The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-18
"DEATH TO THE YANKEES. I"
Thu Willy Guerilla Chief Seeks Pardon for the
Murder Of Eleven Americans.
ACTION OF TIE TEXAN LEGISLATURE
How He Sought Revenge Against
Portugal by Attempted
Assassination.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas, August 10, 1872.

the doughty Brigader General Juan Nep0mlcono
-Cortina, Mexican Army, "C0mandante de la Linea
del Bravo" now resting on his bloody laurels, in
the full enjoyment Of his Texan brevet Of "Chief OF
Thieves and Bandits" merits the attention of the
American authorities The encyclopedias OF
the Mexican government as TO details OF
the frontier, states that his policy is die
tated by one idea-"Let us have war, that
we may stealn The 'Tiger Of the Bravo"
now In suburban retreats contemplates with salts
faction his faithful eagles, peacefully enjoying the
accumulatons Of many raids, and mayhap plans
within twenty miles, another swoop, IN which the
writer may be included. Non Obstante, he shall not
hide his light under o bushel He was born in
Texas, on the Rio Grande, in 1925, and
now, at forty-s years Of age, is the
exponent Of Mexican frontier policy. re-
spectacle parentage was to him no advantage.
OF rowing habits, he soon made himself IN accom-
plished horseman, and the trackless chapparal Is
to him an open book. Familiar with every nook
on the frontier, his future career called largely
the Typographical learning Of his youth To-day
he is man of five feet eight inches in height, dark
hair and eyes, lighter in complexion than his coun-
trymen in general, and when in citizens clothes is
fair type Of the better class of Mexcans, notwith
standing his personal ignorance, he having hardly
learned enough to enable him to write his name.
rover and q never-d0-wel in youth, he was q
'fandangero," or gay young buck. His riding and
dancing drinking and bravado, in nothing separate
him from the "gilded" youth of that character to-
day on the Rio Grande. Now man Of fairly tenn
perate habits, ne INDUCES only in the association
of loose women, Notwithstanding he has wife and
child. He fs ignorant of the rules of war, skilled
only in guerilla fighting, and has been disconnected
and whipped by dash on his flank Of one-sixth Of
his force.
Willy, avarcious. ambitious and naturally intelli-
gent, he is sngularly well suited to his bloody call
ing. trimmer in politics, thoroughly conversant
with the Mexican character, he has steered clear
OF the results which have overwhelmed more pre-
tentious leaders. good paymaster, a natural
commander, quick and keen, master Of the art Of
deception, he uses all men for his own purposes
shield to criminals, he gathers around him des-
perate men. Brooking no rivalry, he has made
away with several ambitious subOrdinates, and in
the full consciousness that he holds the frontier In
his hands he proclams himself a "patriotn and
appeals to public sentiment. The government cannot
depose him and the robber chieftain Of one idea
death to the Yankees-is the man for the place he
holds, for no one could wrest it from him. His
pndoubted personal bravery is his great capital
and long experience has given him control over all
of Mexican extraction whom he encounters. Ex-
acting implicit obedience, he Furnishes infractions
Of his orders bitterly. Unreliable in pecuniary
transactions, not to be trusted politically, robber
by habit he cannot control himself in this respect,
and the total disregard he entertains for human
lille is proved by wholesale murders, either the re-
suit Of personal vindictiveness or desire to over
awe the rivals who may dream Of future treachery
COMMENCING WITH MURDER.
Driven from his home by crimes committed while
q boy, at fifteen he took refuge on q lonely ranch
with an old shepherd and his wife. These bene-
factors had little hoard of money The wolf they
had succored murdered them both, rObbing the
ranch and enjoying the proceeds. From this start
in life he began his dark career, threading alone
or with some picked up companion the desert wilds
Of the Rio Grande. His work was then that Of a
simple thief and assassin, and his LITER deeds out
shine these early achievements Busy in iniquty
he amassed money, then spent it in various
excuses. In the Mexican war he was an
empioye Of the United States Quarter
masters Department, and acted doubtless
as q shrewd camp-foower. The wholesome fear
inspired by the American armies under Taylor and
Scott was q check to border operations, and until
1859 the even tenor OF his way was one of great ras
cality. Acquiring an ascendency over his KIND, he
obtained in 1859 good outfit for wholesale bust
ness. II was thought that Americans would popu-
late Western Texas rapidly. This not occurring
the broOdng bandit familiar with every foot OF the
Nueces valley, offered to lead force over the river
and drive the hated Sungos beyond the Nueces
The Mexican peasantry were elated at the thought
Of dividing the countless herds of cattle to be cap
tured claimed by Cortna as their rightiul inner
itance)
CAUSES OF THE RAID OF 1859.
The balance OF trade was then with Texas.
Brownsville iourished Sl4,o00, 600 year In value
was entered at Brazos; the supplies were all
bought on the Texan side. At all hazards IL was
determined to stop the trading. The infamous
"Zona Libra" was devised not only to correct the
inequality, but to tempt the cupidity OF q largely
Mexican population in Texas to smuggle. Our
duties were then low and 1t did not pay. The
golden moment for Cortina arrived Well fur
nished with arms, artillery and money by the
merchants OF Matamoros he determined on occupy.
ing the Texan frontier. Plumber was his object, and
d e returned to lay under fire and sword his birth
place Easily recruiting his ranks, he was in the
fn tide OF apparent ne pam sh 20 gloIy was
Colonel General, Minister, President or Dictator2
Faith in himself and long brooding had caused him
eve looking forward. could see no halter-appro.
pirate Gordon OF his noble order. On the 2etn OF
1852 he wbom wers We Mt%
cutthroats some now, happily, hung ana gone 10
MEN WERE MURDERED. RoBBERrEs COMMITTED,
and he raised his robber flag Major Heintzelman
and Captain SLOVENIAN, United States Army
moved TO the assistance OF the citizens me gal
liant Colonel John $. Ford raised Texan troops TO
attack the intruder, who retired to his mothers
rancho eleven miles from Brownsville. From here
he operated, numbering defenceess people, robbing
The mails and pundering the country. Troops were
concentrated. and about December J. 1859, Heint-
well merited beating. Secure in his line OF retreat
across the river, and little thinking the dashv 4
Ford would follow MIN over, he moved up the
Rio Grande Valley. He burned and robbed
the ranches OF the Turner'S, OF Champon Reist,
Neale Stilman, Rhodes and others. Fire and sword
wrought a bloody work along the lonely prairies
everywhere. Brutality and abuse were lavished on
prisoners nocks and herds disappeared, personal
goods and valuabes vanished and women were
maltreated. In his march he occupied Ringgold
Barracks and Rio Grande City. He selzed the prln-
cipal citizens here and announced with gee his
grand eptertaiDment-- hanging them and