The American Flag. (Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico), Vol. 1, No. 39, Ed. 1 Wednesday, October 7, 1846 Page: 2 of 4
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AMERICAN FLAG.
BY FLEESON, PALMER & CO.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, OCTR 7
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We occupy a large portion of our paper to-day
with an interesting letter from Monterrey. It is
from an officer in Gen. Worth's division to a brother
officer here. In detailing the account of the battle
the writer confines himself, pretty much, to the part
which his division took in it, not venturing to speak
of the performance of the whole army, as he was
not possessed of sufficient information in regard to
the exploits of the other division to base a full nar-
rative. If any gentleman in the city has received a
letter, giving an account of the operations in Gen.
Taylor's division of the Army, we would be pleased
jf it were handed us for publication.
A new order has just been issued by General Pat-
terson, we have not seen it, but it is said to prohibit
the introduction into this place, or any other over
of which Gen. P. exercises command, of any species
goods, unless brought by the Army Sutlers. Like-
wise the landing of any person, not connected with
the army, from vessels arriving at the Brasos or
mouth of the river. There must be some mistake
about this. We cannot believe such is the intent of
the order. General Patterson would not certainly
fvohibit merchants from pursuing a lawful and just
trade. It requires that some avenue should he left
open by which the immense amount of money our
Government and people are lavishing upon the Mex-
icans, can be brought again home, it can only come
back through our merchants, and it would not dis-
play sound judgment on the part of a military com-
mandant to cloSe the only door. If the order had
the bearing represented, it would be a'deathblow to
many merchants who have ventured their all in the
trade with this country. '
The steamer Sea, supposed to have been lost in
the gale, arrived at the Brasos on Saturday last. She
put into Matagorda Bay, and remained until the gale
had subsided. Her safe arrival will be hailed with
joy by the-troops, for she brings the money to pay
them off Their pockets have been for a long time
empty, and many, particularly the sick, have sufler-
©d mufch inconvenience and been put to many 9traits
to obtain the requisites to satisfy the cravings of a
sick palate. The Sea brought down half a million of
dollars. The steamboat Whiteville arrived here yes-
terday morning with 4C boxes of her valuable freight.
Attempt to Lasso a Bot.—The steamer Cor-
vette, on her trip down from Camargo, stopped for the
night at arancho on the river, and a small boy attach-
ed to the boat went ashore and strayed some distance
from the bank. He was espied by a Mexican who
tbrought to entrap him with a lasso and drag him ofT.
The Mcxican'was no doubt expert in the use of this
weapon, but somehow he was not quick enough in
his movements. He succeeded in encircling the boy
with the noose, but before he could throw him from
hie feet, the youngster fired two pistol balls into him
which hurried Mr. Mexican off; no doubt quite sick
at the stomach. The boy was not over thirteen
y«ars of ago. The Mexicans must think the Yan-
kees are41 born veteran" pistol shooters.
A Bearer of Despatches arrived in this city on
Monday evening last, en route for Monterrey, only
(en days from Washington City. The steamer Aid
was chartered immediately upon his arrival here to
take him to Camargo. He will no doubt arrive in
Monterrey on the 9th, making fourteen days from
Washington City. This is extraordinary speed and
would imply that his budget contains matters of im-
pqrtance. Probably the destiny of Mexico. Wheth-
er she is to be, or is not to be. After the Gineral is
done looking at them, he'll tell us what it's all about.
We have heard so many different conjectures on the
subject that we dar<> not vrnturo nne ovcrselves.
The steqpiship Galveston arrived at the Brasos
on Monday. We received New-Orleans papers by
her to the 1st of October. .Nothing out of the com-
mon course of events had occurred since the last ar-
rival. New Orleans still remained healthy. The
Galveston brought down the bearer of despatches to
Gen. Taylor, and her departure from New-Orleans
was hastened with a view to facilitate his progress.
*
A long train of wagons, over a hundred, came in-
to the city last evening from the mouth of the river,
! under escort of two companies of Indiana Volunteers.
One company, a fine looking^body of men, and hav-
ing the appearance of being well drilled, preceded
the train, displaying a beautiful banner. The other
company followed in rear of the train. Altogether
it had a very imposing appearance. The train pro-
ceeds on up to Cauiargo, from thenee to Monterrey.
A new escort, we understand, accompanies it from
here, and the Indianians return to their encampment
below.. The whole body of Indiana troops expect
soon to be moved up and are daily looking for the
order to march. Unless Uncle Sam intends quash-
ing the proceedings, the Hooshiers and Suckers will
bain at the takisgof Saltillo. They want to be
" up and at them."
We mentioned in our last papar that the steamer
Major Brown had left Camargo with the intention of
proceeding as far up the river as Mier, Since then
we have learned the object in sending this boat high-
er up, was to ascertain to what distance the river
could be navigated by steamboats, intending to esta-
blish a military depot at the furthest navigable point,
so as to have stores at a place as near as possible to
the route taken by General Wool, marching from
San Antonio into Chihuahua. At the last accounts
she had reached Mier without meeting obstruction
and was proceeding on up. An officer was on board
to survey the river and select the extreme navigable
point. A Yankee never finds the head of naviga-
tion until he finds the head of a river, so there is no
knowing where the "Brown" will stop. If they.cau
only jack her over the falls, which in some places are
one hundred and fifty feet perpendicular, we may
expect to hear of her at Santa Fe or somewhere in
the neighborhood.
