The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-11-30
MEXICO.

The long expected attack upon Mata-
moros by the liberal forces was COM
menced on the 25th of October. The
liberals concentrated in considerable
force in the neigborhood of CamargO,
situated about seventy miles up the
river from Matamoros, and on the l4th
of October general forward movement
was made but the progress of the
troops was not as rapid as expected,
owing to the unfavorable condition of
the roads from heavy rains. $50
General Mejia, commanding the inn
perial forces, received information OF the
advance not long after it had been Or
dered and at once set to work to take
all necessary defensive measures, in
Which lie was energeticalIy aided by the
local authorities. The imminence of an
assault took few Ivy surprise, for the re-
publican forces had been increasing in
numbers in the vicinity for some time
past. In fact, the city has to all intents
and purposes been in state of siege
during the last two months, no cOmmu-
nication having been had by the inhabi-
tants with the interior, except during
the movements of large bodies Of impe-
rial soldiers. The superior officers of
the attacking army numbered some Of
the best republican generals, including
Espinosa and Cortina, and the rank and
file had undoubtedly been lately rein
forced 10y large accessions of American
soldiers. t''t
When it became evident, from the
throwing up of earthworks and other
military preparations, that the city was
in almost hourly danger of an attack, a
general exodus of foreign residents to
Brownsville, on the opposite side of the
river, at once took place. Care was
taken by the authorities that this hegira
should not appear too precipitate, in the
fear that 1t might produce pernicious
moral effect upon the forces station ed In
the city and its defences. Many of the
refugees are DESTROYS to find Transporter
ton TO New Orleans or points in the in
terror; meanwhile every inhabitable
corner in Brownsville is crowded to ex-
cess.
Matamoros is naturally strong posi-
| ton. situated as it is on neck of land
as 81 snYtS 81 0 f hs sysr hns
from side to side. All the buildings in
the vicinity of the city likely to give
cover to the assailants were destroyed,
and the underground on the level cut
down close to the ground. Access on
one side is prevented by an impossible
marsh, called ldgu,,u, as it was for
merly covered with water, and the APP
prOaches In other directions, which con-
sst of few narrow roads, were at once
strongly fortified, and artillery posted
in commanding positions.
| On October Is General Mejia issued an
order declaring the towns of Matamoros
| and Bagdad in a state of seige. The
latter place is situated below MatamOros,
| at the mouth of the river. Organiza-
| tons were at once got up by the citizens
of these towns, and duly armed for the
protection of life and property. On the
| 22d of October, the effective force in the
beleaguered city was estimated at fifteen
hundred men, while the liberals were
reported TO he fully three thousand
strong, exclusive of volunteers, of whom
a large number had recently Joined. A
reinforcement of between two hundred
and three hundred men had, however,
arrived at Matamoros from Bagdad DUR
| ing the night of the 22d, and further re-
Inducements of greater numerical
strength were expected from other
quarters. fitH
On the 23d, early In the forenoon, q
flag of truce approached the city, accom-
panied by Colonel Roche, an old Next
can soldier, as the representative of Gen.
Escobedo. The white flag was received
with all respect, and the Colonel con-
Quoted to General Mejia's headquarters
under the restrictions usual in such en-
bassies. This pacific overture turned
out to be a courteous but peremptOry
summons to surrender the city and gar
rison to General Escobedo, in order to
spare the shedding of blood in fratricidal
strife. To this demand General Mejia
promptly sent answer that he rejected
the proposition. Tie flag Of truce party
during their short stay within the inn
perial lines were treated with all the
consideration and courtesy compatible
with martial etiquette.
During the night of the oath desnl-
tory firing occurred along the lines, and
) at an early hour the following morning
it had grown into sharp musketry vol
3 legs, accompanied every now and then
e by artillery. Even before daylight the
: banks of the river were crowded by
curious persons VINO hau peen attracted
= nv the anticipation of witnessing the at
tack. although far off. AT about eight
f o'clock in the morning the liberals
= made general assault upon the imper-
f iaIist line at all points, and so rapid and
: vigorous was the attack that it came
: very near being a surprise. According
, to one report4Aieneral Escobedo did not
intend bond tide assault, but merely q
series of feints, in order to ascertain the
enemy's strength and positions. Gen
, eral HinojOsa, however, who had com.
, mand of the force south of the city, or
dercd his men to advance upon q fort in
his front. Led by number of Ameri
; cans, this force dashed over the earth
works, driving the imperialists back
and capturing their guns and caissonl
: before they were fairly sensible of tn,
T presence of an enemy. The captors has
| not been long in possession of the for
4 before the impeial gunboat Paisano, ly
: ing in the river, within range, opene'
v upon them, and as General Hinojosa ha,
e no support he was obliged to withdraw
After getting his men out of reach of tn
gunboats missiles, a brisk skirmishin
fight took Mace between-the cOntendiu