The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-12-05

Captain Forrest was placed on board
the largest ofthe captured stea amers, The
"Petrita," and she, with the "Nonata,' -
the 'Forward,' the Forward and the
barges in tow, and the 'Vixen,' with
the Bonita left Frontera at half past
9 the next morning, Lieut.. Walsh be-
ing LETT in command of the place.
After steaming all night, and encoun-
tering various incidents arising from
the rapidity Of the current and the cir
cuitous course of the stream, we arrived
at nine the next morning in sight Of
Fart Aceachappa, intended to command
most difficult pass of the river. On
our approach, the men employed in
preparing the guns for service fled, and
we passed it unmolested, but was
careful to cause the guns to be spiked.
Anticipating serious resistance at this
place, arrangements had been made for
landing Capt. Forrest with his detach-
ment mile below the fort, TO march
up and carry it by storm.
ht upouS oil tuS ECSSciS duCuOIcu III
line of battle in front of the city at half
musket range, when | immediately sum-
moned it to surrender, the boats mean
while being employed in securing FIVE
merchant vessels found at anchor in the
port. s.3 @ 'lsu"s4r
To my summons sent by flag with
Captain Forrest, refusal to capitulate
was returned, with an invitation to me
to fire as soon as | pleased. Suspect.
ing, as did, that this answer was given
more in bravado than in earnest, and
beng extremely reluctant to destroy
the place, l entertained the hope that a
few shots fired over the buildings
would have caused surrender. Ac.
cordingly, directed the guns Of the
Vixen alone to be fred, and at the flag
staff, sending an order to all the YES.
sells to avoid, so far as possible, in case
Of general fire, injury TO the houses
distinguished by consular flags. d
AT the third discharge from the 'Vix-
en- the flag disappeared from the staff.
On seeing it down, ordered the firing
TO cease, ,and sent Captain Forrest again
ashore to learn whe ther it had been cut
down by our shot, ,or purposely struck;
the reply was. that it had been shot
away, and the city would not be sur
rendered.
| now directed Capt. Forrest, with
the force under his command, to land
and take position ia the city, COM
manded BY our guns. This movement
brought on scattering FIRE Of ,nusket-
ry from various parts of the city, which
was returned by the ffotilla.
Perceiving towards evening that the
enemy did us but little injury, though
openly exposed on the decks Of the
small vessels, and their balls passing
through our slight bulwarks, and ap-
pretending, from the proverbial heed
lessness of sailors, that should they and
the marines be attacked in the narrow
streets after dark, they would be cut
off by sharp-shooters from the houses,
ordered the detachment to be re-em-
barke6.
In this position the vessels remained
all night, the crews lying at their quar-
ter ready to return the fire of the artil-
lery of the enemy, which it was sup
posed they would have had the courage
to have brought down under cover Of
The night TO the openings Of the streets
opposite TO our vessels, but they left US
undisturbed.
Learning that the merchants. and
other citizens Of the city, were desirous
that capitulation should be made, but
were overruled by The governor, who
regardless Of consequences, aud secure
himself against attack, was content
that the city should be destroyed rather
than surrendered, determined from
motives Of humanity not TO fire again,
but to pass down to Frontera with my
prizes.
In the morning, however,the fire was
from the shore, and was
necessarily returned, but with renewed
orders to regard the consular houses so
far as they could be distinguished. In
the midst Of the fire, a flag of truce
was displayed on shore; on perceiving
which, | caused the firing again 10 cease
and Captain Forrest was sent 10 meet
its bearer, who submitted a written
communication addressed to me; CO.
py Of which, with copy Of hy reply,
marked B aud G, will be found enclo-
sed.
AS an assurance of my sincerity,
now hoisted white flag, and directed
the. prizes to drop down the stream.in.
tending to follow with the fotilla; but,
IN violation of the understanding i'm
piled in the before mentioned cores
pondence, the enemy. in discovering
that one ofthe prizes had drifted ashore
in front Of the city, collected a large