A fortified post on the
Rio Grande, erected in 1846.
and named in honor of
Maj. Jacob Brown.
U. S. A. It was built by
General Taylor immediately after his arrival at the river opposite
Matamoras with a part of the army of occupation (March 29, 1846), and was designed to accommodate 2,000 men. It was placed in command of
Major Brown.
Taylor was ordered by
General Ampudia, commander of the
Mexican forces at
Matamoras, to withdraw within twenty-four hours, as he claimed the territory around
Fort Brown belonged to the Department of Tamaulipas.
a part of
Mexico.
Taylor refused to do so: and when he had gone hack to
Point Isabel with a part of his forces, leaving
Major Brown in command.
Arista crossed the river with some troops to attack the fort.
His army was hourly increasing in strength.
On the night of May 4 the Mexicans erected a battery behind the fort.
and early the next morning opened a heavy fire from it upon the fortification.
At the same time the batteries at
Matamoras, which had fired upon the fort on the 3d, hurled shot and shell, but with little effect, for
Brown had erected bomb-proof shelter.
Almost at the beginning of the bombardment, the gallant commander was killed.
The bombardment continued thirty-six hours, when
Arista demanded a surrender of the fort.
It was refused, and towards evening (April 6) a heavy tempest of shot and shell fell upon the fort.
The fort withstood the attack until relieved by approaching troops under
General Taylor.
See
Mexico, War with.
