Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-09-14
Arrival OF SANTA ANA i'm Vera ~Cruz-Possc.
sion OF California by the u. y. Naval forces
Loss OF the u. n. brig Truxton.

W VI ~ - ~ rig IruNtOn.
The following letter from an esteemed friend. attached
to the squadron, gives the particulars OF this melancholy
affair:
Extract Of a latter from an Officer attached 10 a,
"HOme Squadron" nOto at "Antoa LisSrdo," ne.r
VerG Cruz, dated
AUa. 90. 1876.
avail myself of the sailing of the U. S. cutter Legare,
to give you an inkling OF what is going on here.
Santa Ana arrived here on the 10th inst, from Havana,
in the English merchant steamer Arab, accompanied by
his lady aud friend, Gen. Almon,e. He was well received
on ms landing at Vera Cruz, but our account says not very
enthusiastic. lie has gone to Mexico.
Through the English squadron stationed here. we were
informed sometime since that Com. Sloat. commanding
the U. 5. naval forces. in the Pacific. had taken posses
sion OF California. This is what might have been expect-
cd.
regret to inform you OF the loss Of the beautiful U.
5. brig Tuxton. by all accounts the best vessel Of her class
in our service, Captain E. w. Carpenter. The Truxton
sailed from here in the early part OF ibis month for Tam
pico. On the l4th, while standing into the harbor Of
Tuspan, 100 miles north OF Vera Cruz, u small Mexican
coAsting vessel was discovered, and soon after made n
prize Of. Cept Carpenter engaged the captain Of this
vessel to pilot him into n safe anchorage, but in doing So
ran the TTuXton on 4 reef where she was soon in a very
perious situation. Captain Carpenter then despatched
Lieut.. Bergman TO the squadron for the assistance of a
steamer. The boat in which this officer left was after
four days hard pulling, picked up by the St Mary's off We.
IA Cruz. As soon as our Commodore was informed of
the fact he sent the Princeton to Tuspan.
While the brig was on the Reef, afer the departure Of
Ii. Bergman, two Mexican coasting vessels appeared in
the ofhng; these were captured by boats crew in charge of
1t. Bushrod lluater, 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 compelled TO make
for this place, where he arrived several days ago. On the
arrival OF the Princeton at the wreck OF the Truxton, she was
found abandoned, and that she had been stripped Of all light
ariicles by the MeXcans. A "hsgof truce was cent on shore
from the Princeton, by whom il was ascertained that Cant,
Carpenter, his officers and crew who were with him landed
at Tuspan on the l7ih and were very Hospitality received
and treated 10y the inhabitants. On the 18th they started
on foot for TamPico, intending to offer themselves as pri.
soners OF war, since then we have no further accounts of
them. On the return Of the flag Of truce to the Princeton,
the commander Of that vessel fniing there was no posi-.
bility Of saving the Truxion, set her on fire, and she burnt
to the waters edge when the Princeton took her departure
The following is n list of the officers attached TO the
Truxton, who have gone to Tampico:
Commander E. w. Carpenter; Acting Master Isaac NJ:
Brceland; Passed Midshipmen John p. Bankhead, George
b. Bissel; Pursor George F. Gutter; Assistan, Surgeon
John 8. Messersmitb; Midshipman Simeon S. Basser;
Captains Clerk. II. wilkinson; together with about 6f,y
petty officers and seamen.
Lieuts. Hunter and Bergman are on board tho St
Mary's.
The ". s. steam cutter Legare arrived here n few days
since with dispatches for Com. Conner. The day follow
ing a flag Of truce was sent into Vera Cruz from the Cum
berland.