The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-23
THE BAGDAD AFFAIR.
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. q. $50

NEW ORLEANS Jan. q, 1860.
Brownsville accounts OF the 18th inst give an i'm.
partial and Of the capture OF Bagdad,
which is follows
A party OF one hundred and twenty three, mostly
colored soldiers belonging to the One Hundred and
Eighteenth United States colored 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 about four hundred prisoners and four pieces OF
artillery.
The second party proceeded to the ferry where
peral guard Of ten were stationed. The officer
commanding this guard held his post bravey firing his
revolver at the attacking party whereupon he was shot
down. and the others belonging to the guard surrendered
In this affair one imperiast killed and another
wounded
The third party proceeded the quarters of Col Rec
post commander Bagdad and took him and those with
Him prisoners Colonel Rice subsequently escaped, but
was retaken.
squad of ten 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 ircd two shots from a
bowltzer at the Antonio, of which passed through
her just above the water line.
On the morning of the 9th instant a French frigaic
u
freely exchanged between the liberal howzers on the
beach and howitzer boat from the rgae. No damage
was done by this firing beyond creating panic among
the citizens OF Bagdad, who crossed 10 the American
bank OF the Rio Grande taking with them such OF their
valuables as they could hurriedly carry OF.
A detachment Of two hundred men from the One Hun
dred and Eighteenth colored infantry was sent over to
protect the American citizens remaining In the place.
THIS detachment continued guard there until the even
ing OF the TIN inst, when detachment from the Forty
sixth coored infantry relieved them with instructions
It's sad, TO withdraw IN case Of an imperial attack
The French mail steamer lying outside the bar left i'm
,m4diately after the affair probably for Vera Cruz
Bagdad was nearly deserted, and plumber and plagc
was uninteruptedy kept up by Its captors. large
amount OF the stolen goods crossed over the river
to GAINESVILLE Those which arrived at Brownsville were
seased and returned to the proper owner.
After wrangling several days with General Escobe
DO regarding the command Of the liberal forces General
Crawford left for New Orleans (where he has since
rived, seeking reinforcements and supplies
small force OF liberals fortifying Bagdad with
cotton bales.
Three French transports arrived at the bar on the 18th
inst
General Mejia has commenced building earthworks aud
mounting guns, whereof two sxty.four FOUNDERS,
bctwccn Matamoros and the river, commanding Browns
willie He has notified General wetzei that f attacked
from the American side Of the RIO Grande he will open
Ore and that most likely Of the shots will lodge In
Brownsville.
General Clos A. Smith was Immediately to
ascertain what The intentions OF General Mejis The
result OF the meeting between the two is unknown.
It Is believed that the ammunition OF the begerents
has been removed three miles from Brownsville
General weitze has ordered the rebuilding OF old Fort
Brown which s being mounted with thirty FOUNDER Par
ro,ts long ponioon train also being rapidly put in
good order
General Mejia apprehcnds another attack, and is
making another forced loan. He bctrays much uneasi
ness q feeling Several Of his gueras, in attempt
ing To desert by crossing the river, were drowned
American citizens visiting Matamoros are looked upon
with suspicion and dIstrusi and United States officers
and not allowed 20 cross the river.
On the 14th Inst General weitzel reviewed the United
States troops In Brownsville all OF whom In excel.
Sent health and spirits.
The GalpssteM Byietn OF the 9th inst says that an
engineer and pontoon train embarkng thence for
tbe Rio Crande