The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-21

sPECIAL DESPATCH TO TIE N. Y. HERALD OFFICE
US. SQUADRON, OFF ANTON L,zARDo.
Octobe 23d, 1886.
The second attack upon Alvarado by the American
squadron, took place on the 18th inst Accompanying
this letter you will receive diagram, showing the position
of the forts and batercs also the relative position Of
the vessels at the commencement of the attack
At midnight Of the l4,h inst. Commodore Conner
made signals to the several vessels marked in the dia
gram, to prepare to get under way; Immediately the
steamers fred up and the sail vessels hove Short ready
to trip their anchors at moments warning. At half
past one, signal was made to weigh Immediately
the whole squadron under and SAIL standing
towards Alvarado At early daylight the squadron
off the mouth of the Rio Alvarado waiting patiently
for tho sun to rise TO give clear view Of the forts At
stood in, and threw hundred and twenty pound she'll
into the fort. marked 20 We could not ascertain the
and opened heavy fire the fort with her Paixhsn
she'll guns she continued her fro with little nterms
sion until 2 P NJ. In the meantime Commodore Conner
formed the steamers Vixen and McLane, with the gun
boats, into line, and stood for the bar The McLane
struck the remaining vessels passed over in safety;
the Commodore taking the lead. While the bar the
McLane was exposed to the fire of all tho guns in the
fort; the shot fell around the gunboats like hail The
Vixen. while attempting to pass the fort, received "a
pound shot under her guards another struck her ham
neck netting, and came very near killing Commodore
as6 ne bsm on he es a. the
she received shot in the cut water cutting away her
bowspr shrouds and bob-stays-a another shot struck
and carried her riatic staya third passed through
her stern Most Of the enemy's shot passed directly
vessels. The gunboats rolled very heavily
consequently the shells thrown from their 81 Founders
did not do much execution At H. 30 A. NJ. the Missis-
sippi dismounted of the guns of the fort When
the Mexicans saw the 100 pound shells coming, they
would out of the fort and return after the explosion
At p M. the Cumberland and Rartans boats, manned
by three hundred and officers ordered to form
into line and land for the purpose Of stormng the bate
ry, under the command Of Captain Forrest of the
Cumberland They had advanced but a sho edisance,
when the Commodore made signal to them to return,
and take shelter along side of the gun boats.
The upper battery had opened its fire upon the Com
dore but few minutes when he wore ship and stood
directly out of the river, at the time making sig
nal TO the squadron Anton Lizardo in other words
make good your retrest. The vessels Immediately
wore and the bar leaving the Mexicans in
quiet possession of their forts and ships Of which
could have taken in half hour from the time the
Commodore made signal to return. Never officers
and men more enrsged when they the signal fying
to return. Commodore Perry could scarcely contain
Commodore by officers and men-in fact, Commodore
Conner alone is to blame for the failure OF the expedi'
ton. The officers and behaved gallantly. The OFF,
have the greatest confidence in Commodore Perry.
Commodore Conner informed the captains OF the
ships that he again intended to attack the place. with
two thousand The following ships he intends to
anchor off the fortress the mouth of the river for the
purpose of bombarding it igates Cumberland. Rari
TAM Potomac, and steam frgates Mississippi and Prince
boats Refer Month"; Petrel Bonita and Forward, will
proceed directly up the river, and attack the upper
| fort
will give full particulars Of the next attack with
diagram, showing the relative position of the vessels
| in the attack A. b.