now renewed with greater desperation. It was the action which should decide for the glory of the two armies, and the military fame of the campaign. Should the Mexican army triumph, no matter what were their superior numbers, it would be a defeat to the American arms, and the results of that defeat would add glory and encouragement to the Mexican army, as the news should spread through the Mexican republic, and probably enable the government to increase their forces to any desirable numbers. On the contrary, if the American arms gained a victory, with such odds against them, the die would be cast, the Mexican army be dispersed, with little expectation of its being again concentrated, the people discouraged, and the glorious triumph of such a victory at such a moment, being the first battle fought when the eyes of the two nations, as well the nations of England and France, and the Southern Republics were looking on, would assure all that the army of the United States would be equal to any emergency with its augmented forces, when so unequal a force, opposed to a well equipped body of Mexican troops, thrice their number, could rout, and had routed, and entirely defeated them on a field, in fair engagement, and in positions of their own selection. And thus shall these two battles of the Rio Bravo del Norte be recorded as brilliant achievments by this army of occupation. And it hast justly surprised one of the principal Mexican Generals, who is now a prisoner to the American arms, how such a result has been accomplished. The Mexican army having been thus entirely routed, and falling back, General Taylor took up his encampment for the night, some two miles below his fortification opposite Matamoras, but in full and free communication with it. And such was the panic which the defeat of the Mexican army had created, it is said that General Taylor might have crossed the river that night, and without opposition have occupied Matamoras. The reports as to the number killed and wounded, on either side, will be variously stated. The most probable estimate is, that the Mexicans lost 1200 wounded and killed. The American forces lost 120. Among the dead, Major Brown, one of the most accomplished officers of the whole army, fell while defending the American entrenchment, opposite Matamoras. Three others were killed by the many round shot and shells which the Mexicans threw into this fortification. Major Ringgold, who has been returned with others, wounded, to Point Isabel, is also dead; and manyhow many sleep in their unnoted graves, on that field of blood and death! And while our hearts rejoice over the success of the American arms, it is an exultation over the very graves of hundreds dead! And may God, if a righteous God may be invoked above a field of such havoc, and desolation, and death, help the widow and the orphan, whom those two days' doings and strife have left with broken and desolate hearts! war. I enter not, here, on a disquisition, as to the justice of this Had our forces remained on the north side of the river Nueces, Mexico, I think, would have had nothing of which justly to complain. Her province of Texas had become independent. Texas had, for years, maintained her independence; and other nations had entered into treaties with her, after they had acknowledged that independence. And Mexico herself had made a proposition to Texas, guarantying that maintained independence, on certain conditions. But there is a large space of country between the river Nueces, formerly regarded as the southern boundary of Texas, and the Rio Bravo del Norte. It had been a wise policy, doubtless, in the Mexican government, to have allowed the United States possession of this boundary of the Bravo, on the south, and received from them an equivalent, and bound them by treaty, to advance no further. But they have not done it. And, just or unjust, the United States have taken up their position on the Bravo del Norte, and there, they will henceforward maintain their boundary. There is no power in the arm of Mexico to withstand the approach of the northern Republic, at least to this point. And now, Mexico will probably further lose California, without an equivalent, which she might, by negotiation, have secured to herself. It will be well for the people of the United States, that they yet adhere to the dictates of justice, rather than power; and in the negotiations that yet must come, to act with a conscience that can appeal to the God of nations, for the equity of their demands. GENERAL TAYLOR'S OFFICIAL REPORTS. General Taylor having made his reports to the Department, I shall here appropriately insert these official papersbrief, and modest, and characteristic of this brave and now universally eulogized leader of the American arms. I commence with his dispatch, written at the moment of his starting with his main force, on his return march from Point Isabel to his entrenchments opposite Matamoras. BATTLES OF PALO ALTO AND RESACA DE LA PALMA. HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I respectfully report that I shall march this day with the main body of the army, to open a communication with Major Brown, and throw forward supplies of ordnance and provisions. If the enemy oppose my march, in whatever force, I shall fight him. Occasional guns are heard in the direction of Matamoras, showing that every thing is right in that quarter. Yesterday the recruits under Lieutenant McPhail arrived here. After filling up the companies of the permanent garrison, (A 1st art'y and G 4th art'y) the remainder of the detachment, with its officers, was placed under Major Munroe's orders, to assist in the defence of the depot. The men are yet too raw to take the field, though efficient for garrison defence. They will be permanently assigned as soon as practicable. The four companies of the first infantry are hourly expected, and will be a seasonable reinforcement. The first shipment of volunteers from New Orleans may also soon be looked for. Their arrival will enable me to open the river and free our communications. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brigadier General U. S. A. Com'g. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I have the honor to report that I was met near this place yesterday, on my march from Point Isabel, by the Mexican forces, and after an action of about five hours dislodged them from their position, and encamped upon the field. Our artillery, consisting of two eighteen-pounders and two light batteries, was the arm chiefly engaged, and to the excellent manner in which it was manœuvred and served, is our success mainly due. The strength of the enemy is believed to have been about six thousand men, with seven pieces of artillery and eight hundred cavalry. His loss is probably at least one hundred killed. Our strength did not exceed all told twenty-three hundred, while our loss was comparatively trifling-four men killed, three officers and thirty-seven men wounded, several of the latter mortally. I regret to say that Major Ringgold, 3d artillery, and Capt. Page, 4th iufantry, are severely wounded. Lieutenant Luther, 2d artillery, slightly so. The enemy has fallen back, and it is believed has repassed the river. I have advanced parties now thrown forward in his direction, and shall move the main body immediately. In the haste of this first report, I can only say that the officers and men behaved in the most admirable manner throughout the action. I shall have the pleasure of making a more detailed report when those of the different commanders shall be received. