The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-16
LATE FROM OUR sQUADRoNs IN THE
GULF, AND ON ThE PACIFIC.
Extract Of letter from Commodore Conner 10 The Sec
rotary Of the Nary:
ssIT Gar.


Extract Of letter from Commodore Conner 10 he Sec
Tsiary Of the Nary
~. b. SIR CUMBERLAND,
"OFF VERA CRUz, October IL, 1886.
at Is with feelings Of deep modification that
apprize the department Of the failure Of another
attempt 10 enter the river Of Alvarado. .
con the morning Of the 18th, little after sunrise,
reached the entrance ofthat river, with the steamer
Vixen, the three gunboats, the prize schooner No
nata, mounting four guns, and the revenue vessels
schooner Forward and steamer MeLane, accompa.
MED by the Mississippi Commodore Perry. IL was
intended the latter should cannonade the battery
while the smaller vessels crossed the bar. IL was
found, however, she could not approach near enough
10 make any impression on the work with her shells
This battery mounted seven guns; and Immediately
behind it, on an elevated knoll was a platform, on
which was a mounted plyotgun. Knowing the
small power Of the steamers on which depended TO
Low the small vessels over the bar, and up tho river
was desirous OF having favorable wind 10 assist
them. For this purpose, delayed moving until
nearly two o'clock, but seeing no prospect Of the
usual sea-breeze setting H., determined TO proceed.
The hrst division, composed ofthe Refer and Boni-
Ia, in tow of the Vixen, got under way, and was
followed by the second division, consisting Of the
Nonata, Forward, and Petrol, lowed by the Nc.
came stronger, causing the steamers TO steer badly
and essenlng their progress 10 not more than mile,
or a mile and half the hour.
"The first division continued to advance steadily,
and had been some time engaged with the battery,
when had the modification to see the McLane
aground on the bar, and the vessels she had in tow,
foul OF each other, in the greatest disorder.
"As II was evident no support could be expected
from the second division for some time, il at ali,
and as the three vessels composing the first, were
wholly inadequate TO prosecute the attack, even II
they could pass the battery, with which we were en-
gagged, was constrained TO order the Vixen to he
put about and repass the bar.
at may be well to observe here, that besides
the battery at the entrance Of the river, there is an
other at the town. one aid half miles distant, of
three guns, with two briggs, each mounting nine
guns, schooner Of seven guns, and two gunboats,
each carrying long 24-pounder-all so disposed as
to command the channel. BY the time the Vixen
joined her, the MeLane was again afoat, without
having sustained any material injury. Ii was obyi-
Gus, however, her draft (ten feet two inChes) was
too great to pass the bar in its present state. Gen
orally, there from thirteen to fifteen feet on il,
and my information led me 10 believe should find
that depth now, but the late Focus have probably
lessened 1t, as on sounding, previously to entering,
there were barely twelve feet. The Vixen struck
twice in going over, though drawing only seven
feet The current was also stronger in the river than
expected, and even if she could pass the bar, felt
convinced the power of the McLane was inadequate
TO make head against il with any vessel ia tow.
lhese conslusratons-and the day being TAR spent
induced me, however, much against my inclination,
to abandon any further attempt at present - enter
the river.
Except for a short time, from early in the spring
to the commencement of the rainy season, no one,
not acquainted with them can have any conception
of the difficulties attending naval operations on this
coast. The north winds, during the winter months,
are sudden and violent, accompanied by high seas
and strong currents No judgment can be formed
as to what moment they may commence. Under
such circumstances, an opinion may be easily form
ed of the difficulty of landing a body of men on the
open coast, and also ofthe danger from the elements
attending it. .#
81 am, very respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"D. CONNER,
Commanding Home Squadron.
"Hon. JOHN Y. MASON,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington"
The reader will see il stated in private letters
from the squadron that Commodore Perry, with the
larger portion Of the vessels, has gone to mako an
attack upon Tabasco, where some boats have
taken shelter that assist in keeping open the COM
merce of the place. s
Since the abortive attack ON Alvarado, which
Commodore Conner describes in his despatch, he
has been joined in all probability, by the Princeton
and the Spitfre-thus considerably increasing his
means for attack. ..u r. p