The Nevada Democrat., 1859-12-14

Texas Invaded by GuerriIIas-Brownsvil
Captured, Ranches Pillaged, etc.
The overland mail from San Antoine, Texas,
to San Diego. with dates from the former place
to Nov. 10th brings intelligence of an alarming
and exciting character from the Texas frontier.
Some weeks ago, news was received that the
town OF Brownsville was threatened by band
OF Mexican outlaws under the command Of Cor
tinas. A letter from Corpus Christi, dated Nov.
7tb, states that Cortinas and bis band surround
ed Brownsville on the 10th of October, on the
Slst they made an attack upon the town, and
after hand to hand fight of Eve hours the
Americans were forced to retreat. and succeed
ed in making their escape to the other side Of
the river. Cortinas' party consisted Of about
four hundred men, and the force defending the
town was composed Of about fifty white men
and one hundred Mexcans who bad been sent
from Matamoras under command Of Col. Blan-
90. On the I'd Of November, Cortinas had
undsputsd possession of Brownsville. The
number Of killed and wounded is said to be
very large on both sides, and it was feared
that Cortinas would hang every American that
had fallen into bis hands, in consequence Of the
brave resistance made in defense Of the town.
The cry of the Mexicans was, 'Death to the
Americansl No quarterW Aportion OF Cor
!inas' band had also attacked Rio Grande City,
and pillaged all the houses except those in the
center Of the town, which we're probably defend.
ed by the citizens An American force of one
hundred men, under command OF Capt. Tobln,
bad come in contact with that OF Cortinas, and
fight ensued, in which the Americans lost
four killed and the Mexioans eight. Capt To-.
bin was forced to retire, and had fallen back 10
await reinforcements. After the fall Of Browns
vlle the force ofsCortinas had greatly increas-
ed guerrilla bands we're securing the country
In ever direction, pillaging the ranches and
numbering the American inhabitants, and the
whole country between the Rio Grande and
the Neuees was threatened by the maraudcrs
All the rancheros OH the Rio Grande were
driving their stock into the interior Of the
State, and the women and children we're leav
Ing the frontier for place Of safety.
For some weeks previous to the attack on
Brownsville, Cortinas was encamped within
three or four miles Of the town, with the avow-
ed determination Of making an attack, and 1t
Is matter of astonishment that the citizens
along the frontier neglected to adopt effectual
measures for defending themselves. It would
appear, however, that the Texans, from having
relied few years upon the government for
protection, have lost their selfreliance, and the
guerrilla invasion found them without arms,
am munition, or any means of defense. The
troops under command Of Gen. Twiggs are
wholly inadequate 10 resist the invasion, and
although he had any quantity of government
arms ammunition, and military stores at his
disposal, it appears that the army rules ore
such that he did not deem 1t advisable 10 fur
nish the citizens with the means of defending
themselves. lie had. however, sent all the
available force under his command to the from
tier and the Governor Of Texas had called out
q regiment of volunteers. The guerrillas will
Of course be driven back or captured; but a
little more energy on the part of the govern
mcnt, and less regard for red tape, might have
saved many lives, and prevented the obstruction
of an immense amount OF property.