and both Americans and Mcxicans.
under Csrvajal, behaved calamity, the
contest being keen and spirited. On the
morning Of the 30ih ult., al out daylight,
Carvajal determined TO retire short dis
lance to recruit his force for another assault.
He arranged his temporary retreat in
snch a manner as to chiefly place his
Mexican force 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 Matamo-
ras, on the Bravo river. Having obtained
some four or five miles the advance of his
rear guard. ASalos' cavalry. amounting to
200 men. led by Col. Portilla, made two
attacks upon the rear guard. headed by
Capt Walker, aud after severe conflicts,
were repulsed with considerable loss.
During these combdts, the Mexican ad
vance and centre. composed Of some Mex
lean batialions. and u few struggling a.
nucricans, were seized with a sudden pan
ic and ingloriously hcd-not even a com
pany, or dozen men could be rallied to
return to the rescue of Walker; but this
gallant officer was abundantly able to res
cue himself. and soon put Portilla and his
supe ior forces 10 fight. CarvejaI pro-
cee,ed with his advance guard and forces
a u y Tue nv Or ana Icit W dIkcr, 1nu inc poT-
tion Of his auxiliary forces. who followed
him 10 defend his rear. Captain Wheate.
Who commanded the noble six FOUNDER,
which had answe ed Avalos' batteries
with so much spirit. was ordered to cast his
gun into the river.
For the present Corvsjal's forces are
dispersed, and can only he recognized
at Camargo or some other internal point,
sis. d. f,,s.- Of .i.s C~"ss-i do,~tn-
ment.