Fort Brown, Texas, March 7, 1860.
Since then I have heard of but one small party on this side of the river. They were engaged in removing the body of a man shot by the rangers the evening before, and were under the protection of an armed party “on the south bank of the river.”
I have to-day heard that Cortinas is at the rancho of “Reystano,” a few leagues above, collecting men to cross over; also that he slept last night in Matamoras. It is now said that the report of his going to Monterey was only circulated to throw us off our guard. I have not had time to verify these reports
The telegraphic reports in the newspapers, of orders to cross after Cortinas, and the arrival to-day of company “G,” 2d cavalry, one officer and sixty-three men, have created much alarm in Matamoras, and may induce the authorities to act more efficiently. They know that we can starve them out in a fortnight. There is not a grain of corn in this part of the country. All the corn and flour they use goes from this side.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Major 1st Infantry, commanding Brownsville Expedition.
Adjutant General U. S. A., Washington, D. C.
Fort Brown, Texas, February 29, 1860.
After the affair of the 4th of February, at the Bolsa, he retired to La Mesa, six miles back from the river, and there remained with a small force until within a few days, when he left with five men and is reported to be at Comargo or further back in the interior. Immediately after he left, a body of troops from Matamoras were seen in the vicinity of his abandoned camp. As his mother and brother are desirous to return to this side of the river and reoccupy their ranches, I am strengthened in the belief that Cortinas has left permanently.
The cavalry and rangers are actively employed in guarding the river, but it will be impossible to entirely prevent the incursions of robbers so long as they have the protection of the Mexican side of the river. By occupying this post with two companies and one each at Ringgold barracks and Fort McIntosh, and with two companies of cavalry in the field, I think quiet can be maintained on the lower Rio Grande.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Major 1st Infantry, com’g Brownsville expedition.
Assistant Adjutant General U. S. Army, San Antonio, Texas.
P.S.–Captains Lee’s and Jordan’s companies, eighth infantry, arrived here on the 27th. The latter will return to Ringgold barracks in a few days, and the former await here further instructions. Their march and arrival here have had a salutary effect.
Difficulties on Southwestern Border, House Documents, Volume 126; Volume 128, United States House of Representatives, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1860
During the 12 years following the Mexican-American War, there were present on the frontiers of Texas and Mexico many factors that tended to create disturbances. The topography of the country, the sparsity and general character of its population, the lack of an extradition treaty and of sufficient national authority, wild Indians of uncertain abode, the Mexican tariff system, all caused friction and gave encouragement to lawlessness which not only retarded the development of the region but often threatened to interrupt friendly relations between the two republics. [Border Troubles along the Rio Grande, 1848-1860, The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 2 (OCTOBER, 1919)]