Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-12-09
Capture of TObascO.
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES OF COMMO-
DORE PERRY

DORE PERRY.
The Union publishes an official note from
Com. Conner transmitting the following letter
from Commodore Perry, which, it will be seen,
gives detailed account of his operations in the
river of Tobasco:-Trib,me.
"A detailed account Of the proceedings Of The
Expedition under my comnsad along The East
ern coast Of .Nerico.
! left the anchorage at st. John Lazardo on
the evening of the 10th of Octobor with the
steamer Mississippi, having on board detach
ment of 200 officers, seamen and marines, under
command of Captain French Forrest, ard in
to,c, the steamer Vixen, land schrs. Bonita, Reef
er and Nonata, respectively commanded by
Commander Sands, and Leuts Commandant
Benham, Sterret and Hazard, and the schr. For=
ward and steamerMcLane, commanded by Capts
Nones and Howard of the Revenue Marine.
The next morning at daylight l captured,
off the bar of Alyarado, the American bark
Coosa, found in reasonable communication with
the enemy: and the same day the Vixen chas-
ed and boarded the American schooner Portia.
The Coosa was despatched to this place as a
prize, and the Portia was permitted to proceed
her papers having been endorsed. From the
day of our leaving Alvarado 1.-THE 17th) up to
22d, we had succession of very bad weather,
which gave me much trouble in keeping my lit
tie command together. During the interval,
however, we captured and sent in the Mexican
schr. Telegraph.
On the 23d, all the vessels with the exception
of the "Reefer" previously separated in gale
reached the bar Of the river Tobasco; and hav
ing determined on attacking the commercial
town of Frontera at the mouth of the river, and
the city of Tobsco, situated IA miles higher up,
| placed myself on board the Vixen, leaving the
Mississippi in command of Commander Adams
| at anchor out side, and taking in tow the Bonita
| and Forward, with the barges containing the
detachment under command of Captain For
rest, crossed the bar, the Nonata following
under sail.
The Vixen with this heavy drag steadily as
cended the stream against four-knot current,
and, arriving near to Frontera, discovered two
steamres [of which had rec eived previous in
formation firing up, doubtless in the hope of
escape but we were too close upon them. Cas-
ting off her tow, the Vixen proceeded ahead,
followed by the other vessels and barges; and
at once the town, the steamers, and all the
vessels liz port, were in our possession, except
/ inc only tie schooner Amado, which vessel, at
tempting to escape up the river, was pursued
by Lieut.. Commandant Benham in the Bonita
and captured.
DESTROYS of reaching Tabasco before they
would have time for increasing their detences
the detachment under Capt. Forrest was placed
on board the largest of the captured Steamers
the Petrita, and she with the Nonata, the For
ward, and the barges in tow, and Vixen, witt
the Bonita, left Frontera at 81 the next morn
ming, Lieut.. Walsh being left in command o
the place. After steaming all night, and en-
countering various incidents arising from TIL
rapidity Of the current and the circuitous cours
of the stream, we arrived al the next mornin,
in sight of Fort Aceachappa, intended to com
mand most difficult pass of the river. On on
approach, the men employed in preparing tn
, guns for service fled, and we passed it unmo
Tested, but was careful to cause the guns to b
spiked.
Anticipating serious resistance at this place
!, arrangements had been made for landing Capt
, Forrest with his detachment mile below tht
, fort, to march up and carry it by storm.
At noon, all the vessels anchored in line O
, battle in front of the city at half-musket range
when Immediately summoned it to surrender
the boats meanwhile being employed in securing
five merchant vessels found at anchor in the
port.
To my summons sent by flag with Captain
Forrest, a refusal TO capitulate was returned
/ with an invitation to me to fire as soon as
pleased. Suspectng, as did, that this answer
was given more in bravado than in earnest, anC
! being extremely reluctant to destroy the place
, entertained the hope that few shots fired ovel
the buildings would have caused a surrender
; Accordingly, directed the guns of the Vixer
alone to be fired, and at the flag staff, sending
: an order to all the vessels to avoid, so far as
possible, in case ofa general fire, injury to the
5 houses distinguished by consular flags.
| At the third discharge from the Vixen, the
| 40 1i-,- n
down, ordered the fling to cease, and SEN
Captain Forrest again ashore to learn whethel
, it had been cut down by our shot, or purposely
struck; the reply was that it had been sho
away, and the city would not be surrendered.
| now directed Capt. Forrest with the force
Z under his command to land and take position
. in the city, commanded by our guns. Thi.
' movement brought on scattering fire of mus
kerry from various parts of the city, which wa
\ returned by the fotilla.
nj Perceiving toward evening that the enemy
did lis but little injury, though openly exposes
on the decks ofthe small vessels, and their ball
passing through our slight bulwarks, and ap
pretending, from the proverbial Needless of sal
lors, that should they and the marine be attackes
9 in the narrow streets after dark, they would b.
$ cut off by sharp-shooters from the houses,
| ordered the detachment to be re-embarked.
Il In this position the vessels remained all nigh
the crews lying at their quarters ready to return
the fire of the artillery of the enemy, which il
was supposed they would have had the courag,
t to have brought down under cover OF the nigh
| to the openings of the streets opposite to on
: vessels, but thay left us undsturbed.
= Learning that the merchants, and other citi
zens ofihe city, were DESTROYS that a capitula
E ton should be made, but were overruled by tht
: Governor, who, regardless of consequences, an;
f secure himself against attack, was content tha
| the city should be destroyed rather than sur
rendered, determined from motives of humani
ty not to fire again, bat to pass down to From
; terra with my prizes.
In the morning, however, the fire was re
e commenced from the shore, and was nccessari
: ly returned, but with renewed orders to REGARD
the consular houses so far as they could be dis
tinpnished In the midst of the firt.- a FLAG O