The daily union., 1846-09-26


known that when the report of the disaster To the
fruxtun had reached the Commodore at Vera
Cruz, he despatched the Princeton 10 her relief
The portions which follow are of such lively in.
teIest, and reflect such honor the service, that
venture to except them from the writer's general re-
quest, not to publish his letter or that true elo-
quenee Of nature, which feels and therefore makes
teel, have met with but few such examples. My
extracts commence with his arrival at the bar.
Very truly your friend,
G. w. ID.
RIVERSIDE. Sept l6, 1886
81 stood in, and anchored in Ave fathoms water,
as close could approach with safety, and where
| could send shot through and through her and
throw my shells on shore if necessary. immed-
ately sent Lieutenant Boggs on shore with flag Of
truce. He crossed the bar Of Tuxpan through a
surf hat'woud cause the stoutest heart to quiyer
At times his boat was almost on end. Still, by his
guidance, she crossed il like duck.
81 directed Boggs TO inform the commanding
officer on shore that | would permit no one 10
visit the brig until my boats had been on board,
and that II be fired them | would land and
attack him. Boggs then pulled for the brig
The surf was so high he could not get on board
50 he returned to the ship. That night the
Wind blew, II stormed and raned. Next morn
ING | took boat, went in and examined the
oar, sounded round and about it, and found the surf
100 high TO send the boats. Toward midday il clear
ed up. The swell went down, and the surf appear
ed less angry. At the desire Of the officers man.
nsd the boats, with directions, if there the least
ianger, not to cross. Our boats first rate, and
my officers are second TO none. They pulled in
4lth the boats. | directed Lieut.. Boggs to lead
Lieut. Rowan to follow, and passed Midshipman
STILES TO remain at the outer edge of the surf to
sist In case Of accident to the crossing boats.
"The boz Is closed, and the officers consulted at
the entrance of the surf Lieut.. Boggs said, Il can
cross' Lieut.. Rowan said 'l'll followr | was in
the mizzen-top. My glass was on Lieut.. Boggs. At
times, his boat could not be seen. Need tell you
OF the anxiety that felt at that moment In an in
slant, an officer, at my right, cried out, Rowan is
caPszedH His boat was struck by sea on the
lsrboard quarter, and broached. Another sea and
another knocked her over and over, and over; and
once | looked on all as lost; for few men escape
capsze In surf knew by examination, that the
current IN the river was strong enough TO carry out
boat For this reason, | had sent the third boa
10 lie at the edge of the surf The clung to the
boat AT the first roll, some were caught unde
her. Lieut.. Rowan cheered his men; and one of
hem in particular assisted him. They drifled out
saw them receiving aid from the third boat.
manned other boats and sent them to their assist
ance.
"Well, now, the question, who were lost'' was
IN great distress To lose in fair fg is expect
Cd but to lose them by surf and sharks is horrible
sent small boat, and directed the officer in case
Rowan was Safe to pull off his hat and cheer; if all
were SAFE to throw up both hands. Could there be
nober sight, than gallant officer, with hat Off and
arms extended to Heaven, as signal Of safety, in
forming his shipmates, at the distance of mile and
half, that all were safe? NV heart was not in my
body. II was in my neck aud choking me- lay
down in the top nll recovered myself Our yards
rigging, and top we're full Of men, silent as death
until l gave the word, 'all are safe God only
knows how for some of them could not swim The
surf was high that the third cutter could not 20
to them but had to wait till the current drove the
oh 4 rl hare
on board each boat
And where is Boggs all this timei He got safe.
ly through; but before he could get his boat sea.
ward he was within pistol shot Of about SO men
with mnskets ready to receive him. Where is the
white fag' said he. Search was made, but none to
be found. who has a white shirt p (Our sailors
dress IN blue.) Il have said the boatswan, who
stands about six fee; two inches, built 10 proper.
lon, splendid looking fellow. In moment q
tathom OF II was streaming from a boat hook
Bosgs pulled up boldly, and jumped on shore,
shook hands with the officer and told him he came
oy me order OF the captain, to thank him for his
Kindness to the crew of the Truxtun and to say to
him, that he would not fire on shore unless he fired
on us; If he did, he would land and 90 to Tuxpan-
town six miles up the river Bosgs then pulled
Tor the brig, but could not board herr he returned
to the ship. The officer shore told him that he
thought three boats were rather too many to come
on shore with flag of truce. So | thought myself
particularly as each boat had 80 pistols, Is bowie
knives, and l6 carbines on board
"The next day, at meridian, | sent two boats.
under command Of Lieutenant Boggs, with drec-
lions to board the brig; and, if she was not bilged
to send dswn and throw overheard her yards
for US to pick up, as they foated out, and then
to set her on fire. He took three eight-inch
shells with him. At 3 p. m, on the 22d of Au.
gust, she was fred from stem to stern. NOR.
beautiful sight never saw. When the shells burst
which were below deck, the splinters flew and the
flames increased. After an hour or so, away goes
the man and maintopmast, headong into the form
ing surf. Then all eyes were on the foremast
which hung on for upward Of an hour longer when
1t followed. Fine spars! which had assisted in
bringing the remains Of the gallant Porter from a
Mahomedan to a Christian country, to rest there
under the flag he had fought for so nobly."
An article having appeared in the New Orleans
Delta finding fault with Capt. Engle Of the Prince
ton, for not hauling off and saving the Truxtun, a
Pensacola correspondent Of the Mobile Tribune
thus replies to it:
"When the Truxun was boarded, she was found
biged with feet water in her hold her upper works
moving, and water passing in and out freely. There
was not possible chance of getting her of. Sup
pose the attempt had been made and proved sue
cessful; what could have been done with herr Now
there was possibility of her beating over the bar
There the water was smooth and the enemy could
have placed water casks under her, or sent their
launches along side Of her and carried her up the
river This would have taken time, and some day
you probably would have heard of the yMerican brig
Truxtun! Immediately on ascertaining her condi.
ton, Capt. Engle remarked to his officers, The
Mexican flag shall never fly on that vesseI-she
must come off or be burned;' and accordingly, with
out returning to the commodore to receive nstruc.