New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-02-17
later from the 1sfo Grantlc Frontier.
rHs BATTLE on MEXICAN son.

II By The steamship Indianola we received yester
day evening copy Of The Brownsville Flag Of the
9th Inst. Nothing of Importance had transpired
| since The date Of our former adyices. The Flag
says:
lieutenant Ramsey, IL s. A., Of Capt. Stone.
mans command, came in last evening, bringing
along as evidence that scouting companies are
needed at this Time one of Cortna's men, whom he
| captured at Las Rusias, where Capt Stoneman is
at present encamped.
Important information was received here yester-
Day. which we are not privileged TO make public.
All we can say Is, that the fruit is fast ripening
that, too on The parent stem.
The Flag furnishes the following particulars Of
the battle which took place between the Rangers
and Gertina's force on the 4th inst. III Mexico. II
consequence Of the latter attacking the steamer
Ranchero;
Since the fight at the Bolsa. Major Tob;n ana
Capt Tomlnson, with their Companies, arrived ia
the CITY; subsequently Col. Ford and Capt. Little
ION, With their commands in company with the AZ
lacked steamer, returned and reported themselves
AZ headquarters. From various sources We have
peen able TO garner up the following particulars
with reference to the fight:
The enemy hredlupon the steamboat at or near
the Bolsa they also fred upon the advanced guard
Of Capt. Tomlinson all of which was from the
other bank. About the same time, or a little be-
fpres the baggage wagons of Ford s and Ittletons
commands arrived; the guard III charge Of them
encountered party Of some twenty-five Mexicans
en- thls side of the river and drove them across
meantime, Major T0mlinson arrived, and conducted
party Of men to this bank. The firing from the
Mexican side was brisk; and Fountain s. Wood
run was mortally wounded. Ford and Iitteton
were below making reconnaissance. Litteton
came up first and message was sent to inform
Ford of whatha happened. When he came he de-
cided ut once to cross. He asked and procured the
cooperation of Major Tobin and Capt. Tomlinson.
Eorty-nine men, all told, crossed over Tobin and
pickets. The enemy were posted behind strong
picket fence. Their cavalry numbering about fifty,
were drawn up In their sight.
E When Ford came up within quarter of a mile
Of the Mexieans he formed his line Of battle OPP
posed to thatof the enemy faced to the right and
moved to the right. By this maneuyer the bank
of the river was gained and admirable position
secured to fight from The Mexicans opened the
engagement by pouring in d volley. The Rangers
gradually worked their way up the bank of the
river, and annoyed the Mexicans BY sharp and
well directed fire. When the firing had lasted ali
hour, Leutenants Pngh and Rogers with a small |
party Of mounted men moved up this side the river
and opened on the enemy left flank
The cavalry retreated, and Ford ordered a |
eharge, which was CALAMITY made The enemy |
fed, and the Rangers pursued about three quarters
Of q MIL, when night put an end to the fight. The
loss Of the enemy is thought to have been twenty
1--WE killed II is reported biz Mexican authority 10
have been sixty killed and wounded The Ranger |
loss was enc mortalIy wounded and two slightly. |
There we're horses, arms and other trophies taken
ID the field. We have been well assured that llad /
,ur men been mounted they could have annihilated
he whole force Of the enemy, which was not less |
han two hundred strong.
z Oar forces reerossed the river tie same night:
nut next day, Ford and Littleton with forty-eight
mounted men, went back, and there remained until |
ome time during the night ensuing, when Ford re- /
;eived an order from Maj. Heintzeiman, u S. a.. |
return to this side the latter having conferred
Nth the representatives of the Mexican authori-
lea. who had promised to guard the Ranchero |
gainst attack from the Mexican side; whereupon, /
.oi, Ford and Capt. Littleton, with their forty
light daring spirits. returned to this side.