Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-24
TIE TROUBLES ON THE RIO GRANnE.
TUE ATTACK on THE STEAMER NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
OF TIE SUBSEQUENT ArERAY

TUE ATTACK on THE STEAMER BANcHERo-PARrIcrLARs
OF THE SUBSEQUENT ARRAY.
An extra from the Office of the Brownsville Fac dated
the 9TH ns contains the following particulars OF the at
tack upon the steamer Ranchero the announcement of
which has already been telegaphed from New Orleans
Late last night two courers, T. y. Strayhorn and
Nat White arrived from the steamer Ka1chsro with
dispatches for Major Hezelmau, L. 5. A, from Col
Ford, commanding the Rangers and Lieut.. LlHgdOu L.
5. A, and letter TO Capt Kennedy from Edward Dow
ney, Esq written the instance OF Capt. Martin of the
Ruchero which contain the startling information that
/ the steamer attacked at a place called the Balsa
hiry-six miles above this city at O'Clock yesterday bv
MaHicsus from the Mexican side of the Rio Gmnde-oycr
which have been surprised since it Known that
the R1pchsr0 had valuable fire ght and uuprepared
TO withstand an attack from any considerable force.
Col Ford and Capt Littleon, who left this place with
their companies on Thursday last arrived opposite the
steamer amos, the instant of the attack where they
met Major Tobu and Capt TomluSon, with their forces
who hal been the means says Mr. Downey in his letter
O. protecting the boat her trip down from RIO Graule
CITY. Shots exchanged between the Rangers and
the Mexcaus during which, Col Ford SAYS one Of nv
men was MORALLY wounded and finding that the steam
er could be protected Otherwise he says, have de.
. termned 70 cross the river
Mr.. Stayhorn of Capt. For1's command, gives the
following additional particulars
upon the landing o: he Rangers the left bank of
the river who had been compelled TO cross under fire
from the enemy, conflict ensued the Ringers
slowly advancing, uutu the enemy maze stand about
tlree-iOUrhs Of q mile above the boat the bank of
the river at which place an active engagement took
place and lasted without inermssiOn for hree-quarter
OF an hour during which time messenger arrived and
called 20 the guard this side for immediate supply
OF Sharpes rifle cartridges which once crossed
TO him in the steamers small boat he also brought
a dispatch from Col Ford, directing the steamer to as
ceud the river for the purpose OF bringing her cannon 70
bear upon the enemy who the courier said were strong
Is 'iOrted up near the river bank few minutes be-
90 III
is unknown, but suspect Col Ford had fallen
back await the arrival Of the steamer with the cannon
Snce the receipt Of this information the intense
excitement has prevailed both sides of the river and
the feeling has been raised to higher pitch than
ever We assured that the authorizes of Matamo
have out since IL o'clock last night two or three
armed parties; whilst Col Lockrdge who was upon the
Of departure for New Orleans feeling that hrs serv
ces might be needed started in company with some
twenty-five more volunteers at . o'clock p D., to-day
up the river; that from all appearances the ball is
open and war has really commenced"
The purser of the Arizona which brought this news to
New Orleans informs the Delta that the 9Th inst an
express arrived Brownsville who stated that Cortnas
had again crossed to the American side of the river
followed by Ford and that he robbed the mail rider from
Rio Grande City of all the money he had and let him
pass The expressman also stated that Cornas was about
thirty miles above Brownsville with three hundred men,
By TELEGRAPH.1
New ORLEANS Friday, Feb. It.
Brownsville, Texas, advces to the 9th inst, are re-
ceived. Important unpublished disclosures had been
made as to the completely Of the Mexican authorities with
Cortnls which, it is believed, would decide the question
Of war.
IMPORTANT NEWS PROM CHIHUAHUA.
ST. LOUIS, Saturday Feb 10.
Mr.. McManus and Mr.. James P. Hickman, Americans,
who have just arrived in this city from chihuahua,
confirm the intelligence recently received by Major
Phelps of Washington They report a most deplorable
condition of affairs in the State Not only the Amer
but the entire foreign population, have been expe
ed from the country and their property confsclted The
State is now being overrun by considerable force Of
the Church party under Domingo Cozen united with
hundred desperadoes pardoned out Of prison by Mira
mon desperate battle had taken place on the plains
of Taamanty on the 18th. The Liberals defeated
with the los; Of ory-fye The authorities of the
capital in conjunction with the Americans had sent to
Fort Davis for United States troops but receiving
relief the Americans left the city, leaving million OF
dollars worth of properyto the merces of the robbers
Cozen at the head Of one thousand men, was marching