The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-23
Fighting and Plotting i'm the
Interior.
&c. &c. 60.
THE BAGDAD AFFAIR.

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. Il. 1865
Brownsville accounts OF the 18th inst give an i'm
partial and correct statement Of the capture of Bagdad
which is as follows
A party Of hundred and twenty three, mostly
colored soldiers belonging to the One Hundred and
Eighteenth United States coored infantry under the
command Of Colonel Reed, crossed the Rio Grandc at
GAINESVILLE and divided into three squads
At four O'Clock the morning of the 9th instant the
first squad entered Bagdad which they surprised cap
turing four hundred prisoners and four pieces OF
artillery.
The second party proceeded to the ferry where an I'M
pcrial guard of ten men were stationed. The officer
commanding this guard held his post bravely firing his
revolver the attacking party whereupon he shot
down. and the others belonging to the guard surrendered
In this affair one mpcralist killed and another
wounded
The third party proceeded to the quarters of Col Rec
post commander at Bagdad and took him and those with
Him prisoners Colonel Rice subsequently escaped but
was retaken.
squad Of ten men were then detailed to take the mpe
rial gunboat Antonio, and fred her. killing sergeant
and woundng several others The Antonio fired at the at
lacking party, killing two and wounding one OF them
Tho attacking party then fred two shots from a
howtzer at the Antonio one (which passed through
her lust above the water line.
On the morning of the 9th instant French frigatc
~ ne outside sheed the place Shots afterwards we're
freely exchanged between the liberal h0wizers on the
beach and howtzer boat from the frigate No damage
done by this firing beyond creating panic among
the citizens OF Bagdad who crossed the American
bank of the Rio Grande taking with them such Of their
valuables Us they could hurriedly carry on
detachment OF two hundred men from the One Hun
dred aud Eighteenth colored infantry sent to
protect the American citizens remaining In the place.
his detachl nt continued guard there until the
ing Of the TIN nst when detachment from the Forty
sixth coIored infantry relieved them, with instructions
1t is sad TO withdraw Of an imperial attack
The French mail steamer lying outside the bar lett i'm
mAdately after the affair, probably for Vera Cruz.
Bagdad was nearly deserted, and plumber and pilage
was unInterruptedly kept up by Its captors. large
amount OF the stolen goods crossed over the river
to GAINESVILLE Those which arrived at Brownsville we've
sessed and returned TO the proper owner.
After wrangng for several days with General Escobe
DO regarding the command Of the liberal forces General
Crawford left for New Orleans twhere he has since ar
yivcd) seeking endorsements and supplies.
small force OF liberals fortfying Bagdad with
potion bales
Three French transports arrived at the bar the 18th
FMS.
General Meja has commenced building earthworks and
mounting guns, whereof two are sixtyfo FOUNDERS,
between Matamoros and the river, commanding Browns
Vile He has notified General wcitzel that if attacked
rom the American Size OF me 1fahue ne open
re and that likely Of the shots viii lodge In
Brownsville.
General Giles A. Smith Immediately sent over to
ascertain what the Intentions Of General Mea The
result OF the meeting between the two is unknown.
II Is believed that the ammunition Of the bellgercnts
has been removed three miles from Brownsville.
General wcxe has ordered the rebuilding OF old Fort
Brown which 10 being mounted with thirty FOUNDER Par
ro,ts long ponioon train also being rapidly put In
good order.
General Meja apprehcnds another attack, and Is
nakiny another forced loan. He bctrays much uneas
ness of feeling Several OF his guerlla In attempt
ing 10 desert by crossing the river, drowned.
American citizens visiting haiamoros are looked upon
with suspicion and dstusi and United States officers
and men are not allowed 10 cross the river.
On the 14th inst General wetzel reviewed the United
ssics troops In Brownsville all OF whom in excel
Sent health and spirits.
The Gdivss1n bulletin Of the 9th inst says that st
engineer and ponoop train embark ING thence fol
fhe Rio Grande.