April 16, 1863, Tyler Reporter
Brownsville, Texas, March 18th, 1863.
Mr. Hamilton:
Some seven or eight days ago, the Yankee transport “Honduras” anchored off the mouth of the Rio Grande, and amongst its precious cargo was to be found E. J. Davis, a renegade citizen of Texas, who at one time disgraced the Texas bench, but who now is commissioned a Colonel in the abolition army; the notorious murderer and renegade, Montgomery, with a commission as Captain, was his confrere and fellow traveller. They came to Matamoras, and for several days, were engaged in enlisting renegades into their service at that point. Some few desertions from a certain class of our soldiery occurred, and owing to the assumed neutrality of Mexico we were forced to submit to it. We met daily in the streets these hated minions of a Government which has been seeking for two years to accomplish our destruction, and were forced to stay the avenging hand; were forced to submit to witness the loathesome sight of those who claimed to be citizens of Texas, parading the grand Plazas of Matamoras in the Federal uniform. Some 170 of these traitorous wretches had congregated there, and reveled in their supposed security. A few days ago they left Matamoras, and proceeded to Bagdad, a Mexican town near the mouth of the river, and just opposite a point where a small Confederate force was stationed. Here again they began a series of indignities which were very provoking. Being still impressed with the idea of their safety, on account of the declared neutrality of the soil upon which they were camped, and emboldened by being under the guns of the “Honduras,” their cowardly natures prompted them to peer at and insult our brave boys. On the night of the 14th of March, Gen. Bee having gone to “Point Isabel,” the boys thought the opportunity too good to be lost, and “made their arrangements according.” About 25 of them left Fort Brown, and by the time we reached the mouth the number was increased to 70. We secured a sufficient number of boats to cross our entire force at once. This we did at 4 o’clock a.m. After reaching the town, our force was so disposed as to cut off the retreat of the renegades. Learning that the Mexican Commandante had about 160 Mexican soldiers in the town, and not wishing to come, unnecessarily, in conflict with them, the commandante was notified of our purpose and requested to withdraw his soldiers from the danger of a collision.–Surrounding the house in which Col. Davis was said to be, he was ordered to surrender, and, I regret to say, he did so. Had he made resistance, the world would have been well rid of a treacherous monster, and Texas of one of her most unworthy citizens. The notorious Capt. Montgomery, who was a participant with “Jim Lane” in his Kansas outrages, was soon afterwards captured, with some five or six others. Many of them eluded our search by hiding in Mexican houses, in steamboats, schooners, &c., but many of them, in attempting to escape, were unfortunate, and are now filling the capacious maws of Mexican “riotas” and Buzzards. At 6 o’clock a.m. we had accomplished our work, and were returning to our boats for the purpose of recrossing the river into “Dixie land,” when the Mexicans dashed out of their houses and delivered upon us a deafening but harmless volley. Our commander immediately wheeled the boys into line, and ordering them to hold their fire, returned to the town and assured the Mexican authorities that we had no design to injure the people or insult the nationality of Mexico. This seemed to quiet them, and we again resumed our march, when some 60 or 80 Mexicans again made a dash and fired upon us. This time we had one of our boys wounded, and could stand it no longer. We were ordered to fire, and upon the first fire these “heroic soldiers” fled in confusion.
Having accomplished our purpose, we crossed the river and started for Fort Brown, where we arrived safely with one prisoner only, (Col. Davis) the others having escaped on the route. Davis would have escaped also, but for the fact that when taken, his wife was with him, and made such a strong appeal to our commander to spare his life, that he agreed to do so, until delivered to Gen. Bee, and the boys faithfully adhered to this promise. He was to-day delivered to Gen. Bee by some unknown parties. The Mexican authorities regarding the crossing into their territory as a violation of her neutrality, demanded the return of Davis, which Gen. Bee, in order that we might not complicate our affairs at this time by a war with Mexico, and for other important commercial reasons, acceded to. Davis may thank his stars that he had a wife, and that his wife happened to be the daughter of Forbes Britton, and happened to be present when he was captured–else his long, ungainly, foul carcass would now be dangling from a Rio Grande Maguite. Unless he leaves this section of the country immediately, his release will only be temporary.
I am only reconciled to his being permitted to return to his infamy, by the hope that I shall soon meet him upon the battle-field, when the tears and entreaties of his wife, may not stay the hand of vengeance. I wish I could mention the names of the brave boys who participated in the arrest and punishment of these vile traitors, but predential considerations restrain me. They all acted like the genuine Texas soldier, and showed themselves capable of great achievements. I counted 72 vessels, lying off the mouth. To-day an English-man-of-war, came to anchorage. The morning of the fight, a Yankee vessel left for New Orleans, for reinforcements, and we may have lively times here in a few days. We will probably fight against odds, but I feel confident of the result.
I have written you a long letter, but hope you and your readers may find something of interest in it. To them, as to you, if it should prove uninteresting, I promise to do better next time.
Yours, with the greatest confidence in your
prudence and patriotism.
UNKNOWN.
N.B.–”Escape” has a technical meaning out here.
U.K.