Brownsville

Brownsville, a port of entry and capital of Cameron county, Texas, on the north bank of the Rio Grande, opposite Matamoros, about 35 miles from the mouth of the river in the Gulf of Mexico. It has a custom-house, and some river trade by steamers. The Rio Grande Railroad connects it with Point Isabel, 22 miles E., near the gulf. In May 1846 the town was occupied and fortified by a few United States troops, who maintained their position in the face of a heavy bombardment that lasted for 160 hours. Pop. (1870) 4905; (1890) 6134.