Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-16


known in this region. 1t will be read with
interest for its vivid description Of events
on the way from New Orleans to Browns
VILE, and for its comments on the War in
the Southwest
BROWNSVILLE, TEKAs, Nov. II, 1888.
FHIEED LOOKwooD-uaving promised to
write you, betimes, from the Department
Of the south, I make my hrst attempt to
falaII the engagement from the hesdquar-
t,rs Of my regiment, now encsmped on the
lefs bank Of the Rio Grsnde, close by the
site OF old Fort Brown, and opposite the
Mexican town Of MatamOras. We have
come, as armed citizens Of the Union, to
occupy AID POsssss" our O'7R. To recover
the soil for which our elder brothers fought
and bled in the war with Mexico; to once
more unfurl the ensign Of the Republic
along this Southwest border, made historic
ground for aIl time by the battles Of PalO
Alto and Ressca de Ia Palma.
The main outlines Of our story you are
-a..,hsiasa alraadz veil aeousiBted With
ness may not be devoid Of Interest to you.
On the 22d Of October, General Banks
LEFT New Orleans with the % division of
the 18th army corps-Herron's old com
mand-under command of Major General
Dana, to which were added the 18th and
18th Maine regiments, and three Of the
corps d'Afrique. We had a furious storm
coming across the Gulf, lasting four days,
which not only scattered our feet, consist
ing Of seventeen steamers and number
Of eoasting sehooners, in all, seventeen
sail, but resulted in the loss Of the steamer
Union and four schooners, which went
down ct sea. But few lives were lost,
however and, on the afternoon Of No7em-
Der lst we saw the Texas coast, and soross
the bsT Of BRACES Santiago we made out
the Hight house. and the few straggling
buildings, Of Point Isabel.
On the following day a number Of our
light drsught steamers safely crossed the
bar snd landed q portion of our forces on
BRACES Island, which is separated from the
main land by the LggsEaG NddFs. Mean
time Colonel Bertrsm Of the 20th WiGcon-
sin volunteers had been sent down the
oOsst 10 watch the mouth Of the Rio
Graade. We found q feet Of over forty
sail lying of the little Mexican port Of
Bsgdsd-some flying the royal ensign Of
England, others the tri-color Of France
while here Rnd there were seen the flags
Ct every commercial nation in Europe.
When tits considered that full one half |
Of all the supplies, both Of muni- |
tons Of Wsr, manufactured goods, and |
medicines, which have been imported into |
the rebel States since the war began, have |
cone in by this channel, while three |
fourths Of the cotton has gone ont the same |
way, not only will the presence Of 90 many
craft BE explained, but the importance Of
this expedition which completely snnihi-
lates this rebel contraband trade will be 4
understood as well.
And when It is added that there are
thousands Of loyal men in Western Texas
whom this expedition will set in open de-
hance to the rebel rule, making it thus
certain that Texas will shortly return s
loyal State to the Union, it will thus be
seen that 3 great success has already
crowned our labors.
On tse third, Colonel Bertrsm, with two
companies Of cur rsgiment-20th Wiscon-
stE-succeeded in landing through the
breakers, in open ships bosts, on the
main land Of TexsF, st the mouth Of the
Rio 9rande.
Although We lost the steamer Nassau
and two small schooners which went to
pieces among the breakers on the bar, the
entire expedition was safely landed with
in three days, and our advance guard
pushed on ct onos TO this place, thirty-f4e
miles from the point Of debarkation. The
few hundred armed rebels who held Point
Isabel and this place, ss soon as they com.
prshended that we were determined on
landing, FASTENED ct once TO find that
"last ditch" for which they have hitherto
sought In vain. Query: Have not the
Oopperhesds Of Ohio found it2 We have
9 runor down this way that they have,
and that It Is in Csnsdal
The Copperheads, or rather reb. heads
! get 'em some how mixed up-I mean the
Confsd's, before leaving Brownsville burn
ed the Government barracks, and set fire
to some private buildings. Nor was this
all True to their ohivalric and noble
eharaster they bRaVely cut down the Gag
StsH on the fne parade ground, lest It
should once more support the stars and
striors. as u did before the rebellion
8roWnaAille Is town Of about four
sAe41eAo AnneoitsAtSi anu Dy iaf the most
important place in Western Texas. Over
In MatemOras al Is confusion. There are
two parties, the one IA TIE French interest
and the other in favor OF Juarez and free
dnm 6Eon foreign rule. Ii
Whsn something Of interest, like Micaw-
ber's fortune, Hturns up" expect to hear
from me Ggain. a
Inths mesnameI am very truly yours, [
a. B. PETTIB0NE. EIt
Major pQth Wisconsin Volunteers.