Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-28
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
THE ATTACK ON ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
VALLEY OF THE Rio G


Soon after the occurrence of the passage OF the
river by an armed body of men, as related II. our
last piece of artillery arrived at Freeport and was
placed in position to command the ferry; and the
steamer Corvette, after plying up and down the
river till sunset anchored for the nj ght in the
middle of the stream, just below the same pint
No other attempt was made to cross the river, and
night closed over the scene lulling every thing
to quietness, as if to render more awful the storm
which was to break on the morrow.
At three o'clock in the morning CarvajaPs re-
veille sounded and the still Iaornng air resouDled
with the shr blast of the cavalry buges while far AWAY
in distant quarter of the town those of Gen. Avaos
swered back in notes of defiance the invaders and
awoke the inhabitants Of the the realities Of their
fearful position. The reminded Of ttose
read of being presented in olden times than any
could think ofwhen chief with his adherents, sit
ting himself down before old, me-honored castle,
summoned its owner with flourish Of trumpets to
render to the powerful of the bcseger But in the
appearance the analogy ends for these I've what is
called civilized age, and when such should not
be allowed to appears and moreover half of those
knew not for what they fighting and the other half
knew well enough that the end for which they ove was
not honorable
The appeared loyspirited, and very little Of the
enthusiasm of the night before exhibited. They
moved listessy through the camp preparing their
daylight few shots, (rom FOUNDER brass gum, which
whstling and crashing through the tops of the
hv1s movement of Importance made until about
10 o'clock, when nearly the whole of the mounted
and paraded in field above the fort As they passed
along their number could be distinctly estimated All
told there than four hundred three hun
bred at least of whom Americans and, although
grossly exaggerated statements ndustriousy
lated with respect the immense force Carvajal had
the other side of the town. and the large renrcements
he hourly expecting do not believe that his whole
force any time during the siege of Matamoros
ceeded four hundred men.
As if still hesitatng whether to the unhoy
struggle the force remained inactive for hour more
when it moved down the bank of the river and rapid
pace approached the lower ferry opposite Brownsville
where any idea they might have had with reference to
seizng the ferry crossing the river was quickly dis
PEELED by seeing guns brought upon that point
from Fort Brown While in this position several shots
fred from the town, which, although they did no
damage, came close enough to render the position any
thing but comfortable one and quickly caused retreat
back the vicinity of Fort Paredes with the loss one
horse Here the whole force dsmounted and proceeded
into the town foot and very scattering fire of
small Farms heard mingled at short intervals with the
deep boom of the heavy guns and sharp voeys of mus
kerry This continued with slight ntermissons dur
ing the whole day. and, of course the exaggerated
statements OF the of the assaans received
received every few minutes courier from the forces
lively engaged Now, his in the grand plaza |
and rapidly gaining ground towards the entertainments of
Gen. Avalos. The ustomhouse taken; and the
guns had been calamity sormed taken, and the General
himself suing for suspension Of hostities that
goations might be entered into for surrenderg up the
place to his victorious assaans These reports were in
dus trousy repeated this side of the river with all the
operations and accompaniments incident in
times of excitement and the faces of those who we're to
make by this traffic in blood looked smiling and
compacent the prospect Of the dollars while the friends
Of law and order looked serious and anxious well know
ing land the love of filthy lucre could not blind them
the fact that these people succeeded the Mexcans
would be greater and abect slaves than under
their and that the people on this side Of the
would be altogether free from the evil effects of
the success of unprincipled and undisciplined men
Night closed the while yet the sounds of
deadly strife echong through the but at length
they ceased and thing became quiet while Carvaa
withdrew the whole Of his force from their strong
hold in the town. which said they had gained with
much gallantry and hard fighting. This movement il
is said created discomfort among the men and il
certainly was strange one for victorious General if lie
had gained the strong position stated which great many
doubted. During the night dead man and eight or
nine wounded brought the river and hospi
tai for the latter established American soil the
articles for its supplied from Brownsville and proyi
sons from the place sent the river supply
the of the invaders Where United States
Marshal and other proper United States officers whose
province was to prevent these open violations of
neutrality laws? Let them be made TO TO the
proper authority One thing positive they were alb
placed them upon the ground.
But little done the 22d, Carvaals men appear
ing disheartened and unwilling which
they found themselves but too well matched in the cit
of Matamoros armed with the close-shootng and
wehandled Mississippi rife. In the morning message
by the hands Of officer received Gen Avalos
the purpor of which disclosed Carvajal kept
snall parties scouting around the town. and rumors Of
strong renorcemens to be received during the day
circulated. But came and night put end the
firing which had become pretty brisk towards the close
the day. but with definite result and the all
content among them increased their Of
complaints made of their officers personal conflicts
said TO have taken place. and several of the de-
serted the party and this side declaring their in
tenton not to return while portion positively refused
retire from the town. and kept scattering fire during
portion Of the night.
Early on the morning of the 23d heavy rain fell and
being totally without shelter, Carvajas party Jared but
badly and knowing that another such shower would de-
feat him even quicker than the guns his adversary
whose forces well sheltered and fed he prepared Ia
take his quarters in the town. and during the morning
took possession of the market plaza unoccuped by Gen
Avaos and distant from his position three or four
squares and every thing remained comparatively quiet
during the day.
During the oath but little firing was heard in the town
but towards night il became much brisker until after
dark when the rattle Of smaarms the roar Of the
artillery incessant In the midst Of this the town
suddenly Illuminated by bright light and the fear
full fact revealed that the houses in the vicinity Of the
main plaza had been set fire. There exists no doubt
that this done by Carvaias men, and by means (ow
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