Daily national Democrat., 1859-12-10
The Guerilla War in Texas.

Accounts given by Texas papers in regard
to the storming of Brownsville are contra
dictory. An extra of the Corpus Christi
Ranchero of Nov. 7th, contains a statement of
NJ. w. j. Miller, to the effect that Browns.
vile was taken on the 3lst of October, by
Cortinas, after hard fight The Ranchero
says Miller was in the fight The following
is a portion of the statements
Cortinas attacking party consisted of about
four hundred men, and he has in all proba-
blity two hundred men patroling the coun
try to prevent communication with the city,
In all told we had about fifty white men
under arms, and these were aided by one
hundred and fifty Mexcans, sent from Mata-
moras, Col Maranco. Commander of this
force. | can form no idea of the number of
men killed on either side. The cry of the
Mexicans, was, Death to the Americans I"
mo quarter" and such is truly the case, as
is proved by the death of every man Corti-
mas has taken prisoner
On Tuesday morning Cortnas had entire
possession of Brownsville.
The Corpus Christi Rancho of Nov. 18th,
has intelligence showing that Brownsville,
not been taken on the 3lst of October. The
town still held out up to the 7th or Sth of
Nov. San Antonio papers of the 18th and
10th of Nov, contain the following:
The different accounts of the state of af-
fairs at Brownsville are so conflicting as to
dates and circumstances, that it is impossible
to ascertain the exact truth. We refer our
readers to the extra of the Ranehero, and the
extract from the N. 0. Crescent. The Gal
weston News of the Sth publishes letter
from l. B. Bigelow, dated Brownsville, the
lst inst, which mentions several attempts
upon the town, but not word about its fall.
The report of its being taken on the 3lst
ult, was therefore premature. In all proba-
bility, it has since fallen.
The Ranchero says that by authentic re-
ports Cortinas is stated to have two forces.
amounting together to about 700 men.
We observe that the Governor had sent a
special message to the House on the subject
of the Rio Grande difficulties. 1t was re-
ferred to a select committee.
We have been shown letter from a relia.
be citizen of lndianola to one of our mer-
chants in town. 1t is dated the llth instant
and states that an express had Just arrived at
lndianola with the news of the fall of Browns
vile, after a gallant defense of five hours
hard fighting. 1t says also that Cortinas had
greatly increased his forces, and that he had
scouting parties between the Rio Grande and
the Nueces, robbing the ranches. Parties
from Corpus Corpus Christi were at Browns.
vile to procure arms and munitions. but
could not be supplied. They state that Cor
vaial is said to be at the bottom of the move.
ment.
The Corpus Christi Ranchero says:
On the 4th instant n party of armed men
had crossed from Mexico to this side, about
six miles below Rio Grande city, surprising
'fandango party" killing two aud taking
twenty-siX prisoners with all of whom the
invaders again recrossed the river
That paper also stated that the people Of
Corpus Christi were preparing for the defense
of their town, being fearful that it would be
attacked by Cortinas
The following from San Antonio paper
shows that the people were apprehensive o.
an attack
1t is not by any means beyond the bounds
of possibility that San Antonio may be Wis
ted by Cortnas. We believe, except officers.
the number of soldiers at present stationed
IN San Antonio does not exceed twenty.tbree
Would it not be as well that our citizens
should take measures for the defense of this
place in case such a contingency should arise?
we think it would be advisable, more par
ueularly as there are many among the low
est class of Mexicens who are not to be de-
pended upon. Numbers of them we be-
lieve, would join Cortinas if they had an
opportunity to do so. They have not for
gotten the operations of the Vigilance Com
mittee and the Last War.