111J)TUNGDO) JOURNAL
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KTaDQ 030.
JAMES CLARK,
'CP CE)1 1 -'`. -5.3 , -.1 g 3 o
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POETRY.
A NATIONAL ANTHEM
The following pitriotie elTusion, from the pen of
GEO. P. !WORMS, ESQ., was sung at the Great War
1 Meeting, held in the City of New York, a short
time since
Arm and on-•yo brave and Free !!
Freedom spreads her downy wings
0 eer all created things ;
Glory to the King of Kings!
Bernd low to - hirn the ineo
Bring the heart before His throne—
Bow to Hint and Him alone--
He's the only king wo own,
And ha has !natio us free!
Chorus--A rm and on—ye brave and free !
Arm and strike for Liberty !
The holiest spot a smiling sun
Ere shed his genial rays upon,
'": Is that which gave a WASHINGTON
cif The drooping world to cheer !
,ayr* Sound the clarion peals of Fame,
N it Ye who bear Columbia's name—
With existence freedom came—
It is man's birth-right here.
Chorus—Arm and on--ye brave and free !
Ares and strike for Liberty
• Heirs of an immortal sire,
Let his deeds your hearts inspire—
Weave the strain and wake the lyre,
Where your proud altars stand :
Hail with shouts and loud hurrahs,
Streaming from a thousand spare,
Freedom's rainbow flag of stars,
The symbol of our land !
Chorus—Arm and on—ye brave and free !
Arm and strike for Liberty
TUB BXBLB.
Warr taught me that a great first cause
Existed era creation was,
And gave an universe its laws?
The Bible.
What guide can lead me to that power,
Whom conscience calla me to adore,
And bids me seek him more and more I
My Bible.
Whence came I first of all to know
The origin of human woe,
When all was ruin here below'?
My Bible.
And in this awful drear dismay,
When hope herself refused a ray,
What tells me God was still our stay ?
My Bible.
Since the arms of mercy then extend
To draw me to my God, my friend,
What can my gratitude expand
Tho Bible.
And while lifo flies in gay career,
And pleasures hail each coming year,
What can enhance my sprightly cheer?
The Bible.
Whea all my actions prosper well,
Anil higher hopes my wishes swell,
What points where truer blessings dwell?
The Bible.
When possums with temptations join,
To conquer every power of mine,
What leads me then to power divine?
The Bible.
When pining cares and wasting pain,
My spirits and my Hilt-blood drain,
What soothes and turns e'en these to gain?.
The Bible,
Vhion crosses and vexations tease,
And various ills my bosom seize,
What is it that in life can please?
Tho Bible.
When horror fills my soul with fear.
And naught hut dread and gloom appear,
What is it then my mind can cheer'!
The Bible.
When impious doubtomy ehoughts perplex,
And mysteries my reason vex,
Whore is the guide that then directs 1
The Bible.
Then may my mind be made to see
What now I am, and yet may bo,
By reading often seriously—.
Tho Bible.
And when atHiction's fainting breath,
Warns me I've done with all beneath,
What can compose my soul in death
The Bible.
TUE M2tIN OF W.E.
The following extract from a chronicle of tho
progress of the Oregon question in Congress, which
is furnished by tho Neto York Herald, is pretty
good. The manner in which it relates tho discom
fiture of the war-hawks in the Senate may possibly
affect the risibles of our readers:
26. And the war party, in the beginning, in the
Senate, derided the men of pee as cowards, and
as traitors ; and the people, jealous of their rights,
looked on in doubt, and the peace men bowed their
heads in silence, and in tribulation of spirit.
27. But the Chief Councillor of the tribe of
South Carolina, named Calhoun, deputed by them
to plead for peace, stood up in the face of his en
emies, and defined his position.
28. And Colquitt, of the Georgians; and Hay-
Wood, a gallant man of the tar burners of North
ern Carolina; and Mangum, whose surname was
Willie, rallied its the debate.
20. And a great discussion between the war
party, and the men of peace succeeded, and was
prolonged many days.
30. And Colquitt handled Breese of Illinois with•
out gloves, showing that though a man of peace,
the Georgian would suffer no man to snub him with
', want of nerve."
31. And Breese was as gentle thereafter as tho
summer-winds among the roses of Sharon.
