The Southern Journal

From the N. O. Picayune.

THE NEWS FROM BRAZOS SANTIAGO

We issued a second edition of the Picayune yesterday morning with the latest news from Brazos Santiago.
We proposed to rewrite the same, but as we have not been able to find that the facts therein stated are essentially inaccurate, we let it stand substantially as we first gave it, adding thereto such other facts as we have been able to learn.

[From our Second Edition, of 10th.]

The brig Ellen and Clara arrived Saturday morning from Brazos Santiago, having sailed on the 29th ult.—one day later than the schr. Augusta.
There had been no fight between Gen. Taylor and the Mexicans.
Capt. Walker, a gallant Texan volunteer and now a captain in the service, had been driven in to the post at Point Isabel by the Mexicans.
With his small command he had sallied forth and encountered the main body of the Mexicans—not less than 1500 strong.
Most of his men being raw recruits, refused to stand by him and made their escape.
Twelve men, however, remained firm, and with this little handful, Walker kept the Mexicans in check for half an hour.
By this time six of his men had fallen by his side, when his horse was shot from under him, and he with his surviving men effected their escape and reached the post at Point Isabel in safety.
Above thirty Mexicans were killed in the engagement.
This engagement occurred on the 28th.
Capt. Walker got into the post about 5 o'clock in the afternoon of that day.
His original force, known as Texan Rangers, amounted to about 24 men.
The next day Capt. Walker volunteered with four men to carry an express through to Gen. Taylor.
The attempt was thought almost foolhardy, but he persisted.
The result was not known when the Ellen and Clara left.
The Mexicans pursued Capt. Walker in his retreat till they came within range of the guns of the post, when they in turn immediately retreated.
The post is very strongly defended—thanks to the exertions of Majors Munroe and Saunders.
With 500 men to defend the post, it is believed it can be made good against 3000 Mexicans.
There are now about 3000 Mexicans on the American side of the Rio Grande—one half above and one half below Gen. Taylor's camp.
The greatest apprehension now felt for the American position is, that the Mexicans may erect fortifications which will command Brazos Santiago.
The natural formation of the ground is most favorable for such a purpose.
The men would be effectually protected from any naval force by a natural embankment of sand, and the position could only be carried by actual storm of the works.
These works would perfectly command all vessels entering the Brazos Santiago, as they have to follow the channel within a few feet only of the position which would be occupied by the enemy's guns.
The schr. Aurora left Brazos Santiago the evening of 28th ultimo, with despatches for this port, but it is feared she has been lost, in a violent gale, with all hands on board.
We are indebted for the above particulars so hurriedly thrown together, to Dr. T. N. Briggs, who came passenger on the Ellen and Clara.
The report of the above action, as brought by Capt. Griffin, of the Ellen and Clara, is, that there were seventy five men under Capt. Walker, who were nearly all killed or taken prisoners.
Dr. Briggs stated to us that but six men were killed, fighting bravely by the side of their commander.
We have another version of this affair, furnished by a passenger, which agrees essentially with that of Capt. Griffin.
Both appear to have derived their reports from the pilot who took the Ellen and Clara over the bar.
The action is said by them to have taken place 15 or 18 miles from Point Isabel.
Capt. Walker distinguished himself in the famous Mier expedition by his famous gallantry.
Col. Fisher, who commanded in the expedition and is now in town, informs us that Walker is as brave a man as ever breathed—that if any man on earth can carry through a message from Point Isabel to Gen. Taylor, Walker is the man who can do it.
We hope yet to hear that he has succeeded in his design, though it was regarded at Point Isabel as utterly desperate.
When the Ellen and Clara sailed Maj. Munroe had under his command at Point Isabel 500 men, composed of soldiers, teamsters, laborers, &c.
The works then were very strong and every day he was adding to them.
He had two 18 pounders and several field pieces.
He is an officer of great energy and skill, and was confident of his ability to maintain his post against two or three thousand of the enemy.
For several days an attack on the post had been apprehended, and the men slept nightly on their arms.
The weather at the Point had been very agreeable and the men were healthy, although the water was very bad.
The distance of the Point from Brazos Santiago is about five miles.
On the bar there is about nine feet of water in the South Channel.