The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-20
A STRANGE STORY FROM THE RIO
GRANDE.

We have strange and startling story from the
Rio Grande by way OF New Orleans and Cairo.
II would doubtless be interesting as well, ii we
had the particulars in Al intelIigible form. The
salient points, however, would seem to be this -
On the 9th instant, the French army advanced
from Bagdad to attack the Juarst force under
General Cortnas at Matamoras. At a place
called White Rancho, Cortnas met the enemy
and gave him battle The result, according {,
the narrator who Is sergeant OF the 81 It Illinois
Regiment, stationed at BTaZDs, was a victory for
the Juarist force.
The French fell back some distance 70 a more
defensible position, and a. this point, while Cor
tinas was giving them ia tic second time,
Colonel Ford, the Rebel commander az Browns
ville crossed the Rio Graude, attacked the JaureZ
troops in the rear, butts the story gDes-nO.
wthstanding the Oddsthus gained by him G lrtnas
. drove the French behind their intrenchmentS
turned upon the Rebel assailant in his rear ami
compelled Ford and his men 10 retire.
At this junCture, the 0lst Illinois were m lrchud
up TO the scene OF action, Jnan BrlzOs, aul I've
presume Ford had escaped across the Rio Grlnde
by this time) joined in the pursuit Of the Rebels
driving them live miles. The portion Of CortulI
army not engaged in this pursuit is said 70 have
turned q third time on the French army, cJmpel-
ling its further retrua'.
Cortinas ultimately concluded that it would be
safer for him to cross the river into Texas with
: his remaining force, This he did, taking with
him five hundred men, and encamping on the
night of the 9Th by the side OF the United States
troops. On the Sih, another body OF Juarist
troops, five bundled -tr0ng likewise crossed into
Texas, and the united force the same day at
tackled Ford az Brownsville, cOmpc.l.uE him 20
seek safety in flight n Is said C0rtinls pursued
him on the 9tb % ECsa de Ia Palma 6It with
what result is not reported.
The real story we take 20 be, that COrtinas who.
though formerly belonging 10 the most irregular
order OF Mexican Troopers, is now military Cover.
nor Of the State OfIamaulipas andA full General
in the Mexican army, was really unable o. defend
MatamOras, and took refuge in the neutral ground
!. over the river. lt is probable that, the Gallo
Mexican army was supplied with cattle and other
provisioning by the Rebels az and around
Brownsville. COrinas In resreatiug before the
French, came upon some squad Of Forls men,
engaged in Transporting supplies TO the French
fought them, drove them across the river and
finding it eXpedient for himself likewise 10 cake
refuge in Texas, continued his pursuit TO Browns
vile and beyond, as the Illinois Sergeant reports.
Until additional particulars Of these singular
events are received, IL wOuldbe needless to specu-
late as TO any complication OF political or inter-
national character, which some have tangied
might arise out Of them. From our present view,
Iwonld appear most likely, that if complications
should really arse, they would grow OUT Of what
IL threatened by the future action of COrtinls,
laiher thau out Of anything that has actually
taken place We can imagine for instance, the
possibility Of the Rebel Ford's rerro,sing the