Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-11-24

cost: and the old soldier, doubtless, will
not My carefully examine, with his own
experienced eyes, the works and construc-
ton to defend San Francisco and other
places, but will scrutinze the cost with a
view to determining what other points it
is necessary or.prudent to for.ify.
From the Brownsville (Iex.) Flag, extra, Oct. 25
Defeat Of an Expedition
against the Brownsville Ma
rauderS.
Our unfortunate city is in peril beyond
any which has heretofore threatened it.
The force which went up to attack Corti-
mas camp met with such defeat on yester
day as it is painful for us to chronicle. 1t
was composed Of about sixty rancheros and
twenty Americans on our side, and fifty of
the Matamoras infantry under Lieut.. Col.
Laranca--the force from our side being
under the command Of Capt. Thompson.
They carried with them 4-pounder, be-
longing to the Mexican force, and A. pound
howitzer. belonging to Capt Kennedy.--
They arrived at the Rancho of Dona Este
fana (the mother Of Cortinas) late in the
afternoon, which they found in the posses
sion Of about twenty men, who, after one
or two voleys, retired about two hundred
yards above. These proved to be the ad
vance guard of The bandi,li.
After Il few moments Of deliberation.
one Of two corrales (Which are morse pens
built of high posts) was selected for a
camp, but through some want of concert a
portion got into one and others into anoth
er. 1t was then thought well to dispatch
the horsemen on a scout around through
the portrero and thence to the landing TO
secure the boats so as to prevent the band
from escaping to the other side. Subse
quently, a number Of men on foot wer-
sent up the road to find, and if possible
dislodge. The enemy. The little howitzer
went with them. They soon came TO
where the road passed through dense
clraparra, and they imprudently proceed
ed some distance, when a heavy and gen
eral fire was opened upon them from an
enemy unseen and undiscovered Findiag
the howizer useless, they sent it back and
brought up the cannon in the hope that u
few round shot thrown into the woods
might dislod ge the enemy. At the third
fire the cannon rebounded and fell off It's
carriage.
Col. Loranca was expecting the mounted
men, but they failed to come; but now
some six or seven mounted Americans
came up and retook the qua, yet were un-
able to remount it, nor could they per-
suade any of the men on foot to come up
and assist, so they Were forced to abandon
it. By this time the route became gener-
al; the mounted men Lad mostly left, and
at last few who had remained with the
little howi;zer at the coral finding them
selves unaided, and so lew in number tha,
they were unable to put the howiizer into
the river, or to destroy the ammunition, as
they desired, left also. Antonio Espinosa
and others, however, were able to get it
into the river afterwards, but we learn that
Cortinas has since got it out.
There was miserably slight preparation
made for the enterprise; few had percussion
caps for more than four or five charges
many of the cartridges were found toe
large for the muskets, and at the close oil
the attack, when there was an attempt
made for a rally. there was not ammunition
enough for a single round to each of the
soldiers on foot. Some supplies of anu
nition had arrived during the fight, but il
haa not yet been made known to Mr. CLAY
ecke, who was charged with its dis;rbu
ton, and he went in great haste towards
the city for re supply. The infantry
who had fought most bravely in the mids
of an ambuscade. being out of ammunition
were compelled to retire.
Suffice it TO say, that Cortinas has wor
a victory, is in possession Of two very ef
ficient pieces of artillery and all the anu
milton belonging to them, of a large keg o
rifle powder, and some provisions whicl
were on the route when the fight took place
|! is said that he has two men, at tn,
least, killed., if not more. while on our sid,
four of the Mexican force were wounded a
their gun, but none killed. One of the
men from Brownsville. Mexican, wa.
badly wounded.
From what we can judge and divin,
from the statements of those present espe
cially from the report Of Lieut.. Col Lar
anca and Mr.. Thompson, Cortinas hat
some $50 or 800 men. That is, however
conjectural, as others estimate it far less
Few of the bandits were seen at any on,
time. but. as an old United States soldier
observed, 50 men could have stamped 5OC
in road guarding dismourted cannon
Cortinas of course will be able now great
ly to increase his band, having artiller,
and the prestige Of victcry to aid him.
We are barrlcading our streets and pre-
pairing for an attack upon the town. whici
we may expect night by night. For Tel
days past nearly every man has remained
on the watch all or most of the night. w
are we'll nigh worn out. but will persevere
hoping Tor the arrival of the promised ran
gers. il there are any friends of our
within striking distance, we hope they vii
not fail to come at Cnce TO our relief.
A Link In he Chain.
The New York Tribune the other da
denied that KAGI. the Sectary of War un
der BRowN's provisional Government An,