The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-24
Prom the New Orleans Picsyune Extra, Nov. a.
COMMANDMENT OF TABASC0.,

Who was engaged an tbe affair OF Tabasco, with the
annexed summary and sketch Of the proceedings Of
Com. Perry, with the detachment of vessels sent
under him against Tabasco. The enterprise was
altogether successful. The object Of the expedition
was to cut out certain prizes anchored in the river
These were all taken. When the city was sum
moned TO surrender, the people were all in favor of
yielding at once. The governor and sodiery OPP
posed IT, Time was given for all peaeeable per-
sons, women and children, 70 get out OF harms way;
but the governor would not allow any 10 leave,
SO that i 10 feared most of those killed during the
bombardment were not soldiers. Some OF the reg
ulars were killed. Had il not been that the exeeu-
ZION was principally done upon inofensiye persons,
the city would have been demolished, with the ex-
seption OF the residences Of foreign consus and the
hospitals. n. .., .....
Squadron consisting of the Mississippi, Com.
Perry Vixen, Com'r. Sands; Bonita, Lieut. Cong.
Benham; Refer, Lieut. Sterrel; Nonts, Lieut.. Haz-
ard revenue steamer MeLane, Captain Howard;
revenue cutter Forward, Captain Nones; 200 sea-
men and marines from the Rariian and Cum
berland, under command of Captain Forrest,
Lieuts, Gest, Winslow, Walsh, Huns Captain Ed.
son and Lieut. Adams, Of the marines. Left An
ton Llzardo on the 18th October, and arrived at
Frontero on the 23d. Captured steamers Petrita
and Tabasyueho, and several small vessels. oath
and 25th assembled the river ~ miles to Tabaseo;
The current very rapd--towed by the Petnla and
Vlxen-passed Devils Turn at 9 o. M, landed and
spiked four 24-pounders. Arrived OF rabasco at 6
p m, and anchored in line ahead distant $50 yards
from the shore Summoned the city to surrender.
Governor refused. Fired three shols from the Vix-
en-one cut the flagstaff of the fort and as the color
Eel we thought that they had surrendered. An Of
heer came of with request that we would spare
their hospitals, which was granted. At o'clock,
landed 100 seamen and marines; but as Il too
late 10 attack tho fort, they ordered on board
Some diminishing ensued, but nono Of US were hurt.
This was Sunday, and the commodore was some
hat a..
Captured one brig, three schooners, and one large
sloop also captured schooner before we arrived
at Frontera and another on passage up the riy-
er-making in all, one brig, FIVE schooners, two
steamers, one sloop, and many small craft and
lighters. Monday 10Th, at daylight a sharp FIRE Of
musketry from shore, which was returned by our
great guns whenever We heard report. Firing con-
unued for some time at intervals, when white Aag
was shown by the civilians on shore, doubt with
the consent Of the governor. Sent off a petition 10
the commodore to spare the town, which he granted
adding that he only desired to fight the soldlery.
Got the prizes under weigh, and made every prepar-
alton for returning; white flag flying all the while
Lieutenant w. A. Parker got on shore with his
prize vessel near the city, and attacked by about
eighty soldiers, whom he beat off with eighteen men,
losing only one, and having but two wounded
This affair lasted thirty minutes. Lieut.. G. w.
Morris was despatched to him with orders, and
passing the heavy FIRE Of the enemy, was wound ed
In the neck by musket ball.
Lieut.. Morris stood up in his boat and cheered
the men most CALAMITY until he fell in the arms of
Midshpman Cheeyer, who was with him. The
commodore then commenced cannonading in earnest
from the Vixen, Bonita, Nonta, and Forward, and
IN the space Of half three-fourths Of an hour al
most demolished the city, sparing the houses Of the
foreign consuls, and such appeared to be inhab-
tied by peaceful citizens.
AT about midday the feet left Tabasco, and as il
passed the Different streets at right angles with the
water, fired mnsketry and great guns, and swept
them completely every living thing. All the prizes
burnt by the commodore's order, it having been
found impossible to get her clear Of the Devils
Turn" rapid pass in the river.
Arrived at Fron,era on Sunday at midnght--in-
habitants all peaccful-having been kept IN awe
during our absence by Lieut.. w alch and his CON-
mand.
The revenue steamer MeLane struck while at
tempting to pass bar and did not succeed in get
ting until the affair at Tabasco, and the return
OF the vessels. Her marines, under Lieut.. Brown,
were board the Patrta during the 25th and 26th.
All the prizes were duly despatched, and arrived Mt
Anton Lizardo. The Patr,a, on her return under
command Of Lieut. Best captured the American
brig Plymouth, Captain Patterson, engaged in dis
charging cotton at Alysrado bar Lieut.. Morris
died on the LIST inst, on board the Cumberland, and
was buried with the honors Of war at Lizardo.
Ii will be seen by reading this cursory report,
bpdfeu OF OF
humanity. The inhabitants could not leave, as the
governor would not permit them; hence they sought
refuge In cellars during the cannonading, and thus
escaped destruction. Had il not been that we were
necessarily obliged TO kill many innocent persons
before taking the city, Tabasco at this moment
would have been ours. As it is, we have paid them
dearly for the shot that deprived of Lieut. Nor
ris. Long will they remember our visit, and dread
the return Of the Americans
The Mexican force was $50 regular troops, with
four pieces Of cannon, besides an unknown number
Of armed peasants; all of whom posted in
strong military works, in the occupation of stone
or brick houses; hence we could only reach them
with our great guns, and at every disadvantage.
The following vessels were at Anton Lzardo on
the 9Th Of November: Flag ship Cumberland, frig-
ates Raritan and Potomac, steamers Mississippi and
Princeton; together with the gun-boats, and six
prize vessels. st. Mary's and Somers blockading
Vera Cruz; Porpose at Tampico; the McLane in
side the bar at Tabasco; the Forward blockading
Tabasco. The McLane will get out on high tide.
Lieut.. Renshaw came up from the squadron under
orders to Pensacola navy-yard.
Health of the squadron perfectly good
There is Mexican force of from FIVE to six thou
sand men at Alvarado. They have placed across
sunk vessels on the bar. II would be entirely use
less to attempt the place again by naval force.
From the N. o. Delta extra Nov. IT,
HALF-PAsr IL o'clock,
The schooner Portia has just arrived, having left
the squadron in the gulf the 9th inst, We learn
from a gentleman, passenger In the Pora, that
Com Perry, after capturing the town, unable to
continue in possession of il, because of the insult
fcency Of his force and had returned to his feet 81
From the N. o. Com Times, Nov. IL
... LATER FROM THE ARMY. p. ga a..r,
The United States steamship Massachusetts,, Cap
tain Wood, arrived yesterday in the river, from
Brazos Santiago, but got aground at the English
Turn, from whence the mail bags were sent up to
the city ., tG !" %4'r
The Massachusetts left Brazos Santiago last
Thursday, at p. m, and arrived at the Southwest
Pass on Sunday at 4 p. M, thus accomplishing her
passage in seventy hours. The latest dates
from Monterey to the 4th; but we understand
that nothing new had transpired there.
Captain Lamoue, United States army, Captain G.
w. Kennedy, LIST regiment Kentucky volunteers,
Lieut.. Bailey, Tennessee infantry, Mrs. Major
Captain Davidson, Captain Williams,
M. - Al r.