November 22, 1863, The New York Herald
Perhaps the most important war news we have today is from the Texas expedition of General Banks. The occupation of Brownsville appears to have been dictated by some very urgent reasons. An attempt to revolutionize the district of Tamaulipas, which includes Matamoros and the mouth of the Rio Grande, by the Mexican chief Miramon handing it over to the French, was frustrated by the timely appearance of General Banks. The presence of the Union troops drove General Cobas, the ally of Miramon, to the other side of the river, where he fell into the hands of Cortinas, who defeated him, and shot him as a traitor. Three revolutions occurred in one week on the Mexican frontier of the Rio Grande, in the regular Mexican fashion; but the position which General Banks now occupies secures to the United States the port of Matamoros without embroiling us in a foreign war, as might have been the case if the Tamaulipas country had been handed over to French rule.
No accounts direct from Knoxville, later than those published yesterday have been received. In Washington no apprehension is felt for the safety of Burnside’s command, or of his ability to hold the city until relieved by General Grant, who, since the junction of Shermanwith Thomas’ force, has ample means at his disposal for so doing.
The recent rain storm has extended to Virginia, and the Army of the Potomac is once more stuck in the mud. Our cavalry occupy Culpepper, but the infantry have not yet advanced to that point. Rumors prevailed in the camps yesterday that Lee had fallen back from the line of the Rapidan; there is no reason, however, for believing that he has abandoned a position so strong, both naturally and artificially. It is now ascertained that the parties depredating in the rear of our forces are composed of deserters from the Union army, who waylay and rob travellers indiscriminately, but pay particular attention to sutlers, purveyors and others who carry considerable sums of money.
Large quantities of provisions and medical stores have been forwarded to the union prisoners at Richmond, and no anxiety need be entertained as regards their condition so long as the rebel authorities permit the distribution of the supplies among them. There has been some delay in forwarding the stores, owing to the lack of transportation from City Point to the rebel capital; but this difficulty we are assured has been overcome.