Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-03
CAPTURE OF RRiyAL
or CON. PERRY.
From the .Ne,c Orleans Times, Nor. q.

| From the .Ne,c Orleans Times, Nor. 81.
Hard upon the intelligence of the expedition
having been dispatched for an attack upon
( Tampico, follows the account Of the capture Of
I that important strong hold. Com. Perry, Of
the U. States steamer Mississippi, arrived here
I yesterday morning, and kindly communicated
10 the Press the fact Of the complete success Of
the expedition. The Squadron arrived off
! Tampico on the l4th instant, and Immediately
took possession Of the city, without striking
blow. Ii may be remembered that in our
statement of Mexican news, given some days
since, we mentioned that SANTA ANNA inten
ded issuing orders 10 the garrison at Tampico
to abandon the place and remove their artillery,
calculating that in the event Of its being taken,
a strong force would be required TO garrison it.
and that the American army would be proper.
tionately weakened. In conformity to these
views, orders were ISSUED TO the military CON-
mander TO leave the town, and when captured
by the Squadron, it was found destitute of sol.
diers, ordnance. and ammunition. The gaui-
son had evacuated the place, and taken up the
line of march for San Luis Potosi.
Com. CONNER landed about a hundred and
fifty sailors and marines, and with them enter
ed the town and quartered his men in the cit
adel There they remained at the last advi.
ces, small fiotla being stationed in the har-
Dor 10 guard the approach TO the city There
is little danger Of any attempt to its recapture
from without. But $50 men constitute an in.
sufficient force 10 insure tranquility and obedi-
ence within. itbecomes necessary 10 strength
en- the garrison and this, we understand, is
the principal motive which brings Com. Per
ny to our city. He is deslrous OF reinforcing
the small detachment left in Tampco, by an
additional supply of troops.
We trust he may fully succeed in accom-
piishing his views. We learn that Com. Per-
RY considers the possession of Tampico i'm
portant 10 the United States in many respects,
and is therefore extremely anxious TO throw
into that town force sufficient TO bid defiance
at once TO disatfection w;hin, or assaults with.
out, Its walls.
The steamer Mississippi touched at the
mouth Of the Brazos, for the purpose Of In
forming Gen. PATTERSON that Tampico had
been captured, and of notifying him that re-
Enforcement would be required from the troops
stationed al Point Isabel.
Com. PERRY will leave to-day, and re, JOIN
his Squadron. We hope that the capture Of
Tampico. bloodless though il be, may be the
first of series of exploits that will re-establish
our gallant navy in the entire confidence ofthe
people The officers Of the Gulf Squadron
are only painting for chance to distinguish
themselves. We predict they will not long
remain without an opportunity of gathering
fresh laurels.
Tampico contain. abou: 900 inhabitants
but there are two towns adjacent almost con-
nected with ii, called Pueblo Vieja and Alta
mira, which considerably increase the popula-
ton on that part of the Coas, Of Mexico
Commodore PERRy tells US that he was
scarcely before Tampico half an hour, when
he was despatched away on the mission, which
he has so soon consummated.
On the summons 10 surrender the town be-
ing made, a deputation composed Of the au-
thorities and principal citizens waited on Com
modore CONNER, and intmated their readiness
10 comply. Commissioners were then ap-
pointed, and the usual stipula,ons being made
and accorded, regarding the due protection 10
life and property, usual among civilized ma
tons. the stars and stripes soon fioated over
thi. bloodless conquest.