The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1847-01-06
From the Sapannah Georgian
Ot1i2 yGAi.TANT, NAVYs


pen Editorial. been more gratiiediliannwe
are this morning in,recprding the gallant
adventure Of Lieut.. Parker and his heroic
little band OF Spartans. twill fill bright
puge In the history Of the present war. and
we feel grateful 10 our friend who has fur
nished US SO glowing and graphic ,Ic-
scrption OF this Nava! feat, aud to ano.h-
er friend who was The medium Of commu-
nication. 1t was written by one Of the
best letter writer's in the sqndron. and one
who pants Tor an opportunityto distinguish
himselfin his country'ss service.
TIE names Of Parker. Rodgers, and
Hynson, are destined 70 become still more
conspicuous in their country's history than
this perilous achievement, so fearlessly
executed. has made them. But we will not
detain our readers from what our friend
unassumingly styles,
A SKErcH FROM THE CUR.
II hive something to tell you which
am sure will plense you-one Of our real
dashy, off hand brillian, affairs, by smnll
party, worthy of the times Of Decatur and
Somcrs. We received the news few
days ago, tha, is, general statement Of
the facts. shall do little filling in for
your special edi6ca.ioh-bu. the facts
the acts, stand for themselves.
The late movements of the squadron
on different points left The U. S. brig SOM.
ers under Il. Com'dg. Il. Simms. The on
ly vessel tlockading the immediate port o f
Vera Cruz.
On the evening OF the 18Th November,
nothing being in sight, the Somers
ran in 10 the anchorage a, Green Island.
On the morning Of the 10Th, they were
mortified to find brig under Mexican col
ors standing in to the northward Of the
castle, and 100 close for them to cut her
off. The Mexicans received her with
great Joy and exulta,ion. She was now
safe under the protection Of their power
ful batteries, and to make it worse, our
officers would have, to stand the jokes Of the
Englishmcn, with whom we often exchange
vs,s-thcir squadron Of observation an
chorel e, Sacrifcios saw, Of course, the
brig slip 81 easily through the block
ude. The Somers remained quietly at
her anchors, and on the next day Nhe
2Olh) we have The opening Of the lst
Act, time, afternoon, Ii. Com'dg Simms
pacing the deck, looking rather blowy-
nobody in fact, particularly good humored.
Enter-Lt. jas. 8. Parker, 2d Lt.' Of the
brig with Passed Midshipmen R. c. Rod
gers and J. r. IIynson. They approach
1t. Gom',ig S. very respectfully touching
their caps. 1t. P.--"We requcs, permis.
sion, Sir. to visit the Eng glish squadron a,
Sacrifcios.' 1t. Comm'dng S. hesi,a,es.
Parker continues-"We nigh. get some
information" Ii. Com'dg S.-"You can
60, Sir! You must be back gentlemen, as
early as possible" Ii. P. and friends ex-
change glancrs evidently pleased. Ger
tainly, Sir! Can we have the first Gutter,
Sir7" Ii. Com'dS. mo, Sir! You a,ay
take the 3d." Parker and friends evidently
lower in the chops-"Vcrv good. Sir!" In
a little while they shove OF, and bef"re
sunset are pleasantly chatting with the Of
fcers Of the cclebl aled frigate "Endymi-
on" (She was one Of the squadron tina.
captured Com. Decatur in the 'President.')
When The night had well set in Parker urd
friends bid their English friends good cen,
and as they shnok hands requested them.
"If nothing is heard Of us bcfore to.m"r.
row evening please send word TO the Som.
ers that we are dead or prisoners in the
Castle. for we are going to cut on, or burn
the brig That gave It's the slip yesterday"
The Enelishmen laughed and promised,
never thinking them mad enough for such
an attempt. They shaved off and soon
were ioSt 10 HIS s'Sht. N'he Ghlihnt nearlS
were they, VIII" lef."n desperate enterprise
with such slight farewell-.hcy were in a
small six-oar'd buat-3 ofliccrs-6 good
men. 1t did seem madness not So much
to do The deed, as TO escape after The deed
wns done, frcm the fire Of such and so
many balteries-fnr discovery seemed in.
evi,ablr, us the brig was moorcd to lhe
walls Of the Castle, aud overlooked by the
scntrics; madmcss-ycs, ii is madness that
often wins that which wisdom will not
dare. The Englshman gallun, fellow
thought them mad as they pulled away.
Three hours after the Quariermasirr Of the
watch called his attention 10 n strange
light at The Cnslle-il ilickered-AashcS
sprung up-fames burst ont-and by her
own burning lieh, he saw the brig under
the castles wall-consuming! Running
his eye along the now lighted horizon, he
saw email boat ulling steadily, and far
on her way TO Green Island. "Dy Cd
shcy've done it," But let us 60 with our
own true hearted boys. Slightly armed
with each a cu.lass and n pistol, cheerily
they pulled away, yet gen,Iy-and present.
ly lay on their oars, about half mile
from the Castle--.muflcd well their orr.