of the army has been thus actively employed, the garrison left opposite Matamoras has rendered no less distinguished service, by sustaining a severe cannonade and bombardment for many successive days. The army and the country, while justly rejoicing in this triumph of our arms, will deplore the loss of many brave officers and men, who fell gallantly in the hour of combat. 2. It being necessary for the commanding general to visit Point Isabel on public business, Colonel Twiggs will assume command of the corps of the army near Matamoras, including the garrison of the field-work. He will occupy the former lines of the army, making such disposition for defence, and for the comfort of his command, as he may deem advisable. He will hold himself strictly on the defensive until the return of the commanding general. By order. of Brigadier General Taylor: W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General. Orders No. 60. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, As a mark of respect to the Chief Magistrate of the republic, the work constructed at this place, to cover the main depot of the army, will be known as "Fort Polk." The commanding general takes this occasion to express his satisfaction with the dispositions made for the defence and protection of this point, so vitally important to the efficiency and security of the army. To Major Monroe, the commanding officer, Captain Sanders, of the engineers, Majors Thomas and McRee, and Captains Sibley and Hill, of the quartermaster's department, Captain Ramsey, of the ordnance, and Lieutenant Montgomery, of the subsistence de'partment, credit is especially due for their zeal and activity. The general returns his thanks to the numerous citizens who volunteered their services in the defence of the depot. Their assistance added materially to its strength, and to his confidence in its ability to resist an attack. The reinforcement from the brig "Lawrence," under Lieutenant Renshaw, and the large force of seamen and marines so promptly furnished by the squadron on its arrival, requires a special acknowledgment to Commodore Connor and Commander Mercer of the navy. The army is deeply grateful for this support and co-operation from a kindred branch of the public service. By order of Brigadier General Taylor: Orders W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp near Maiamoras, Texas, May 15, 1846. The corps of the army will be held ready to march at 1 o'clock, p. m., to-day. Lieutenant Bragg's battery will rejoin the 3d bri gade, and march with it. The usual order of march will be observed. The 8th infantry and Captain Lowd's company of artillery will remain as the garrison of the field work. The two 18 pounders lately under the command of Lieutenant Churchill will again be placed under his direction, and will accompany the army. Lieutenant Wood, topographical engineers, will report to Lieutenant Churchill for service with these guns. By order of Brigadier General Taylor: W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General. Orders } HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp near Fort Brown, Texas, May 17, 1846. 1. In memory of the gallant commander who nobly fell in its defence, the field-work constructed by the labor of the troops opposite Matamoras will be known as "Fort Brown." The commanding general takes this occasion to express his acknowledgments to the engineer department for the skilful direction, and to the officers and troops of the line for the energetic execution, of the works at Fort Brown. In enabling a small force to maintain intact a position on the river surrounded by more thousands of enemies than they numbered hundreds, the importance and value of the work is eminently shown. 2. The commanding general is pained to find himself under the necessity of issuing orders on the subject of plundering private property. Instances have been brought to his knowledge where volunteers have seized private cattle, and sold them for their private benefit. Such conduct will not be tolerated. The general wishes to impress it distinctly upon every officer and soldier of his command, whether of the regular or volunteer force, that all property captured from the enemy becomes from that moment the property of the United States, and must be turned over to the proper department. All cattle and articles of subsistence will be delivered to the commissary, all arms and ammunition to the ordnance officer, and all means of transportation to the quartermaster's department. Any officer who may be found violating or sanctioning a violation of this order shall answer for it before a court martial. Any regular soldier detected in violating its provisions shall be brought to trial; and any volunteer soldier so detected will be instantly discharged with disgrace from the service. The commanding general is determined that the army under his command shall not be disgraced by scenes of plunder. By order of Brigadier General Taylor: W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General. Orders No. 65. