The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-06
FROM THE RIO GRANDE.

No Preparations Towards the RecRpture
Of BaEdad-Tho Citizens OF BagdRd
Still Protected by United States Sol
dters-AGtempt of COrGinas TO Obtain
Command OF the Town The Bnited
States Officer Refuses TO Recognize
Him. ETC.
MATAMoRAs Mexico January l9.-To the
Editor of the New Orleans 1uneS:-Affalrs along
the Rio Grande remain about the same as when
wrote you last. The capture of Bagdad was
puzzle to all, and still remains SO. A similar
affair probably never occurred in the annals OF
warfare. Everything goes on here as If nothing
unusual had happened, there being apparently
no intention at present of Meia's advancing on
the town for the purpose of retaking it,
Perhaps at no time in the history OF man has
there been such note and preparation OF war to
such little purpose as now exists along the Rio
Grande. On each side sentinels are posted The
army of observation on the American side looks
on to see fair play between the belligerents over
the river. while the said bellgerents are buster
Ing and blowing like the two pugilistic school
boys, both 10th to strike the first blow, because
zones ateard, and the other daren't." The
parade, fire, and show of the Imper,alists are
amusing, while the valor, DIGNITY and patriotism
of the Liberals are ridiculous. Both night more
like guerlllas than soldiers, and play the bandit
instead of the hero. Money, not Plory, is the
object for which both are lighting, and the high
way is preferred to the battlefield for the accom-
plishment of their purpose.
The soldiers sent over the river by General
Weitzel for the protection OF the citizens and
| their property are still at Bagda1. gentle
man who arrived from there this morning re-
ports that they are faithfully obeying the orders
OF General WeltZel, in guarding the citizens from
| injury and insult.
The United States soldiers outnumber the
Liberal force IN command OF the town, and are
much better armed. The consequence is, that
| our soldiers are obeyed and respected by all
classes while in the performance or their duty.
This fact was examplihed the other day in re-
| markable manner.
1t appears that Cortinas entered Bagdad with
| few OF his men for the purpose OF assuming COM
| mand. A serious difficulty and perhaps fight
| between his party and Escobedo's would proba-
| bly, have taken place for the mastership OF the
town, had not the officer in command of the
| American soldiers refused to allow Cortinas OF
| any other Liberal officer not directly under the
| orders OF EscobedO to assume command. The
consequence was that Cortlnas and his men
crossed the river to Brownsville, leaving Bagdad
exactly as it was previous to his entering the
| town.
We have rumors here that Escobedo has been
| absent from Bagdad for five or six days, and
| that he has gone to join the main body of his
command, and advance on Hatamoras. Per
haps he thinks that the city will fall into the
| hands of the Liberals as easily as Bagdad, but
| in this he will be sadly mistaken. Even If all
| the Liberal forces along the Rio Grande can be
brought tremendously together for this purpose,
land this is almost imposslbie), Escobedo would
| have his hands full.
The two liberal commanders (Cortiuas and
| EscobedO) do not appear to work very we'll
together for the good Of their cause, and there
| is no doubt but that the former crossed over To
Brownsville for the purpose of persuading Gene
| raj Weitzel TO allow him to take command o.
Bagcad, and have removed the American sol
diers from the town, so that he may do as hC
| pleases there. Whether he will succeed or mo-
remains to be seen. 1t is to be hoped, however
that General Weitzel will endorse the action o
the American officer IN relation to the matter
and forbid COrtinas from interfering, -Ne,o Or
leans Times