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brigadier General U. S. A. Com'g. The ADJUTANT GENERAL U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp at Resaca de la Palma, 3 miles from Matamoras, 10 o'clock, P. M. May 9, 1846. SIR: I have the honor to report that I marched with the main body of the army at 2 o'clock to-day, having previously thrown forward a body of light infantry into the forest, which covers the Matamoras road. When near the spot where I am now encamped, my advance discovered that a ravine crossing the road had been occupied by the enemy with artillery. I immediately ordered a battery of field artillery to sweep the position, flanking and sustaining it by the 3d, 4th, and 5th regiments, deployed as skirmishers to the right and left. A heavy fire of artillery and musketry was kept up for some time, until finally the enemy's batteries were carried in succession by a squadron of dragoons and the regiments of infantry that were on the ground. He was soon driven from his position, and pursued by a squadron of dragoons, battalion of artillery, 3d infantry, and a light battery, to the river. Our victory has been complete. Eight pieces of artillery, with a great quantity of ammunition, three standards, and some one hundred prisoners, have been taken; among the latter General La Vega, and several other officers. One General is understood to have been killed. The enemy has recrossed the river, and I am sure will not again molest us on this bank. The loss of the enemy in killed has been most severe. Our own has been very heavy, and I deeply regret to report that Lieut. Inge, 2d dragoons, Lieut. Cochrane, 4th infantry, and Lieut. Chadbourne, Eth infantry, were killed on the field. Lieut. Col. Payne, 4th artillery, Lieut. Col. McIntosh, Lieut. Dobbins, 3d infantry, Capt, Hooe, and Lieut. Fowler, 5th infantry, and Capt. Montgomery, Lieuts. Gates, Selden, McClay, Burbank, and Jordan, 8th infantry, were wounded. The extent of our loss in killed and wounded is not yet ascertained, and is reserved for a more detailed report. The affair of to-day may be regarded as a proper supplement to the cannonade of yesterday; and the two taken together, exhibit the coolness and gallantry of our officers and men in the most favorable light. All have done their duty, and done it nobly. It will be my pride, in a more circumstantial report of both actions, to dwell upon particular instances of individual distinction. It affords me particular pleasure to report that the field work opposite Matamoros has sustained itself handsomely during a cannonade and bombardment of 160 hours. But the pleasure is alloyed with profound regret at the loss of its heroic and indomitable commander, Major Brown, who died to-day from the effect of a shell. His loss would be a severe one to the service at any time, but to the army under my orders, it is indeed irreparable. One officer and one non-commissioned officer killed, and ten men wounded, comprise all the casualties incident to this severe bombardment. I inadvertently omitted to mention the capture of a large number of pack mules left in the Mexican camp. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. ORDERS No. 59. HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, 1. The Commanding General congratulates the Army under his command upon the signal success which has crowned its recent operations against the enemy. The coolness and steadiness of the troops during the action of the 8th, and the brilliant impetuosity with which the enemy's position and artillery were carried on the 9th, have displayed the best qualities of the American soldier. To every officer and soldier of his command, the General publicly returns his thanks for the noble manner in which they have sustained the honor of the service and of the country. While the main body of the army has been thus actively employed, the garrison left opposite Matamoras has rendered no less distinguished service, by sustaining a severe cannonade and bombardment for many successive days. The army and the country, while justly rejoicing in this triumph of our arms, will deplore the loss of many brave officers and men, who fell gallantly in the hour of combat. 2. It being necessary for the Commanding General to visit Point Isabel on public business, Col. Twiggs will assume command of the corps of the army near Matamoras, including the garrison of the field work. He will occupy the former lines of the army, making such dispositions for defence and for the comfort of his command, as he may deem advisable. He will hold himself strictly on the defensive, until the return of the Commanding General. By order of Brigadier General Taylor, W. W. J. BLISS, Acting Adjutant General. HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I am making a hasty visit to this place, for the purpose of having an interview with Commodore Conner, whose squadron is now at anchor off the harbor, and arranging with him a combined movement up the river. I avail myself of the brief time at my command, to report that the main body of the army is now occupying its former position opposite Matamoras. The Mexican forces are already disorganized, and I shall lese no time in investing Matamoras, and opening the navigation of the river. the I regret to report that Major Ringgold died the morning of the 11th inst. of the severe wounds received in the action of Palo Alto. With the exception of Capt. Page, whose wound is dangerous, the other wounded officers are doing well. In my report of the second engagement, I accidentally omitted the name of Lieut. Dobbins, 3d infantry, among officers slightly wounded, and desire that the omission may be supplied in the despatch it self. I am under the painful necessity of reporting that Lieut. Blake, topographical engineer, after rendering distinguished service in my staff during the affair of the 8th inst., accidentally shot himself with a pistol on the following day, and expired before night. It has been quite impossible, as yet, to furnish detailed reports of our engagements with the enemy, or even accurate returns of the killed and wounded. Our loss is not far from 3 officers and 40 men killed, and 13 officers and 100 men wounded; while that of the enemy has in all probability exceeded 300 killed; more than 200 have been buried by us on the two fields of battle. I have exchanged a sufficient number of prisoners to recover the command of Capt. Thornton. The wounded prisoners have been sent to Matamoras-the wounded officers on their parole. General La Vega and a few other officers have been sent to New Orleans, having declined a parole, and will be reported to Maj. Gen. Gaines. I am not conversant with the usages of war in such cases, and beg that such provision may be made for these prisoners as may be authorized by law. Our own prisoners have been treated with great kindness by the Mexican officers. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brigadier General U. S. A. Com'g. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. |