Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-28
ming BONUSES Illuminated the spot with the brightness


the devoted city the flames OF s burning
houses lighting up the country for miles around while
the air resounded with the sounds OF the deadly STRIFE
which raging her streets The assaiians were des
perae from i'll success and the assaied fought for their
honor and their homes Shouts of triumph and yells Of
defiance or despair rang through the air or the
other gained temporary advantage, anu the uproar
seemed more like that Of ncsrnate ends than the work
of human beings. Thus the battle fearfuy ragged for
hours without its being known which side had gained the
advantages bat about twelve o'clock repeated cheers OF
g Viva Ayalos !" 'Vayau Gringos9 long, loud, and
hearty from Gen. Ayaoss troops announced TO the ex-
pectan crowds on both sides of the river that the
righteous cause had prevailed and the ASSISTANTS disas
trousy repulsed Men whose whole souls were wrapped
up in the contest and who foresaw the consequences of
different result breathed freely and felt that
fears for the of the Government troops were
at end
The firing gradually sackened till towards morning.
when the town saak into degree of quietness slkDgy
contrasted with the fearful strife which had ragged few
hours before The houses burnt those next TO the
oustom-house, of the finest IN town. and little
more than squares from Gen Avaoss headquarters
The assailants at time gained footing on the main
plaza the object Of their greatest efforts.
But little firing was heard the 18th after daylight
and all hoped that speedy end might be put to the CON
The unfortunate inhabitants of Matamoros, how
ever, finding that this very different affair from
what revolution in their country generally is focked
with white flags in their hands to this side OF the river
hundreds of poor and destitute families were thrown
Brownsville with nothing but what they could seize
upon in their hasy flight and suffering for the want Of
necessaries of lfe Those who fanaticaly persuaded
themselves that they could the finger OF God in this
manner of propagatng civil and religious liberty had not
the eontery that it made manifest in this
phase of the crusade for certainly the sight enough
| to melt heart of stone.
During the Goth every thing remained comparatively
quiet and the friends and supporters of Caryal were
doing every irg tAei power to reanmae the sinking
spirits of his men, many of whom deserted to this side
declaring their firm determination return The
undeng of that part of the town occupied by Carvaa
commenced, and the stolen property exhibited pub
cy in the of Brownsville Such conduct well
calculated disgust honest feelings least
instance known of officer who left declaring he would
not command band of thieves Exaggerated statements
of the large renorcemens received by Carvaja and the
intention of the National Guard to go oyer to him.
ndustriousy circulated and grand was evidently
being made for final assault Every thing that could be
done was done to deceive the public mind Caryajas
letter to the commanding officer of Fort Brown, (which
do him the justice to believe he wrote defining
he terms it. his position before the civilized world and
filled with misrepresentation with respect facts
published the 9th by the only public journal published
in Brownsville, prudenty Withholding however, the reply
of Capt Phelps which placed Carvaa and his adherents
in no very enviable light; and that night if make
last desperate effort and show that the ends he aimed ut
not weghty for his means' he made despe
rate assault Gen Ayalo which, like the former ones
repused and if they had any doubt before fully
convinced them that they had alternative but retreat
During the 2Sth and 29th but little besides light Skin
mshng done and the afternoon of the latter day.
Gen. Avalos having moved part of his force of the
town. threatening Caryajas flank large number of his
sion of it. and he found it necessary place guard at
the ferry to prevent his from crossing No
tack was made them, however, and during the night
the whole force concentrated in the fort and early
the morning of the Both commenced to off in good
order, up the river, retreat This however soon
perfect route and the valiant IJeratng army of
Northern Mexico, with its leader its head fed like
flock of sheep from foe who did in pursuit till
three hours after they had started abandoning their
haste their colors, and throwing their piece of artillery
into the river Some of the Immediately passed to
IF he Will othar "a
and the pursuing Mexican force fred upon from the
american side of the river by those who first passed over
The fire not returned.
Thus ended the siege of Matamoros and in a way most
devouty wished for by all honest lovers law and order
The fugtyes carried off every thing valuable they could
lay their hands on robbng of the chapels and
what they could not take with them they DESTROYED
part of this plumber however they obliged to dis
gorge during their flight. Maamoros presented wofu
appearance; marks of shot the eye every corner
houses rddled through and through and on going
into those occupied by Caryaals men, every thing inside
found broken to pieces and destroyed Ii esma ted
that the town lost in property two millions of dollars
high price for freedom!
1t is impossible to state with any degree Of accuracy
the number Of killed and wounded There is no doubt
however that Carvaas force decreased during the
siege by about hundred They acknowledged 20
have lost about four killed and thirty wounded but when
it is remembered that these had organization and
1t was impossible for any TO know who present
and who absent and that fourteen dead taken out of
the customhouse alone in which the assailants at one
time gained footing for few moments a more correct
result be obtained and should say their loss was
about thirty killed. and not much larger number than
that wounded Gen Avaloss loss was about eight killed
and thirty wounded The party assailed had great ad
vantage the assailants They well protected
behind houses and breastworks and portion of the in
fanry armed with the Mississippi rifles which they
handled well.