32. And Allen declared that the " hearts of the
people must be prepared for war," and proclaimed
that the Philistines were as weak as the " unborn
infant reposing in the lap of the past," and that they
were cowards who would not go to war for the
whole or none.
33. And Calhoun twigged him, and Colquitt
twigged him, and Mangum twigged him, and he
was scored upon every hand by every man of peace ;
but still he stood aloft in great dignity, so that he
appeared scarcely less than a king.
34. And Haywood, a quiet and amiable man,
arose to speak upon the matters in dispute; and the
ladies came, expecting to hear him read poetry.
95. But for two days he kept the war party in
fear and trembling ; and towards the end of the
second day, Allen and Hannegan (a warrior of the
tribe of Indiana) fell upon him right and left.
36. But he battled them with great skill, and
finally told Allen that his place in the foreign chair
of the Senate was too much for his cannel', kro
Allen was quiescent for a time.
37. And as the debate progressed, Daniel, stir
named Dickinson, of York State, fell upon Daniel,
surnamed the God-like, of Massachusetts, and
brought in a speech of Charles Jared of the House,
to sustain his attacks upon old Black Dan, who
gave notice that he should call the Senator to ac
count by-and-by, which, in the Chaldaic, signitieth
too soon for your comfort.
38. Meantime, Benton, surnamed Old Bullion,
for his love of gold and silver, canto out for a divis
ion of Oregon end for peace.
39. And Cass, a bonu fide General, came into
contact with him, in which the General buist his
boiler, and great was the explosion.
40. And Hannegan came to his aid with great
fury, but Benton regarded him as an old lion re
gardeth a young lion who bath not yet a mane.
• 41. And the war men stood aghast, for they had
looked peradventure, to the support of• Benton, a
great high priest sarong the tribes of Jonathan.
42. After which, McDuffle, the right-hand man
of Calhoun, described the countty in dispute as a
region Wasted by the God who made it; and show
ed the tide of the Philistines to be good to a part,
from the settlements of the Hudson's Bay men,
43. A species of men who fatten upon such
things as pine bark, fish oil, and new whiskey.
44. A wiry set of men, who deal in skins of ben
vers, making a savory dish of their meat.
45. And after that, Daniel surnamed the God
like, gave notice that he would speak of the lesser
Daniel and Charles Jared, of the other assembly of
the great Sanhedrim.
46. And the next week, the aforesaid Daniel
spoke fur two days, waxing warmer and warmer,
until at length he denounced Charles Jared a liar,
and the lesser Daniel the endorser of a liar.
47. And Daniel, of York State, essayed to reply,
and did, as well as could ho expected ; having gain
ed the great point of satisfying himself that Daniel
the God-like,
48. Was a used-up expounder of the constitu
lion.
49. And the debate, at last, was brought to an
end ; and the Senato was about to speak for peace,
for the men of peace waxed stronger and stronger,
and the war men had waxed weaker, and weaker,
like Saul of old.
50. And Allen, cooing that the notice to the
Philistines would bo such as to lead to an mks-
We adjustment."
M. Rebuked the Senate and declared that " his
voice was still for war."
52. And Crittenden, of the Hunters of Ken
tucky, reproved the great war ehief before the world,
and reduced him to submission.
53. And the peace men took the notice out of
the hands of the war party, and passed it as a meas
ure of peace.
r:C. It is slated in the annual report of the Amer
ican Temperance Union, that no less than 60,000:
seamen have signed the pledge in this country.
Q A few days ago, two Irishmen, near Chicago,
LII., drank a quantity of whiskey on a wager. The
result was, one died on the spot, and the other is
not expected to live.
LEIUTa - 73USZYCC3.1:002:0 0 I:Paa.. ctimuacs. 03 a aEms,nl3.
l'uhiie Worship.
IT la sometimes said, in extenuation of the neg
lect of public Worship, that the time abstracted there
from is not lost, but spent in religious rbadihg, de=
votion, and other duties adapted to the sanctity of
the Lord's day. Such duties, however, are by no
means equivalent to the neglected one, if there is
opportunity and ability for its discharge. Public
religious exercises are ono thing, private Ate another.
