The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-22
Fort Brown.

This fort situated on the Rio Grsnde. oppo-
site Metamoras. which has suddenly become an
object ofdeep interest throughout the country,
is described as follows by the New York Com
mercial Advertiser:
The American army Of occupation under
Gen. Taylor arrived opposite Metamoras, ON
the Rio Grande. between II and ~ O'Clock On
the morning ofthe 18th Of March, 1876, and
eight days afserward, where bad previously
been erected . staff for the ensign. the Srtih-
cations OF Fort Brown were commenced. This
extraordinary military defense Is an earth.work
OF immense sine, having sl1 bastions, and 10
capable OF comfortably accommodating Ave or
six regiments.
The fort was planned or carried out with .
most extraordinary expedition, under the SUI
peryision Of then captain, now Major Mans
field. Approaching II from Point Isabel, tho
American side, you preceive the tops OF the
highest houses ut Metamoras, which Is on tho
opposite side Of the Rio Grande river The
situation Of the fort Is on point formed by
the remarkable and numerous bends OF the
river, consequently It Is actually surrounded
by Mexican territory, rs ut the time II was
occupied by Major Brown, the sea shore oppo-
site was one continued line Of forts and con-
nectcd batteries.
At this time Fort Brown stood q siege which
has no parallel in history. Por many days
some six forts, commanding oil the sides, front
and rear, poured into the fort, sho, and she'll (;
ss the very heavens were illuminated by the
fuses OF the destructive missiles. There were
no bomb-proot chambers II was simply an
open enclosure Of perhaps m acre Of ground.
The small number Of men len for Its defense
under Major Brown was It's protection Ia hint.
perhaps, suggesting comfort to our soldiers In
Fort Pckens and sumpter) for there were not
many people to be killed, and rs our soldiers
had no powder or balls to reply with. all they
hal TO do was to look out for their safety.
To accomplish this, the men dug what they
called "gopher holes," the sentinels on tho
walls Of the fort, as they noticed flash. wo'd
cry out from which battery might be expected
n she'll, and The men on the moment would run
into the gopher hole that protected them from
the battery named by the sentinel. Sometimes.
the Mexican shots were 10 rapid, and tho
weather was SO warm. from the LIST to the sth
Of May, tina. our soldiers, with seaniy food,
were almost worn out, running from one pro-
lection. gropher-hole. or bomb-proof chamber
to another. In this long attack Of eight days,
bat one soldier was killed; Major Brown was
wounded In the thigh by splinter, which
would consequently, owing to the excessive
heat, gangrencd and killed him, and the bravo
hero was buried at the foot Of the flagstaff 10
80 noble defended.
Since the time Of the events referred to. ma
ny changes have taken place to strengthen
Fort Brown, and n large town has grown MP
in It's vicinity. Lieut.. Hill. who Is now IN
command, says he win maintain II against tbs
assaults of,-we are now panied TO write, the
traitor McCulloch. We believe that Lieut. Hill
will do what he says he will ; II the fort Is
assaulted the spirit Of the gallant Maj. Brown
will cry out from his grave for Lieut. Hill not
to ANONYMOUSLY tear down that aag which he
30 gloriously defended against such odds.