Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1912-12-30

-
31S
THE ALAMO LUMBER COMPANY

rived on the scene, but little fighting was
done that day, the Federals retiring to
Whites Ranch for the night, one man of
the md Texas cavalry having been
wounded. From Whites Ranch Col.
BransOn that night sent a message to
Lit. Col. Barrett, commanding the post at
Brazos Santiago, who at daybreak Of
the 18th, with 200 men of the 23d In
diana Volunteer infantry, appearing on
the scene and an advance against the
~Confederates was begun, continuing all
the morning. The Federals succeeded in
getting as far as Paints Ranch, (now
known as the home of Atenojenes Oribe).
and here they dug pits. About 2 p. m,
under Col. Barrett's instructions, they
fell back a mile and a half to a bluff
then Oh the river, but which has long
since disappeared, this bluff being about
twelve miles from Boca Chica.
At A p. m. the Confederate forces, con
sisting almost exclusively of cavalry,
and now numbering some 700 or 800. he
gan an active advance and endeavored
to get between the hills and the mouth of
the river. They planted two cannons on
the hill just north of Palmetto and with
these began the actual battle of the day.
The Federals retreated under Captains
Miller and Coffin and L%ieutenants Eos
ter and Mead. In his report Col. Bran
son said: They kept the enemy at a
respectful distance at all times" About
5 O'Clock the 34th Indiana broke and re-
treated at double quick, nearly stamped
ing the command, but order was soon re-
stored. The CVnfederates tried their ut
most to flank the Federals. who were
now in full retreat, but were unable to-
do SO. The Federals lost seven Enfield
rifles and accOutrements and some camp
and garrison equipage. They also suf-
fered 4 officers and IL men killed. wound
ed and captured. They reached Boca
Chica at s p. III. three hours after fight
ing began in earnest, where they remain
ed until 4 a. m. of the 14th, and then
crossed Boca Chita and marched to Bra
EOS Santiago. l
Col Rip Ford, mounted on a magnif-
cent white horse, was a conspicuous fig
ure during the battle. Standing on the
highest ridge of the hill he was able to
see every man and was enabled to direct
the battle. AT one time Capt. Miller,
mounted on a pretty sorrel horse, at the
head of p men, nearly lost his life. The
lConfederates, under cover of a thicket,
brought one of their cannons where they
trained it upon the captain and his men.
The she'll struck about 10 feet in front
of Captain Miller and plowed the earth
party from view. However, none of the
men were injured. The fighting was wit
messed by many Mexicans who stood on
the Mexico bank, and the women and
children of Bagdad and GAINESVILLE. two
towns at the mouth of the river. heard
the incessant firing all day. 1t was a
decided victory for the C~onfederates, whoI
drove the Federals l. miles in three
hours.
On May % Brig. Gen. f. d. Brown,
who had arrived and assumed command,
started all of his force for Brownsville.
where he arrived OH the morning of May
30, 1865, at daylight. The Confederates
had left the day before, having sold their
artillery to the Imperialists at Mata-
moros. Five hundred bales of cotton
were captured by Gen. Brown, but more
than twice this number had been crossed
to Matamoros Immediately preceding his
arrival.
Report of Col. Theodore III. Barrett,
end Z. $. Colored troops, headquarters
Third Brigade. First Division, 25th
Army Corps.
Camp near Brownsville, Texas. August
10, 1865. General: I have the honor to
submit the following report of the ac-
ton at Palmetto Ranch, Texas, May Is,
1865, the last engagement Of the war:
On the evening of May II, 1865, an ex-
petition consisting Of $50 men of the
62nd e. s. Colored infantry, properly
differed, and 80 men and two officers of
the md Texas cavalry mot vet mount
ed, the whole under 1t. Col. Branson of
the 62nd u. $. Colored infantry. was
sent by me, then commanding United
States forces at Brazos Santiago, Texas.
from the island INTO the mainland.
Crossing the Boca Chica. which owing to
a severe storm was effected with dificnl-
ty, the force marched nearly all night.
and after a short rest, early next morn
ing attacked a strong outpost of the
rebels at Palmetto Ranch, Texas. on the