They are distinct duties. Neither can properly be
made a eubstituto fer the other, except under cir
cumstances of imperious necessity. When the
Church calls, the Christian's duly is in her public
assembly, and not in his private room, though it be
a closet of prayer. The scripture requisition of
public worship, and the special divine promises
made to it, urge a claim upon hint which he cannot
innocently disregard. The Church has a claim upon
him as one who is to contribute to the doe celebra
tion and efficiency of her holy offices. The com
munity has a claim upon him for his good example.
The principle on which ho arts in neglecting pub
lic worship is ono which would in its consequences
be altogether destructive of such worship. What
is the privilege of one in this matter is the privilege
of all. if ono can do as well by attending to re•
ligium duties et home, so can others. In every view
of it, in itself and its consequences, the wilful neg
lect of pudic worship must present itself to the re
fleeting Christian mind as without excuse, offensive
to God, and dangerous in its influence on individ
ual character, and on the welfare of society and the
Church.
Captain Fremont.
A LETTER dated, Day of St. Francisco, has just
been received from this indefatigable officer, who
has done so much towards making us acquainted
with the best routes to Oregon, and with the char
acter of portions of that terra incognita. He has
explored the southern shore of the great Salt Lake,
one of the most noted features of the country west
of the RoClcy Mountains. Ho corrects some prev
alent errors with respect to the immense Basin (or
Valley) in which the great Salt Lake is situated.—
Instead of being a barren Harms- rxxix as has
been supposed, he found it traversed by ranges of
lofty mountains covered with luxuriant and well
wooded fields, and roamed over by numerous herds
of deer and the mountain sheep. He adds thin
.1 shall make a short journey up the eastern
branch of the Sacramento, and go from the Tla
math lake into the Wahlahmath valley, through a
pass alluded to in my report; in this way making
the road into Oregon far shorter, and a good road
in place of the present very bad one down the Col
umbia. When I shall have mado this short explo
ration, I shall have explored from beginning to end
llds road to Oregon."
ADVICE TO MEN IN DEBT.
Ascertain the whole state of your affairs. Learn
exactly how much you owe. lie not guilty of de
ceiving yourself. You may thus awaken suspicions
of dishonesty, when your intentions were other•
Wise.
Deliberately and fully make up your mind, that
come what will, you will practice no concealment
or trick which might have the appearance of fraud.
Openness and candor command the respect of all
good men.
Remember that no man is completely ruined
among men until his character is gone.
Never consent to hold as your own, one farthing
which rightfully belongs to others.
As you are at present in circumstances of great
trial, and as many eyes are upon you, do nothing
rashly. If you need advice, consult only a few.—
Let them be disinterested persons of the most es•
tablished reputation.
Beware of feelings of despondency. Give not
place for an hour to useless and enervating melan
choly. Be a man.
Reduce your expenditures to the very lowest
lamount.
Care not to figure as others around you
Industriously pursue such lawful and honest arts
of industry as are left to you. An hour's industry
will do more to beget cheerfulness, suppress evil hu
mors, and retrieve your affections than a month's
moaning.
If you must stop business, do it soon enough not
to iniolve your unsuspecting friends.
Learn from your present difficulties the utter
vanity of earthly things.
Two Dutchmen, who built and used in
common a small bridge over a little stream
which ran through their fumes, had a dis
pute concerning certain repairs which it
required alter a time, one of them declin•
mg to bear any portion of the expense
necessary to the purchase of two or three
planks. Finally, the aggrieved party went
to a neighbouring lawyer, and placwg ten
dollars in his hand, said, give you
all dish moneys, if you'll make Hans do
justice mit de pi idge." "How much will
it cost to repair the bridge 7" asked the
honest counsellor of the determined liti
gant.—" Well, den, not more ash five
tullar," replied the Dutchman. "Very
well," said the lawyer, pocketing one of
his notes and giving him the other, "take
this, and go and get the bridge repaired ;
it's the best course you can take." Yeas,'
said the Dutchman, slowly, ' , y-a.a-s;. dat
ish much better as to quarrel mit Hans ;"
but as he went along home, he shook his
head frequently, as if unable after all quite
clearly to see how he had gained anything
by going to law.
