State of Taylor's Forces.

be assured, the civilized nations of Europe look upon with the utmost indignation. Come, therefore, and array yourselves under the tricoloured flag, in the confidence that the God of armies protects, and that it will protect you equally with the English.”

This inglorious appeal was not unattended with success. Several desertions took place, until it became necessary to issue orders to shoot every soldier, who should attempt this crime. Two or three being thus dealt with, the evil was stopped.

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The situation of the two armies became every day more critical. By order of General Taylor, strong guards of foot and mounted men were established on the margin of the river, for the purpose of preventing all intercourse. The Mexican pickets extended above and below his camp for several miles, but were watched by strong and vigilant guard, so as to prevent the possibility of surprise under disadvantageous circumstances. field-work was also erected, together with a strong battery, a number of buildings for the security of supplies, and several respectable works for their protection. Fronting each other, for an extent of more than two miles, were batteries shotted, within range of each other, and watched by officers and men who were impatiently waiting for orders to apply their matches.

But both armies still seemed unwilling to interrupt the peace which had ever existed between the two republics. Neither army was very well prepared for active hostilities. Taylor's entire force was small, separated into two portions, and ill provided with artillery and ammunition; the Mexicans were waiting for rein

Murder of Colonel Cross.

forcements, both of men and supplies, and were uncertain as to a proper point of attack.

of

On the 10th of April, an event occurred, which, on account of its being the first of the kind, created great sensation in the American camp. This was the death of Colonel Truman Cross. Early in the morning he had ridden into the country, to his usual exercise, but did not return at his customary time. As the country was known to be infested with plunderers and rancheros, his non-appearance caused much uneasiness in camp, and several parties were despatched in quest of him. General Taylor then wrote to the commandant Matamoras upon the subject, but that officer disclaimed all knowledge of his fate, and the army was left to the most painful conjectures. This continued until the 21st, when a Mexican strolled into camp, and stated that the body of an American soldier was lying in the chaparral at some distance. A party was immediately sent with him, and, among some thick bushes, they found a body, which, by fragments of the dress and several other marks, was recognized as the remains of Colonel Cross. The spot was a short distance from a road leading to the river. He had been deprived of his watch, pistols, and clothing, and the flesh was picked off his body by the vultures. The account given of his death by a Mexican appears worthy of credit. He stated that he was taken by a band of lawless Mexican soldiers, commanded by Romano Falcon, who murdered him with his own hands, after he had been robbed, although his band were in favour of taking him a prisoner to Matamoras. General Taylor caused the body to be interred with ful military honours.

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Correspondence between Taylor and Ampudia.

On the 11th, the arrival of General Ampudia in Matamoras, caused many demonstrations of joy on the part of the citizens and soldiers in that city, and the Americans expected an early attack. On the following day, however, General Ampudia sent a messenger to General Taylor with a despatch, requiring him, "in all form and at the latest in the peremptory term of twentyfour hours, to break up his camp and retire beyond the Neuces," assuring him, that in the event of a refusal, arms, and arms alone, must decide the question," and advising him that, in that case, the Mexicans accepted the war to which he provoked them.

General Taylor in reply to this letter, informed him that he had been ordered by his government to take a position on the left bank of the Rio Grande, which he had done, and from which he could not recede, except under directions from the same quarter with those which brought him there. He further stated that the movement in question was expected by his government to be a peaceful one, and that he (Ampudia) was fully at liberty to make it otherwise, at any moment he might see fit to do so; in which case he would be responsible for all the consequences resulting from the same. The allotted time expired without being followed by any occurrence of interest, notwithstanding the definite form of General Ampudia's notice.

On the 17th, Lieutenant T. H. Porter, and Lieutenant Dobbins, started from camp for the purpose of discovering if possible, the murderers of Colonel Cross, a step induced by the rumour that Romano Falcon was prowling in the vicinity with his command. Each commanded a detachment of two non-commissioned officers

Death of Lieutenant Porter.

and ten privates. They took opposite directions. During the night it rained hard. On the second day, Lieutenant Porter met a party of Mexicans, one of whom snapped his piece at him. Lieutenant Porter answered by firing a double barrel. The Mexican took to flight, whilst Lieutenant Porter took possession of the camp of the marauders, containing ten horses, blankets, &c. He then immediately mounted his men, and started for head-quarters. It shortly after commenced raining with the violence known only in tropical climates. While passing through a clump of chaparral, Lieutenant Porter was fired upon. He instantly ordered his men to dismount, but their arms were useless from the rain, while the enemy continued to pour in a galling fire. One of Lieutenant Porter's men was shot down, and he himself received a ball in the thigh and fell, exclaiming, "Fight on, boys! Take care of yourselves." The men then separated into three parties as they retreated into the chaparral, but they all finally reached the camp. As they retired, the Mexicans, yelling like Indians, rushed upon Lieutenant Porter and the wounded soldier, and plunged their knives into their breasts. The gallant young officer whose life was thus early lost to his country, was a son of Commodore David Porter. It has been said of some families that chivalry runs in the blood, and of none can it be more true than of the Porters. The brother of Lieutenant Porter, who held a similar rank in the navy, is reported to have said, when he heard of his brother's death, that his father had given him a sword as his only bequest, and with that sword he would avenge his brother's fall or share his fate. His American mother had written to him, "come not to

Blockade of the Rio Grande.

me-but go the other way, to avenge your brother and defend your country."

On the 19th of April, General Taylor learned that two vessels from New Orleans, laden with supplies for the Mexicans in Matamoras, were off the mouth of the Rio Grande, he ordered the United States brig Lawrence, with the revenue cutter St. Anna, to cut off the communication by water with that place. A letter from Ampudia followed the establishment of this blockade, in which that step is complained of, and a demand made for the release of two Mexicans, falsely alleged to be held as prisoners by the American general. The letter of General Taylor in reply is of great interest, and is worthy of preservation as an evidence of the dignified yet firm bearing of that officer at this critical period.

Camp near Matamoras, Texas, April 22, 1846. "HEAD QUARTERS, ARX, "SIR-I have had the honour to receive your communication of this date, in which you complain of certain measures adopted by my orders to close the mouth of the Rio Bravo against vessels bound to Matamoras, and in which you also advert to the case of two Mexicans supposed to be detained as prisoners in this camp.

"After all that has passed since the American army first approached the Rio Bravo, I am certainly surprised that you should complain of a measure which is no other than a natural result of the state of war so much insisted upon by the Mexican authorities as actually existing at this time. You will excuse me for recalling a few circumstances to show that this state of war has not been sought by the American army, but has been forced upon