Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-08

recently occupied the route in
force. IL still in possession, the
General will give hirn battle. The
commanding general has every
confidence in his Officers and men.
IL his orders and instructions are
carried out, he has no doubt Of the
result, let the enemy rieet him In
what numbers they may. He
wishes to enjoin upon the bat
talions Ct infantry that their main
dependence must be in the bayonet.
Signed, w. S. Piss,
Assistant Adjutant General.
On the Way TO Talo Alto
The army marched % 3 p. m, as
ordered, taking with them a heavy
train of supplies and manitions. Two
is-pounders, secured tlCm the trans
ports. we're added TO tie artillery, be-
ing drawn BY oxen. Five miles west
Of Point Isabel the army cneamped
for the night, scouts reported the
enemy in force Mt Las Tanques del
Rsmireno and moving northwest TO
intercept the march.
The roads Of those days followed
the high grounds 10 escape inunda-
ton during river floods. According
TO both the American and Mexican
maps the road ran abcrt three miles
due west from Point Isabel and fork
ed in three directions, the main road
running west, southwest past the
w~aterholes Of Palo Alto; another
running west OF south toward the
San Martin rancho where IL Joined
river road to Boca Chics, which fol-
lowed practically the same route as
the present road. The third ran
north OF west to the Los Barregos
rancho and then turned almost due
south to connect with the Mata-
m~oros-Point Isabel ro7d west Of Palo
Alto. Some of the old roads are still
used; the traces of others can be
found.
The main road from Point Isabel.
after passing Palo Alto, followed
the high ground to a point about a
mile west Of the present Paroles
Line highway, and then curved back
still following the high ground.
across the Rancho Viejo and Ia
Palma resaeas. thence south and
west to the Anaquitas ferry TO
Matamoros.
Find Enemy in Force
On the morning Of May 3, Captain
Walkers scouts reported the las
Tanques de Pamireno camp OF tire
enemy deserted. and Taylor at first
thought Arista had retired to the Rio
Grande. II was afternoon before the
enemy was sighted at Palo Alto, II
miles from Point Isabel and nearly
10 miles from Fort Brown by the
roads Of that day.
As the American columns emerged
from the chapparal they saw the
army of Arista, deployed in battle
array across the Palo Alto prairies
less than a mile in their front. The
Mexicans had chosen their position;
their front extended nearly a mile
and a half. Arista's right flank was
protected by high ground and dense
chapparal; his left crossed the road
and was protected by a screen OF
cavalry in clumps Of ehapparal. Scat
tered over the field were numerous
water holes, some surrounded by
small brush. the entire prairie COW
cred by high grass.
The American forces formed in
column Of attack. Taylor ordered
the men TO fill their canteens. half
At ~ IiiNCs anu 60 Sooh a ANAicsh
ened. the columns again formed and
marched to the attack. The park
train was left in the rear with q
cavalry guard.
The right wing, commanded by
General TwiFg consisted Of the 5th
infantry on the extreme right sup
ported by Ringgold's artillery. The
center was formed by the Ord and
4th infantry, supported by Churc-
hills battery Of two ~is-pounders, and
the left wing. commanded by Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Belknap, consisted Of
the 9Th infantry and Dunean's artil-
lery.
Arista Opens Battle
Arista ordered his artillery 10
open fire at 70o-yard range. the fire
concentrating on the American bat
teries. but doing little damage. Ring
COLDS artillery was the first into
action, opening upon the dense
masses of cavalry on the Mexican
side with deadly effect. The 1s-
Founders swung into action, blasting
gaps through the center OF the enemy
line, and Duncan's battery pounded
the Mexican right flank with equal
effect.
Arists ordered his cavalry on the
left to attack the American right
flank, and also sought 10 swing his
fight flank cavalry TO attack the
American side. The attacks broke
up under the deadly artillery fire,