Washington telegraph., 1854-10-18
E-0n Texas,

In the Cohesion Netrs, we find letter giving
description of the destruction at Matagorda. oc-
casioned by the late Storm
Such scene of distress and suffering hope !
shaii never witness again, and which langua ge
1alls 10 even give you the most distant idea of
saw one lady who was driven into the streets with
four little children, come staggering in (wbere
several OF Us were trying 10 take shelter) with
everything she had had on blown from her body
and that of her little daughter. The infant She
held In her arms alone retained its clothes: the
other two, one three and the other five wears old
We're torn from her and are supposed to be lost.
Nor was this the only case of the kind for am
informed by Mr.. Powell and others that there
We're, perhaps hundred others who were picked
up In the open streets and yards early in the NOR
ming. But enough OF this.
The loss of property is estimated to be the en-
tire value OF every species OF personal property in
the place" Speaking of the loss OF lie the wri-
ter goes on to say:
The number of lives lost is not yet known
We only know positively OF six, the names of
whom have not yet ascertained The mother
OF Gen. Gordon has Just been taken out of mass
OF fallen lumber, and is expected to die soon. Mr.
James Selkirk had his arm broken, and large
number OF other persons were badly hurt. There
would have been a much greater number OF lives
lost, but for the untring energies OF few Young
men, who, throughout the entire storm. encounter
ing the crash OF buildings and flying missiles were
engaged In visiting from house to house, eXtricat
ing those who were buried beneath the runsn
public meeting has been recently held at Rio
Grande City, to consider the state OF the frontier
the late order OF the Secretary Of War authorizing
a call for volunteers, and the action of Gen Smith
upon that order.
At this meeting resolution was passed highly
commencing the action of the General Govern
i - = i
surIng the people of the frontier that they were
at length to be protected from the Indians in
their lives, liberty and property"
Another resolution was one of ceEsure upon
Gen Smith for his taTdy disposition, and for a
time, his refusal TO act under the new order
which course of conduct was construed by a ma
lority of those present to be an intention to leave
the frontier abandoned with an Indifference as to
Its fate, unless it should be protected by his regu-
lar troops.
The opiIion of the meeting, as to the manner
OF proceeding, was that campaign against the
Indians. and their thorough reduction was the on
ly step proper to be taken to secure peace, and
that the raising of companies of mounted volun-
teers, to be stationed in the settlements is worse
than idle.
They consider the number of six companies as
authorized by the Governor as insufficient for the
purpose of campaign, and that it would require
at least two regifaents OF mounted volunteers
Any attempt to place in command, over any force
which may be raised, any other than volunteers
and citizens of the State, is deprecated as an insult
to the intelligence and valor of the people OF
Texas.
Should sufficient number of volunteers be
brought into service, to require the election OF
field officer, the name of Maj, Jas. \. burst is
recommended. Gal Times ! s.
The latest accounts from the cotton crop in the
upper and middle counties of the State are unla-
vorable. The opinion is quite general that the
crops in Fayette. Washington, Brazos, Grimes
and Walker, will fall at least one-third short OF
an average yield. In Austin county the prospect
is better. In Fort Bend the crop viii be short
The late rains SO far from repairing the detriment
occasioned by the drought, have proven injurious.
Houston Star, 18th.