Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-11-29
The Siege of MatamOrns-Fartic.
uiars of the Attempted Surprise
of the Imperial FOrts-Courage
and Spirit Of the Liberals.
Correspondence of the New Orleans Times.l

Correspondence Of the New Orleans Times.1
The long-talked of attack on Matamoras
by the Liberal army has at length been in
augurated. ''War and rumors of war" fill
every ones mouth, while our pugilistic
neighbors of Aztec descent are kicking up
quite rumpus opposite us. The attack
was commenced by the Liberals Oh the
evening OF the 25th inst, about five o'clock,
and for the short time it lasted was decid-
edly a,warm affair." The Liberals have been
concentrating their force in the neighbor-
hood of the beleaguered city for some time
past, and have had it virtually in state of
siege for the last two months, it being i'm
possible for the denzens of the Heroic City
to have any communication with the inte-
rior, unless through the intervention of a
large force of the Imperial soldiery. Their
army is under command of some of their
best Generals, and has been reinforced late
ly by large numbers of Americans. Among
the Generals now commanding Liberal
troops in front are Espinosa, Cortina and
Hinojosa. FlAl4 i Lt1tlA
1t was by these officers that the Liberal
force was led in the attack of the 25th; and
from all accounts their courage was proved
beyond doubt. The attack was made at
all points along the Imperial line, and was
very near being a surprise. AS 1t was,
they took one fort, arms and caissODs be-
fore the inside party had fairly awakened.
This they were compelled to give up soon
after, as the gunboat Paisano got their
range, and gave them the benefit OF good
shelling. They retired to a safe distance
and then commenced lively picket fight,
whicd lasted about two hours. Whilst this
was going on below the city, large force
was advanced on the forts above, but they
were also compelled to fall back on account
of the severe punishment meted out to
them from the gunboat Antonia. The skir-
mishing lasted about two or three hours,
and then everything quieted down, In the
afternoon the Liberal wounded-abOut
twenty five in all-werea brought to, this
side, and were being treated by Surgeon
Folsom, 45th United States colored troops.
None of those saw were badly wounded.
Gen. Espinosa was slightly wounded in the
early part of the attack whilst leading his
menin charge. .~rn,,--.,4, ~ .
From what [ can learn the Imperial party
lost pretty heavy, considering the length of
time the lighting lasted. / am told by one
whom can believe that over twenty-five
cart loads of their wounded were brought in
after the engagement. One thing, however,
is certain: the city will not be taken with
out desperate struggle on their part. The
streets are all barricaded with bales of hay
and cotton, and all the-citizens either
under arms or in the trenches, and business
almos. totally suspended. 9 II *. LID rs
There has been no fighting of any mo-.
ment since the first attack, unless we can
call picket firing and an occasional shell
from the gunboats by that name. Yester-
day the Liberals got a rifed gun or two In
position and shelled the city for short
time, creating considerable excitement
amongst the citizens of the Heroic City.
One shell fell In the main plaza, bursting
promiscuously around, and causing the
numerous saloons and Jew clothing stores
in that nighborhood to suspend operations
rather abruptly. No lives were lost that l
could learn Of No little excitement was
caused on our side by report that the gum
boat Piasano had, during the fight on the
25th, fired int0ta party Of our soldiers on
the banks of the river below the city, lock-
ing on at the lighting. That they did land
some shells on this side there Is no doubt,
but l think it is more to be laid to the crook
edness Of this most crooked river, than TO a
desire Of the Paisano TO- kick up an emeute
with the United States. Esk~s '4sS q
Gen. Steele has been relieved from the
command of the Western District of Texas
by Gen. Weitzel, commanding Twenty-tiffh
Army Corps. Gen. Steele is going to the Mil
itary Division of the Pacific. He was good
officer, and made many friends in the district
His sshccessOr, Gen. Weitzel, Is too owell
known in New Orleans to need any intro
ductory remarks from me.i dHe is the ''right
man in the right place., and will no doubt
give general satisfaction whilstin command
of this district.
WHAT THE MArAMoRAs FAPERs sAY.s
Tn lata- nuunhara of the ,Mnf0n,or1s P1n-