Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/122

104 a body of one hundred and ﬁfty lancers, whom he charged and pursued nearly three miles; but as their horses were fresh, and his much jaded, he was unable to overtake them. Fears were now entertained for the safety of Captain Walker, but all alarm was banished by his subsequent reappearance. He brought the information that the ﬁring of the batteries at Matamoras had recommenced on the morning of the 4th, but was kept up only at long intervals, and without producing any damage.

The partial cessation of the enemy's ﬁre enabled Major Brown to continue the work on the defences of the fort, without any serious molestation. On the night of the 4th the Mexicans crossed the river and erected a strong battery, provided with cannon and mortars, in the rear of his position. About ﬁve o'clock in the afternoon, the ﬁeld-battery commenced playing, and at the same time a constant discharge of shot and shells was kept up from the batteries in Matamoras. The garrison were not daunted by reason of their being exposed to this cross ﬁre, but returned it with spirit until the enemy's batteries were silenced for the day. Towards evening detachments of Mexican lancers and rancheros were observed hovering about in the vicinity of the fort on the north and east. Lieutenant Hanson, at his request, was sent out with a party to reconnoitre, and returned with the intelligence that the enemy were making preparations to invest the fort. The investment was completed before night, and Major Brown now ﬁred his eighteen-pounders at regular intervals, which was the preconcerted signal to inform General Taylor of his situation.

Having failed in his design of capturing the dépôt at Point Isabel, General Arista had drawn his forces