The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-28 00:00:00

IsUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON
GAZETTE OF FRIDAY.
ADMIRALTY, FEE. 27, 1846.
Dispatches were this day received at this office from Rear-
Admiral Inglefield, addressed to the Right Hon. Henry T.L.
Corry, of which the following are copies :
H.M. Ship Vernon, off Monte Video,
Nov. 30, 1845.
Sir,—My letters of the 30th October, No. 78, and
25th November, No. 85, will have informed the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the French and
English combined expedition, consisting of the vessels
named in the Margin,* respectively commanded by Captain
Hotham, of her Majesty's steam-frigate Gorgon, and
Captain Tr‘houart, of the French frigate Erigone.
had commenced the ascent of the river Parana,
agreeably to the decision come to by the Mediat-
ing Ministers at a Seance, held on the 9th of October.
for the purpose of opening that channel of commerce; suc-
cessive strong gales, and various other circumstances, pre-
vented the expedition from assembling at the appointed
rendezvous off the Guassu (one of the mouths of the Parana)
so soon as it was intended, and consequer. L'+he entering the
river did not take place till the Bth instant,- when it began
to ascend, and on the 18th instant arrived within three miles
of the defences. General Roses had caused to be
thrown up at Punta Obliged° (on the right bank of the
river, about 100 miles from the entrance, and 30 miles below
the city of San Nicolas), to oppose their passing, which it ap-
pears were constructed with great military skill, and the
position of the batteries admirably selected on advantageous
ground, being supported by the presence of at least
3,500 troops of all arms, every appearance indicating a
determined resistance, which, however, did not deter the
gallant commanders of our little squadrons from deciding on
an immediate attack; and I have now the gratification of
transmitting to you, for their Lordships' information, a copy
of the report I have received from Captain Hotham, detailing
the successful issue of the conflict that ensued on the 20th,
ending in the complete destruction of the enemy's batteries ;
a schooner of war (mounting six guns), and twenty-four
vessels chained across the river, all the guns found on the
fortications, except ten brass guns, which were taken off to
the ships.
The judicious
bravery displayed by all concerned in its execution, not-
withstanding the disadvantage some of the vessels were
under in not being able to attain their assigned positions,
owing to the wind failing, and a strong adverse current
of three knots, and the landing of the little band of seamen
and royal marines, in the face of so large a force, will, I am
persuaded, call forth their Lordships' admiration of the skill
that directed, and the undaunted courage that acheived, this
brilliant exploit. Captain Hotham's letter brings the
merits of the contest so fully to the mind, that I feel it now
only remains for ma to express to their Lordships the high
sense I entertain of the gallantry, zeal, and ability which
animates that excellent officer, who has, on every occasion,
given me perfect satisfaction in the performanceof his various
duties ; and I beg to recommend his services most strongly
to their Lordships' favourable consideration, as also those
officers serving in command under his orders on this occasion,
which, I conceive, reflects so much honour and credit on
tlemselves and the service.
I am convinced their Lordships will experience as much
pleasure as I do, in learning from Captain Hotham that he
had great reason to be satisfied with the good, conduct of all
the officers, seamen, and royal marines engaged on this
service; and I trust I may be permitted to call their attention
to the circumstance of Captain Hope's cutting the barrier
chain, and to the merits of the officers and men ; Captain
Hotham has specially brought to my notice (particularly
Commander Sulivan and Lieutenant Levinge), as also the
case of Mr. Andrews' family, who have lost, in him, their
main support.
I sincerely regret this gallant achievement has been at-
tended with such a loss of life ;. but, considering the strength
of the enemy's position, and the obstinacy with which it was
defended, we have reason to be thankful to Divine Providence
that it was not greater. Among the killed is to be lamented
Lieutenant C. Brickdale, an officer of great promise.
It is very gratifying to me to add that a perfect
unanimity and cordial co-operation has subsisted
throughout between Captains Hotha n and Trehouart, and
the vessels under their orders ; and their Lordships will per-
ceive that the gallant bearing of the latter has called forth un-
qualified admiration from Capt. Hotham. I also beg to re-
mark the full confidence Capt. Hotham felt in the support of
his French allies. The official report of Capt. Trehouart to
Admiral Leine gives a long list of the killed and wounded
(17 of the former and 60 of the latter), sufficiently proving
the share the French division took in the contest, and which
must have essentially contributed to the success of the clay.
