20 WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1860 . by Texans and carried on (mainly) by and between them, I am at a loss to know. With reference to the attack made upon the "Ranchero," Colonel Brown is again at fault. General Scott in his note says: "There was no attack from the Mexican side upon our boat, the Ranchero, loaded with provisions. Her colors were not rent by bullets,'' &c The report of Major Tobin and Captain Ford, herewith sub- mitted, marked "C and D," will furnish your department with authentic information in relation to that affair. Major Tobin says: "On Friday, on my march from Rio Grande city to this place, at the same time guarding the steamer Ranchero, on her way also from Rio Grande city to this place, she was fired into from the Mexican bank of the river, at a rancho called the Balsa." This account is sustained by Major Heintzelman in his letter to the military commandant of the line of the Bravo, dated Fort Brown, February 9, 1860, which is respectfully submitted marked "E." Major Heintzelman says: "After his defeat, as above stated, he fled for safety to the Mexican side of the river and there found it. He wa-s received with sympathy: he was there allowed to recruit his forces, arm and equip them and watch for a favorable opportunity to make another attack. "This attack he made by firing across the river, mortally wound- ing a man of our troops, and by firing upon the steamboat." Texas willingly yields to the federal government the settlement of the Rio Grande difficulties. Its entire means of defence now in the field is inadequate to the protection of the country f.rom Indians. Believing that when the facts are presented to Con- gress the dictates of humanity will rise above all party or per- sonal considerations. I yet look for aid from that quarter. The American heart must feel for a people of like race and kindred; and though sectional considerations may prevail at times, they will, I believe, be forgotten when the catalogue of barbarities, by which our frontier has been devastated, is remembered. The lives of over seventy of our citizens, the violated persons of delicate females, brutally ravished and then turned loose naked in the wilderness to starve, the victims carried into captivity, appeal too strongly to the sympathies, where reason has not been convinced, to be resisted. I have to express my regret that I have
) '
Powered by FlippingBook