The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-02-28
THE WAR ON THE TEXAS FRONTIER.

ICteOn1eT hQncheTO
scd BIZ the Texas Rangers-Bat1e fought Ont
Mertcan soil.
By the steamship Arizona we have important in
tellieence from the Rio Grande She brings It'd
ings of another engagement between the Texas
Rangers and the Mexican guerillas, under Cor
tinas, in which the latter were defeated. The
engagement took place on the 4th, on the Mexican
side of the river.
The steamer Ranchero, with valuable cargo of
merchandise was attacked on her way down to Rlo
Grande CITY, but she succeeded in reaching
Brownsville without sustaining any material dam
age.
An extra from the Office of the Brownsville Flag
dated the 9Th inst, contains the subjoined par
ticulars of the fight, and of the outrage upon the
steamer Ranchero:
Late last night, two couriers, T. n Strayhorn
and Nat White arrived from the steamer Ran
chero, with dispatches for Maj. Heitzelman, U. s.
A, from Col. Ford, commanding the Rangers, and
Lieut. Iangdon, u. S. A, and letter to Capt
Kennedy from Edward Downey, ESQ, written at the
instance of Capt Martin, Of the Ranchero, which
contains the startling information that the steamer
was attacked at place called the Balsa, thrty-six
miles above this city by Mexicans from the Mexican
side of the Rio Grande; over which none have been
surprised, since it was known that the Ranchero
had valuable freig ht and unprepared to
Withstand an attack from any considerable force.
Col. Ford and Capt. Lttleton, who left this
place with their companies on Thursday last, ar
rived opposite the steamer almost at the instant of
the attack, where they met Major Tobin and Capt
Tomlinson, with their forces who had been the
means says Mr. Convey in his letter, of protecting
the boat on her trip down from Rio Grande city.
Shots were exchanged between the Rangers and
the Mexicans, during which Col. Ford says, some
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 condensed statement
which we regard as altogether reliable:
Upon the landing Of the Rangers on the left
bank of the river, who had been compelled to cross
under fire from the enemy, a severe conflict en-
sued; the Rangers slowly advancing, until the
enemy made a stand about three fourths of mile
above the boat, the bank of the river, at which
place active engagement took place, and lasted
without ntermssion for three-quarters of an hour,
during which time messenger arrived and called
to the guard on this side for an immediate supply
of Sharpes rife cartridges which were at once
crossed over to him in the steamers mall-boat; he
also brought despatch from Col. Ford, directing
the steamer to ascend the river for the purpose of
bringing her cannon to bear upon the enemy, who,
the courier said, were strongly ''forted up near
the river bank A few minutes before the courier
left, the firing had ceased; from what cause is
known but suspect Col Ford had fallen back
to await the arrival of the steamer with the
Since tie receipt of this i frmation the most in
tense excitement has prevailed on both sides of
the river, and the feeling has been raised to
higher pitch than ever. We assured that the
authorities of Matamoras have sent out, since eleven
o'clock last night, Two or three armed parties;
whilst Col. I4ockridge who upon the eve of
departure for New Orleans. feeling that his services
mi ght be needed, started in company with some
twenty FIVE more volunteers, at o'clock p. m, to-
day. up the river; so that, from all appearances the
ball is open and war has really commenced.
Robbery; murder has followed murder, invasion
has followed invasion, perfdity has followed per-
fdity, in such quick succession during the past
four months, that our American population is in
state of frenzied bewilderment; not knowing and
little caring what curse is to fall upon the Rio
Grande Valley.
LATER NEws-The purser of the Arizona states
that on the 9TH instant an express arrived at
Brownsville, who stated that Cortnas had again
crossed to the American side of the river, fol-
lowed by Ford; and that he robbed the mail rider
from Rio Grande City of all the money he had,
and let him pass The express man also stated
That Cortinas about thirty miles above Browns
vile with three hundred men.
A II