The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-09-02

AFFAIRS OF THE HOME SQUADRoN.-We give in
another column letter from the squadron, giving
the details of the attack on Alvarado, and the rea-
I sons of its want of success.
There is no doubt that Commodore Conner is
brave and experienced officer, but tho attack
on Alvarado should not have been unsuccessful.
The Commodore should certainly have ascertain
ed before hand whether the assault was practical
BIZ, and, if not, he should not have attempted it.
But having once made the attack, he should have
carried the town at all hazards. 1t there were
difficulties, they should have been ascertaned and
means taken TO avoid them.
This is the second unsuccessful attack made by
our navy since the commencement OF the war,
Tampico was attempted before, and abandoned
We trust that the vessels of light draught now pro
ceeding to join the squadron, will be found suft-
cent % ensure the success of the next attack that
will be made on any Of the Mexican towns. We
repeat, we have every confidence in the bravery
Of Commodore Common, but the failure oftwo sue
cessive attacks on towns which have very incon-
siderable defences proves that there is some fault
somewhere. -
Commodore Conner has now a force under his
command, sufficient in numbers, discipline, and
courage, carry out any enterprise, however dar-
ing He commands nj present the largest Ameri-
can squadron that has ever been afloat since the
demonstration before Agiers in 1916 1t consists
of the following vessels -:
Frigates Cumberland, alag shp) Potomac. and Rari-
tan Shops of War John Adams, st Marys and. Fal
mouth. steamers Mississippi and Princeton. Brigs
Somers Truvton Porpoise and Perry Schooners tlirt
Petrol Bonita and Reefermounting in all 2ss guns To
these may be added the Spitfre and Vxen their
way to join tho squadron ah
The squadron is disposed of as folows:.
Vha oh Al blork ad The
and Porpose off Vera Cruz The Flrt ON her way from
Pensacola with the mails for the squadron The Rartan
on her way (by the last accounts) for Vera Cruz.
The remainder of the squadron with the
Commodore at Anton Lisardo, twelve miles south
of Vera Cruz. This place is selected being
more healthy than the immediate vicinity Of Vera
Cruz.
Much has been expected from the squad
ron, as it is known that it is capable of any
thing that can be effected by any fleet in the
world. We trust they may have an oppor-
tunity of showing their ealibre if the war
continues. Our navy has been since the
las war the most popular arm of the service.
The army has already covered itself with glory
on two well contested battle fields Should the
war continue, our n,vy should have an opportu-
nifty to distinguish itself. When at the commence
ment of the war, our squadron was not by any
means so strong as at present, we expressed our
selves confident of the success OF an attack on
San Juan D'Ulloa. Now that it is stronger in
every way, we are still more confident of the sue
cess of such attack. Commodore Conner, no
doubt, had some good reason for acting as he did
in abandoning the attack of Alvarado.
We would not be understood as throwing a sim
gle suspicion on his bravery or energy. His con-
duct in going to the reliefof General Taylor early
in May, and the energy he there displayed, would
be sufficient assert his claim to the character OF
an efficient officer, Notwithstanding what the let
ter writers say.
We trust, however, that the matter may be sa-
tisfactorily explained.