Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-12-14
THE cEvIL WAR N MEXICO.
.-ga'esssrr, .ss'a-kcs 6y CarrrajaE.


.fgafeessr9, .ESi@rEcs 6y Cay"raj@s.
y-an the Brownsville Flag
Gen. CaraYajal, as our readers viii remember
appeared in front Of Matamoras at the head Of
the State troops, on Wednesday, the 18th lust.
and the people of the town at once raised the
black flag, with an inscription upon 1t that nc
communication would be held with the assail-
ants. Carayaial then pitched his camp at a. farm
about five miles from Matamoras, and set about
perfectiug his plan 10 attack, and drilling and
arning his forces.
On Friday, Gen Garcia, who was supposed to
be in Tampico, suddenly marched into Mata-
moTas at the head Of a troop v~sriOusIy estimated
al from $50 TO 500 cavalry. His presence
seemed to inlUse confidence at once, for the pop
u~latiOn, which was flying 10 this side Of the
river, at once set back TO Matamoras, and the
people in tn city began certifying the city in
the most secure manner.
BarTicades were built across the streets lead
ing out Of the main plaza, or public square, and
forts were hastily thrown up at many places
three or four squares from the main plaza.
In the meantime the preliminary measures Of
Communicating with the foreign c~ousuls, and of
warning the foreign residents, were duly OBJ
served. In this connection, we understand that
at one time Gen. CsTvaial declared that be wOul {
not be responsible for the lives and properties of
foreigners remaining in the town; but TemOu-
~strauces made from our authorities, who were sp-
pealcd to in the matter, produced an alteration
in this respect, and foreigners were required to
make signal. to signify their property, and it
would be respected.
These necessary details being c-Onsummatef,
ON Wednesday morning the attack commenced,
Csrav8ial having moved his camp nearer to
town The assault was commenced with a live
ly charge upon the upper end Of the city, in the
ncighboTho0d Of the cemetery, the asssuiting
column being led by Commanders Peua, Aldrette,
and Mauso. Citizens OF Brownsville, who
heard the assault. state that it sounded rs II
three thousand muslets had all exploded at
once. Ia the midst of this terrible rattle of
musketry, the advancing column shouted with
enthusiastic gust0, Viva Peua ~ " Viva Iri-
vino o. Is. Viva CarayGialr" The response Of the
citizens Of Matamoras rolled back over the roar
Of pattle. Viva Garcia l' d" Viva Japistran ,'
Sc Death to the t@rait0Ts!'
Iu the meantime the ferries leading from
| Brownsville to MatamOras We're put under mill
tarv surveillance. aud communicate IN between
tine right and left bank of The Rio Graude could
only be had by written passports from Lieut.
Col. Buchel, of Fort Brown, and from the
authorities Of Matsmor8s. Sentinels were sta
toned on the boats, and the line Of cOmmUnics-
ton was entirely broken, and the prudence of
/ Lieut. Co. Buchel dictated that but few of our
citizens should be permitted to mingle in the
unfortunate difficulty in progress among our
neighbors.
The attacking force, according to the meager
details which we have been enabled to gather,
made great Roadway, toward the main plaza, at
the outset, driving the enemy before them up to
within three squares OF the public plaza. The
time was then occupied until Daylight in select
ing positions aud bringing up the reserves for
the onset OF the morning. However, there was
a continuous roar Of m~usketry all the time, the
two parties having stationed skirmisheTs and
observers at different points on the roofs of the
houses.
Our people assembled in the greatest excite
ment, and in the largest muititudes on the river
bank, sTaining their eyes to catch a sight Of the
flashes Of musketry and bending their ears to
hear the roar Of firearms and the shouting OF
the different parties. Conjecture ran wild with
the number of the warriors with the intention
of the ASSISTANTS, aud the determination OF the
defender. Parties took sides at once, and bets
were Offered and taken upon the defense and the
assault
As daylight broke upon the scene Of conflict
hundreds OF our citizens sought the tops OF
houses, lined the banks Of the river, and raised
themselves 20 the tops Of trees, to catch q glance
of the exciting tragedy being played 70 the
shouting actors in our neighboring city. The
greatest crowds were gathered IN front OF the
ferry and at F]reep0rt.