Mexican Despatch:
The following is an extract from a des
witch directed to the President of Mexi
co, by General Mejia, dated April 3d :
DEsrApcn,--"To all with judgment and
without excitement produced by wrath,
or rather by patriotism that burns in the
breast at seeing the 'Star Spangled Ban
nert floating over the waters td the Rio
Grande. (I let pass the first moments,
and calmness being re-established,) I ur
ged that with that river between us, our
spears and bayonets could have no nnjus
tifiiable advantage over those of the inva
ders, and that it would be only exchang
ing shots, and useless abetting of blood,
and damage to the city' whose buildings
were very frail. These reasons made me
wait for General Ampudin, and joining
our forces enable us to give a decisive
blow, with a certainty that not a single
Yankee would escape.
Notwithstanding, I have taken all pre
cautions, rising fortifications to coy
er the whole line, I have also strongly at
tacked the morale of the enemy ;—intro•
:toeing anarchy between the two Generals,
and disgusted them with each other; and
Gen. ‘Vorth, the only man of knowledge,
has asked for his transports, and if he goes
away, as 1 believe he will, Taylor will re
main, who is more despicable than any
Mexican traitor. I have also encourag•
ed desertions ft om the army, and from the
'2Bth ult., to date, 2.6 soldiers and 4 slaves,
have passed over to us, notwithstanding
all their precau'ions. In short, the tri
umph of our arms is past all doubt, either
with all our troops or with those I have.
Should the enemy pass the Rio Grande,
TUEIR TOMB IS OPEN."
A. ?righting Irishman.
As the Boston Assessors, in the dis
charge of their duties, were on Wednes
day visiting the inhabitants of Ward
One, they called at the house of a patriotic
Irishman, who seemed rather alarmed at
their entrance, not I,nlwing what could be
the object of their visit—but his anxiety
was quieted, and indeed he seemed quite
delighted, when told that they were only
takinir thq names f r- - . w ith
view ct rasing taxes.
"Taxes I" said he,"did you say Taxusl
you shall have my name, any how, fur
Talus and Mexico, both!" . .
As they were leaving the house, h,3 fol.
loweilthein,
"An' tell me now, how many men you
are going to raise fur Taxus, —an' shore,
I'm ready to fight against the Mexican fel-
lows at any time of the day. "%Viten shall
we be wanted 1"
This mistake of the Irishman was a
no fural one, and we much fear that he is
not the only one in this country who will
find the words Taxes and Texas, to be
synonymous terms. They are alike in
sound and signification.—Bosloit Jour
nal.
THE GAME•TER 7 S CLOSE OF LIFE.—The
Church of England Quarterly Review
points a moral deduced from the I,fe of a
notorious gambler, kdown in England as
"Riley of Bath," to all persons who may
be induced to engage in this unlawful and
dishonorable profession. Riley was both
accomplished anal gifted, and he for a time;
lived a life of the most gorgeous luxury
and extravagance. He was the company
of sovereigns; he squandered with •
profusion, amounting to incessantry, and
won it by a good fortune that seemed con
nected with the supernatural. Nor was
he tree from generous or daring sentiment.
He, on ono occasion, risked an entire co'•
lossal fortune, on the hazzard of the die
against a Russian estate, the slaves on
which he was desirous of restoring to free
dom.—He succeeded ►n his attempt, and
accomplished his desire. Subsequently
he ran a broil course of (tailing splendor ;
he lived in palaces ; continued to play ;
became unlucky, & found fortune, wealth
and friends desert him. At length the
once possessor of millions was seen wan
dering through the streets of London, na•
ked, famished and pennyless ; he who had
feasted emperors and fared sumptuously
every day, died of absolute starvation in
one of the miserable alleys of the great
metropolis.
Churning Dutton
Every good house wife knows that at
times, for some peculiar causes, much dif
ficulty is experienced in making the cream
into butter. A lath , writer in the Indiana
Farmer, recommends the following course
in such cases
'•' • '
I wish to infor►n my sister butter ma.
kers of the means I used, which su suc•
cessively removed the difficulty. I churn
ed, perhaps three hours to no purpose and
then tried to think of something 1-nad
read in the Indiana Farmer ] or some other
periodical. t could not remember precise
ly, hut recollected the resson stated was
the creator being too sour. I then thought
of soda, (pearlash I presume would do as
well) and dissolved a large teaspoonful in
in a pint or MUM water, and. as I poured,
it in, churning at the same time, it in a mo
ment gradually formed into a beautiful
lump of solid sweet butter.
