Yankton daily press and Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1875, 1875-07-19

shortly struck, and after sharp gal
lop of three or four miles, the raiders
were sighted. An-old Texas yell
was given, and the rangers charged
furiously, the Mcxicans leaving the
catt e and retreating ut full speed.
Finding they outnumbered the rang
crs two to zone, they crossed salt la
goo'i-thal lay in their passage and
formed line of battle.
Our boys, however, charged across
the lagoon, in that place about a00'I
yards wide and half leg deep, Nc
Nelly ordering his men not to fire a.
shot until told. Crossing in an ir-
regular line under heavy fire from
the Mexicans, their GOODNESS astonish-
ed the enemy, vino again broke and
ran across prairie some miles in ex-
tent:
An irregular fight then cnsucd, tile
Mcxicans lighting desperately under
the command of one Of Cortina's own
lieu,cnants named Camille Lcrma,
who wars shot from his horse in the
beginning OF the fray. Raising him
sell on his elbow, however, he refused
to surrender, at the same time level
ing his Winchester and shooting Il
ranger named Smith, killing him in
stantly. He was then attacked by
e-.-n,,yrrs, TIC srTttt resisting, until
bullet entcred-lis brain.
To show the desperate character Of
the fighting, after the first round was
fired from the sharp shooters, when
Larmc was shot, the firing was done
with six-shooters at close quarters.
Two MeNicans were riding upon the
same horse, and shooting us rapidly
as they could. aOne Of the rangers a,
whom they were aiming lcvelcd his
revolver, hit the first man in the
breast, killing him. The bullet, pass.
ing through his body -leagged-inth that
OF the second. Both fe1l TO the ground
dead The fight lasted some half an
hour. Eleven Mexicans and two ran
gers were killed. The rest Of the
MeAicans escaped over the frontier.
Cortina heard news of this signal
check to his system OF robbcrics the
same day, and was furious, vowing
vengeance and declaring he would lay
waste the entire border. These
threats caused considerable constcrna-
ition, and great was the Joy expressed
when on Wednesday last Cortina was
suddenly and unexpectedly To him
self and everybody else arrested by
Col. Cristo, OF the Mexican home
government, and lodged in Jail in
Matanforas. Your correspondent,
who was in Brownsville at the time,
was unable TO cross the river, but so
quietly had the MeXican troops arriv-
ed that Cortina was not even advised
of their approach.
Naturally there is great rejoicing
at this, but some alarm still prevails.
l51'hc arrest, it is SAID, was not made
on account of his difficulties with
Americans, but on account of his
home lconspiracics, and our people are
still Unprotected. Four citizens OF
Mexican origin have been killed in
MatamorasN since Capt. McNelly's
fight, they bemg charged with having
aided the rangers.
Cor,ina's men <threa,en ii rescue,
and are robbing and numbering rigl,
and left. Cattle stealing still goes OH
up the river, and his followers loudly
assert that the arrest OF Gortiua is a
mere farce TO deceive ouf govern.
mcnt.
4 The people in the meanwhile are
on our side arc waxing wrorh, and The
war feeling is strong. Cortina out d
the way by no means ends the trouble,
I His followers vow vengeance under his
J, lieutenants, who are more desperate
) and reckless but not SO sensible men
and the dangerto the entire frontier
is great.
This place is only stagc-day':
:. journey from Brownsville, and the
!, people over here are excited, and un
less some action is taken aud tia
speedily by our government, a large
I number Of tivcs witt be sacrificed.
!, Sir.