Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-06-20
MEXICO AND TEXAS

MEAlCO AND TENAS'
LATE FROM CAMPEACHY-ANoTHER BAT
| TLE.-ln a second edition OF the New
Orleans Republican, of the 9th ult., we
find the following details Of an action which
took place on the morning of May 10th,
| between the naval forces of Texas and
Mexico, from an officer on board the
Wharton
Texas Brig OF WAR WHARTON,
OIL Campeachy, May IL, 1643.
We had another engagement with the
Mexican squadron yesterday morning at
O'Clock. The wind being very light but
fair, we stood ont in company, but as usu-
al, the steamers stood out to sea, before
we could get within range Of them. Hav-
ing escorted their sailing vessels out sever
| n miles, they bore down for us, it being
then about ten, a. NJ. and the wind having
died away, we perceived that they intend
ed giving us fight. Lying as we were,
all becalmed, our gallant little commander,
at | O'Clock, made signal 10 attack her
| enemy, then about a mile and half 10 the
| windward, or rather seaward Of US This
we soon answered, and brought our long
Tom to bear on the iron steamer Guada-
loupe, the Commodore at the same time
engaging the Montczuma. The action
here continued hot and heavy for about
two hours, changing our position but very
| little, and the steamers occasionally haul
ing OFT to repair damages. On one Of these
occasions, when the Montezuma, after re-
celving brisk fire from the Commodore,
! hauled off and stood away, the Commodore
finding himself also within range Of the
! Guadaloupe, opened his fire on her, and
with the first shot carried away her signal
staff, which dropped gracefully over her
! tattral The sea-breeZe about this time
sprang up and the action became general,
the Commodore engaging the Montezuma,
aud our little beauty, the Gaudaloupe.
The action now, us well as the day, be-
came very hot; shot flew around us ia ev-
cry direction, bat none of them took the
least effect, whilst our shot, | am sure.
must have done immense damage. We
! all are Of opinion on board that we damag-
ed the machinery Of the Gaudaloupe, very
materially. One thing is certain, she was
enveloped in her own steam for a consid
cradle time, and was seen afterwards to
work with one wheel. About half past ]
p NJ. the attention Of the steamers seemed
| directed to the Commodore, and thew rarely
deigncd to give US a shot, although we kept
up a very brisk fire on both About two
( O'Clock, one Of our seamen was blown to
atoms by the gun at which he was engaged
He was ramming home the cartridge, and
the captain Of the gun not seeing him az
the muzzlc, fired, and blew the man to
pieces. From this time until three o'clock
the action became general ard very hot
The Commodore received several slots in
his hull and bulWerks. At 3. the steamers
| hauled off, and the Commodore. having re-
ceived shot between wind and water,
which caused his vessel to leak much, wore
ship and stood back for the anchorage. He
made signal for us to withdraw from the
action. We gave the Guadaoupe part
ing broadsidc, and followed in the wake Of
the ship. At 4, came to anchor off Cam
pcachv, where we learned that the ship
had received fifteen shots She was shot
in almost every direction, below and aloft;
and yet what is more miraculous, did not
lose single spar. She had two killed aud
twenty five wounded; among the latter is
Lieut.. WILDER, and midshipman Bryant
A number of amputaions have taken place
great pity, as a better or Drawer crew
never trod on deck.
1t was with great reluctance we with
drew from the action; bat the magazine Of
the flag ship had % inches of water in it.;
and as they had no powder it was useless
10 remain target TO the enemy. The
MeXicans seemed very glad that the days
work had terminated, as they did not make
the least effort to follow up the engagement.
I The loss on their side must be very great,
as at the commencement Of the action their
decks were lined with men. | am quite
/ confident that if the action had lasted one
J hour longer, and we could get a little
closer TO them than we were, we would
| have captured them.