5th U.S. Infantry Lieutenant John C. Robinson updates his brother on the current state of things in his quarter. He discusses the relations between the Mexican Army and the U.S. Army, the murders of two officers, and an attack on a squadron of dragoons commanded by Capt. Thornton. The letter closes with personal and family matters.
Camp on the Rio Grande opposite
Matamoras April 26th 1846
My dear Brother
Having just heard of an opportunity of sending to Austin I hasten to drop you a few lines to inform you of the state of things in this quarter. We have now been in our present position about four weeks. During that time the Mexicans have looked upon us as invaders & considered that the two nations were in a state of war. However both Armies have gone on with their works without being disturbed by any attack. Two of our Officers Col. Cross Asst. Q. Master General T Lieut. Porter 4th Infy. have been murdered by the banditti who infest the country. Yesterday a squadron of dragoons consisting of about fifty men commanded by Capt. Thornton, who was out on a reconnaisance [sic] were surrounded by about two thousand Mexican lancers & Infantry & captured, with the loss of one officer (Lt. Kane) & ten men. Two wounded men were sent into our Camp by the Mexican Commander who stated in a letter to Genl. Taylor that he did so as an act of humanity having no means of taking care of them himself. You see by this that the war has fairly commenced. Mexico has stricken the blow that will cause her downfall & I hope to see the Star spangled banner waving over the City of Mexico. Arista is now in command at Matamoras. He arrived there two or three days since & succeeded Ampudia. The bearer of this-Mr. Catlitt, can tell you every thing in relation to the Army here that you desire to know.
I intend to write to you again as soon as I find leisure to
give you a more detailed account of our operations.
I have been anticipating a great deal of pleasure from your promised visit to our Camp & I hope matters will be in such a state that you will be able to come. If you do, of course you will come by water to Point Isabel & there you will be able to join some party bound here. It is now considered unsafe to go far into the country without being well armed & in numbers.
The enemy have a large force at Matamoras & Mr. Catlitt is bearer of dispatches from Genl. Taylor asking for volunteers & I trust the state of Texas will be able to turn out a few thousand.
I received a letter from Maria little more than a week ago. All well at Hartford. She says "I do not think Father will go west this spring." In my last I believe I stated that he had determined to do so. She also said that she intended to write to you that day after finishing her letter to me.
Let me hear from you often. Hoping we shall be able to meet soon
I remain Yours affectionately
John C. R.
E.M.Pease Esq.
Austin
Blank
Postmarked: Austin Texas - May 17
Addressed to: E.M. Pease Esq.
H. of Reps.
Brazoria Austin via Galveston Texas (Cockburn [?])
Fav.
Mr. Catlitt
Return address [written upside down on page]:
J C Robinson
Matamoras
April 26 1846