FROM THE SEAT 00 WAR
Official Despatches from Gonna Paylor, eon•
firming in all important particulars the ac
counts we have already published of the two
recent Battles on the Rto Grande.
Vl'e have reeeiVed at an hour too late for any spe
cial reinillts upon them, says the Washington Union,
of Monday night, the official despatches from the
War and Navy Departments. We lose no time
in laying them before our readers. It will be seen
that they confirm substantially the accounts already
published.
HEAD-QUA RTEIIS Anstr or OccursTioN i
Point Isabel, Texas, May 7, 1846.
Sir :—I respectfnlly 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 provision. If the
enemy oppose my march, in whatever force I shall
fight him. Occasional guns are hoard in the di
rection of Matamoros, allowing 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. lot art'y and G . 4 h 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 aro yet too
raw to take the field, though efficient for garrison
defence. They will be permanently assigned as
soots as practicable.
The four companies of the first infantry aro hour•
ly 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 the to open the river and free our communi
cations.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedieet ser
want, Z. TAYLOR,
Brevet Brig'r Gen. U. S. A. Cones.
The Adjutant General of the Army,
Washington, D. C.
HEADQUAUTERS ARMY OP OCCIMATION.
Camp at Palo Alto, Texas, May 9,1846.
Srn :—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 posi
tion, and encamped upon the fief&
light batter
ies, was the arm chiefly engage , and to the excel ,
lent manner in which it was manoeuvred and set ,
wed is our success mainly due,
The strength of the enemy is believed to have
been about six thousand men, with seyon pieces of
artillery, and eight hundred . cavalry. His loss is
probably at least one hundred killed. Our strength
did not succeed, all told, twehty-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 Captain Page, 4th
infantry, were severely wounded. Lieutenant Lu
ther, 2d artillery, slightly so.
The enemy has fullest back, and it is believed has
repassed the river. I have advanced portico now
thrown forward in his direction, and shall move the
main body immediately.
In the haste of this 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 snaking 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. commanding.
The ADJUTANT GENERAL, U. S. Army.
Washington, D. C.
llseenusarsns AII3IT or OCCUPATION,
Camp at Rouser de In Palma,
3 miles from Matainoras,
10 o'clock, P. M., May 9,1846.
Si :—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 Mat
amoras road. When near the spot where lam 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 sth regiments, de
ployed as skirmiehers to the right and left. A heavy
fire of artillery and of musketry MPS kept up for
some time, until finally the enemies 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, wills a groat quantity of ammunition,
three standards, and some one hundred prisoners,
have been taken ; among the fatter, General La
Vega, and several other officers. Ono General is
understood to have been killed. The enemy hos
re-crossed the river, and I am sure will not again
molest us on this bank.
The loss of the enemy in killed hoe been most
severe. Our own has been very heavy, millilitep•
ly regret to report that Lieut. Inge, 2d dragoons,
Lieut. Cochran, 4th Infantry, and Lieut. Chad
bourne, Bth infantry, were killed on the field. Lt.
Col. Payne, 4th artillery, Lieut Col. Mclntosh, Li;
,Dobbins, 3d infantry, Capt. HOOO and Lieut. Fow
ler, sth infantry, and Capt. Montgomery, Lieu'.
Gates, bidden, McClay, Burbank, and Jordan, Bth
infantry were wounded. The extent of our loss in
` 4 l:llacmacia. I - S(11)Q dE)da(D
killed and wounded is not yet ascertained, and is
reserved for a more detailed report.
The affair to day may be regarded as a proper
supplement to the cannonade of yesterday ; and the
two taken together, exhibit the coolness and gallant
ry of our officers and men in the most favorable
light. All have done their duly, and done it nobly.
It will he my pride, in a more cfrcernatantial report
of both actions. to diva npan particular instances
of individual distinction.
It affords me peculiar pleasure to report that the
field work opposite Matamoros has sustained itself
handsomely during a cannonade and bombardment
of IGO hours. But the pleasure hi alloyed with pro
found regret at the loss of its heroic and indomita
ble commander, Major Brown, who died to-tidy
from the effect of a shell. His lons would he a se
vere one to the service at any time, bill to the ar
my Under my orders it is indeed' frOeparalde. One
officer and one non-conindssioned officer killed and
ten men wounded, compribe all the casualties 'net
dent 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 . .