I inclose a copy of the return of the killed and wounded,
and an account of the damages sustained by the vessels en-
gaged, so far as can be obtained from the logs and demands
I have received. A more detailed report I will transmit to
their Lordships when it reaches me.
Nothing positive is known as to the exact loss of the
enemy, but it must have been very great, from the number
found dead in the batteries, estimated at several hundreds.—
I have the honour to be, &c.,
S. H. INGLEFIELD,
'Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
To the Right Hots. H. T. L. Corry, M.P.,
Secretary to the Admiralty.

Her Majesty's ship Gorgon, Obliged°, Nov. 23, 1845
Sir,—l have the honour to inform you that the combined
English and French force, under the command of Captain
Trehouart and myself, anchored on the 18th instant, at the
distance of three miles from the batteries of Punta Obligade,
in the river Parana. At daylight the following morning
we reconnoitred the position of the enemy, and
soon discovered that great military skill had been
evinced, both in the ground chosen and the plan of
defence pursued. Four batteries had been erected
—two on heights sixty feet from the water-line, and two in
the intervening valley; the whole mounting twenty-two
pieces of ordnance, 32, 28, 24, 18, and 12-pounders, and,
with the exception of a small open space, were backed by
thick woods ; three heavy chains, supported by twenty-four
vessels, were extended across from the main land to an
island ; astern of these lay ten fire-vessels, and the west end
of the chains were defended by an Argentine schooner-of-
war, carrying six guns. The river at this point is 800 yards
wide, and the current runs three miles per hour.
From various sources we learnt that 3,500 men, cavalry,
infantry, and artillery, were assembled; in short, everything
indicated a determined resistance. The reconnaiaance being
completed, my colleague and myself resolved on the follow-
ing plan of attack :
Te form the ships into two divisions, the north under the
direction of Captain Trehouart, to be composed of San Mar-
tin, Captain Trehouart ; Comus, Acting Commander Ingle-
Geld; Pandour, Lieut. Du Paie ; Dolphin, Lieut. R: Levinge.
The south, under the direction of Commander Sulivan, to
be composed of Philomel, Commander B. Sulivan, Ex-
peditive, Lieutenant de Miniac ; Fanny (hired Armed), Lieut.
Key ; Procida, Lieut. Maria de la Riviere.
These divisions to be anchored on the north and south
shores, at a distance of 700 yards from No. 1 battery.
The steamers, Gorgon, Captain Charles Hotham ; Fulton,
Lieutenant Mazeres ; Firebrand, Captain James Hope,
to anchor at a distance of fifteen hundred yards
from the farthest battery ; the morning of the 20th was
foggy,
but about 8 A.M., the weather cleared, and a southerly
breeze sprung up. At Bh. 45m. the southern division
weighed, sand were afterwards followed by San Martin and
Comus, Dolphin and Pandour having previously anchored
on the north shore.
About 911. 50m., am., the batteries opened fire on the
Philomel and southern division, on which Dolphin weighed ;
but as some of her sails were shot away before she reached
her appointed station, the current drove her astern, and
obliged her to anchor ; she was, however, admirably placed ;
the remaining ships of the north division were most ably led
by my brother officer in command, whose brig succeeded in
reaching her appointed station.
The general cannonading unfortunately caused the wind
to fall light, and the remaining ships of the north division,
having to contend with the current of three knots per hour,
were obliged to anchor two cables short of their stations.
At this period the fire-vessels chained together were cast
loose, and until they had drifted past, the steamers were
prosented from anchoring or opening their fire.
About 10h. 50m. the action became general, and the effect
of our gunnery was soon apparent in the unsteadiness of the
nemy's fire; still they fought most stoutly. No sooner
were one set of men swept from the guns than they were
replaced ; the enemy's cavalry hovered round the wood and
drove back those who attempted to quit their posts. At
12h. 30m., the Republicano schooner blew up, and my Gal-
lant Friend Captain James Hope volunteered to pull up in
his boat and cut the chain; success attended his endeavours,
and a passage being cleared, at one P.M. the Fulton passed
through and flanked the batteries, and was speedily followed
by Gorgon and Firebrand.
