Important from the Rio Grande.
Matamoras attacked by cordial — the fight still going on — the issue still doubtful.
We have received the Brownsville Flag, of Thursday, the 21st ult, two weeks later than previous advices, from which we learn that Carabajal, at the head of the Rejos party, attacked the city of Matamoras on the morning of the 20th, at about 3 o'clock, and after twenty hours severe fighting, the issue was still doubtful. The following is the Flag's account of the affair:
Gen. Caravajal, as our readers will remember, appeared in front of Matamoras at the head of the State troops, on Wednesday the 15th inst., and the people of the town at once raised the black flag, with an inscription upon it that no communication would be held with the assailants. Caravajal then pitched his camp at a farm about five miles from Matamoras, and set about perfecting his plan of attack and drilling and arming his forces.
On Friday, Gen. Garcia, who was supposed to be in Tampico, suddenly marched into Matamoras at the head of a troop variously estimated at from 150 to 600 cavalry. His presence seemed to infuse confidence at once, for the population, which was flying to this side of the river, at once set back to Matamoras; and the people in the city began fortifying the city in the most secure manner.
Barricades were built across the streets leading out of the main plaza, or public square, and forts were hastily thrown up at many places three or four squares from the main plaza.
In the meantime the preliminary measures or communicating with the foreign consuls, and of warning the foreign residents, were duly observed. In this connection, we understand that at one time Gen. Caravajal declared that he would not be responsible for the lives or properties of foreigners remaining in the town; but remonstrances, made from our authorities, who were appealed to in the matter, produced an alteration in this respect, and foreigners were required to make signals to signify their property, and it would be respected.
These necessary details being consummated, on Wednesday morning the attack commenced, Caravajal having moved his camp nearer to town. The assault was commenced with a lively charge upon the upper end of the city, in the neighborhood of the cemetery, the assaulting column being led by Commanders Pena, Aldrete and Manso. Citizens of Brownsville who heard the assault, state that it sounded as if three thousand muskets had all exploded at once. In the midst of this terrible rattle of musketry, the advancing column shouted with enthusiastic gusto, ‘"Viva Pena!"’ ‘"Viva Trivino!"’ --‘"Viva Caravajal! "’ The response of the citizens of Matamoras rolled back over the roar of battle, ‘"Viva Garcia !"’ ‘"Viva Capistran !" ’ ‘"Death to the Traitors !"’
In the meantime the forries leading from Brownsville to Matamoras were put under military surveillance, and communication between the right and left bank of the Rio Grande could only be had by written passports from Lieut. Col. Buchel, of Fort Brown, and from the authorities of Matamoras. Sentinels were stationed on the boats, and the line of communication was entirely broken, as the prudence of Lieut. Colonel Buchel dictated that but few of our citizens should be permitted to mingle in the unfortunate difficulty in progress among our neighbors.
The attacking force, according to the meagre details which we have been enabled to gather, made great headway to wards the main plaza, at the outset, driving the enemy before them up to within three squares of the public plaza. The time was then occupied until daylight in selecting positions and bringing up the reserves for the onset of the morning. However, there was a continuous roar of musketry all the time, the two parties having stationed skirmishers and observers at different points on the roofs of the houses.
Our people assembled in the greatest excitement, and in the largest multitudes on the river bank, straining their eves out to catch a sight of the flashes of musketry and bending their ears to hear the roar of fire arms and the shooting of the different parties. Conjecture ran wild with the number of the warriors, with the intentions of the assailants, and the determination of the defenders. Parties took sides at once and bets were offered and taken upon the defence and the assault.
As daylight broke upon the scene of conflict hundreds of our citizens sought the tops of houses, lined the banks of the river, and raised themselves to the tops of trees, to catch a glance of the exciting tragedy being played to the shouting actors in our neighboring city. The greatest crowds were gathered in front of the ferry and at Freeport.
Gen. Maravajal's headquarters, on his first entry into the city of Matamoras, were made at a frame house just opposite the Freeport ferry. At that point his reserves of cavalry were held in readiness, and from their movements it seemed to us that they were momentarily in expectation of an order to charge.
Gen. Caravajal, in his first entry into the city, hailed some of our citizens on the Texas side of the river, at Freeport, and informed them that he intended to rake the town or dis in the attempt — that he had an adequate force already in action, and that he had fourteen hundred fresh men in reserve. And to tell the truth, his force seemed interminable as it deployed through the by paths, into full view, on the river bank.
The Rojas (Caravajal's party,) commenced a forward movement at an early hour after daylight, and in a short time the force inside the city was completely surrounded, being hemmed in at the plaza. Barricades erected for the defence of the town were taken at the corner known as Albino Lopez's store, and also in front of the new theatre. We understand that a small piece of artillery was captured at the first mentioned barricade.
The fight continued with varied success from daylight till almost half-past 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when the cavalry force of Gen. Garcia sallied forth and drove the assailants back towards the river. In this contest the defenders of the town presaged their sally by throwing a few bombshells into Caravajal's quarters, opposite Freeport; and having created something of a confusion among the Rojas, they made the successful sally. The contester approached so near the river that their death-dealing missiles fell upon our side of the stream, creating quite a stampede amongst the crowds assembled on the bank. The sally was short-lived, however, for the lines soon closed up again, and the Rojas were left master of the situation, so far as the suburbs of the town were concerned.
The discharges of musketry were incessant during the day, but with cessations in their rapidity at different intervals. Both parties seemed to be deficient in artillery, as there were but few reports of cannon heard during the day.
Towards the close of the afternoon of yesterday it is said that a mine was exploded in one of the streets, doing considerable damage to the Rojas. Immediately after, a large smoke was seen to rise from the town, which we believe to be the dwelling of Ysidore Soles, which was fired by the Rojas for strategic reasons.
The consular flags are flying over the city in every direction, and among the number we may notice that of the United States. When our boys saw that, and when it was reported that a party under Caravajal had raised it, we all felt like fighting; but Capt. Donelson rode down to the river bank and demanded an explanation from an officer on the Mexican side, who stated that it was the flag over the United States consular residence, and that it was recognized on the same ground that the Confederate flag was respected.
Judge Bigelow, late on the afternoon of yesterday, obtained a passport and visited the camp of Caravajal, where he was well received.
The light of the burning houses was visible on our side of the river at a late hour last night.
It is stated that considerable carnage has taken place on both sides, and that the Rojas have applied to Lieut-Col. Buchel, for privilege to bring their wounded on this side of the Rio Grande Col. Buchel, Major Gray and other officers of Fort Brown have acted with the greatest discretion during the continuance of the fight, and so far no bad blood has been stirred up on our side.
Both parties claim the chances of success at the hour of going to press.
