The Yazoo Democrat. [volume] (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1858-18??, 1860-02-18
NEWS FROM BROWNSVILLE

STARTLING NEWS FROM BROWNSVILLE.
Steamer Ranc7sero AHached--Ihe Rio
Grande Crossed by Rangers--Batte
Fought on Mcrican Soil.
Under this exciting head, the American
Flag, extra, of the 9th inst, records the
latest events on the frontier, of which we
have already had brief mention, by tele-
graph:
Late last night two couricrs, 7. N, Stray.
horn and Nat White, arrived from the steam
er Ranchero, with dispatches for Major Heint-
zelman, u. S. A., from Col. Ford, command
ing the Rangers, and Lieut.. Langdon, U. S.
A., and letter to Capt. Kennedy, from
Edward Downey, Esq, written at the instance
of Capt. Martin, of the Ranchero, which con.
tain the startling information that the
steamer was attacked at place called the
Balsa, thirty six miles above this city, at 2
o'clock yesterday, by Mexicans from the
Mexican side of the Rio Grande at which
none have been surprised, since it was known
that the Ranchero had valuable freight
and unprepared to withstand an attack from
any considerable force.
Col. Ford and Capt Littleton, who left
this place with their companies on Thursday
last; arrived opposite the steamer almost at
the instant of the attack, where they met
Major Tobin and Capt. Tomliuson, with
their forces; who had been the means, says
Mr.. Downey in his letter, of protecting the
boat on her trip down from the Rio Grande
City. Shots were exchanged between the
rangers and Mexicans, during which, Col.
Ford says, Gone of my men was MORALLY
wounded" and finding that the steamer
could not be protected otherwise, he says
II have determined to cross the river"
From Mr.. Strayhorn, of Ford's command
we have obtained the following condense:
statement which we regard as altogether re
liable:
Upon the landing of the Rangers on thu
left bank of the river, who had been com
PEELED to cross under fire from the enemy
severe conflict ensued the Rangers slow
ly advancing, until the enemy made stant
about three fourths of mile above the boat
on the bank OF the river, at which place al
active engagement took place and laste'
without intermission for three quarters 0
an hour. During which time messenge
arrived and called to the guard on this sid
for an immediate supply of Shapes riff
cartridges, which were Immediately crosse
over to him in the steamers small boat; h
also brought dispatch from Col. Ford, di
recting the steamer to ascend the river fc
the purpose of bringing her cannon to bea
upon the enemy, who, the courier said, wa
strongly "forted up" near the river banl
A few minutes before the courier left the fl
ling ceased from what cause is unknown
but we suspect Col. Ford had fallen back
await the arrival of the steamer with ii
cannon.
Since the receipt of this information Il
most intense excitement has prevailed G
both sides of the river, and the war feelir
has been raised to higher pitch than eve
We are assured that the authorities Of Ma
! amoros have sent out, since eleven o'clot
last night, two or three armed parties
whilst Col. Lockridge, who was upon I'll
eve of departure for New Orleans, feelir
that his services might be needed, start'
in company with some twenty-five more vt
: unteers, at o'clock p. NJ, to day up Il
, river; 50 that, from all appearances, Il
, ball is open and war has really CONNIE
= ced.
Robbery has followed robbery, murd
has followed murder, invasion has follow
invasion, perfdy has followed per6dy,
= such quick succession, during the past 70
If months, that our American population is
} state Of frenzed bewilderment, not kno'
n ing and little caring what curse is to fl
upon the Rio Grande valley.