The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1859-11-12

E
success. Picayune.
Extraordinary State of Things Mt
BROWNSVILLE.
Expedition Against the Outlaws.-Defcat os
the Americans.
Soon after the last steamer left an expedi-
ton was organized at Brownsville against the
invaders, the disastrous defeat of which is thus
recorded by the Brownsville Flag extra, of
the 25th
Our unfortunate city is in peril beyond any
which.has heretofore threatened it. The force
which went up to attack Cortinas's camp, met
with such defeat on yesterday 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 Matamoros Infantry un-
der Lieut.. Col. Laranca-the force from our
side being under the command of Capt.
Thompson. They carried with them a 4 poun.
der, belonging to the Mexican force, and a
4pound howitzer, belonging to Capt. kennedy.
They arrived at the rancho of bona Eslefana
1.-THE mother Of Cortinas) late in the afternoon,
which they found in the possession of about
twenty men, who. after one or two volIeys, re-
tired about two hundred yards above. These
proved to be the advanced guard of the
banditti.
After a few moments of deliberation, one of
two c%orrales (Which are horse pens built Of
high posts was selected for a camp, but
through some want of concert q portion got
into one and others in another. it was then
thought well to despatch the horsemen on u
scout around and through the potrero and
thence to the landing. to secure the boats, so
as to prevent the band from escaping to the
other side. Subsequently, a number of men
on foot were sent up the road to find aud if
possible dlslodge the enemy. The little how
'tzer went with them. They soon came to
where the road passed through a dense cha
parral, and they imprudently proceeded some
distance, when a heavy and general fire was
opened upon them from an enemy unseen and
nndlscoyerable. Finding the howitzer useless,
they sent it back and brought up the cannon,
in the hope that a few round shot thrown into
the, woods might dislodge the enemy. AT the
third fire it rebounded and fell off its 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 gun. yet were unble to remouut it,
nor could they persuade any of the men on
foot to come up and assist, so they were forced
to abandon it. By this time the rout became
general the mounted men had mostly lett. the
majority OF the infantry followed, and al last.
a lew who had remained with the little howit-
ger at the corral. finding themselves unaid,d.
and SO few in number that they were unable
TO put the howi'zer into the river, or to de-
.stroy the ammunition, as they desired. left
also. Antonio Espinosa and others. however,
were able to get it into the river af.erwuld,
bu. we learn that CortiGas has since got it ont.
There was miserably slight PREPARATION made
for the enterprise few had percussion cans for
more than four or five charges, many Of the
cartridges were found too large for The mus
kets, and at the close of 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 supplirs
OF ammunition had arrived during the FIGHT.
but it had not yet been made known TO Mir
Glavecke, who was charged with its distribu-
ton, and be went in great haste towards the
city for a resupply. The infantry, who had
fought most bravely in the midst of an ambus.
cade, being out of ammunition, were compplled
to retire.
Suffice it to say, that Cortinas has won a
victory, is in possession Of two very efficient
pieces OF artillery and all the ammunition be-
longing to them, Of a large key of rife pow
der, and some provisions which were on the
route when the fight took place. 1t is said
hal he has two men at the least killed. if nnt
more, while on our side four of the MEXICAN
force were wounded at their gun. bpt none
killed. One Of the men from Brownsville, a
Mexican, was badly wounded.
From what we can judge and divine from
the statements of those present, especially from,
the report of Lieut.. Col. Loranca and Mr.
Thompson. Cortinas had some $50 or 3OO
men. This is, however, conjecturaI. as others
estimate it far less. Few of the bandits were
seen at any one time, but as an old Tinted
States soldier observed, fifty men. hid as tlev
were. could have slamreded 500 in a road
guarding dismounted cannon. Cortinas viii
OF course be able now greatly 10 increase his
band, having artillery and the prestige Of vic.
tory to aid him.
We are now barricadinS onr streets and
preparing for an attack upon the town. which
we may expect night by night. For ten DAYS
past nearly every man has remained on The
watch all Or most Of the night. we are we'll
nigh worn out, but will persevere, lopinp fnr
the arrival of the promised rangers. IF there
are any friends of ours within ]stri;ine 1;s.
lance, we hope they will not fail to come -,
once to our relief.