Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-03
Capture OF 'robs~co.
omeial pe.patehe. from Com. Come,
T. 5. Sur CrMpERLASp.

ll1il lux 81 usttitNl VI INT fANEt VI AaptSN1tN
The objects OF the expedition have been fully
accomplished, and by the destruction OF cap
ture Of all The enemy's vessels, check has
been given 10 a commerce. by which muni-
tions Of war were, no doubt. introduced into
Mexico from the ueighboring province Of Iu-
catan. Much praise is due 70 Com. PERRY
Tor the skill and Judgment manifested through
oct the whole expedition.
The department viii learn with regret the
death Of Lieut.. CHARLES w MoRRIs. which
took place on the lst Instant, on board the
Cumberland. from a wound received Al the
town Of Tabasco on the 10Th ult lie was an
officer ofsreat promise, and bis loss Is most
serious one 70 the service.
| am. very respectfully,
Your obedienl servant.
u. CONNER.
Commanding Home squadron
Hon, ions Y Mason,
Secretary Of the Navy, Washington
n Detailed account Of the Proceedings Of the
Expedition under my Command along the
E,sterl Coast # .Herico
left the anchorage at st. John Lzardo on
the evening of the 10th Of October, with the
steamer Mississippi, having oa board detach-
ment of 200 officers. seamen and marines, I'M
der tue command Of Capt FREScH FoRREsr.
aud in tow, the steamer Vixen. and schoeners
Bonita, Refer, and Nonata. respectively com
manded by Commander SANDS, and Lieuten-
ants ComInandant BESHAn. STREET. and
HAzARD, and the schooner Forward, aud stea-
mer McI.ane commanded by Captains NoSEs
and liowARD of the revenue marine.
The next morning at daylight captured.
of the bar Of Algerado, the American barque
"Coosa,' found in reasonable communication
with the enemy and the same day the "Nx-
en-" chased and boarded the American sehoo-
ner "Ponia." The "Coosa" was despatched
10 this place as q prize, and the Portia was
permited to proceed. her papers having been
endorsed. From the day Of our leaving '.Al.
varadO" Uhe l7th) up 10 the 22d we had Q
succession Of very bad weather, which gave
me much trouble in keeping my liltle com
mand together. During the interval, however,
we captured and sent il the Mexican sehoon
eF Telegraph"
On the 23d, all the vessels, with the excep-
ton Of the 'Reefer." previously separated ia
galr) reached the bar of the river Tabasco
aod having determined on attacking the com
mere;al town of Frontera. at the mouth of the
river, and the city Of Tabasco, situated II
miles higher up, placed myself on board the
"Vixen." leaving the mississippi" in com
maud Of Commander ADAMS, at anchor out
side, aud taking in tow the "Boniia" and
Forward" with the barges containing the de-
tachment under command Of Capt toRREsT,
| crossed the bar, the ''Nonata" following I'M
der sail
The Vixen" with this heavy drag. sleadi-
" assembled the stream against a four knot
current. and arriving near 10 Frontera, | dis
covered two steamers, (ofwhich had receiy-
ed previous iniormahon) firing up, doubtless in
the hope Of escape, but we Were too close up
on them. Casting off her tow, the Vixen"
proceeded ahead, followed by the other vessels
and barges, and at once the town, the steam
ers, and all the vessels in port were in our pos
session. excepting only the schooner ''Ama-
do which vessel, attempting TO escape up
The river, was pursued by Lieut. Command
ant BRNHAM IN the Bonita" and captured.
DESTROYS of reaching Tsbasco before they
would have time for increasing their defences.
the detachment under Capt FoRREsr was
placed on board the largest Of the captured
steamers, the "Petriia," and she, with the
''Nonata," the Forward" and the barges in
tow and the Vixen" with the "Bonita." left
Fruutcra al halt past . the next morning.
Lieut. WALSH being leli IN command Of the
place,
After steaming al night, and encouuterins
the current and the cmcuitous course Of the
stream. we arrived at 6 the next morning in
sight Of Fou Aceachappa, intended 10 com
maud a most difficult pass OF the river. On
our approach. the men employed 10 preparing
the guns for service fed. and we passed 1t I'M
molcsted, but was careful 10 cause the guns
10 BE- spiked
Anticipating serious resistance at this place.
arrangements had been made for landing Capt,
FoRREsr, with his detachment mile below
the fort, to march up and carry It by storm.
AT noon, an the vessels anchored in line Of
battle in front Of the city at half musket range,
when immediately summoned II to suren-
der, the boats meanwhile being employed in
securing five merchant vessels found al anchor
in The port
To INV summons. sent by flag with Capt
FoRResr, a refusal to capHulate was returned.
with an invitation 10 me to fire as soon as !
pleased. Suspectng as did that this answer
was given more in brsyado than in earnest,
add being extremely reluctant to destroy the
place, entertained the hope that few shots
fired over the buildings would have caused a
surrender. Accordingly, directed the guns
OF the vixen" alone to be fired. and at the
flag staff, sending an order to all the vessels to
avoid so far as possible, IN case Of a general
IRE, injury 10 the houses distinguished BY con-
sular flags.
AT the third discharge from the Vixen"
the flag disappeared from the staff. On see
ing /! down, ordered the firing TO cease, and
sent Capt FoRREsr again ashore 10 learn
whether il had been cut down, by our shot, or
struck; the reply was, that II had
been shot away, and the city would not be
surrendered.
now directed Capt. FoRREsr, with the
force under his command, to land and take
a position in the city, commanded by our
guns. This movement brought on scatter
ING fire Of musketry from various parts Of the
civ. which was returned by the tiotllla.
perceviug towards evening the enemy did
Us but httle injury. though openly exposed on
he decks Of the small vessels, and their balls
passing through our slight bulwarks, and ap-
from the proverbial heedlessness
If sailors, that should they and the marines be
attacked in the narrow streets after dark, they
you'd be cut of by sharp-shooters from the
houses, ordered the detachment 10 be re-em-
arked.
10 this position the vessels remained all
,ight. the crews living al their quarters ready
o return the fire Of The artillery Of the enemy,
. ~ k,w had