Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-04-29
OUR NAVY.

Within few months past, some sneerIng
remarks have been INDUCED in at the expense
of our Navy, and its inactivity has been CEN
sured unsparngly. TWAS useless to answer
to such charges that the Government must be
held responsible for the delay, by the failure
to furnish vessels Of q proper class TO navigate
along dangerous coast. to cross bars. and as
cend rivers. Ii was useless-because these
charges were made for the purpose OF direct
ing the attention from the administration and
It's want Of efIiciency--its fragrant breaches OF
promises, and its tritiing and vexatlous de-
lays-in order TO fix il elsewhere. There
could be no answer TO strike the grumblers
dumb, and put seal upon the mouths of cy-
cophantic adulators Of power but the acts OF
bravery which would show h>v our gallant
sailors could and would meet an enemy, and
maintain the honor Of our flag.
! The cutting out of the Creole by our brave
townsman, Lieut. Parker-the reconnaissance
of the water batterey of the Castle of San
Juan de Ullua, the exploits on the Pacific
Coast, and achievements in the gull, served
10 demonstrate now and then, that the officers
and men of the navy were anxious 10 do bat
tie for their country, and TO emulate their
brethren Of the Army. But brilliant oppor-
tunities were wanting. Personal proves
found way to signalize itself, and detached
portions Of the squadron defeated the enemy
but the squadron had no national vessels Of
the enemy to encounter, and their hard and
disagreeable duty, was mainly to lie before
the ports of the Gulf, and show :heir teeth if
any strangers without pass" from the
| President Of the United States should evince a
desire TO 60 in.
| There is one evidence at least which the
sege of Vera Cruz has furnished, and we re.
cord it with glow of pride. The skill of
Commodore Conner had effected the debarka-
ton and the landing of the troops in num-
Der and in style which has never been
equaed for its mastery completeness; and his
disposition Of protective force was so apty
made that the only part of the enemy which
appeared TO oppose the landing, was quickly
! forced 10 retire before the well armed guns Of
! the squadron. These matters. where nautical
skill and knowledge were tasked in the highest
degree, were executed with thatpreclsion thatto
ar unpractised observer, makes difficult under
takngs appear very easy OF accomplishment;
and yet these operations will scarcely COM
mand the enlarged praise due them simply
because most persons do not reflect upon the
nature and extento of the difficulties involved
il the attempt TO land, and protect while
i
landing-,he large number oftwelve thousand
troops.
! But what we had intended 10 refer to, as
brilliant episode in the history of the reduction
OF the city and castle, was the daring attack
made by the Gun Boats Of the squadron upon
the castle itself No, al arespectfuldlsance and
playing atlong balls with their huge paixhans;
but dashing up the walls and conducting the
fight at snch close quarters that msny times
the enemy's sho,ncocheted oyerthem. Allthat
brave hearts could accomplish was done. and
the stars and stripes waived in defiance where
it seemed instant and inevitable destruction
awaited those who ventured so near While the
army deserves all praise. there is no recorded
action which cxcels this. The battery on
shore, manned by officer, and sailors from he
ships, showed. too. that the navy could fight
well. even if out of the proper element, and
the destructive effects Of their gunnerv on the
Bsstlon Of Santago--the most formidable Of
all the city's defences--is a testimony in favor
Of the brave men who labored AT it,. S.
Gssette.