The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-24
From the New Orleans Picayune.
Burning OF the Creole.

The subjoined account of the burning Of the Mexican
schooner Creole under the guns of San Juan de Uua,
downright devil may care" courage about the transac-
ton, which refreshing the adventures whereof we
find mention in novels and songs OF knighty mnsrelsy
1t boldly and galany done, and evinces the peness
OF our navy for deeds OF utmost daring The narrative
does not in the least detract from the merit OF the exploit
The matter, and the manner are german:
"UNIrED STATES BRIG SosfERs,
"Bockading off Vera Cruz, November 9th, 1854
"DEAR Pre- The squadron have not yet returned
from Tampico, but we have heard that the place has
rendered without any resistance While the rest of the
fleet have been thus engaged, have felt that our lot
was indeed unfortunate to be left to blockade the port OF
Vera Cruz inglorIousy alone We have, however, not
been altogether idle, for last night of our officers
projected and executed quite brilliant affair." which, if
not so very important In military point of view, had
burning of Mexican schooner moored within pistol shot
of the castle She the Creole well known at New Or
leans packet and believe somewhat notorious for her
connection with certain slave question which sub
ject OF diplomacy years ago. She about four
miles from anchorage, and had been eye-sore to
us whenever we were in sight Of the town. The feast
by of burning her at her moorings had been for some
time discussed and last night she on fire and de-
stroyed, by three of our officers with FIVE men, sin
gle boat. .....,..
"The officers engaged were Lieut. j. L. Parker, and
Passed Midshipmen J. r. Hynson, and Robt C. Rogers
The affair finally started the impulse of the mo-
ment without the cognzance Of the captain the first
lieutenant Several OF the officers of the vessel, who
knowing to the plot extremely anxious par
tcipate in its execution; but the limited accommodations
OF the boat united with the probability OF having prison.
ers to bring back besides her crew, precluded
than three officers going consistently with prudence. We
all sanguine of success, and it proved
in the right. ..-....
he boat started at eleven at night and at half after
one the schooner fired. The affair not atogeth-
wanting in adventure, which have not time TO detail
in full, were it worth your while to read my account
son nearing the schooner, the boat discovered by
her crew, and the alarm given by hailing the cas-
tie The bells of the castle were rung and the lights
OF the town displayed. This did not, however, de-
ter our brave fellows from boarding the schooner
and setting her on fire. Seven Mexcans were found
on board, and forced into boat as prisoners, and
landed at Sacri6cios In setting fire TO the train the first
attempt faied-the light then accidentally extin-
gushed-everything looked ominous of failure. The
use of firearms would have provoked the fire of the
castle. One of the Mexicans forced to find fire,
with pistol at his head, 1t was single coal, and it
was on the point of going out To the last chance,
Mr. Hynson then poured powder from his hand upon the
coal, and succeeded He was, however, considerably
burned After going into the boat in order TO make
sure, the officers returned to make second fire in the
hold and having other of carrying the fire they
tore up their SUt-tais, which burned remarkably we'll
The Mexicans must be somewhat astonshed when they
find out how many diverse purposes Yankee shirt may
be put to- the other day at Tuspan it flag Of truce
"Yours, Sc, j."