The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-22
REBUILDING FORT BROWN.
American Troops Preparing
for Battle.
General Crawford in New Orleans
Looking UP Recruits.


New ORLEANS, January 81. Advices from
Brownsville to the 18th instant give an partially
correct statement of the -Bagdad affair.
party of one hundred and twenty-three,
most of them being colored soldiers of the
1l9th United States Regiment, under Colonel
Reed, crossed the river at Clarksyile, and divided
into three squads.
AT 4 O'Clock on the morning of the 9th the
first squad proceeded to a camp, which they
captured, with about four hundred prisoners
and four pieces of artillery.
The second party proceeded to the ferry, at
which an Imperial guard of ten men were
stationed. The officer commanding the guard
stood his post bravely, emptying his revolver,
when he was shot down; whereupon the others
surrendered. One Imperialist was killed and
another wounded.
Three of the party proceeded to capture Colo
rel Rice, the post commander, who escaped
while the party was in the house, but was after
wards captured.
A squad Of ten men were then detailed to take
the AntOnid and they fred on her, killing q SER
geant and wouldng several others. The Antonid
fired volley, Killing two and wounding one.
The attacking party then fred two shots from a
hOwitzer, one of which passed through her just
above the water line.
On the morning of the 9th French frigate,
lying outside, shelied the place. Shots were
afterwards freely exchanged between the Liberal
howitzers on the beach and q owitzer boat from
the French frigate, but no damage was done,
excepting the creating of panic among the
citizens, who crossed to the American bank.
detachment of two hundred men from the
118th Golored Infantry was sent over to protect
the American fcitizens, ahd remained until the
evening of the 7th, when detachment of the
46th Coiored Infantry relieved them with in
structions, it is said, to withdraw in case the
Imperaliats made an attack upon the town.
French mail steamer which was lying out
side the bar left Immediately after the affair,
probably for Vera Cruz.
Bagdad is nearly deserted. The plunder and
pillage of the town is uninterruptedly kept up.
A large amount of goods have been crossed over
to Clarksville. All the stolen property that
arrives at Brownsville is eeized and returned to
the proper owners.
After wrangling for several days with Esco-
bedo regarding the right to command, General
Crawford left for New Orleans, where he has
since arrived, looking after Ieinforcements and
supplies.
A small force of Liberals are fortifying Bag
dad with cotton bales, heavy guns, ETC.
Three French transports arrived off the bar
on the 18th.
General Mejia had commenced building earth
works and mounting guns, two of which are
64pounders, between Matamoras and the river,
but in a position tc command Brownsville.
General Meiia had notified General Weitzel
that if he is attacked from the American side he
will open fire, and ii is most likely some of the
shots will lodge in Brownsville.
General Giles A. Smith was Immediately sent
over to ascertain General Meiia's intentions.
The result of the meeting had not transpired,
but it was believed that bellgerent commun.
cation had been received, and General Weitzel
had ordered the rebuilding of old Fort Brown,
which Is being mounted witch 30-pounder Par
rott guns.
large pontoon train was being rapidly put
in good order.
General Mejia, apprehending another Liberal
attack, is trying to make another forced loan
which causes much uneasiness. Several of then
own contra-guerillas, in attempting 10 desert By
crossing the river, were drowned.