Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1860-01-04
IaiesI News from The Rio Crandel
Eight baiween y, 8 Troops. Texas Volunteers
and Cortnas Party,

Fight between U, o Troops. Texas Volunteers
and cerlinaa Party
Capt. A. &, I'M. Of the hly Company, reached
austin on the 9th Dec, ha ling LEFT Brownsville on
the lslh inst.
lie informs us that fight took place on the 18th
inst between the IT, 5. Troops and Volunteers under
Capt. TObin, and Corinas men. The volunteers
numbered about 1870 men, and the regulars, two
companies Of infantry aud one Of dregOons making
IN all about 260 men,
Ihis.party set out under the command Of Major
lieinisleman, and reached the old quarters OF Cor.
mas just before day-break Of the 10Th They found
1t vacated, and on sending out Capt Hills spy COM
pany, il was found that he had moved three miles
higherup On reaching this point, the advance guard
Of Coripas was discovered
Orders having been given for the mounted eOmpa-
MES TO proceed on foot with the Infantry, the whole
body marched with the Artillery upon the enemy
The lattcr gave way and fell back to the main body
Of Cortinas Our men followed them within few
hundred yards OF their eneampment The enemy
opened fire with their Artillery, This promptly
returned with the two howizers, which poured into
their camp plentiful supply of shells, The enemy
Ia the midst Of our fire, marched up Ia near the lines
in bold aud fearless manner, crying out "GriRgoe
Pira CoriRGs!' During this interval, one OF our
officers WINS stationed with spy-glass up tree, d.
reeting where to throw the shells most effectively
After 20 rounds Of shells had been thrown into the
camp, orders were given by Major lleintIleman to
had already been made, but the men ordered to
keep their fire for close work, On making the charge
the Mexcans fell back again, but before reaching
camp they again rallied, aud opened their fire upon
our men. The latter continued their charge and the
enemy gave way, and retreaed TO their barricades
Here cur men attacked them and drove them out
They continued their flight. scattering to the right
and left in the dense chappara in the direction of the
road.
Our men then returned to obtain their horses left
behind aud pursued the enemy with the intention OF
capturing their cannon.
Our meu ran them for some three miles, having
short engagements with them. They finally made a
desperate stand and in the struggle, one American
named David Herman Of San Antonio, was killed.
They coon disappeared in the Chappara', carrying
their wounded with them md hid their cannon
Major lTeinem' n finally encampcd for the night a
short distance above the battle-ground. rain fell
during the night and it continued raining the next
morning. During the whole of these actions, Corti-
was absent with 200 men, expedition TO in
tercept Capt. Ford and hs men. The latter, howev-
er, took sufficient prccaution to avoid falling into the
trap set for him. and pushed for the battle, the
noise of which he had heard on his march to Browns
ville lie used every dispatch and reached camp
only one hour after the fight had taken place
In the morning of the 10Th, the bugle of Cortnas
was heard in the chaparal, rs though sounding n
charge. Our men formed for battle, expecting the
attack te be made. The enemy failing to up,
Capt. Hill was sent out with his spy company to as
certain their position, but the Mexcans conld not
be found in the Chapparal.
Orders were then given to proceed to Brownsville
Capt. Hill taking the advance position, to give notice
of any attempt of the enemy to occupy their old
posts.
On reconnotering the battlefield. eight Mexcans
found dead the ground and there is no doubt
that the shells from cannon entirely scattered the
bodies of several Mexicans.
There was but one Texan killed, two slightly
wounded, and two regulars.
These were safely brought to Brownsville, and the
wounded are in n fair way of recovery.
About the time of the departure of Capt Hill for
AUSTIN information received that an attack was
conserted by Cortinas against Point Isabel. Capt
Toid seni Cupt Tobin down to protect that place
against any attack that might be made. The spies Of
Cortinas are lowering about the country.
We arc glad to learn that Col CaravajNl is doing
all he on the Mexican side to put Cortinas down,
and has captured his Secretary.