The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-12-05
~ Capture of I'abasco!
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES FROM CoMMo-
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OFFICIAL DISPATCHES FROM CoMMo
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ms.|U. S. SHIP CUMBERLAND,
tall Off Vera Cruz, Nov. 5, ls46.
Sir: Herewith is transmitted copy
Of a letter from Com. Perry, accompa-
MED by copies Of other communica
sions, giving a detailed account Of his
operations with a detachment from the
squadron IN the river Of Tabasco. The
objects Of the expedition have been
fully accomplished, and, by the destruc-
ton or capture Of all the enemy's yes.
sells, a check has been given to com.
merce, by which munitions of war
were, no doubt, introduced into Mex.
leo from the neighboring province Of
Yucatan. Much praise is due to Com.
modore Perry for the skill and judg-
ment manifested throughout the whole
expedition. tt,7s L
The department will learn with re-
gret the death of Lieut.. Charles w.
Morris, which took place on the FIRST
instant, on board the Cumberland, from
a wound received al the town of Ia
basco on the 26t6 ult. He was an of.
ficer Of great promise, and his loss is a
most serious one to the service.
l am. very respectfully,
'''i" Your obedient servant,
.aassnsi s,.t D. CONNER,
Commanding Heme Squadron.
Hon. john Y. Mason,
Secretary OF the Navy, Washington.
A detailed account of the proceedings Of
The Expedition under my Command
along the Eastern Coast Of Mezico.
4 left the anchorage at st. John Ii
zardo ON the evening of the 18th ofOc-
tober, with the steamer Mississippi"
having on board detachment Of 200
officers, seamen, and marines under
command OF Captain French Forrest,
and in top, the steamer "Vixen." and
schooners "Bonita," g ReeGer," and
IS Nonata," respectively commanded
by Commander Sands, and Lieutenants
Commandant Benham, Sterrett, and
Hazard, and the schooner IS Forward"
and steamer "McLanc," commanded
by Captains Nones and Howard of the
revenue marine.
The next morning at daylight cap
tured, off the bar of Alvarado, the Am
erican barque aCoosa." found in trea-
sonable communication with the enc
my; and the same day the "Vixen" cha
sed and boarded the American schoo-
ner @Portia." The s.Coosa" was des-
patched to this place as prize, and the
Porta was permitted to proceed, her
papers having been endorsed. From
the day Of our leaving "Alvarado" (the
seventeenth) up to the twenty-second,
we had succession Of very bad wea-
ther, which gave me much trouble in
keeping my little command together.
During the interval, however, we cap
tured and sent in the Mexican schoon-
r"Telegraph."
On the twenty-third, all the vessels.
with the exception of the "Reefer,"
{pfeviously separated in galesSeach-
ed the bar Of the river Tabasco; and
having determined on attacking the
commercial Town Of Frontera, at the
mouth of the river, and the city Of Ia.
basco, situated "a miles higher up,
placed myself on board the "Vixen,"
leaving the "Mississippi" in command
of Commodore Adams, at anchor out
side, and taking in tow the "Bonlta"
and "Forward," with the barges con-
taining the detachment under COM
mand Of Captain Forrest, crossed the
bar, the "Nonata' following under sail.
The "Vixen" with this heavy drag
steadily ascended the stream against a
four-knot current, and, arriving near to
Erontera,. | discovered two steamers
(ef which / had received previous in
formation) firing up, doubtless in the
hope of escape, but we were too close
upon them. Casting off her tow, the
.Vixen" proceeded ahead, followed by
the other vessels and barges, and at
once the to wn, the steamers, and all
the vessels in port were in our posses
sion,. excepting only the schooner
.Amado," which vessel, attempting to
escape up the river, was pursued by.
Lieut.. Commandant Benham in the
~Bonita," and captured.
Desirous Of reaching Tabasco before
they would have time fol. increasing