Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-16
The War on the Rio Grande.


Mexican bandits, under Cortinas, and that
the Mexican population on both sides of the
Rio Grande were in arms against the Ameri-
cans. These statements it Is to be hoped,
are considerably exaggerated, but the preyl-
Gus accounts were exceedingly threatening.
The Brownsville Flag (extral contains the
following details of occurrences anterior 10
the reported capture of the town:
1T appears that a force had been organ
lied in Brownsville for the purpose of attack
ing Cortinas' band: it was composed of about
GO rancheros and ~ Americans on our side,
and % Of the Matamuras infantry, under Lit.
Col. Lurunca the force from our side being
under the command of Capt. Thompson
They carried with them four FOUNDER be-
longing to the Mexican forces, and four
pound howitzer belonging to Captain Ken
nedy. They arrived at the rancho of Corti-
nas' mother, which they found in possession
of about twenty men, who retreated after
firing one or two volleys. During the firing
the cannon of the Americans rebounded and
fell off its carriage. Six or seven mounted
Americans went and retook the gun, but be-
ing unable to remount it, and failing 10 get
any assistance from the infantry, they final
ly abandoned 1t.
About this time the rout of the attacking
party became general. Most all of the
mounted men had left, the majority of the
infantry followed, and ut last the few that had
remained with the little howItzer at the car
rol, finding themselves unaided, and so few
in number that they were unable to put the
gun into the river or destroy the ammun-
ton as they desired, left also. Antonio Is
pinasa and others got it into the river after
ward, but Cortinas has since got it out. The
preparations for the expedition were misera-
Bile; few had percussion caps for more than
four or five charges; many of the cartridges
were found t. be too large for the muskets, and
ut the close Of the attack, when an attempt
was made to rally, it was found that there
was not enough ammunition for single
round. As il is, Cortinas won victory, and
is in possession of two very efficient pieces
of artillery, all the ammunition belonging To
them, large key of rifle powder, and some
provisions which were on the route when the
fight took place. From the reports Of Col.
Lurunca and Mr.. Thomas, Cortinas had
some $50 or 800 men, but others estimate
his forces as far less. But few of the ban
dts were seen ut one time. Cortinas will
now be able to greatly increase his band
having artillery and the prestige Of victory
to aid him. On the 9th ult he again stop
ped the United States mail coming from La
redo, cut it open, examined each letter in it,
opening all but two, kept the mail rider un-
til 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 examining the contents of the mail
which had arrived that morning from Browns
Vile. Some seventy felons under sentence in
the prison of Victoria, had been released by
the populace, and had levied their contribu-
tons ON the rich Of that place. They have
since recruited others, until it is reported
that they have large band who are visiting
and robbing the ranches, and they expect
finally to make their way out TO Matamoras
and Brownsville The daily and nightly
watches are most unremittlngly continued.
Every citizen capable OF carrying arms Is in
quarters, and the two twenty-tour pound
howitzers and nine pound carronade are
posted at three prominent points, which are
defended by barricades, while the entrance
to the city is INSTRUCTED by others. 1t has
been ascertained that Cortinas has been
sending out his scouts in strong bodies,
gathering up horses and driving off cattle
1t was reported at Matamoras that from thir-
ty to forty of the desperadoes, who escaped
from the Victoria prison, had succeeded in
Joining Cortinas band; also that he had OBJ
tanned some $1,000; but it is not known how
he got it.
The mails left for Corpus Christi and La
redo in the morning, and a return mail
should have come in from the former place
on Thursday, and from the latter on Friday,
but neither mail nor riders have come in.
No doubt Curtinas has taken them. Ii will
be idle to send the mails hereafter unless
well guarded.
AT daylight, on Friday one of the picket
guard on the outskirts of the town saw two
armed men skulking in the bushes, but they
took fright and fed About dark, the same
day, Mr.. Campbell, printer by trade, and
deputy sheriff. who has family living in
the suburb of Ramireno, about half mile
above town, went up to see them-he rode
u good horse and was armed with Sharps'
rifle and six shooter; Mexican went up
with him, also mounted on a good horse
They had hardly got into the house when ten
heavily armed bandits surrounded them, took
Mr. Campbell prisoner, took his horse and
arms, also robbed the Mexican Of his horse
saddle and bride, made prisoners of four
we'll disposed Mexicans living at Ramireno
and took them all off except the one who nc
companied Mr. Campbell, towards the camp
Of Curtinas The families of the prisoners
are in the greatest distress"
A correspondent of the New Orleans Delta
writing from Brownsville OH the I'd inst, says;
Since wrote you this morning have
heard that Cortinas is making arrangements
TO march on Brazos and Point Isabel. This
may be true or not Ii is the very move a
man ought to make under the circumstances
in which he finds himself placed. He knows
he cannot take the town, except by fire, with
out great loss Of men. If he burns us out he
destroys all that is valuable to him. There
are older heads than his now in his camp
He knows our twenty-fonr pound howltzers
outreach his guns; therefore his artillery is
of little use. except for annoyance. His plan
is now, think, to take possession of Brazos
and Point Isabel, which he can do without
firing shot The goods in the custom-house
are valuable There are stored mt Brazos
some of the best guns from sx-pounders to
sixty-eights, in the United States service. The
brass batteries of SKIES and twelve-pounder
guns are all stored there, with all kinds OF
ammunition, and plenty of it. The batteries
are complete, and the guns all mounted on
their carriages, besides all the various NUM-