The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-10-18
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS.


New YoRK, Oct. l7.-@ Brownsville.
Texas, adyiooa, TO Sept. 9th, give an
account Of M attempt to capture the
Matamoras by the American oorpa
under command Of Gen. Ford, assisted
by tho gunboat Chinaeo, Capt. u. \.
Osborn. The object was 90 releaae
Gen. Topia, the legally appointed Gov.
0rnor Of Tamaplipas, prisoner in the
hands Of Col. Canales, the usurping
Commandant OF the city and pretend
ing Governor. The troops we're 10
seize the Treasury aud pay themselves.
The command consisted OF about i7b
Americans aud 80 Mexioans, we'll
armed, and the reinforeements from
citizens aud Texan volunteers should
have swollod tho force 10 300; the
whole 10 be supported by tho gunboat
Chinao0, mounting one f2spounder
riile and smooth bore howitzer,
which had no crew, except 30 mon do.
tailed 10 work tho guns. Though Capt.
Osborn deemed the vessel totally unfit
for actual service, he consented TO not
with the party. a ~.
Az the time OF starting, fearful
storm prevailed, and gunboat was
driven against Mexican bank, be-
coming immovoablo. She was finally
got OF, and returned to her frat po-
Aition
Ia tho meantime troops advanced
and seized the Plaza, the department
of headquarters, tho Custom House,
aud were stnrming tho Jail when, from
an unaooountable cause, the order was
given TO fall back, when the troops ro.
treated on the donble-quok for the
gunboat, whore Gen. Ward was lying
Ill the troopa were embarked and the
gunb0at steamed To q position directly
opposite Brownsville. The shop
keepers at Santa Cruz furnished the
troopa with liquor. aud they became
grossly intoxicated and unoontrolla.
bic, The enemy gathered on the
shore, and Capt. Osborn cast of the
lines aud headed for tho American
bank, Capales sont word TO tho
American Commander, Gen. Brown,
30 have the Chinaeo removed, az he
might have TO fire into her. Con.
Brown ordered Capt, Osborn 20 move
his vessel above or below town, or in
20 American waters, saying that If she
was not moved inside of IS minutes
ho would out her adriH
Tho engineers refusing TO work
tho boat, and the men being Id tho
condition that they were, Capt. o..
born sent word 10 Gen. Brown that
no would surrender the vessel ~ a
Mexican gun boat TO tho authorities
Of the United States, leaving them 10
decide who was justly entitled TO
her, Canalos, n usurper, or the Juarez
Government The flag was hauled
down and Captain Osborn walked
ashore. Canales, on learning of
tho surrender, demanded the vessel,
but Gen. Brown refused TO give her
up The arms belonging 20 the troops
were taken by tho United States au-
thorities aud the men went into camp
20 waitfurthor developments. Though
the expedition failed Topia was re-
leased.
Gen. Iionry Oiosa, also, afterwards
made an unsuccessful attack.
BROWNSVILLE, Oct. l3-1'he forces
under Major General IIeyojosa and
Brigadior General Ward, of the Mex.
lean army, have joined, aud are camp
cd near Matamoras, awaiting supply
OF arms and ammunition, as we'll as a
junction Of the forces under Cortinas
and Terius, which are said 20 be
marching this way. When the organ
izatiou shall have beon completed thoy
will proceed 10 attack Canales, who is
baslly engaged in making preparations
to receive them