Fort Brown, Texas, March 25, 1860.
At several places they learned that Cortinas had been there, and they saw large numbers of his old camp fires. At Cayetano they learned that he had been apprised of their movements by an express from the river, and that he had left for Burgos, three days’ march in the interior. It was useless to continue the pursuit.
The whole operation was carried forward with much energy. A march of one hundred miles was made in two days and nights. It is not believed that Cortinas will again attempt to concentrate a force in the vicinity of the Rio Grande.
He has not, and it is doubtful whether any of his banditti have, been seen this side of the river since the affair at the Bolsa on the 4th of February.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Major 1st Infantry, Comd’g Brownsville Expedition.
Asst. Adjt. Gen., U. S. A., San Antonio, Texas.
Troubles on Texas Frontier, Letter from The Secretary of War (John B. Floyd), Communicating, In compliance with a resolution of the House, information in relation to the troubles on the Texas frontier, May 5, 1860; House Documents, Otherwise Publ. as Executive Documents: 13th Congress, 2d Session-49th Congress, 1st Session, Volume 12
“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)]