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, The guard stationed in the city will be composed after to-day of two companies, and will be furnished from the first brigade for two successive days, then for three days from the infantry of the right wing, and so on. It will be the duty of this guard to preserve order in the town, especially among our own soldiers, to which end the streets will be frequently patrolled between retreat and réveillé. It is expected that this guard will present a model of discipline and correct deportment. By order of Brigadier General Taylor: W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General. Orders No. 70. } HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, The annual supplies of clothing for the different corps of the army will be received, as they arrive at Point Isabel, by the officer in charge of the clothing depot, and will be issued to the companies, as may be required, in the manner and under the restrictions which governed the issues at St. Joseph's island. Company commanders receiving invoices of clothing will forward the same to Captain Ogden, the clothing officer at Point Isabel, who will account for the same to the proper department. By order of Brigadier General Taylor: W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General. Orders HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Lieutenant Colonel M. M. Payne, 4th artillery, late inspector general of the army of occupation, being disabled for active service in the field, by a wound received in the action of the 9th of May, will proceed to Washington city in charge of the colors and standards captured from the enemy, which he will deliver to the adjutant general of the army, and report to him for further orders. By order of Brigadier General Taylor: W. W. S. BLISS, Assistant Adjutant General. Orders No. 72. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, 1. In consideration of the distinguished services of the rank and file of the army during the recent active operations, the following named privates, most, if not all, of whom participated in those services, but who are now under charges for a general court martial, are restored to duty without trial; the commanding general being pleased to withdraw the charges against them. James Cahill, B company. John Brown, Dan. Crettsen, F. company. 2d dragoons. Oswald Bury, E. company, 3d artillery. P. Holcomb, f Thomas Joice, B company, 4th infantry. James Hamilton, D company, 5th infantry. David Lands, H. company, } James Gerard, A. company, 7th infantry. The general trusts that this exercise of clemency, which is extended to some cases of a grave nature, will have the effect of stimulating these men to exemplary conduct in future. 2. The guard at the ferry, composed of two non-commissioned officers and ten privates, will, after to-day, be furnished by the corps of infantry under command of Colonel Twiggs. The noncommissioned officer in command of the guard, will report to the senior quartermaster for instructions. By order of Brigadier General Taylor:. W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. General. Orders No. 73. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, 1. Captain A. C. Myers, assistant quartermaster, will have the exclusive charge and direction of the supply train, receiving his orders from head-quarters and the chief of his department. will be relieved in all other duties and responsibilities. He 2. The established ferry near the round battery will be in operation only between sunrise and sunset, making no trips after sunset, except in cases ordered by the commanding general, or for the crossing of expresses with the mail, or despatches from head-quarThe proper load for each trip will be determined by the agent of the quartermaster's department who may be in charge. By order of Brigadier General Taylor: ters. W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. General. Orders No. 74. S HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, 1. The court of inquiry, of which Major T. Staniford, 5th infantry, is president,, convened pursuant to "orders" No. 66, current series, at the request of Captain W. J. Hardee, 2d dragoons, "to examine into the nature of certain imputations affecting his character, as connected with his conduct in the engagement between Captain Thornton's command and the Mexicans on the 25th ultimo, and also to examine and report upon certain statements contained in his official report of said engagement," have pronounced the following opinion: "1st. That the conduct of Captain W. J. Hardee, of the 2d regiment of dragoons, in the affair of the 25th of April, 1816, between Captain Thornton's command and the Mexican forces, was in all respects that of an intelligent and gallant soldier; that he did all in his power, by word and deed, to sustain his commanding officer in the discharge of his duty; and, that any imputations against his character, growing out of his conduct as connected with that affair, are utterly without foundation. "2dly. That the official report of Captain Hardee to the commanding general of the army of occupation, dated Matamoras, April 26, is correct in all its particulars." 2. The proceedings and opinion of the court are approved. 3. The court of inquiry, of which Major Thomas Staniford, 5th infantry, is president, is hereby dissolved. By order of Brigadier General Taylor: W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. General. Orders No. 76. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, It becomes the agreeable duty of the commanding general to communicate to the corps of the army under his orders, the accompanying resolutions of the legislature of Louisiana. They will be read at the head of each battalion and separate command. The general has also received resolutions passed at large public meetings in the cities of New York and New Orleans, of a tenor similar to the above. He is sure that the officers and soldiers of the army will duly appreciate these marks of approbation and confidence from the body of the people and their representatives, and that they will find in them new motives for zeal and exertion in the discharge of their duties. By order of Brigadier General Taylor, W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. General. Orders No. 77. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, It has been represented to the commanding general, by the authorities of Matamoras, that Mexican servants, who, according to the custom of the country, are paid in advance, have, in several |