Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-12-22


A dispatch to the Cincinnati Com.
mercial, dated at Brownsville. Texas,
November 30, gives the following &C
count of the movement of American
troops upon Mexican territory:
s'The city of Matamoras has surren.
dered to General Sedgwick, command
ing the United States forces on the Rio
Grande, on the evening of the oath oil
November. Colonel j. q. Perkins, oil
the Nineteenth United States colored
infantry, was placed in command. One
hundred and eighteen men of the 4th
cavalry crossed over and occupied the
city on that day.
Colonel Canales made an official
statement to General Sedgwick that,
owing to his inability to pay his troops.
he could no longer control them,
whereupon Sedgwick Immediately de-
manded the surrender of the place,
which was granted.
"The following were the terms: First
Colonel Canales shall place Matamo-
ras under orders of the commander of
the United States forces. Second-The
latter guarantees to Canales and his
forces their liberty, and secures the
safety of their interests. Third-The
persons and interests of the inhabitants
of Matamoras are to be respected, no
matter to what nationality they may
belong. Fourth-The forces of Cana
les are to maintain their actual position.
Fifth-No forces shall enter the place
except those of the United States.
"It will be seen that, under the
agreement, General Sedgwick pledges
himself that the forces of Escobedo,
now beseiging the city shall not en-
ter therein, and that the forces of Cana
les shall remain within the fortifca-
tons.
:" On Sunday morning, the 25th,
Colonel Perkins issued the following
order, which was posted about the
streets:
Headquarters U. FoRcEs,l
MATAMoRAs, Nov. "a, 1866.
"sGENERAL ORDER No. According to
the orders which the undersigned has re-
ceived he takes command Of this city in the
name of the United States. The persons be-
longing TO my staff are the following: Lieut..
j. 8. Patterson, assistant adiutant general;
W. 7 Lsrkin, provost marshal, who shall be
obeyed and respected as such.
Nj G.. PERKINS,
Commander United States Forces"
"a body OF col0red troops passed
over Saturday night. During Sunday a
pontoon bridge was laid at the ferry
way. On Sunday evening, thro' the
fundamentally OF Gen. Sedgwick, an
interview was arranged between Ca
males and Escobedo, for the purpose of
settling existing difficulties. Much
pickering and recrimination ensued,
and nothing was accomplished.
"Escobedo announced his attention
to attack the city at once. Monday
the Goth, passed in quiet. Colonel
Perkins having been taken sick, Bre-
vet Colonel A. M. Randall, Company /,
First artillery, was placed in command,
and the American troops occupied the
Plaza, while Colonel Canales remained
within the Notifications.
"The attack began at five O'Clock
p. m. of the 9th. Escobedo opened
his attack, the American flag mean
while floating from the government
house. A feint was made by CoTtina
on the south side OF the city, while the
main attack was made on the north
side. Brisk firing continued up to
seven o'clock, but the attack was re-
pulsed at every point. The American
force in the city preserved peace and
guarded the ferry, practically acting as
provost guard.
''Escobedo's loss in killed and wound
ed, captured and deserted, foots up
seven hundred and fourteen men.
"The following is a memorandum of
an agreement entered into between
Sedgwick and Escobedo prior to the
attack:
a" 'First-General Sedgwick assures
Gederal Escobedo of the continued
friendship of the United States gov
eminent towards himself and the Lib
eral government. Second-The Ameri-
can commander considers himself as
morally holding the city of Matamoras,
under the terms of Canales' surrender
of that place to him; but it is for no
hostile purpose as regards the force
commanded by General Escobedo, but
to protect the lives and property of
American citizens and others of foreign
nationality. Third-That the Ameri-
can commander will withdraw the
armed forces in case an attack is made,
with the exception of fifty men and
two officers, who will report their pres
ence to General Escobedo, should he
capture the city. FOurth-That the
Urited States forces shall hold Santa
Cruz and the ferry, and that no armed
men shall cross to the American shore.
This agreement had not been known to
Colonel Randall when he sent out the
flag of truce. ,"