The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-12-15
FROM T1xAa. :
19rH Iowa VoLuNrfxs IrrAKrrY. !
Department Of. the Gulf,
Brownsville Terms. Nov- 9ls126S


Department Of. the Gulf,
Brownsville, Te1as, Nov. 81, 1853.
Dear Gate. The Texan Expedition Of
Gen. Banks may now be considered .
success in Southwestern Texas, and to- o-day
our troops have possession Of the coas.
with its ports for q ahandred miles, and the
Rio Grande With its commerce is under
our control. Our landing and taking
possession 6f the Islsnd Of Bnzos and
Point Isabel is an epoch in the era OF
this rebellion which they four enemy
had not anticipated. Major Bruce with
his regiment marching into an ensmy's
country, overcoming every obstacle, is
worthy Of mention. The United States
troops becoming possessors Of Browns
vile has put check upon the trade which
for the past two years has been extensive
ly carried on between the rebels and more
than one foreign nation. Thirty vessels
from various parts of the world are now
lying near the mouth Of the Rio Graude
awaiting cargoes which no doubt were
originally from this State. In fact, books
and papers have been found which prove
that an extensive business has been car
ried on 1t these points for the past two
years. in large shipments of cotton, and
receiving such things as were necessary
to carry on this rebellion. :.
On our landing At B.azos Island three
miniatures were found, one of Captain
Semmes Of the Alabama, one of a former
wealthy citizen of New Orleans, bnt who
at the commencement of the rebellion
had joined the marine service Of the
South. They were recognized By seve-
raj officers of our fleet. who had been in
timately acquainted with both The other
was the likeness of young girl. These
pictures were quite new and could not
have been left in the condition in which
they were found any great length of time.
From this it would appear that the rebel
pirates have visited this place from time
to time to see their now unfortunate
neighbors and to look after their interests.
AT 4 fsherman's hut, on this same
island, was found couple of cavalry
sabres. The FIRE was burning and meal
of victuals freshly cooked was upon the
table, having been left but short time.
The Government store houses which
had been buTit during the war with Mex
leo, and were very extensive, had all
been destroyed by the rebels at Point
1sabell. The lighthouse remains unin-
jured. and near i, are quite number of
dwellings, but we're deserted at our ap-
proach. and the same may be said of all
rebel dwellings along the road to Browns
vile, all of which seemed to have been
deserted at short notice, leaving furniture,
clothing, provisions. and in some places,
the cofee-pot was left on the hot embers,
and cooked victuals on the table and in
the cupboard, and many > soldier-boy
found fruits and preserves to suit his fas-
tidious taste. In hasty view of Browns
vile, found it much such a city as l
had e1pected-situated in one of the
bends of the Rio Grande, 60 miles from
its mouth and s5 from Point IsabeIl.-
The dwellings, with bat few exceptions,
are quite small, many rooted with thatched
straw and palm, and l see quite number
made entirely of cane, with the exception
Of the four corner posts. and plate upon
them. Some of these have been plastered
with mud-but Mexican needs but few
Injuries, and little cabin and the small
est number of articles possible to be got
along with, il all that is necessary for his
home comforts. There are, however, sew
eral fina residences, store and ware
houses. Many buildings, and BY far the
finest portion Of the place. we're destroyed
BY the rebels. In the centre of the
square is liberty pole, around which an
enclosure ofsome 80 feet squareis fenced
BY paling, in which lie the officers Of the
Ringgoid Battery, who we're killed near
this plaoe during the war with Mexico.
Each grave is covered by masonry and
inscribed.
Fort Brown, some half mile below the
city, was oncs formidable work Of de-
fence, but is now . ruin, except the earth
works.
The inhabitants Of this portion Of the
country are, with but few exceptions, a
mixture Of the Spanish and Indian races,
resembling in color our more northern
Indian tribes. The men sport hats with
brims not less than three feet wide, aud
those who can afford them, buckskiu
breeches and : shawl of fine material and
fantaafi0 cO1orn The rnornp n1asa ~nn.