The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-29
RIO GRANDE.
Affairs on the Mexican and
Texas Frontier.
Position Of the Army of Gen. Sheridan
Along The Rio Grande.
Important and Interesting
Cotton Estimates
Only About One Hundred and Seventy
five Thousand Bales in Texas.
Return Of the Battery Sold by dhe Rebels
to the Imperial Troops.
Kirby Smith Captured by the Mexi.
can Liberals and Forced to Sell the
Arms of Himself and Party.
The Rebel General Joe ShelAy
i'm Mexico.
GENERAL MERRITT'S CAVALRY ON THE MOVE,
Return Of the Battery Sold by dhe Rebels
to the Imperial Troops.
Kirby Smith Captured by the NGexi-
can Liberals and Forced to Sell the
Arms of Himself and Party.
The Rebel General Joe Shelby
i'm Mexico.
GENERAL MERRITT'S CAVALRY ON THE MOVE
&C.. &C.. &c.
Our BrownsviIIe Correspondent nee.

&C., &c. &c.
Our BrownsvilIe Correspondence.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas July IL, 1865
The "Army OF Observation ordered to the Rio Grande
mas for the most part reached its destination dspo-
sOns have been made for its present occupancy the
frontier, extending from point few miles above this
place to the island Of Brazos santiago rhe latter is for
the present the base of supplies and occupied by the
Third division Fecenty oganzed) of the Twenty dfih
corps, Breve Brgader General A. g. Draper commanding
The First division under Brcvet Major General Giles A.
Smith, is stationed here. The Second commanded by
Brevet Brigader General Jackson is White Ranch be
tween this point and Brazos. General Weitzel, who
upon his arrival established his headquarters at Bzos
starts for this point to-day and will remain here for the
present.
BRAz0s SANTIAGO
The various points upon the frontier whcre their
heroic struggles in the late war, happily closed,
many of soldiers destined for the remain
will on this excite interest," and will justify
mention of their principal features
Brazos Santiago desert island near mouth VI the
Rio Grande-a wild waste Of land upon whose nhospita
bic shore not particle of of vegetation
found Prior to the with Mexico, 10 which
try IL then belonged, Brazos the port of entry
for Matamoros and Boca del Rio--the lataer that
time miserable Mexican hamlet the mouth the
gale Of wind which had lasted for days. raising
the water many feet above its ordinary level
dous swept the island carrying with every
frame building and every inhabtant numbering one
hundred and twenty, only one OF whom escaped.
largo schooner lying at the wharf was swept inland
distance Of ten mileshe country being for that space
perfect plain and very little above the level of the
water The brick buildings and chimneys left standing
the island Immediately after sank in the sand and
not vcstige Of humanity remained. Since that time it
has and is the impression Of the inhabitants
country that the same thing s likely TO during any
season, and inducement could prevail upon them
settle there.
"A custom house had been erected here, emincntly
Mexican and pretentous its style of architecture
and occupied by officials whom it hard TO distinguish
from the dirty half naked Peons whose duty to
bring water from the river nine miles distant and
whose pleasure it to sleep the shady side Of
building undsturbed by the sand flies and
vermin of the locality.
Upon the treaty Of peace with Mexico Brazos became
part Of the great republic, by whom il continued
port OF entry and since which time despite Of the
sands and the waves the requisite number Of patriotic
individuals have been found willing to accept the posi-
tion Of collector; and IT, perchance OF them have
lef with hands not entirely ctean 1t was doubtless owing
70 the discomfors Of the surroundings 20 repay them
for which their legitimate salaries insufficient
Al various times during the war; present. Brasos
has been used landing place for troops and supplies
The bar the mouth Of RIO Grande will only per-
init the passage OF vessels Of the highest draught and
therefore impracticable effect landing at that
point From Brazos the troops are marched over the
country Brownsville and points upon the
frontier A the island entirely destitute Of water the
government has erected machinery for condensng the
sAt water bnt the supply greatly inadequate the
demand and hundreds Of gallons brought each day
from the Rio Grande
Surrounded IL is by water, a pleasant breeze is
constantly blowing the health the troops is for
shc most part good. ride along the beach Of nine
miles brings you 10 CIarksvle at the mouth Of the
the American side, small collection OF Insignificant
residences and of importance the point where
supplies and merchandise landed after being
fcrred from the vessels arriving here TO the lighters
while upon the Mexican side lies IT., pretennons
neighbor,
the successor Of Boca del Rio Bagdsd excresccnce
~ the war. sprung up almost in night,
me lnciung cause the turning oi cotton raised
an the central and eastern portions Of Texas from
s legitimate outlets at Galveston and through the Red
river to Brownsville and Matamoros the Rio Grandc
and thence down TO the river to Bagdad where
shipped TO England and other foreign markets Scarce
had tho first invoice of cotton noated down the
nerable windngs Of the Rio Grande when, as ir by
magic, city OF low, frame houses sprang into
exstence at its mouth while from the natural wharfs
formed by its banks went oui each day hundreds of
lighters loaded with the royal commodity be
ierred TO the ships awaiting lis arrival IN the onng
Here oongrogatcd Tor the most part blockade runners,
desperadoes, the vile Of both sexes, adventures,
both Mexican and rebel; numberiess grogreries a0d
houses OF worse fame every hand the de.
cencies of civlized life forgotten, and
worst form held high carnival from the beginning OF the
year 70 us end whe IN the low, dirty looking buildings
IN whlch Northern scaveDgor would Ia place h.
STOCK, were afnassed millions of gold aud silver The
prosperity OF bagdtd never materially affected bv
the occupancy Of Bfownsv lie and other points along the
river during the Cotton was still crossed over into
Mexico at Piedras Nograa miles above and found
Its way 10 the sea through that place with the ter
ination OF the war however, came tho death blow Ia
this modern Sodom The lighters now Law idle al Inc
wharf As each day passes the population grows less
Oae after the other the stores and grog shops are closed
and IL needs eye Of prophet that the nscrI
tion Bagld will soon be written upon its ruins
BRowMviLiK,
before the war active business sotpe Nj
or seven thonsapd Inhabitants shut the balance
OF the State by hundreds of miles of country ihiny
populated and oflmcs infested by villanous ranchero
ready 20 steal hupdred cattle cut throat u.ca
rion might offer IL dspeaded almost entirely for its
trade aud conseQ prosperity it's noighbor
the rver The difhouiues Of the Nexran government
ofttimes compelled Il 10 apply 10 its wealthy merchants
for pecuniary aid Tor which they were granted
perinieson import certain amounts 0f goods into the
country FREQ Of duty In the OF years goods val
neJ at many millions Of dollars we're IN TINS manner
taken info the country, and the eastern and northern
portions OF Mexico aloi ded rich market for the enter
prsing merchants of Brownsve, from whom the hold
of gna ipermitsj made their purchases With 20
Aea seemingly Vt tbo teDse and elegance vtb Which