the character of my countrymen, whilst I at the same time fulfil

the most imperious of the duties which my country requires for the offences committed against it.

"God and liberty!

Head-Quarters, at the Fanques del Raminero, May 6, 1846.

M. ARISTA."

Captain Hawkins, though resolved to defend the fort to the last, thought it proper to submit the message which he had received to his officers. He accordingly assembled the commanders of bastions, with Captain Mansfield, principal engineer, and Lieutenant Bragg. The vote was taken, beginning with the youngest officer, and was unanimous, to defend the fort to the death. The following reply was returned within the allotted hour:

"SIR: Your humane communication has just been received, and, after the consideration due to its importance, I must respectfully decline to surrender my forces to you.

"The exact purport of your despatch I cannot feel confident that I understood, as my interpreter is not skilled in your language; but if I have understood you correctly, you have my reply

above.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. S. HAWKINS,

Gen. M. ARISTA,

Commanding U. S. Forces opposite Matamoros.

Commanding Division of the North."

On the receipt of this reply followed the most harassing fire of shot and shells that had yet been experienced; but the American troops could not answer it, as their ammunition was nearly expended, and that on hand had to be kept for close quarters, as the storming of the fort was momentarily expected.

BOMBARDMENT OF FORT BROWN.

119 At the dawn of the 7th the enemy's batteries opened as usual with great vigour, and parties seemed advancing on the fort, but several rounds of canister and grape fired into their picket-guards, at the houses in the rear, and at the old guard-house, caused them to fall back out of cannon-range. A random fire was kept up during the forenoon with musketry; but at half-past two commenced a regular bombardment with shot and shells, from howitzers and mortars, which was continued without intermission till after sunset.

The Mexicans had advanced the former night, and occupied a traverse left by the garrison to the north of the work near the river, which was only one hundred yards from it, and as high as our breast-work. At this place was a cover from which they fired their escopets into the fort, and which might serve them as a rallying-point, whence to rush upon it in the expected storm. It was determined to level it, at whatever cost.

Accordingly, on the night of the 7th, Captain Miles, with three subalterns, Lieutenants Potter, Van Dorn and Clitz, and one hundred men, under direction of Captain Mansfield the chief engineer, were sent, with spades only, on this dangerous enterprise. The traverse lay longitudinally perpendicular to the face of one of the enemy's strongest batteries, and not over five hundred yards from it had a discovery been made, a single discharge of grape might have cut off the whole party. Happily, by eleven o'clock, clumps of chaparral adjacent

the traverse was levelled and some cut away, much to the chagrin and mortification of the enemy, who returned about midnight to resume their firing of the previous night, but found their breast-work level with the ground.

At this time a random fire of musketry commenced, accompanied by the notes of bugles sounding the charge; and the defenders of the fort expected every moment the deadly assault. Arrangements had already been made for it in Matamoros, to take place this very night by a picked corps of five thousand men ;

but

Arista had ascertained that General Taylor was advancing, and the order was countermanded. The storming of the fort having been abandoned, the firing was now irregular until three o'clock A. M. At this time it became more severe, and was continued until daylight.

At sunrise on the 8th the enemy's batteries commenced their fire, and for several hours poured an incessant storm of shot and shells into the fort. At noon the bombardment was resumed, and an additional mortar, established in the chaparral across the river, opened upon the garrison. Worn down with watching, exhausted by labour, and harassed by a continual fire, the weary soldiers were becoming listless, and indifferent to the shot and shells that fell in dangerous proximity to their persons, when, about half-past two o'clock P. M. on the 8th, they were roused from their lethargy by a cannon-shot in the direction of Point Isabel. Another and another followed in quick succession, and then ensued a heavy cannonade like a continued volley of artillery. The countenances of the soldiers brightened, as they sprang to their feet and listened with intense interest to the roar of the distant battle, which was then raging on the plains of Palo Alto. The sounds grew nearer and more distinct, from which they inferred their general was driving the enemy before him; and, mounting upon the parapets, regardless of the missiles that fell thick around them, they raised a shout that rose far above the thunder of the enemy's forts, and carried dismay to the hearts of the inhabitants of Matamoros. Soon after this the enemy redoubled his fire, and from mortars established in the north, south and west-four in numberround-shot and shells in a storm of iron hail strewed the earth in every direction. While the sounds of the distant battle were now heard, bodies of infantry and cavalry were seen crossing the river, and hurrying onward to reinforce their companions. About sunset, a Mexican came running to the fort with a flag, and announced to the garrison the pleasing intelligence, that General

DEATH OF MAJOR BROWN.

121

Taylor had met the forces of Arista on his march, and after a severe fight, had driven him back towards Matamoros.

During the night there was no more firing, and the garrison, though on the alert should an assault be attempted, was enabled to obtain better rest than usual to their weary, exhausted frames.

The firing was resumed on the morning of the 9th, but the garrison was greatly encouraged on finding that the enemy's battery to the east of the fort was withdrawn and removed to Matamoros. The belief that General Taylor had been victorious on the preceding day, was confirmed by seeing troops hurrying in the direction of Arista's head-quarters. During the fire this morning, an act of great daring was performed by Lieutenant Van Dorn and Quartermaster-Sergeant Henry. The halyards of the flag had become unrigged the preceding evening; they ascended to adjust these, when the enemy turned upon them the fire of all their batteries; yet, amid the storm of grape, canister, and shells, they dauntlessly stood to their work until they had accomplished it, and descended amid the acclamations of their companions.

About midday the firing ceased for some time, and amid the silence of the pause, the gallant Major Brown breathed his last.

It was now after two o'clock; no message or tidings had been received from General Taylor, and anxiety was painfully depicted on the faces of many, when the booming of cannon in quick succession, told that their companions were again in deadly conflict with the enemy. Nearer and clearer came the sound, till amid the diapason of artillery was heard the sharp rattle of musketry, and the garrison knew that the brave army coming to their relief, were driving before them the proud legions of Mexico.

At length the sound of battle ceased, and the defenders of the fort were now anxious to gain intelligence of a result in which their own safety was so deeply concerned; when, towards set of sun, the Mexican troops emerged from the chaparral in the utmost

confusion, and rushed in full retreat to the river, pursued by May's dragoons and Duncan's artillery. Transported at the sight, the garrison manned the parapets, and, lifting up the voice of exultation, silenced with their cheers the batteries of the enemy, for not another shot was fired afterwards. As the tide of Mexican cavalry and infantry rolled by, discharges of grape from a 6-pounder and one of the 18's of the fort, carried increasing confusion into their masses; but as it was difficult to distinguish friend from foe, the fire of the garrison was checked, lest the deadly missiles might be directed against the pursuers as well as the fugitives.

After a siege of one hundred and sixty hours, in which several thousand shot and shells were received, and every ten feet of its area ploughed up by a bomb, thus ended the defence of Fort Brown. It was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant achievements of the war. Throughout its continuance, the courage, patience, and perseverance of the American soldiery were severely tested, under the most disadvantageous and harassing circumstances; and well did they abide the fiery ordeal.

Besides its gallant defender Major Brown, Sergeant Weigart of the 7th infantry was the only one killed; the wounded were thirteen in number, and were all privates. The case of Sergeant Weigart was a remarkable one. The second bomb thrown by the Mexicans exploded near his company, and carried away a part of his head, killing him instantly. While laid out on a board in the hospital tent preparatory to burial, a shell entered the tent, burst, and blew off his head. After his burial, a bomb entered his grave, and exploding therein, partially exhumed him.