New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-11-07
LATER FROM BROWNSVILLE,

By the arrival yesterday of the steamship Ari-
zona, from Brazos Santiago, we received a copy of
an extra of the Brownsville Flag, from which we
condense the following report
II appears that force had been organized in
Brownsville for the purpose of attacking Cortiras
band; it was composed of about 60 rancheros and
20 Americans on our side and so of the Matamoras
infantry under Lieut.. Col Lurlnca, the force from
our side being under the command of Capt. Thomp
son. They carried with them Il four pounder be-
longing to the Mexican forces and four pound
howitzer belonging to Capt. Kennedy. They
arrived at the rancho of Cortinas' mother Which
they found possession of about twenty men, who
retreated after firing one two volleys. During
the firing the cannon of the Americans rebounded
and fell off its carriage. Six seven mounted
Americans went and retook the gun but being nm
able to rcmount it. and failing to get any assistance
from the infantry, they finally abandoned it. About
this time the rout of the attacking party became
general. Most all the mounted men had left, the
majority of the infantry followed, and at last the
few who had remained with the little howtzer at
the carroll finding themselves unaided and so few in
number that they were unable to put the gun into
the river or destroy the ammunition as they de-
sired left also Antonio Espin:isa and Others rot it
into the river atterward, but COrtnas has since got
it out. The preparations for the expedition were
miserable few had percussion caps for more than
four or five charges many of the cartridges were
found To be too large for the mllskets and at the
close of the attack, when an attempt was made to
rally, it was found that there was not enough
ammunition for a single round. AS it is Cortinas
won Il victory, and is in possession of two very
efficient pieces of artillery, all the ammunition
belonging TO them, large keg of rifle powder and
some provisions which We're on the route when the
fight took place. From the reports of Col Ll-
rlnca and Mr.. Thomas, Cartinas had some $50 or
800 men, but others estimate his forces as far less
But few of the bandits were seen at any one fine.
Cortinas will now be able to greatly increase his
band having artillery and the prestige of victory to
aid him. The 2fth nlt. he again stopped the b. S.
mail coming from Laredo, cut it open, examined
each letter in it, opening all but two kept the mail
rider until to-day, and then sent him down with
such of the open letters and way bills as he did
not care to retain. This mail rider left him examn
ing the contents of the mail which had arrived that
morning from Brownsville. On yesterday Mr..
Jefferson Barthelow, who has been for some time
soiourning in San Fernando, (Tamauipas) returned
with his family, seeking protection.
Some seventy feons, under sentence in the
prisons of Victoria, had been released by the
populace, and had levied their contributions On the
rich of that place. They have since RECRUITED
others, until it is reported that they have large
band, who are visiting and robbng the ranches,
and they expect finally to make there way out
to Matamoras and Brownsville. The daily and