American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-11-26
CAlIU.. tF EABASCn'
OFFICIAL Dispatches FROM COW
MODOkE CONNER.
u. 3 STRIP CUmBEELAND, !
OF Vera Cruz, Nov. 5th, 1916. !


of all the enemy's VessGis, check has been
given to a commerce, by which muntlnns .!
war were, no doubt, introduced INTO Mexico
from the neghburlng prnVinco OF fucatan,--
Much praise IS due 10 Commodore Perry tor
the skill aud Judgment manifested throughout
the whole expedition.
Tne department will learn with regret the
death OF Lieut.. Charles w. Morris, which
took place on the LIST instant, on board the
Cumbei land, from a wUund received at the
town Of Tabasco on the 26lh ult. lie was an
officer Of great promise, aud his loss Is most
serious one TO the service.
/ am, very respectfully, your ohed,ent GER
want, ID. Gunner,
Commanding Home Squadron.
Hon. JOHN Y. MASON,
Secretary Of the Navy, Washington.
DETAILED ACCOUNT OF TIE PROCEED
lNGS OF THE EXPEDITION UNDER MY
COMMAND ALONG TIE EASTERN COAST
OF MEXICO.
| left the anchorage at St John Lizlrdo on
the evening of the 18th of October, with the
steamer "Nlsslssippi," having On board a de-
tachment OF 200 officers, seamen, and marines
under command OF Capt. French Forrest, aud
in tolp the steamer "Vrxen," and schOaners
"Bonita, y" "Reeiar, and 'Nouata,n respec-
lively commanded by Commander Sands, and
Lieuts Commandsnt Benham, Sterrelt, and
Haztrd, and the schooner "Forward," and
steamer "McLane," commanded by Capts,
Nones and Howard OF The revenue marine.
The next morning, at daylight, | captured,
off the bar Of AvHrado the American borque
'+Coosa," found M reasonable communication
with the enen,; and the eame day tho 'NIH-
en-" chased and bpardeu the American schoo-
nor "Porua." The ''Coosa'' was despatched
Al. 4. ..,,A p,,r
permitted 10 proceed, her papers having been
endorsed From the day OF our leaving "Al-
Varado," (the l7lh) up To the s2d, we had a
succession Of very bad weather, winch gave
me much trouble in keeping my hLte com
mand together. During the interval, hOweV-
or, we captured ard sent in the Mexican sChoo-
ner Photographic"
On the 23d, all the vessels, with the exceP-
ton Of the "Reeer," previously separated in
g gale) reached the bar Of the rveT Iabasco;
and having determined en- attacking the com
mercial town of Frontera, at the mouth OF the
river, and the city Of Tabasco, situated IA
miles higher up, placed myself on board the
Vixen" leaving the mississippi" IN COM
mand Of Commander Adams, at anchor out
side, and taking in tow the "Bonta" and
FORWARD" with the barges containing the de-
tachmant under command Of Captain Forrest,
crossed the bar the "Nonta" following I'M
der sail.
, The ''Vixen," with this heavy drag, steadily
assembled the stream, against a four-knot cur
rent, and, arriving near to Frontera, discover
ed two steamers (of which had received pJe.
vious iniormation) firing up, doubtless, in the
hope of escape, hut we were too close upon
them. Casting off her tow, the "Vixen" pro-
oeeded ahead, followed by the other vessels and
harges, and at once the town, the steamers and
all the vessels in port were IN our possession,
excepting only the schooner "Amado," which
vessel, attempting to escape up the river, was
pursued by Lieut. Commandment Benham in the
"Bonita," and captured.
DESTROYS of reaching TabasCo before they
would have time for increasing their deiences,
the detachment under Captain Forrest was
placed on board the largest of the captured
steamers, the "Petrita, and she, with the mo
uata," tho Forward" and the barges in tow,
and the "Vixen, )" with the "Bonita, - lett From
terra at half past the next morning, Lieut..
Walsh being lett in command OF the place.
After steaming all night, and encounering
various incidents arising from tho rapidity of
the current and the circuitous course of the
stream, we arrived al the next morning in
SIGHT of Fort Aceachappa, intended to COM
mand most difficult pass of tho river. On
our approach, the men employed in preparing
the guns for service fled, and we passed il un.
moested, but was careful TO cause the guns
to be spiked.
Anticipating serious resistance at this place,
arrangements had been made for landing Capt.
Forrest with his detachment mile below the
tort, to march up and carry it by storm.
At noon, all the vessels anchored in line of
battle in front of the city at half musket range,
when Immediately summoned 1t to surrender,
tEnh ~, ko,,,
ring FIVE merchant vessels found at anchor IN
the port.
To my summons sent by flag with Capt.
Forrest, refusal TO capitulate was returned,
with an invitation 10 me TO fire as soon as |
pleased. Suspeciing, as did, that this an
swer was given more in bravado than IN earn.
est, and being extremely reluctant to destroy
the place, entertained the hope that few
shots Ered over the buildings would have cal U.s.
ed q surrender Accordingly, directed the
guns of the Vixen" alone TO be fred aud at
the flag staff, sending an order to all the YES
sells 10 avoid, SO far us possible, in case of a
general fire, injury to the houses distinguished
by consular hdgs.
AT The third discharge from The "Vixen," the
flag disappeared from the staff On seeing it
down, ordered the firing to cease, and sent
Captain Forrest again ashore TO learn whether
!" "". ''o" vs. uo"h ny our shot' UT Puiposoiy
struck; The reply was, that it had been shot
asay, and the city would not be surrendered.
| now directed Capt Forrest with the force
under his command, to land and take position
IN the city, commanded by our guns. This
movement brought ON scattering fire of mus
kerry from varions parts OF the city, winch was
returned by the fp,illa.
Perceiying towards evening that the enemy
did us but Inlle injury, though openly exposed
on the decks OF the small vessels. and their
balls passing through oar slight bulwurk-, and
experimenting, from The ProyeIbisl heedlessaess