Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-06-04
CAPT. TATTNALL.

We find in the N Orleans Delta, The following
Interesting letter from The gallant commander Of
The lannon's "Musquilo Fleet" which has done So
much execution in The Gullo Mexico. II is but
Just 10 Com. Conner, that the public should be
made acquainted with the sentiments Of his brave
and experienced brother officers in regard 10 his
character and conduct. The Delta most properly
remarks:
"Certanly The dissatisfaction expressed by a
people, Justly fond of The renown OF our noble Ma
w, at the difficulties and disasters encountered by
our squadron in the carly part Of the war ought
10 give way TO admiration OF the magnificent de-
barkation OF our troops al Vera Cruz, so skiIinly
effected under The direction OF Com. Conner. Ma
ny of the arrangements in regard 10 The invest
ment and bombardment of The city and castle were
also made BY Com. Conner, who, from The same
morbid sensiliveness and pride TO which We have
referred, readily gave up 10 Com. Perry The COM
mand Of the squadron, al time when he might
have been justified by the rules OF The service in
retaining il until the capilulalion OF Vera Cruz
had been effected"
Who Capt. Tauna is, The county is we'll in
formed by his brilliant and untiring services in
The Gull We subjoin very neat outline Of his
late achievements from the Delta. On reading
his letter, we we're reminded of an anecdote re-
lated to us by sallan, naval officer, who was
himself present a, the bomhardment of Vera Cruz.
The fierce lillle Spilfre was in the lead OF the
"mosquilo feet" in attacking San Juan, and,
amidst The showers OF bullets from the Castle
which fell around The vessel without wounding
any one, Tauna strobe the deck with marked, i'm
patience, and, with vehemence OF manner, cried
out, "W,u no one get killed or wounded2 There
is no honor 10 be won otherwise. VA no body
be killed Z" lie himself afterwards was wounded
in the wris, al Tuxpan; his wishes were gralfed
and The "honor," already secured by his previous
conduct, heightened by The peculiar means which
he himself had so emphalically indicated. MOI
satisfied, however, with The distinction he had
won, but anxious TO enlarge his contracted field
of operations, be obtained leave 10 be detached
from the Spilfre and 10 join General Qutman's
force on land. We regret that his wound will
prevent him from expanding the "honor" wo,.
upon the sea:
"Of Capt Tauna rs incessant and successful
eYeIlions 10 sustain The high reputation OF The
service, OF which he is a bright ornament, we
gratitude We feel. From the commencement Of
The blockade he has planned and executed the va
rious difficult and psrlous enterprises on The dan
gcrons reef, and against The welldeended towns
OF the Mexican coast, which have excited so
much admiration, and contributed 50 much 10 the
success of our occupation OF The towns in the
Terra Calientc. On The gallant Spfirc he has
led every attack constituting on all occasions the
Acknowledgment OF The squadron. Al The bonn.
bardmenl of Vera Cruz he commanded The fleet
of small vessels, which approached within few
hundred yards of The Castle of San Juan lie Ulua,
and opened upon this famous forificaion sus-
tanning constant fire from its two hundred guns.
At The last achievement of our Navy in The al
lack on Tuxpan, the Spilfre again led the al.
lack, and was exposed TO a heavy fire from a con-
cealed FORT by which several oil our brave officers
were wounded-among them the gallant Captain
himself received a wound in the arm, from which
he is is now suffering. The necessity Of return
ing TO this country TO improve his health and
heal his wound, withdraws Capt. Tatnall from
the scene of warlike operations just as he was
preparing TO Join Gen. Scott in his march TO Mex-
ico."
New ORLEANS, May %, lS47
Eds. Delia-I notice in your paper of The lth
May, letter from your Vera Cruz correspon.
deni, A. D. j., detailing conversation held by
The writer with young midshipman of the squad.
ron, in which the latter is stated 10 have remark
ed-"Capl. Tallnall says that blood ought 10 be
shed, sir, 10 blot out AivaTado and Conner from
| the recollection Of men,"
So far as Com. Conner is concerned, it is I'M
necessary for me TO say, lha! no such reference
to him was ever made by me. He would moi
credit it for moment. But as cannot suffer
the public TO think me capable Of so gross an Out
rage on The discipline of the service, must give
it an unqualified denial. The young gentleman
has doubtless been misled by remarks which |
did make, and which may have reached him in a
perverted shape.
| had often said, substantially, that public OPT
MON required more from the naval force in
the Gulf than could be accomplished BY our
inadequate means-shat The service was losing