New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-02
AFFAIRs ON TIE RIO GRANDE.

The following h an extract from the official dispatch
sent from Brownsville, by Col. Ford, to the State
snthoriiGs, on the 10th ult.;
The command at Brazos Santiago was
reorgsnized and those desiring to do 20 were allowed
20 return home. Six companies were mustered INTO
the service for six moRths unless sooner discharged
They are commanded by Capts. Edwards, Redwood,
Waller, Powers Donley, and Tumlinson. These CON-
psnies the march to tbs place. AND VAL resGn
This vicinity tonight. The United States troops wll
II lie understood leave here tomorrow morning, snd
fhe Texas forces win take possession OF Fort Brown.
Lieut.. Powers is stationed at Brssos Santiago IN
4ommsnd Of sixty men. company Of infantry VIII
be REQUIRED TO garrison Fort Brown half company
iil be posted at Edinburg one company at Ringgold
SarrackI; half q company at Redmond Rancho, op-
bosite Guerrero, Mexico; one company will garrison
Fort Mcintosh; and it win be necessary 70 station de-
tschments Of points which cannot now be Indicated
il Mexico remains pacific In her policy toward u.s. and
indian forays cease, the number Of men may possloy
be reduced but whenever this hne is materially weak
sned, 1t simply invites attack. AT present, Demon
ttrstion Of some strength Is ind1sPensaoiy neCessy
Gen Zaagosa is en- route for Monterey At the head OF
eight thousand men, His reputed object TO put down
Gen. Vidaurri When he shall have arrived the tone
Of the Mexicans viii no longer be conciilatoy
From various points the Rio Grsnde, Neuces, ano
Fro authenticated reports of IndiaR depredaons had
reached Brownsville. Twentyseven persons were re.
ported killed many ranches plundered, large stocks OF
borses driven off and several women and children car
ned away. Companies of citizens had been in pursuit
and two skrmshes hsd taken place, resulting IN the
loss Of one Mexican, the killing Of one, and the
wounding Of two Indians. The depredators are re-
ported 70 consist Of Indians, Mexicans, and q few
white men. Immediately upon the receipt Of this in
formation from Brownsville Capt. Littleon was Or
6ered 70 pursue and il possible ehaktse the maraudo
Capt Nolan had previously left for RiDgsod barracks
sisw. They have been out nearly week, but no re-
bort from them has been received. The mounted men
win be kept In the field constantly.
IL probable company OF mounted mel VIII nave
L. all kn H.
Sr near Laredo and another TO be determined by cir
Ths ordnance, stores, and other public property now
b the line, should, by all means remain. They were
nianed here by military men, who conceived them
hecesssry. II they were 30 when Texas was in the
Onion, how much more 20 are they nowf The Mexi-
cans have never given up the idea OF reconquermg
Texas They believe It az manifest destiny that their
flag shall again In triumph from the banks Of the
Sabine TO the banks of the Rio Grande Strip this line
Of artillery of supplies of all proper means Of defense,
and you place the whole population OF this from
Ser e thei mercy o. any marauaing cn,ss VINO
IN military foresight; you, destroy confidence; IN
thort yon depopuae. The base Of operations for this
line Of command Is Brazos Santiago Through that
tort millions of dollars IN merchandise and bullion pass
annually. II has direct communication with Roma,
les miles by land. Depots, should, Of course, be
Established on this line. The idea OF estabIshinga
3epot at San Antonio nearly 4oO miee nom aii 'ne I'M
portsnt points frontier, ID absurd. No military
han would think Of it. In my Judgment all the arms,
hunitious ordnance, and public property now
here are more needed thie line than in any other
porta Of the State. What would be the use Of going
70 the cost of Transporting public property from thus
blaee TO San Antonio, when, in all human probability,
Il would have 70 be sent back almost imme dateiy IL
you'd be an Improbable expenditure Of money, de-
ructivs 70 the articles transported and what would be
Woree than all dangerous TO the peace and safety OF
this frontier. In my opinion, you adopt the policy
W the COMMISSIONER you may prepare TO meet the
cedne population on the banks Of the Nueces IN few
months and to reconquer or abandon this military de-
MISUNDERSTANDING from the Rio Grande to the
Eueces 1t il not the true interest Of the country 10
make war on Mexico now and may not be hereaferi
vet that Is pro,f Of what may be the Mexican idea
Of the proper line Of conduct for that nation TO pursue
She may make war and have no doubt she will, If
she deems success at all probable. They Che Men
Sans cling to the iusive notion that they would have
aained all the battles in the war with the United
Staes had their officers not been bribed by American
bold.