The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-06-07
The War, Go.
THE U. 8. STEAMERS VIXEN AND sPITFIRK.
From the Waship0ton Union, June

9no war, 06C.
THE U. 8. STEAMERS VIXEN AND sPITFIRK.
From the Washington Union, June 4
command Of the U. s. steamer Vixen, With captured
and other trophies from the Gulf Of Mexico, has
been announced in the public Journals and is
Interested In everything that touches the honor and
conduct Of navy fuller notice Of the services rem
dered by Captain Sands and his gallant comrade Com
mander Tatnall, Of the u s. steamer spitnre Their
services win long DO remembered by fest and army,
monious combined operations of both branches of
service in the Gulf Of Mexico The Vixen, carrying
FOUNDERS Originally built for the Mexican navy
purchased by government on the breaking out OF
TSs to
their grade In the service was chssrfuy accepted by
Sands and Tstna officers A. daring intrepid and active
y very formidable accession to the naval
destined o reduce the strong city Of Vera Cruz and the
Themselves Of eminent and value, from their light
construction and draught in crossing bars, ascending
rivers towing larger vessels landing forces
difficult places, and in many other ways, which kept
them necessarily and effectively employed
The Vixen and Spitnre Tor as they called " The
Two Polos,n name Of familiar endearment bestowed
on them by our tars in the Gu led the in the first
which are too well remembered by all to need any fur
ther notice here.
Their next operations were at Tabasco which thew
captured ascending the river upwards Of sixty miles
event made memorable by the fall Of the young and
gallant Morris the worthy and smsnted son Of Conmo-
Tampco was after their theatre of action This
important city they captured supported BY the armed
session Of it till it was garrisoned by detachment
army
del Carmen, which place was also captured about the
close Of December. Here Commander Sands remained
strict blockade until summoned to part In the then
uncertain and serious attack upon Vera Cruz and Ua
On this memorable occasion, the Vixen and Sptfre
rendered the most signal services, transporting and
landing the troops opposite the island of Sacrifcious
anchorng close in to shore with the small of the
neet to protect the landing where 1t anticipated
matter of course that an obstinate resistance would be-
made
as our batteries were ready and opened upon
the city Of Vera Cruz the Vixen and spitre took bold
position near Punto do Hornos where within range of
the batteries Of both city and castle they remained all
Piled from time to time by the feet exhausted The
spectacle was indeed exciting Zone might almost say
against the terrific battlements before them But the
gallant Tatpa regardless Of all Odds boldly proposed to
his friend and comrade, Sands, to approach assa
both town and castle at st closer and It was
done with promptness and alacry each towing In seve-
ton Of the whole squadron and army A signal from
the Commodore to recall them their perous post
d sa 9s
was despatched by the Commodore In boat with posi-
tive orders when they reluctantly backed outhe boats
crew which brought the peremptory command cheering
them as they slowly retired
After Vera Cruz and the castle had fallen, Commo-
dore Perry with his wonted energy and activity fitted
out expedition against Tuxpan, and the Vixen and
spitfre were again on the wing. This arduous
ing themselves Of everything superipous even to the
taking down Of their masts and spars to ensure the
passing of the dangerous bars With all these precau
exertioDs crowned with success and thew At ast
got safely into the hnrbor where the ilfated ruxton
was proud moment when the Vixen and SptHre aided
by the boats and schooner attacked the three forts
them 1T here that tho gallant Tatnsi received
severe wound from musket ball in the hand aud the
WAS wsc he 0y ball below her
and which had It struck few feet higher would have
made frghtfui havoc on her deck crowded az 1t war
with marines and sailors who to storm the works
II they held out But they landed In safety took posses
sion OF the town and forts and spent days In dis
mantling and destroying them and 1t here that
they enjoyed the indispensable satisfaction of recaptur.
ing the guns and other materials ingorousy taken from
the unfortunate Truxtou the former Of which thew
found mounted on the works. and used against them
Commodore Perry then proceeded, in concert with
land force under General Qumsn to occupy Avarado
discouraged would surrender without any resistance
On arriving at Avarado they found the Mexicans had
ter.
This little sketch imperfect as it is and confined to
ment in the Gulf will help to show that though the
army Of operations in Mexico have been on grander
scale the navy also has done all that it possible to
40 In It's more limited sphere of action These two
little vessels particularly rendered remarkable services
though hurredy fitted out, and, in many respects I'M
engaged day and night and their gallant commsnders
who have deserved well of their country Il Ia hoped
will receive the reward which their Government can SO
easily bestow.
The following letters from Commodore Perry relate
to the trophies sent home from Vera Cruz and to the
services Of Commander Sands Captain sands left
Vera Cruz the 10th May reached Norfolk on the LIST
Of June whence leaving the captured guns for further
It is understood they will all be ordered to the scat of
Government.
BNIrEp STATES FLAo-SHIp MISSISSIPPI
Anton Lizardo, May T. l847
SRA number of guns captured from the enemy
have been placed on board the soop- ofwar St Marys
to be transported to the United States among them
twelve brass pieces that have beck selected trophies
These, well the others, you will take charge Of
Immediately proceed to washington and report YOUR
self to the Honorable Secretary of the Navy who it is
presumed win give special instructions to the dspo
sition OF the guns referred to.
over the movements Of the St. Mays
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
NJ C. PERRY,
Commanding Home Squadron,
Commander J r. SANDS, U. s. Navy, Anton Lizardo.
u s. FLAo SHIP MISSISSIPPI,
Anton Lizardo, May 8, lsa7.
SIR-I embrace the occasion of the, return of Com
mander j. r. Sands to the United States to express to
the Department the high opinion entertain of the
vices Of that officer during very active cruise against
the enemy In command Of the steamer vxenservices
and discomfort attending command inferior to his
rank.
tion skrmsh that has occurred during the war and
has always been placed in the midst Of the enemys
Having Witnessed the cool and deliberate courage Of
Commander Sands, and his officers and crew. on ali the
occasions referred to- with the greater propriety
commend his and their salantry to the favorable no.
tice of the department.
With great respect, | am sir your most obedent ser.
want M C. PERRY
Commanding Home Squadron.
Hon. JoHs Y Mason, Secretary Of the Navy, Wash.
ington.
THE VOLUNTEER sTAFP OF THE ARMY. |
WAR DEPARTMENT, Apr GEMS OrrcE)
Washington, May 30, lS47.
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 22-The following order has |
been received from the War Department. and is pub
lished for the information and guidance all con-
cerned -
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 20, ls47
Under the fifth section Of the act approved June 49,
1896 the number Of officers for the volunteer staH for