160 YEARS AFTER, CORTINA'S BATTLE WITH CITY RESOUNDS

(Ed.'s Note: Come September 28, it will be 160 years since Juan N. Cortina captured the Brownsville and held it for two days. The story is familiar to local residents: Cortina rode in with some men, sought out his enemies, killed a few, and was persuaded to leave two days later by a contingent from Matamoros. But what some may not know is the climate of fear and hysteria that reigned in Brownsville following the occupation of the city. Private letters from citizens were published in the New Orleans Picayune that were later published in the New York Herald Tribune.

In this first part, the disastrous foray into the field by the "Brownsville Tigers" against Cortina is reprinted from the Brownsville Flag Nov. 25, 1860 edition.)

Expedition against the Outlaws - Defeat of the Americans

"Our unfortunate city is in peril beyond any which has heretofore threatened it. The force which went up to attack (Juan N.) Cortina's camp met with such a defeat on yesterday as it is painful for us to chronicle.

"It was composed of about fifty rancheros and twenty Americans on our side, and fifty of the Matamoros infantry under Lt. Col. Laranca - the force from our side being under the command of Capt. Thompson. They carried with them a four-pounder belonging to the Mexican force, and a four-pound howitzer belonging to Capt. (Mifflin?) Kenedy. They arrived at the rancho of Doña Estefana (the mother of Cortina) late in the afternoon, which they found in the possession of 20 men, who, after one or two volleys, retired about 200 yards above. These proved to be the advanced guard of the banditti.

"After a few moments of deliberation, one of two corrals (which are horse pens built of high posts was selected for the camp, but through some want of concert a portion got into one and others in another. It was then thought well to dispatch the horsemen on a scout around and though the potrero and thence to the landing, to secure the boats, so as to prevent the band from escaping to the other side (of the Rio Grande).

"Subsequently, a number of men on foot were sent up the road to find and, if possible, dislodge the enemy. The little howitzer went with them. They soon came to where the road passed through a dense chaparral, and they imprudently proceeded for some distance, when a heavy and general fire was opened upon them from an enemy unseen and undiscoverable.

Finding the howitzer useless, they sent it back and brough up the cannon, in the hope that a few round shot thrown into the woods might dislodge the enemy. At the third fire it rebounded and fell off its carriage.

"Col. Loranca was expecting the mounted men, but they failed to come; but now six or seven mounted Americans came up and retook the gun, yet were unable to remount it, nor could they persuade any of the men on foot to come up and assist, so they were forced to abandon it. By this time the rout became general; the mounted men had mostly left, the majority of the infantry followed, and at last a few men who had remained with the little howitzer at the corral, finding themselves unaided, and so few in number that they were unable to put the howitzer into the river, or to destroy the ammunition, as they desired, left also. Antonio Espinosa and others, however, were unable to get it into the river afterward, but we learn that Cortina has since got it out.

"There was miserably slight preparation made for the enterprise; few had the percussion caps for more than four or five charges, many of the cartridges were found too large for the muskets, and at the close of the attack, when there was an attempt made for a rally, there was not ammunition enough for a single round to each of the soldiers on foot. Some supplies of ammunition had arrived during the fight, but it had not ye made known to Mr. Adolphus Glavecke, who was charged with its distribution, and he went in great haste toward the city for a resupply. The infantry, who had fought most bravely in the mnidst of an ambuscade, being out of ammunition were compelled to retire.

"Suffice it to say that Cortina has won a victory, is in possession of two very efficient pieces of artillery and all the ammunition belonging to them, of a large keg of rifle powder, and some provisions which were on the route when the fight took place. It is said that he ahd two men at the least killed, if not more, while on our side four of the Mexican force were wounded at their guns, but none killed. One of the men from Brownsville, a Mexican, was badly wounded.

"From what we can judge and divine from the statements of those present, especially from the report of Lt. Col. Loranca, and Mr. Thompson, Cortinas (sic)  had some 250 to 300 men. This is, however, conjecturalas others estimate it far less. Few of the bandits were seen at any one time, but as an old United States soldier observed, fifty men hid as they were, could have stampeded 500 in a road guarded dismounted cannon. Cortina will, of course, be able now to greatly increase his band, having artillery and the prestige of victory to aid him.

"We are now barricading our streets and preparing for an attack upon the town, which we may expect night by night. For 10 days past, nearly every man has remained on the watch all or most of the night. We are well nigh worn out, but will persevere, hoping for the arrival of the promised rangers. If there are any friends of ours within striking distance, we hope they will not fail to come at once to our relief."

And Cortina's Letter to a Merchant of the Town Following the Failed Attack

Dear Sir, I may say to you that having been informed that the Town of Brownsville is fortifying itself to fight against me, I tell you that I do not wish to fight against the town, because of the many persons who are faultless – such as your house, that of Dr. Alejandro, that of Dr. Pablo, and other individual houses such as that of D. Venceslaus Vega. Do me the favor to acquaint all those persons and Mr. Powers (our Mayor) and Mr. James Brown (the Sheriff) that I do not wish to moles the twon.

"I hope you may answer me, because I am about to upon the town, since I have now got sufficient force and artillery to batter down the houses; and not being desirous of doing so, I desire from you the three or four persons by whom I have been aggrieved – such as Mr. Adolphe Glavecke, the squinting sheriff (the Marshal) and some other persons who have difficulties with me.

"Do me that favor, and with you all those persons whom I have named, to make this letter known to them, that they may drive out those men and cite me to their field of battle. I await your answer in order to act as it suits me. No more. Your servant who places himself at your orders.
Juan Nepomuceno Cortina