The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-10-03
The Fighting in Texas.

The Yankee papers contain some additional par
tculars of the state Of affairs that has arisen
III Texas. Cortinas, however, it now appears, has
not occupied Brownsville nor raised the Union
flag there. A letter in the New York Herald, writ
ten from Brazos Santiago on the 18th ultimo, says
1t is true, however, that the rebels evacuated the
town the 9th instant but returned after discover
ing that neither Mexican nor Union force occupied
it. From what can now learn two bodies Of Mexi-
can troops, however, crossed the Rio Grande into
Texas but not i'll sufficient force to attack the rebel
Ford, was at first intended. They have surIen-
dered to our forces under Major L. Noyes, of the
First Texas cavalry. The following the particu
lars:
information having been received by Colonel Day
that body OF Mexican troops at Palmetto
Rancho, some eight or ten miles from here, Major
Noyes was ordered to proceed there on the morning
of the sth and demand their unconditional surren-
der to the Government of the United States.
On arriving there, however, no Mexicans Were
found but MAJOR Noyes was informed that a force
of about two hundred and fifty, with infantry cav
airy and artillery, at Palo Alto, some eight
ten miles further. Proceeding to that point Major
Noyes met the Mexican force two miles from Palo
Alto. 1t was composed of two hundred and ten in-
fantry, forty cavalry and piece of artillery IA
six-pound nted gunl the latter In charge of six
tillerists.
Major Noyes demanded of the Mexican commander
surrender OF the entire force with then arms and
accoutrements, in the name OF the United States.
This was cheerfuily acceded TO.
hundred men, with two pieces OF artillery, were
hourly expected to cross the Rio Grande, also for
the purpose OF suTrenderlng to our troops, Major
Noyes waited their arrival, and about noon the fol-
lowing day they succeeded in crossing and, without
a muImur, aeeeded to the demand of Major Noyes
aud surrendered men and material without hesita-
tion
About O'Clock p NJ of the same day body of
troops from the direction of Brownsville were dis
covered advancing towards them in line of battle
They proved to be the rebels, under Colonel Ford
and, as he outnumbered our little force more than
Ave to one Major Noyes having only Union force
of one hundred and twenty-five men, the Mexieans
were called to resume their arms for their own
protection and preparations We're made to receive
the advancing rebels. In the meantime our piekets
We're driven i'll by the latter. Two lines of skir
mishers, under command OF Captains Sampson and
Temple were depioyed, and by them the advance
of the rebels was checked and after u lively skir-
mish the latter fell back under cover OF the woods
Major Noyes having now made every preparation
for resisting attack, recalled his skinishers and
formed in line Of battle. with the Mexeans in the
centre, Captain Sampson's company on the right
and Captain Temples on the left. The rebels adj
yanced and made several attempts TO outhank Major
Noyes but each time checkmated, the artillery
and musketry keeping up ncessant fire during the
whole time.
The enemy now determined, il possible to cap
ture the artillery and compel Il surrender by max
ing charge aud compelling our force to fall back to
the river, hoping to succeed by superior numbers,
but again and again they were repulsed, and finally
compelled to fall back with considerable loss.
Our position was held the whole Of the following
day, although the ammunition was becoming very
short; but during the night Major Noyes received u
fresh supply, and on the following morning he as
sumed the offensive and drove the enemy three miles
Orders were then received to return to Brazos San
tago.
1t is said that the Mexicans were without rati0ns
for three days previous to Major Noyess arrival and
their surrender to the United States.