New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-11-15
LATER FROM THE RIO GRANDE.
STATE or THINGS AT BROWNSVILLE.


this arrival we have two weeks later news from
Brownsville, which, also the whole country round
about, the outlaw Cortinas and his band continue to
threaten with Gre and sword.
On the night Of the Both ult, party, supposed to
consist Of about thirty men, came into the graveyard,
in the vicinity Of the city and fred some thirty shots
from small arms, but did no damage. They were an
swered by discharge Of canister from feld-pece,
but with what effect il not known, as, searching
the place in the morning, no bodies were found the
killed and wounded, any, having probably been car.
RED Off Several ranches had been broken into, and
money and arms demanded, under penalty of death,
and when found, taken away.
fbe ranches of Neal had been broken into, and
everything destroyed; the house would probably have
been burned had il not been of brick Neal and his
farily had escaped TO Matamoros. The mails and pas
sengers for Arizona started via Point Isabel but learn
ing that thirty men were on that road to intercept
them the passengers went up on the ). b. Grampus,
and the mails crossed over from Brazos 10 the
Mexican side of the river, and recrossed at Browns
VILE and the mails for New-0rleans came down the
same way Several expresses that were sent to and
fro on tho American SIDE had been taken prisoners.
All the horses and cattle within the vicinity of Browns
vile had been seized and the people were dependent
on Mstamoros for fresh provisions. Parties OF men
who came in TO Ccrtinas, and supposed to be from
Victoria, nearly nude on arrival at Cortnas's
camp but were soon supplied with clothes and arms,
and LOT Of cattle had been sold at Matamoros though
who the sellers OF purchasers IT was impossible
The city had been barrcaded and trenches dug. and
the people were hourly expecting an attack. There
were rumors that Point Isabel aud Brazos would be
attacked at which latter place there were many pieces
of artillery and some small brass pieces easily trans
ported and that COrnas stated he succeed ID taking
brownsville that he would carry the war INTO Central
Texas as far as the Neuces. Many OF the ranches
near that river are now surrounded by Indians who
are supposed to be interested with Cortlnas Inc peo
pIe of Brownsville send an appeal to the people OF
NewOresnr for help, as they receive no news on tne
ID
one from the posts and the roads bad there Is no Ger
tainiy of the time of their arrival They hope how
ever be able 10 protect the city until aid shall arrive
from New Orleans, they are not strong enough
10 punish the marauders. The prisoner reported rs
taken last trip had not been hung, but was IN dur
ance.
EXPEDITION AGAINST THE OUTLAws-DRPEAT OF
THE AMERICANS.
Soon after the last steamer left expedition was
organized at Brownsville against the invaders the dis
astrous defeat of which is thus recorded by The
Brornsvsllc Flag extra oftbe 25th:
"Our unfortunate city 10 in peril beyond any which
has heretofore threatened it, The force which went
ND TO attack COrtinass camp met with such defeat
on Yesterday ~ it is painful for us to chronicle 1t
was composed of about fifty raneheros and twenty
Americans on our side, and fifty OF the Maamoros In
fantry under Ieut.-Col Laranca-the force from our
side being under the command OF capt, thompson
They carried with them a four-pounder belonging to
the Mexican force, and four-pound howitzer oeIohg
ing to Capt Kennedy They arrived at the rancho OF
Dona Estefana the mother Of Cortinas late IN the
afternoon which they found in the possession OF about
twenty men, who, after one or two volleys, retired
about two hundred yards above. These proved to be
1be advanced guard of the banditti.
60 After few moments of dehberati0n, one OF two
corrals (which horsepens built OF high posts was
selected for camp, but through some want OF concert
a portion got into one and others in another 1t was
then thought well to dispatch the horsemen on scout
around and through the potrero and thence to the
landing TO the boats 80 as TO prevent the oand
from escaping the other side. Subsequently num-
Der of men on foot sent up the road to ind and
If possible dislodge the enemy. The little howtzer
went with them. They soon came to where the ROAD
passed through dense chaparra and they lmpruuent
~ proceeded some distance, when heavy ana general
lire was opened upon them from an enemy unseen ana
undiseoverabe. Finding the howitzer useless, they
sent il back and brought up the cannon, IN the nope
that few round shot thrown into the woods might
dislodge the enemy. AT the third lire II reooundeo
and fell off it, carriage
"Col. Loranca was expecting the mounted men, but
thew failed to Gomez but now some six or seven mount
ed Americans came up and retook the gun, yet were
unable TO remount it, could they persuade any oil
the men foot to come up and assist, so they were
forced 20 abandon IT, BY this time the rout Dectmo
areral the mounted men had mostly left, the malorl-
~ of the infantry followed, and at last few who nad
remained with the little howitzer at the corral nndng
themselves unaided and 10 few in number that they
were unable to put the howltzer INTO the rver or 10
DESTROY the ammunition, as they desired, lett also
Antonio Espinosa and Others however were unable 70
get into the river afteTward but we learn that Oor-
fnas has since got il out.
1There was mserably slight preparation made for
the enterprise had percussion caps for more than
four or Ave charges, MANY OF the cartridges were
onnd too large for the muskets and at the close OF the
attack, when there was an attempt MADE Tor ran
there WAS not ammunition enough or single rouhu 10
each of the soldiers on foot. Some supplies OF ammu-
milton had arrived during the hght but It had not YET
been made known 70 Mr.. Glavecke, who was charged
with it's distribution, and he went in great haste
toward the city for "a resupply The infantry, who had
fought most bravey in the midst OF an amonscade'
being ont of ammunition were compelled TO retire.
"Sufce il to say that Cortinas has won victory, Is
in possession of two very efficient pieces OF artillery
and all the ammunition belonging TO them, OF large
key of rifle powder, and PROVISIONS when were
on the route when the fight took place. 1t Is said that
be has two men at the least killed, if not more, while
on our side four of the MeXcae force were wounded
nj their gun, but killed. One OF the men from
Brownsville, a Mexican was badly wounded,
From what we can Judge and divine from inc
statements of those present. especially IRON the report
of Lieut. Col. Loranca and Mr.. Thompson, Cortinas
bad come 80 or 800 This If, however, conJec-
turra a. others estimate il far less Few OF the pan,
dis were seen at any one time but az an old United
States soldier observed, fifty men, hid as they were,
could have stampeded 500 in road guarding ds-
mounted cannon. COrtinas will, Of course, De able
now greatly TO increase his band having artillery and
the prestige of victory to aid him.
owe are now baTricading our streets and preparing
for an attack upon the town, which we may expect
night BY night. For days past, nearly every man
has renisned on the watch all or most OF the night.
We are VT nigh out, but will perseyere, hoping
for the arrival of the promised rangers II there are
anv friends of ours within striking distance, we hope
thew will not fail TO come at once to our rehei'
LETTER FROM CoRTINAs.
Subsequently this victory, Cornas addressed the
following letter to merchant at Brownsville IL was
written, says The Flag, by no Mexican or sPaniard
in wre.ched spelling aud grammar, which, translated