The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-09-15
LOSS OF U. S. BRIG TRUXToN.

We received on Saturday evening from our
obliging correspondent at New Orleans slip
from the Picayune. containing the astounding and
mournful intelligence that this beautiful and ia
vorite brig was totally destroyed and her officers
and crew nearly all prisoners. We cannot trust
ourselves with any comments at the present mo-
ment, for fear of doing injustice to those who
must be weighed down with oppressive feelings.
When the rumor first reached the town it was
deemed an impossibty, and looked upon as a
miserable attempt at hoax (; but alas the test-
mony became too strong. and all had to give an
unwilling credence to the unwecome news. We
give such extracts from different letters, as we
believe presents ali the facts yet received, and we
leave the subject with our readers
By the same slip we learn the yellow fever had
made its appearance on boa I'd the British vessels
of war at Sacrfcios.
The scurvy prevailed to great extent on board
the Potomac frigate. The balance of the squad
were in good health
Santa Anna had landed at Vera Cruz. He
was received with great demonstrations of low
the city and castle both saluting him. He was
permitted TO land by Commodore Conner. 1t is
presumed that he had passport.
The news was brought express from the squad
under Com. Conner, by the u. S. Revenue
Gutter Legare, and it is proper to say that several
private letters have been received by citizens
here, corroborating the facts contained in the ex-
tracts below.
From the Picayunc, September s.
Extract Of a letter from officer attached TO the
" Home Squadron" noto at " Antonio Lixardo !"
near Vera Cruz, dated
AUGUST 90. 1896
regret to inform you of the loss of the beau
tiful u S. brig Truxton, by all accounts the hes,
vessel OF her class in our service, Capt. f.. w
Carpenter. The Truxton sailed from here in
the early part Of this month for Tampico. On
the 18th, while standing into the harbor of Tus-
pan, 40 miles north Of Vera Cruz. small Mex
| lean coasllng vessel was discovered. and soon af-
ter made prize of. Capt. carpenter engaged
the captain of this vessel to pilot him into sa fe
anchorage, but in doing so ran the Truxton on
reef where she was soon in very perlous siipa.
ton Capt. Carpenter then despatched Lient.
| Bergman to the squadron for the assistance of a
steamer The boat in which this officer left wac.
after four days hard pulling, picked up by the ST
! Mays of Vera Cruz As soon as our Comma.
dore was informed of the fact he sent the Prince
ton to Juspan.
w ME the DIG was on the heet, alter the de-
parture Of 1t. Bergman, two Mexican coastino
vessels appeared in the offing; these were cap
ured by boats crew in charge of 1t. Bushrod
Hunter, but This gentleman was unable, from the
violence Of the gale blowing at The time, to reach
the wreck with his prizes, and was therefore com
PEELED to make for this place, where be arrived
several days ago. On the arrival Of the Prince
Ton at the wreck Of the Truxton, she was found
abandoned, and that she had been stripped of all
light articles by the Mexicans flag of
truce was sent on shore from the Princeton by
whom 1t was ascerlalned that Capt Carpenter.
he officers and crew who were with him, landed
at lnspan on the 18th and were very Hospitality
| received and treated by the inhabitants. On the
18Th they started on foot for Tampico. intending
TO offer themselves as prisoners Of war, since then
we have no iarIher accounts Of them. On the
return Of The flag Of truce to the Princeton, the
commander of that vessel finding there was no
possibility Of saving the Truxton, set her on fire.
and she had burnt to the waters edge when the
Princeton took her departure.
The following is list Of the officers attached
TO the Truxton, who have gone to Tampico: