Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-05-26
From the Baltimore Sun,
The Capture Of Tuspan.
ruLL ACCOUNT or THE EXPEDITION.

FULL ACCOUNT OF THE EAPEDlTioNs
Our "Overland Poney Express" also
brings us copy Of the Vera Cruz Flag of
the S8th ult., from which we extract the
following interesting particulars of the cap
ture of Tuspan by our gallant tars:
The expedition consisted of the steamer
Mississippi, (fag-ship,) frigate Raritan,
sloop Of war Albany, ship John Adams,
Germantown, Decatur, Spit6re, Vixen,
Scourge, Vesuyius, Hecla, Etna, Bonita,
Petrol, and Reefer. Among the vessels
were distributed $50 men belonging to the
Potomac, and $40 belonging to the Ohio,
both Of which remained at this place. AT.
ter some delay at the Island Of Lobos,awai
ing the arrival of the sailing vessels, and
subsequently, at sea, owing to a dispersion
of the vessels by norther, every thing
was ready for landing on the morning Of
the 18th instant, at which time the Missis-
sippi was anchored off the bar of Tuspan
| river, while the other steamers having had
their masts taken out, and otherwise light
ened in every possible way, took in tow the
gun boats and barges Of the expedition, car
rying, in all, about 1900 men, and two pie
ces Of field artillery. The other vessels OF
the squadron remained at anchor under
Tuspan shoals, which lies six or eight miles
to the eastward of the bar.
i In crossing the bar, the spitfre led the
way, and was followed by the Vixen ane
the Scourge, each having gun-boat in tow
Two of the steamers struck on the bar, bu
were not suffered to be stopped for mo
ment. They literally ploughed their way
over it. By IL O'Clock the whole expedi
ton succeeded in gaining an entrance o
4 the river, Notwithstanding the serious diff
4 culties presented by the breakers of tn
bar. Shortly afterwards. everything bein,
in readiness for the attack, Commodore
Perry hoisted his broad penant on boar
, the Spitfre, and at once led the rest Of tn
vessels up the river. ....
After ascending it about FIVE miles, twt
forts we're discovered on the right bank
both of which opened on the squadron. I'm
mediately all the boats were manned witt
storming parties, and while the steamers
and gun-boats were gallantly returning the
fire Of the forts they (the boats) dashed or
and quickly took possession Of the forts, the
Mexicans retreating down one side of the
hill as the sailors ascended the other.
The whole expedition now moved or
steadily towards the town Of Tuspan, bu
in little while another fort, situated on q
high hill, commanding the whole city,open.
ed upon the vessels and barges.
Atthe same time, volleys Of musketry
were fired by the enemy, from the chappa.
raj; this latter fort was also promptly at.
tackled, and, like the other two, was carried
without the enemy waiting to cross bayo.
nets, our noble tars proving themselves first
rute fellows for this species Of boarding
work. simultaneously with the occupation
Of this fort, a division Of the expedition land
ed in the town, and at once took possession
oft. The greater part Of the inhabitant
had fled, and left but a few scattering sol
diers within reach of our balls.
In the course of the contest seventeen
men and officers were killed and wounded
Capt. Tatnall received ball on the righ
elbow joint; Lieut.. JAS L. Parker, Aid t.
the Commodore, severe wound in the up
per part Of the left breast; Lieut., Whittle
flesh wound in the right leg, and Lieut.
Hartstein, flesh wound in the right wris
and thigh. All the wounded, however, ar
doing we'll.
Several guns of the Truxton wers foun'
mounted upon the forts, all of which wer
recovered and brought on board the squad
ron. Other articles belonging to the Trux
ton were likewise recovered. After retain
ing possession Of the town from the 18th t.
the 22d inst, the force was withdrawn ant
embarked, leaving, however, the Alban.
and gun-boat Refer, under Capt. Breeze
to guard and command the place.
It may be proper to state, that all tn
forts of the place were destroyed by our for
ces. There being no further work on th'
coast for the squadron, Com. Perry contem
plated, we learn, a movement towards tn
interior, with fine body Of $500 tars, thor
oughly organized, should such a step b.
deemed advisable.