Bt. Erig'r General U. 8. A., Gum's:
Thu Adjutant General of the Army,
Washington, D. C,
Ito.tbo4;ArrrEas ARMY OR OCCUPATION, if
Ilesaca do la Palma, May 11, 184 g. 5
[OnoEns No. 59]
T. The commanding General conglaiulates the
army under his command upon the signal success
which has crowned its recent operations again .4 the
enemy. The coolness and steadiness of the troop
during the action of the Bth, and the brilliant im
petuosity with which the enemy's position and ar
tillery were carried on the 9th, have displayed the
best qualities of the American soldier. To every
officer and soldier of his command, the General
pnblicly returns his thanks for the noble mannei
in which they have sustained the honor of the ser
vice and of the country. While the main body of
the army has been thus actively employed, the gar
rison left opposite Matamoros has rendered no less
distinguished service by sustaining a revere cannon •
ade and bombardment for many successive
The army and the country, While justly rejoicing
in this triumph of out arms, will deplore the loss
of many brave officers and men who fell gallantly
in the hour of combat.
era? to visit Point tsaberoirpoorw-,....din g Gen
onel Twiggs Will assume command of the corps of
the any near Matamoros, including the garrison'
of the held work. He will occupy the former litres
of the army, making such dispositions for defence
and for the comfort of his command, as he luny
deem advisable. Ho will hold himself strictly on'
the defensive until the return of the commanding
General.
By order of Brig. Gen. TA*l.Oll.
W. W. J. Btfft,.
Acting Adjutant General..
14E. QUATITttIi. All3ll. OF OCCUPATION,
Point Isabel, (Texas,) May 12, 1848.
Sir:—l am making a hasty visit to this place, foe
the purpose of having an interview With Commo
dore Connor, whore squadron is now at anchot oft
the harbor, and arranging with him a combined
movement Op the rimer. I avail myself of the
brief time at my command to report that the main
body of the army is now occupying its former po
sition opposite Matatnoras. The Mexican forces
arc almost disorganized, and I shall lose no time ill
investing Mataniorarr, anti opening the navigation Of
tie river.
I regret to report that Major Ringgold died on the
damning of the 1 Ith inst. of the severe wounds re
ceived in the action of Palo Alto. With the ex
ception of Cot. Page, Whose Vocurnd is dangerous,
the other wounded aims are doing well. In my
report of the sceorul engagement, I accidentally
omitted the name of Lieut. Bobbins, 3d infaetry,
among the officers slightly wounded, and desire that
fhe omission may be supplied in the despatch itself.
I am under rho painful necessity of reporting that
Lieut. Blake, topographical engineer, after render
ing distinguished service in my sluff during the
affair of the' tfth inst., accidentally shot himself with
a pistol an the following day, and expired before
night. . .
It hoe been quite impossible as yet, to furnisiY
detailed reports of our engagements with the ene
my, or even accurate return. of the killed and
wounded. Our loss is not far froth 3 officers ant!
40 men killed, bad 13'o11icers and 100 men wound
ed; while that of the enemy has, in ell probability.
exceeded 300 killed ; more than 200 have been
buried by us, on the two fields of battle.
I heyo exchengeda . etrfficient number of prisoners
to recover the command of Capt. Thornton . . The
wounded prisoners have been sent to Matamoros—
the wounded officers on their parole. General La'
Vega, and a few other °Medd have been sent to .
New Orleens, having declined a parole, and will be
reported to Moj. Gen Guinea. lam not conversant
with the usages of war in such cases, and beg that
such provision may be made for these prisoners as
may ire authorized by law. bur own prisoners lime
been• treated With great kindness Ily the Mexican
officers.
I Dm, sir, very respectfully, your obeil'ut serir . t.
Z. 'J'A YLOR.
Bt. Brig Gen. U. S. A. mink.
The Adjotant General of the A rfiiy,
Wieshingten, D. C.
rtz.tu QtrAwrxits, ARM/ or 0C.0...140N.
Fort Polk, Tema, May 12, 1846,
lonutorr No. 60•)
As a mark of respect trr the Chief Magistrate of
the Iteputtlic, the work constructed at this place to'
cover the main depot of the Army, will be known
ae "Fort Polk."
The commanding general takes this occasion to'