But prior to this, the enemy's fire had told most fearfully
on the San Martin and Dolphin; the cable of the former
being shot away she dropped astern, with upwards of 100
shot holes through her side.
To assist the flanking fire of the steamers, the 'Expeditive
and Comus were ordered to place themselves within musket-
shot of the batteries. At 4h. Isms finding that the batteries
tired only occasional shots, I made the signal for boats of
squadron, manned and armed, to rendezvous alongside Gor-
gon and Firebrand, and sent to propose to my colleague, that
the remaining part of our plan should be carried into
execution ; the officer bearing the message found Capt.
Trehouart occupied in moving the Fre
nch squadron close in
to cover the landing; so, placing entire confidence in
the fire of his ships, and knowing full well that his
division of seamen would, as soon as possible, support us, at
bh.4sm. I landed with 180 seamen and 145 marines, and giving
three cheers, formed on the beach ; the skirmishing party
and light company of seamen under the command of Com-
mander Sulivan led up the bill.
On reaching the crest they were received by a smart fire of
musketry, but the speedy arrival of the Marines, under the
command of Captain Thomas Hurdle, R.M., drove the enemy
back, and the light company of seamen, under the com-
mand of Lieutenant A. C. Key, completed the work, by
carrying and holding the wood, the key of the position.
Yery shortly afterwards the French Brigade landed, and
the guns of Nos. 1,2, and 3 batteries were spiked and dis-
mantled. On the following morning the English and French
Brigades again landed, and completed the work of destruc-
tion ; carrying off all the brass guns, 10 in number, and re.
taining unmolested Possession of the grounds and woods the
whole day.
It was not to be expected that a contest, lasting from 10
Am, until nearly sunset, could do otherwise than cause the
loss of several officers and mcen. ;Bar?edittliacrdingly I have to
lament the death of Lieut.
re, who. felnldealrsloyuilnd
the day. lie was an officer of great
have been an ornament to his countryPhTidishee heed. Mr.
George Andrews,clerk-in-charge of the Dolphin,.sisetstanitsiulyr,gweTo;ahawien was
alsoe iwyaes a killed whilst assisting the as a
valuable officer, and one of a large
pended upon him, and I trust their case may be laid before
the Board of Admiralty.
let 18 , I fear, mortally wounded,
Lieutenant Charles Doy
and ere many hours must terminate his existence. Although
suffering dreadful agony from his wounds, his mind a _
peered bent on the resul,tniof the action. Such a spirit must
necessarily carry the s) pathies of all his brother officers.
Lieutenant Levinge rep,orts most highly of the conduct of
Richard Rowe, gunneeb-mate,ansedvNeVreallytewreßuonsds,edc,atuhlekyerr'es:
mate, of the Dolphin ; although
mined at their quarters until the aay is as won.
The aggregate loss of officers, petty officers, seamen, and
marine 3, amounts to
6 wounded.
Officers. •••• 2 killed ' —••
9 "
Seamen •.. .3 ~ •••
6
Petty Officers.... 2 , •••
Marines none ••• 1
80y5....

• French.

San Martin, 8 guns, Captain Trehouart.
Fulton, steam vessel, 2 guns, Lieutenant Itazeree.
Expeditive, 16 guns, Lieutenant de Miniac.
Pandour, 10 guns, Lieutenant Du Paie.
Proceda, tender, 4 guns, Lieutenant de la Riviere.
English.
Gorgan, steam frigate, Captain C. Hotham.
Frebrand, steam frigate, Captain J. Hope.
surveying brig, Commander B. J. Suliven.
gomue, 18 guns, Acting Commander E. A. Ingle&ld.
Dolphin, brigantine, Lieutenant R. Levinge.
gunny, tender, Lieutenant A. C. Key.
December 17, 1845. Lieutenant Doyle has slues arrived at
Vide, tuad appear* to be in a lair way et recovery:. lie ha*
bat . ;Ann'