Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-10-18

Attempts to caps1rs me city Of nEala.
r,orae

Attempts 10 capture me CAl9 Of MattiA
NEW York, Oct. I5.-Brownsville, Tex
as, advicss to the Oath Of SeptsmbeT, give an
account Of an attempt made to capture the
city of Matamoras BY the American corps
under command of Gen. Ford, assisted BY
the gunboat Chinaco, Capt B. S. Osborn.
The object was to release Gen. Iapia, the
legally appointed Governor OF Tamaalipas,
prisoner in the hands Of Gen. Canales, the
usurping commander and pretending Gov
ernor. The troops we're to seize the treasury
and pay themselves The command con-
sisted OF about one hundred and seventy-five
Americans and thirty Mexicans, well armed,
and the reinforcements from citizens and
Texan volunteers swelled the force to three
hundred, the whole supported by the gun
boat ChinacO, mounting a underground rifle
piece and a smooth bore hOwitzer. The
RunbOat had no crew except the men de-
tailed TO work the guns. Though Captain
Osborn deemed the vessel totally unfit for
active service he consented To act with the
party.
At the time of starting fearful storm pre-
vailed, and the gunboat was driven against
the Mexican bank, becoming inlmovable;
she was finally got off and returned to her
FIRST position. In the meantime the troops
advanced and seized the plaza, the depart
ment headquarters, and the custom house,
and were storlning the Jail when, from some
unaccountable cause, the order was given to
fall back, when the troops returned in double
quick to the gunboat, where Gen. Ford was
living Ill. The troops were embarked and
the gunboat steamed to a position directly
opposite Brownsville. The shopkeepers at
Santa Cruz furnished the troops with liquor.
and they became grossly intoxicatedand I'M
comfortable The enemy gathered on shore
and Capt. Osborn cast of the lines and
headed for the American bank. Canales sent
word to the American commander, Gen.
Brown, to have the Chinaco removed, as he
might have to FIRE into her, and Gen. Brown
ordered Capt. Osborn to move his vessel
above or below town, or into American water,
saying that if she was not moved inside of
fifteen minutes he would cut her adrift. The
engineer refusing to work the boat and the
men being in the condition they were, Capt.
Osborn sent word to Gen. Brown that he
would surrender his vessel as a Mexican
gunboat to the authorities Of the United
States leavingthem to decide who was justly
entitled to her, Canales, usurper, or the
Juarez government. The flag was hauled
down and Capt. Osborn walked ashore. Can
ales on learning Of the surrender demanded
the vessel, but Gen. Brown refused to give
her up. The arms belonging to the troops
were taken by the United States authorities,
and the men went into camp, TO wait de-
velopments. Though the expedition failed,
Tapiltolos was released. Gen. Heny dJosa
afterwards made an unsuccessful attack on
the town, and his forces are now encamped
with Gen. Ford.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas, Sept. 27.-Ths
forces under Major Henieo Josea and Rriga-
der General Ford, Of the Mexican army,
have Joined and are in camp at Matamoras,
awaiting supplies Of arms and ammunition,
as we'll as a junction of ferces under Corti-
mas and Trevino which are said be march
ing this way. When an organization shall
been completed they will at once proceed to
attack Canales, who is now being engaged
in making preparations to receive them.
To-day Captain Osborne of the Mexican
Navy, made formal demand for the gun
boat, Chinaco from General Brown, COM
manding the United States forces here. The
General who has evidently committed
serious blunders in connection with this gun
boat question, informed Captain Osbornethat
he should continue to hold Chinaco until he
received instructions from higher authority.
General Ford also requested that arms
should be surrendered to him, which was
also refused. There can be but little ques-
ton if General Brown had released the
Mexican gunboat, that Osborne would have
run the FIRE of the forts of Canales and
Joined the military forces together. They
could have operated toa decided advantages.
Capt Osborne has had too much expert
ence under Admiral Farragut in running bat
teries tohave hesitated an instant torun those
of the usurper Canales, yet it is not improb-
able that before daylight dawns tomorrow,
legitimate Liberal forces will march upon the
city of Matamoras. A norther is blowing,
and everything seems propitious for the sue
cess of the undertaking. Herrero Josea's
forces already hold some of the outer forts
and both parties have thrown out strong
pickets. A large garrison is stationed at
the ferry, and chain of sentinels stand
along the river bank from Santa Cruz to
Cusa Mata.
BRowNvILLE, Texas, Oct. 17.-General
Sedgewick has relieved Gen. Brown of the
command of this sub-district.
Capt. Osborne has made another formal
demand for the surrender of the gunboat
Chinaco, but up to the time Of closing this
letter has received no reply. The whole
matter will probably be referred to Wash
ington.
Herero Josea, Cortinas, Floreo and Ford
will attack Matamoras tomorrow.
The General Sheridan will probably be
taken off the beach at Brazos by tonight
The ninth regiment U. S. colored troops
left here to-day for Galveston, preparatory
to being mustered ont.