March 28, 1863, San Antonio Herald
(Extract from a private letter.)
Brownsville, March 17th, 1863.
Exciting occurrences have transpired here in the last day or two. Judge Davis now Col. Davis, and the notorious Montgomery (Major) of Lockhart, were over in Matamoras, last week; they enticed away many of our Regiment, who for $50 went over and swore into the Northern army. Last Friday the above named renegade officers left Matamoras with about 120 renegades and deserters, to embark on a Yankee steamer at the mouth, which was there to take them to New Orleans. A party of Confederates went down at the same time on this side of the river, to watch their operations. On Friday and Saturday the sea was so rough that they could not go out to their steamer. On Sunday morning at day-break the Confederate boys crossed over to the Mexican side and took Davis and Montgomery prisoners, and killed and captured about a dozen of the deserters. Two men on our side were wounded. Col. Davis was sent prisoner to this place, and Montgomery went up a tree on the end of a rope. He was a wealthy man, and has a family in Lockhart. The Mexicans were very angry at our having violated the sacred neutrality of their soil. Yesterday their blood went up to 100 degrees on the subject, but in a day or two it will be down below zero. Last night at about 11 o’clock the whole Regiment was called to arms, it being reported that the Mexicans were about to cross over. The men were under arms nearly all night. They have cooled down considerably on the other side to-day, and I believe everything will go on as smoothly as ever. Davis has been sent into the interior. He looked “awfully” down hearted when I saw him.