New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-03
TEE REOCCUPATION OF THE RHO
GRANDE.

The landing Of a United States force at the mouth
Of tho Rio Grande, and the occupation Of The In
portant positions Of Point Isabel ard Brownsville
after an abandonment of nearly three years, form
an ers in the history of the war. The movement If
of the gravcst importance, whether considered N
its relation TO the Rebellion itself, TO tho changed
condition Of Mexico, or 10 the possible ombarfass
ments which NAV result from IL in the conduct Of
our diplomatic relations with France. We PROPOSE
chiefly to consider the character and importance o.
the country which We have reoccupied, and its re-
latior TO tho North-Easte States of Mexico.
THE TOPOGRAPHY OF TIE GULF COAST.
The water on the whole Of the Gulf Coast from
New-Oreens TO Tampco is extremely shallow, and
affords but few even passable harbors-none OF the
Grst-class. From New-OIleans 10 Arsnsas Pass VIC
find those of Sabine, Galveston, and Passo Cayallo
the entrance TO Ma,agords Bay. From Arkansas
Pass 70 Tampco, distance Of 400 miles, the only
harbor of any kind is that Of Brazos Santiago, OF
Point Isabel At the mouth Of the Rio Grande
there is no harbor worthy Of the name. The water
on the bar varies from two and half TO six feet In
depth-neyer exceeding the latter and rarely ovel
four feet Sailing vessels can only cross it In tow
Of steamers. During the season OF northers IL ID
extremely hazardous for vessels even TO lay of the
bar ON account of its uncertain and shifting charac
ter. This bar can hardly be improved, being formed
BIZ foundations from tho sea, and not from the do
posts OF the river.
DRAzos SANTIAGO TIE HARBOa OF MATAMoRoS
AND BROWNSVILLE.
rha hav do a carp Atuiy
Of the topography Of the Rio Grande country, Oh
those who have had direct interest In that quar-
ter. 1t may not be generally known that Matamoros
and Brownsville which faco each other from the
Mexican and United States banks Of the great hVer
are at considerable distance by the nver rom it'
mouth The course of the river as 1t nears tho sea
ia extremely tortuous, and tho two towns, which
ara not more than 90 miles from the Boca del Rio
or mouth of the river, by an air line, and 80 miles
by the river road which leads by short cuts across
the larger bends, arc 70 miles distant from TIC
mouth by the course Of tho stream.
Owing to thin in part, but chiefly TO the danger
Gus nature Of tho Rio Grsnde bar, the harbor o.
Brazos Santiago, nine miles north OF the mouth
OF the Rio Grande, Is practically the harboi
Of Matamoros and Brownsville, and the point by
which all the exports ard imports Of the ferto val
lev Of the Rio Grande, including the States o.
Tamaulpas, -Coahuila, and Nueyo Leon, with theil
rich mineral wealth, must psss. AS has been &c
marked, Tampico il tho nearest Mexican harbor
and is distant 240 miles, at the most southern POM
Of Tamaulipss The entrance to the harbor o
Brazos Santiago is between Padre Island 70 th'
north and Brazos Island TO tho south. Tie bar o
all times affords sufficient depth Of water for YES
sells drawing eight and frequently for those drawing
nine feet. The United States Engineer charged
with the survey Of this point in 1854 reported tha
by regular system Of dredging similar TO that II
use at the mouth Of the Mississippi, twelve ice
coud be kept at all times. The bar itself Is q rdg
Of loose sand. To the northwest from the pass
Point label, bluff about 26 feot above low-wate
marx, On which, as the only place securo from TN
overflow, arc built the lighthouse, the custom
house, tho wharves and warehouses. Previous u
the American occupation of the country, Point lisa
| bel was the port of entry for Natamoro', and tn
Mexican Custorn-House was here stationed
sine, tho Mexican war the greater part OF the for
eign trade Of the upper and lower valley OF the HI
Grande has been carried on through this point.
From Point Isabel to Brownsville the distance
shorter than by the river road from the mouth
the Rio Grandc, not exceeding 26 miles BY the roa
and 20 by air line.
The harbor Ia safe except In the most violen
NoJtbers. and although vessels drawing above d.