March 28, 1863, San Antonio Herald
Brownsville, March 11th, 1863
Eds. Herald:–In this far off place, we, of San Antonio, always welcome the Herald with delight, not solely for the news it contains, but principally to glean from the local items, something that is transpiring in our beloved city.The advertisements even are conned over with interest, and when at length we have read and re-read, the paper is reluctantly thrown aside with a sigh.
Three days ago a Yankee gunboat made her appearance at the mouth of the river and landed some officers and men on the Mexican side.The officers were rigged out in the Cavalry uniform of the Federal army.Immediately rumors of all sorts were spread through Brownsville and Matamoras, one was that the vessel in question was the “avant courier” of seven others, with 2400 men on board, the object of the expedition being a descent on Brownsville.The truth of the matter is, that the vessel brought no less a personage than Judge Davis of Corpus Christi, now a Colonel in the abolition service.He was accompanied by Major Somebody (who used to be a preacher in Austin,) Lieut. Daniel Bonnet (another renegade from Austin,) and three other subaltern officers, two of whom are also refugees from this State.On yesterday they were all in Matamoras cutting a great swell.I have just learned that one of the subaltern officers mentioned above is Branbach, once the Sheriff of Gillespie county, who escaped from the guard house in San Antonio, last summer.Their intentions in coming to Matamoras are not positively known; but they are offering inducements for our men to desert.They have partially succeeded, as some ten or twelve of the 3d Reg’t. have deserted in the last two days.A Lieut. in the same Reg’t. has also deserted; his name is Holtz, and used to live in New Braunfels.Judge Davis has come to a bad place for his health, for if he should fall into the hands of any of our soldiers, they would hang him on the first tree.Several amusing things occurred in Matamoras between the renegades and some of the Texans over the river.The parson Major above alluded to, was galloping up the main street when he was accosted by an old negro acquaintance; he immediately stopped, shook hands with his colored brother, leaned over h is saddle and putting h is hand familiarly on the negro’s shoulder, commenced a conversation with him.Mr. L_____g, a merchant of San Antonio, who was standing near cried out “Look at the Abolition nigger loving son of a ______.”The gallant Major merely looked up when he heard these words applied to him, and then resumed his talk with the negro.A crowd commencing to gather around, he concluded that it was best to ride off.
Pearce, the Yankee Consul at Matamoras, keeps a regular recruiting office.All of our deserters are fed and clothed by him, when they are sent to New Orleans by first opportunity.Many a poor deserter has found out his mistake, after a few days residence in Mexico, and would have given any thing to return, but feared to risk his neck by coming back.Many disaffected San Antonians are also there, among whom are […..] Lyons and John S. Marsh, the latter is said to be very bitter against the South.He ought to be after having made a little fortune off the charitable feelings of the people of San Antonio.
About two weeks ago the U. S.Brig “Young Harry” went ashore and was wrecked on our coast, at the “Boca Chica,” about 5 miles from the mouth of the Rio Grande.Her cargo consisted of flour, corn, clothing, domestics, shoes, and all sorts of dry goods.About one half the flour and dry goods was saved, but the corn was a total loss.The crew was taken, brought to Fort Brown, and afterwards paroled.The property saved from the wreck was appropriated by the military authorities, but was subsequently claimed by the C. S. Receiver, who is now selling it at public auction.There has been no blockader at the mouth for some time.About sixty merchant vessels are lying outside the bar.
Truly Yours, Rebel.