Gen. Caravsjais headquarters, on his first en-
try into the city of Matamorss. were made az "a
frame house Just opposite the IreepOrt ferry. At
this point his reserves Of cavalry were held in
readiness, and from their movements, It seemed
70 Us that they were moTnentsrily in expectation
0fau order TO charge.
Gen. CaravaIsl, IN bis first enry into the city,
hailed some Of our citizens on Tie Texas side OF
the river, at Freeport, aud informed Them that he
intended to take the town OF die iu the attempt
that he had an adequate force already in action,
-nd that he mad fourteen hundred fresh men Ia
reserve. And 20 tell the truth, his force seemed
interminable as It deployed through the by paths
INTO full Wow on the river bank
The Roios (~Carayaars party commenced a
forward movement at an early hour, after day
light, and ID q short time the force inside ct
the city was completely suTr0LHdtd, being
helnmad IN al the plaza. Baficades erected for
the defense OF the town were taken at the corner
known as AlbinO L0pez's store, and also IN front
Of the new theater. We understand that a small
piece Of artillery was captured at the first men,
toned bauicade.
The SIGHT continued, with va led success, from
daylight till almosi h~alfpast two o'clock yester-
day afternoon, when the cavalry force Of Gen.
Garcia sailed forth, and drove the assaiants
back toward the river. In this contest the de-
ArAAaaE LA HA- ADNA EANoh@fA aANA- e4AaN -.
throwing . fea L0mbahells in Caravsial's quar-
ters. opposite Freepart; and heving created
something of a confusion among the k0jos, ltey
made the successful sally. The contestants ap-
preached 50 near the river that their death-deal-
inc missiles fell upon our side Of the stream, ere
ating quite a stampede amongst the crowd as
semt.le5 en- the bank. Tie sally was short-lived
however, for the lines socn closed up again, aud
the Roios were left masters Of the situation 50
4--- L. -T--h-.F r1n frn-n rr-ra s.nFgHpnaI
The discharges Of mUsketry were incessant
during the day, but with cessatons ia their Ia
pidity at different intervals. Both psrties seemed
10 be deficient in artillery, As there were but few
+ Tsports Of cannon heard during the day.
Toward tho close of tie afternoon OF yesterday,
ii is said that q mine was exploded II que Of the
streets, doing considerable damage 10 the kQjos-
Immediately after a !eTge smoke was seen TO rise
from the town, which we believe to be the dwell
ing Of Nsidore Soles, which was hrcd by the Ro-
Jos for strategic reasons.
The consular tags are flying over the city in
every direction, and amO Q tho number we may
] notice that Of the United States. When our
( boys cav that, and when 1t was reported that q
party under Caravaial had raised Il, we all felt
I like fighting bgt Capt. Donelson rode down TO
the river bank and demanded on eEplsnauon
from an officer on the Mexican side who gtated
that it was the flag over the United States con
] sLldI ItSlucLCtS anu INA IA N@o ACSv5n-SN NH
the same ground that the Confederate flag was
respected.
Judge BigeiO~ late in the afternoon Of yes
terday, obtained q passport and visited the camp
of Caravaial, where be was well received.
The light Of the burning houses was visible
on our side Of the river at a late hour last night
1t is stated that considerable carnage has taken
place on both sides, and that the RojOs have ap-
piled to LieutenantC Colonel RGchel for privilege
to bring their wounded on this side Of tho Rio
Grande. Col. Buchel, Major Gray, and the
other officers Of Fort Brown have acted with the
greatest discretion during the continuance of the
/ fight, end so far no bad blood has been stirred
up ON our SIDE.
Both parties claim the chances of success at
the hour Of going to press.
A Coop ONE.-The Bowling Green cores
pondent Of the Nashville Banner is responsible
for the following
For something more agreeable, now let me tell
YOU how 2 brave lady reached this place from
! Louisville. Her hus5aul IS an officer in the
Confederate service here. The lady was anxious
70 ioin him. She wrote a polite note 70 the
Federal general, making known her desire ;
the general made no response. She wrote a sec
ond letter. but still received no answer. Not to
he deferred. she resolved 10 visit the generals
camp in person, and accordingly did SO. The
lady entered the camp, and the following scene
occurred;
Iady.-"This is General - / believe
GeneraL-"That is my name, madam.'