Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-11-27
Whole number of votes,
LATER FROM MEXICO.
From the N. o. Daily Picayune, Nov. IL


schooner Portia, Capt Powers, six days from
Point Lizardo, who was engaged in the affa If
of Tabasco, with the annexed summary and
sketch of the proceedings of Com. Perry, with
the detachment of vessels sent under him a
gainst Tabasco. The enterprise was altogeth-
er successful The object of the expedition
was to cut out certain prizes anchored in the
river. These were all taken When the city
was summoned to surrender, the people were
all in favor of yielding at once. The Cover
nor and soldiery opposed it. Time was given
for all peaceable persons, women and children,
to get out of harms way; but the Governor
would not allow any one to leave, so that it
is feared most of those killed during the bonn
bardment were not soldiers. Some of the reg
ulars were killed. Had it not been that the
execution was principally done upon molten
sive persons, the city would have been demol
ished, with the exception of the residences of
foreign consuls and the hospitals.
Squadron consisting of the Mississippi,
Com Perry; Vixen, Com'r. Sands; Bonito,
Nonita, Lieut.. Hazard; revenue steamer Nc
Lane, Capt. Howard; revenue cutter Forward,
Capt Nones; 200 seamen and marines from
the Raritan and Cumberland, under command
of Capt. Forrest Lieuts Gest, Winslow,
Walsh, Hunt Capt Edison and Lieut.. Adams,
of the Marines Left Anton Lizardo on the
10th October, and arrived at Frontera on the
23d Captured steamers Petrita and Tabasy-
emo, and several small vessels. oath and 25th,
assembled the river ~ miles to Tabasco; the
current very rapid-towed by the Petrlta and
Vixen-passed Devils Turn at 2 p. m, Ian
ded and spiked four 24-pounders. Arrived off
Tabasco at 6 p. m, and anchored in line ahead
distant so yards from the shore. Summoned
the city to surrender. Governor refused. Fired
three shots from the Vixen-one cut the flag
staff of the Fort, and as the color fell we tho't
that they had surrendered. An officer came
off with request that we would spare their
Hospitals, which was granted. At S o'clock,
landed 200 seamen and marines, but as it was
too late to attack the fort, they were ordered
on board Some skirmlshing ensued, but none
of us were hurt This was Sunday, and the
Commodore was somewhat reluctant to COM
mence the attack on that day. Captured one
brig, three schooners, and one large sloop; al
so, captured one schooner before we arrived
at Frontera, and another on our passage up
the river-making in all, one brig, five schrs.,
two steamers, one sloop, and many small
crafts and lighters. Monday, 26th, at day
light, sharp fire of musketry from shore,
which was returned by our great guns when
ever we heard report. Firing continued for
some time at intervals, when white flag was
shown by the civilians on shore, no doubt with
the consent of the Governor. Sent off petit
4, h. 3D. to
which he granted, adding that he only desired
to fight the soldiery, Got the prizes under
weigh and made every preparation for retur-
ming; white flag flying ali the while. Lieut.
W. A. Parker got on shore with his prize yes.
sci, near the city, and was attacked by about
eighty soldiers, whom he beat off with eigh-
teen men, losing only one and having but two
wounded. This affair lasted thirty minutes
Lieut. c. w. Morris was despatched to him
with orders, and passing the heavy fire of the
enemy, was wounded in the neck by muske
ball.
Lieut.. Morris stood up in his boat and cheer
ed the me,4 most gallantly until he fell in the
arms of Mldshipman Cheever, who was with
him. The Commodore then commenced can
nonading in earnest from the Vixen, Bonito
Nonlta and Forward, and in the space of hal
, or three-fourths of an hour almost demolished
the city-sparing the houses of the foreign
Consuls and such as appeared to be inhabite
by peaceful citizens.
At about midday the fleet left Tabasco, and
as 1t passed the different streets at right angle
with the water, fired musketry and great guns
and swept them completely of every hvin
}, thing. All the prizes were saved with the ex
cephon Of one, which was burnt by the com
' modores order, it having been found impossi
II BILE to get her clear of the Devils Turn"
y rapid pass in the river
). Arrived at Frontera on Sunday at midngI
inhabitants all peaceful-having been Ike,
in awe during our absence by Lieut.. Walls
$ and his command.
o The revenue steamer McLane struck Will
(, attempting to pass the bar, and did not succee
a in getting over until the affair at Tabasco an
;, the return of the vessels. Her marines, und,
Lieut.. Brown, were on board the Patrita d,
e, ring the 25th and Goth. All the prizes we
duly despatched and arrived at Anton Lizard
/; The Parita, on her return under command
=, Lieut. Best, captured the American brig Pl'
u mouth, Capt Parkerson, engaged in discha
d, ging cotton at Alvarado bar. Lieut.. Nor
died on the 1st inst, on board the Cumhe
90 land, and was buried with the honors of w
at Lizardo.
NC 1t will be seen by reading this cursory
port that the commodore spared the city o
of feelings Of humanity. The inhabitar
could not leave, as the Governor would n
m permit them; hence they sought refuge in c,
lars during the cannonading, and thus escap
destruction. Had it not been that we we
sl- necessarily obliged to kill many innocent pe
&C. sons before taking the city, Tabasco at Il
nd moment would have been ours. AS it is,
have paid them dearly for the shot that d
prived us of Lieut. Morris-long will they
to member our visit and dread the return Of t
re- Americans.
e. The Mexican force was $50 regular trool
with four pieces of cannon, besides an j
known number of armed peasants; all
ed whom were posted In strong military worl
or in the occupation of stone or brick house
hence we could only reach them with {
great guns and at every disadvantage.
ate The following vessel were at Anton Liz
IT. do on the 9th of November: Flag shin Gu
ad berland, frigate Raritan and Potomac. steam
nd Mississippi and Princeton, together with
nd gunboats and six prize vessels. ST. Mar
r. and Somers blockading Vera Cruz, Porpoist
ted lamplco, the MeLane inside the bar at Tab
", co, the Forward blockading Tabasco. ]
err McLane will get out on high tide.
IN Lieut. Renshaw came upfrom the SQUAD
ME under orders to Pensacola Navy Yard.