Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-03
rpnM THE RIO GRANnE

The New Orleans Pcayune of the 9th instant, con.
tains the latest intelligence from the Rio Grande
The dates from Brownsville to the 2lst instant at
which time and for several weeks previously il had been
unusually quiet in that vicinity.
On Wednesday the 18th inst, the authorities Of Mata-
moras sent out force for the capture Of Corna and
requested the cooperation OF the American forces FOR
this purpose companies OF Texas Rangers, under
Capt Ford and Lieut.. Pugh with the two companies OF
United States cavalry under Capt Stoneman and Lieut.
Kmmel crossed the Rio Grande in the night of the 10th
about thrtyfye miles above Brownsville, and proceeded
to the place they informed they would ind the
emp OF Corna The particulars OF the expedition are
Is stated in the Brownsville Flag:
"On the night of the 18TH the officers in command OF
the American forces having previously received official
information from the officer in command at Matamoras
that Corna was the Rancho de la Mesa, with consi-
derabe force crossed and marched towards that
rancho. When they had arrived within ball mile they
surprised a picket guard, who Immediately gave the
alarm Several shots we're exchanged and two persons
wounded-one Mexican soldier the other woman
who trying TO shut door, out of which Mexican
officer shooting at our cavalry-beore 1t was dis
covered that the surprised party claimed TO be Mexican
National Guards upon which the firing Immediately
ceased.
"When our forces were at breakfast, very near the
rancho body of about one hundred and fifty Mexicans,
horse and foot made their appearance and desired con-
ference which, being granted they stated that they were
Mexican National Guards and in search of Cortna, but
and that the party surprised part of their own
force guarding their baggage and concluded by request
ing officers to take further action in the matter
till they could communicate with the authorities at Mata-
moras which forces did not inclined TO do re-
plying that they pursuing Cortna and should adopt
such to take him circumstances might seem
to require 1t subsequently learned that these Ma
tonal Guards had been watching forces during the
previous day and night and the conviction that they
only prevented from attacking troops through fear is
very strong. Although they denied all knowledge OF
Cortinas Whereabouts, the and boy at the rar
chO assert that he there when the alarm given
and officers convinced that their statements are
true and believe that he escaped when the alarm was
| first given.
Our forces are encamped on the other side, about
hirtyfve miles above this city, and intend to remain in
Mexico till they take Corna ordered back Major
eintzelman, with his usual promptness has dispatched
a company Of artillery with long twelve and twenty
four pound howzer TO that vicinity to be in readiness
should their services be required.
"The statements of the MeXicans agree in the main,
with those OF our own forces. They state that they
we're ordered to cooperate with the Americans and
in pursuit of Cortina but that troops, by taking
different road unfortunately fell in with their baggage
| guard. We are informed, however, that some OF the
officers of the Mexican National Guard intimate with
Cortna aud frequently pay friendly visits TO his camp
1t would be surprising if this should be ascerained
TO be the case in the present instance Although we
have every reason to believe that the Government Of
Tamaupas is anxious to be rid of Cortina, have no
idea that they compel the sodiery to fight him."