American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-12-17
Correspondence of the Charleston Evening News.
AFFAIRS AT TAMPTCO.
TAMpIco Nov 36 1915

lAMPlCo, NOV. 70, 1876.
avail myselfof the departure ofthe steamer
"Sea," which vessel will leave tomorrow, 10
inform you of our whereabouts. The loss of the
steamer Neptune is a very serious one, more
particularly as she had on board the dispatches
Col. G ties to Gen. Taylor, apprising him of
his position here, with information Of import
ance TO him in his operations. The entire mail
was lost
We arrived off the Bar on Sunday forenoon,
q the 22d inst, and was loudly cheered by the
f fleet lying there as we passed them. We re-
turned it and the band struck up "liail Column
bia." We were compelled to wait some three
B or four hours for high water to get in the river
which we effected about dark with the assist
Rnce Of the boats from the fleet.
When we landed the American flag was
hoistcd, and our column Of 500 men, displaying
the Regimental colors OF the Sd Artillery,
marched into the square, surrounded by thous-
ands of silent and Supplied MexiCans. The
command on shore was transferred by Com.
1 Conner to Col. Gates, and the usual mutual
exchange Of compliments was made The city
surrendered without resistance. The Mexican
soldiers, after destroying the armament of the
Forts and throwing into the river some 6000
muskets, evacuated the place, leaving the in
habitants TO take care OF themselves. 1t seems
that q report had reached them that Gen. Tay-
/ lor was advancing with 10000 men on the 9TH
or side of the rlveG-the appearance OF the boats
ofthe fleet confirmed their impression, and, like
Falstaff, they argued "that discretion is the
better part Of vaor," and left the Naval Com
mander undisputed possession. We are now
here holding the supreme authority, and though
our number is small, still we endeayor to make
eur foothoId secure, by strengthening the for
tfcatons, one of which is about 900 yards and
the other one mile distant from the city. We
are also fortifying the roads and avenues lead
ing to the city.
The command stationed here now consists OF
Companies b., Lieut. Anderson; D., Capt
Brooks, and F., Lieut.. Arnold of the I'd Artil.
lery. Companies D., Capt. 7. w. Sherman
and H., Lieut.. Steptoe, of the Sd Artillery
Companies A, Lieut.. Miller, and R., Capt.
Hunt, the 4th Artillery; in all about 500 ef
fective men. We are all busily engaged at
work OIL the Forts, which were dismantled BY
the flying enemy, and placing the city in a
state obedience against their return, which is
more than probable. Should they attack us il
will probably be with much superior force
but they will find US like your noble State mot
to-".4nimis 0pibusgre Parati."
Tampico is situated on point formed by
bend Of the River, having a Lagoon in the
rear. The houses are built Of stone, hand
somely pastered and painted, the roofs are
chiefly ofslate, consequently the cistern water
is pure and good, The reservoirs are all they
have TO depend upon-the river water, though
fresh, is unfit to drink and is used only for cat
tie. Water is brought from the country or
mules or donkeys, and retailed out. The streets
are remarkably clean-the storesare well flIec
with n1prcbo ndiza and fboit (niu a ro ro,,,, IL
ably neat and genteel. The inhabitants who
remained are mostly of the poorer class, anc
number about 5000. The market is we'll sup
piled with all the necessaries of life, which W.
purchase at very cheap rates. Good fresh bee
A cents per pound, milk l2 l-s cents per quart
and vegetables of all kinds as cheap as can b.
procured in your market. Though the nha
bitants are somewhat sullens still they prefe
that we should remain among them, as we pa
for every thing we get, and they would be com
PEELED to furnish their own Troops at mucl
more reduced prices, with very little chance o
beng paid, for they state that the arbitrary ex
action OF their military cheitians is robbery il
its worst forms.
The honor and glory Of hosting the Ameri
ca4 flag al this place belongs to iUoman and
Mexican woman too she is tho heroic wife O
Mr. Chace, yankee who is Consul here -
While her husband was on board the Prince
ton, this brave and noble lady planted tn
American STANDARD on the house top with he
own hands, and though threatened BY tn
MexIcans who shot at her repeatedly, she stoo
firm and undaunted by the symbol of on
Union, and proud and erect she pointed to
as it 1oaLed it tn breeze She indeed deserve
something from her adopted country.