New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-01-23
MEXICO.
Capture OF Bagdnd-Detaiis Of the
Affair.
NEw.ORLHANs, Jan. 81, lsG6.

NEw-OgLEANs, Jan. 81, l5G6.
BTo-nsyille accounts of the 18th inst. give
~ 'nra q; and correct statement Of the capture Of
q Nssdad rkich lie as follows:
party q l23 mostly coored soldiers, belonging to
% IisL Snikd States COlOred Infhntry under the
EHnand - Col Reed. crossed the Rio Grande at
sXAfksFile and divided into three squads.
"a oclbck on the morning Of the 9Th inst. the first
sausSSper Bagdad which they surprised, capturing
siout 100 ~ isoners and four pieces of artillery.
The second tparty proceeded TO the ferry where an
Impelia guard Of ten men were stationed. The officer
Commanding I'll Is guard stood his post bravey, firing
Ma revolver at the attacking party wheTeupon he
shot down. and che others belonging TO the guard sur.
rendered In this affair one Imperalis was killed and
another wounded.
The third party proceeded 10 the quarters Of Col.
Rice. post commander ut B9gdad, and took him and
those with him prisoners. Col Rice subsequently es-
eaped but was again retaken.
A squad of ten were then detailed to take tho
Imperial gunboat Antonio. and fred on her, killing
sergeant aud wounding several others.
The Antonio fired voley at the attacking party,
Killing Two end wounding one Of them. The attacking
party tnen fired two shots from howitzer at the ALI
tonic Of which passed through her just above the
water line
On the morning Of the 9th inst, French frigate
lying outside sheed the place. Shots afterwards were
freely exchanged between the Liberal howit5ers on the
beach and how itzer boat from the frigate
No damage was done by this firing, beyond creating
panic among the citizens OF Bagdad who crossed TO
abe American bank of the Rio Grande, taking with
them such Of their valuabes as they could hurriedy
carry Of.
detachment OF 200 men from the 18th Colored In
Sutry sent over to protect the American citizens
remaining In the place. This detachment continued on
guard until the evening Of the 18th insi when detach'
en from the 10th COlOred Infantry relieved them with
Instructions il said TO withdraw in case OF an Imperial
attack.
The French mail steamer lying outside the bar left
ippediaely after the affair probably for vera Ct1z
Baedaa was nearly deserted, and plnnder and pillage
was nnntcrruptedly kept up by its captors. large
amount OF the stolen goods crossed over the river
20 Clarksyille Those which arrived at BrowDsville
were seized and returned TO the proper owners.
After wrangling for several days with Gen. Eseo0edo
regarding the command Of the Liberal forces Gen.
Crawford left for New Orleans where no has sineo ar
rived after reGnforcements and supplies.
snail force Of Liberals are terrifying Bagcad with
cotton bales -,
Three French transports arrived at the bar on the
18th inst.
Gen Mejn has commenced building earthworks and
,souuting guns whereoftwo are 64.pounders between
Matanoros and the river commanding Brownsville
GEN Mejia has notified Gen. Weitzel that II attacked
fcm tue American side OF the Rio Grande nc VIII open
fire ard that most likely some OF the shots WIZ oge 10
Gen. Giles A. Smith was Immediately sent over to
ASCERTAIN what the intentions Of Gen. Mea were, The
result OF the meeting between the two Is unknown;
II IL believed that the ammunition OF the Delllger
ents has been removed three miles from Brownsville.
Cen Wetzel has ordered the rebuilding OF OLD Fort
Brown which Is being mounted with 3O-pounder Far
Yotts long pontoon train is also being rapidly put In
good order.
another forced loan. He betrays much nncasness OF
feeling Several Of his guerilas IN attempting 10
desert by crossing the river, were drowned
American citizens visiting Matamoros are looked
upon with suspicion aud distrust and United states
Officers and men are not allowed 10 cross the river
on the nth inst. Gen. Weitzel reviewed the Federal
troops In Brownsville oil OF whom were IN exceilent
health and spirits.