Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-12-29
LATEST NEWS FROM THE soUTg.


We have later and interesting news from the
South, which we subjon:
TBc Attack on Matamoras-A Dcspc.
rate Fight -Bsrricades-E Explosion
OF a Wine, etc, etc, ..
The telegraph briefly mentioned a few daya
ago that the Mexicaus, at Matamorla, had got
up fight among themselves, not "a very uuusu.
| al thing for them, however. From the datails
which have since como to hand 1t seems to have
been quite severe engagement. Tho follow
ing are the particulars:
From the Brownsville (Texas) Flag, Nov. 81
Gen. Caravajal, as our readers will remem.
Der, appeared In front OF Matamoras at the
head of the State troops, on "Wednesday, the
10Th inst and the people of the town at once
raieed the black flag, with an inscription upon 1t
that no communication would be held With the
asslilants. ,Carsvajal then pitched his camp az
farm about five miles from Matsmurap, aud
set about perlecting his plan Of attack, and
drilling and armiuR hia fososs, ------
On Fridey,Gen. Garcia, who WAS supposed tC
be at Tampco, suddenly marched into Ma:amo,
ras at the head of q troop variousy estimated
at from one hundred and fifty to six hundred
cavalry. His presence seemed to infuse conf
dence at once, for the population which was fly
w tblb olhO W tht tlFGTs AZ uUCb EGL DACK
MatGmoras, and the people in the city began
fortilyng the city in the most secure manner,
Bsrricades were built across the streets lead
iug out of the main plaza, or public square, and
forts were hastily thrown up at many places
three or four equares from the main plaza.
In the meantime the preliminary measures
Of communicating with the foreign cuusuls
aud of warning the foreign residents, were
duly observed. In this connection, We under
stand that at one time Gen. Caravaal declared
that he would not be responsible for the lives
or properties of foreigners remaining in the
town; but remonstrances made from cur au-
thorlties, who were appealed to 10 the matter.
produced an alteration in this respect, and for
eigners were required to make signale to sigpi-
iy their property, and it would be respected.
These necessary details being consummnted.
on Wednesday morning the attack commenced
CarsvSjal having moved his camp nearer to
town. The attack was commenced with a cav
airy charge upon the upper end of the city, in
the neighborhood Of the cemetery, the assault
ing column being led by Commanders Pepa,
Albsette and Msnso. Citizens of Brownsville
who heard the assault state that Il sounded as
if three thousand muskets had exploded st
once In the midst OF this terrible rattle of
musketry, the advancing column shouted with
enthusiastic gusto, "Viva Penal" "Viva Tri-
vino!' "Viva Carsvajalm The response OF the
citizens of Matamoras rolled back over the
roar of battle, "Vivs Garcia!' "VivA Coois-
trRr" "Desth to the Traitors!'
In the meantime the ferries leading from
Brownsville to MatamOras we're put under mil
itary surveillance, and communication between
the right and left bank of the Rio Graude could
only be had by written passports from Lieut.
Colonel Buchel, of Fort Brown, and from the
authorities OF MatamoTas Sentinels were eta
TONED on the boats, and the line of commuDi-
cation was entirely broken, as the prudencs of
LeutenNnt-C Colonel Buche dictated that bnt
few Of our citizens should be permitted to min
gle in the unfortunate difficulty in progress
among our neighbors.
The attacking force, according to the neaere
details which we have been enabled 60 gather.
made great headway toward the main plaza, at
the outset, driving the enemy before them up
to within three squares OF the public plazs -
The time was then occupied until daylight In
selecting positions and bringing up the reserves
for the onset of the morning. However, there
was continuous roar Of musketry ailsthe time,
the two parties having stationed skirmishers
and observers at different points on the roofs Of
the houses.
Our people assembled in the greatest excite
mentS huu III tue largest mulutuoe3 on the river
bank, slraning their eyes out to catch a sight of
the flashes of musketry, and bending their ears
to hear the roar Of firearms aud the shooting of
the different parties. Conjecture ran wild with
the number of the warriors, with the inten-
tions of the assaiants, aud the determination of
the defenders. Parties took sides at once, and
bets we're 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 to the tops Of trees, to catch glance
of the exciting tragedy being played to the
shouting actors 10 our neighboring city.
Gen, CaravajAl, in HE frstentry into tho city,
hailed some OF our citizens on the Texas sido Of
the river, at Freeport, and informed them that
he intended to take the town or die in the at
tempt-that he had an adequate force already
In action, and that he had fourteen hundred
fresh men In reserve. Aud to tell the truth,
his force seemed interminable as Il deployed
through the by-paths into full view on the river
bank. fI
r The Roios (Caravsjal's party) commenced
forward movement at an early hour after day
light, and in short time the force inside
tLo otk nan, nIv hnl.- -.