Exchange Hotel.—This excellent establishment
is getting into favor with the public. Mr. Ber-
trand Combs, from what we can hear, has made
suoh alterations and in this Hotel as lo give it a
character above any thing of the kind heretofore
started in Matamorol. Gentlemen visiting the city
will find many comforts and conveniences in this es-
tablishment which Matamoros, until now, has been
void of. The " Exchange" is on Commercial Street,
only a few steps from the Main Square, and the
building is large, airy and pleasantly situated. The
inside arrangements will speak for themselves.
Speaking of Hotels—the TremOnt Hoose, where
the Reveille Printing Office use to be, is a splendid
place for a stranger to "hung up his hat." Some
people say that Mr. Gillock and his wife are the best
managers in these parts. Whether so or no, the
public had better find out.
The steamer Monroe is advertised to leave to-day
for Camargo and Mier. Persons having freight had
better not be behind hand in their applications- The
" Monroe" does not go up every day.
The following tetter from an officer at Monterrey
to a brother officer here, we have begged for public*,
tion. It will be found to contain many interesting
particulars of the battle not before published;
MONTERREY, MEXICO,
Sept. 36, 1946.
Mt Dear Friend.—I have written no letter to
friend or foe since I came here. This has been a day
of rest to all, and to me particularly, as I have not
been outside my quarters during the whole day—ex.
cept to ride through our vanquished foes and gaze
on the old Cathedral with her towering steeples,
standing giant like amid the flat Spanish houses that
are clustered around it. Though it has long been in
the possession of the soldiery, at intervals issues
from it a deep, solemn, sepulchral chime. I know
not why, but when first I heard it, niy hand involun.
tartly lifted my hat from my head. It was yesterday,
about noon, when I was on the roof of a Spanish
house, gazing on a ceremony—'twas that of Ameri.
cans marching in a fort, and Mexicans out—each in
their style. The fighting was over and a truce had
been agreed upon, to end in sixty days. The enemy
was to march out with small arms, six pieces of ar-
tillery and private baggage. To-day about 3000 left
for Saltillo, They are to pass beyond a line drawn
half way between this and Saltillo—which line wc
are not to j>a»s within the CO days.
We arrived near the city on the 19th, when their
batteries opened upon us. Reconnoitering parties
were sent out under strong escorts, which were
watched closely by the Mexicans and often fired up-
on. Old Zack himself went out. At ten o'clock
that night, Major Mansfield returned after having
made a very satisfactory examination of the ap-
proaches to the city. (On entering ourcani[> he w an
hailed by a volley from the Volunteer guuid.) At ion
next morning a council of war was called and in a
very few minutes Gen. Worth's division was ready
to begin the work. It consisted of the artillery hat-
tallion, 8th infantry, Col. Duncan's battery, 5th in-
fantry, 7th infantry, Mackall's battery and the West-
ern Regiment of Texans.
On Sunday, the 20th, we passed to the right of the
city. Next morning early we continued around
with much caution, reconnoitering the while, and un-
der a rapid fire of cannon from a hill to our left, la
a few minutes we were met by a body of lancers w ho
were repulsed with considerable loss, after a few
minutes fight. One Texan officer was killed in thin
skirmish, and Capt. McKavitt of the 8th fell dead,
a cannon ball having cut his body jn twain. Our
battery lost one horse. We passed the height and
in the afternoon Capt C. F. Smith stormed the next
height, captured one piece of artillery, a 9-pounder,
wheeled it around and played it upon a Mexican
fort on the same height, and by the luckiest accident,
struck their other piece in the muzzle, knocked off
two or three pounds of metal, turned the piece com-
pletely round and terrified the Mexicans so that they
took to their heels.
During the whole time (one hour) of Capt. Smith'i
operations on the side of the hill the Mexicans were
pouring shells and musket balls innumerable at him,
but he manoeuvred so skilfully and took such advan-
tage of the ground that he had only two wounded
out of four hundred. I omitted stating that our two
batteries had previously cleared the valley between
the heights, of all Mexican troops, with the two nine
pounders that Capt. Smith had captured. We now
opened a heavy .fire on the Castle, which was a littla
below the crest of the other height and near two
miles distant. But the Mexicans returned the fire
with heavy interest both from the Castle and the
crest of the height on which it stands. We then
rested on our arms nearly all night. General Worth
said he would not lose another man if by it he could
take the next height in fifteen minutes.
At 3 o'clock next morning Col. Childs was sent to
storm the other height, and by sunrise it was ours.—
At break of day the 8th was sent to support him and .
a few Texans. In a few hours Capt. Smith descend-
ed from his height ar.d joined us, leaving Gen. Smith
JtC
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Fleeson, Isaac Neville & Palmer, J. R. The American Flag. (Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico), Vol. 1, No. 39, Ed. 1 Wednesday, October 7, 1846, newspaper, October 7, 1846; Matamoros, Mexico. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth478378/m1/2/: accessed May 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.