Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-07-27

plosion of eunpowder Slightly George John
son, Potomac from explosion OF gunpowder
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE CAP
TURE OF TABASCO.
The Secretary of the Navy has favored the
Union with the following letter from Commodore
Perry:
u. S. FLAG SHIP MISSISSIPPI,
Off Tabasco River, June "a, lS47.
Sin: Having, in my communication OF the OH
instant informed the department OF my intention
no longer 10 delay the attack upon me enemy
forces concentrated near the city OF Tabasco,
anchored on The 18th off The bar OF the river with
a detachment Of The squadron, consisting OF The
Mississippi, Albany, Raran, John Adams De'
catur, Germantown, Stromboli, Vesuvius, wash
ington, and the steamers Scorpion, SpIliire
Scourge, and Vxen-lhe Etna and Bonela being
stationed in The river
On the 18th, the holilla having crossed the bar
the barses and sur boats, containing seven pieces
of artillery, and as many officers, scamen, and
marines as could be spared from each Of the YES
sells al anchor outside, with detachment oil lorty
seamen and marines from the Potomac, were men
lowed by the steamers across the bar, and, JONI
ing the vessels al Froniera, the whole force was
formed into line, and proceeded up the river IN Inc
following order:
The Scorpion, bearing my pendant, leading lhe
van. having in tow the Vesuvius and Washing
ton, and the boats Of the Mississippi and john
Adams.
The Spilfre, with the STomboli and BoneIa,
and boats of the Albany;
The Scourge, with The American meIcha nj
schooner Spilfire, having on board Capt. u. w
Taylor, with his sub marine apparatus;
The Vixen, with The Etna, and The boats OF Inc
Rarilan, Decatur and Germantown
When, on The following day. The aolilla having
arrived within thirty miles OF The city, iniorIna-
ton was obtained ircm an Indian that The enemy
had thrown up b5east-woIks in the thick chap
paral lining The banks OF the river three differ
ent points, where they had posted in ambush
armed parties in considerable force.
From all the positions indicated BY the Indian,
The vessels and boats were fired upon, but The fire
of the enemy was Immediately silenced by our
great guns and muskelry. Al The second posi-.
lion one of the seamen Of The Vesuvius was Sc
verely wounded; and al the third, Lieut.. VIM. May
received an escopelte ball in his arm, and three
men were slightly wounded. Lieut.. May, at the
time OF receiving his wound, was engaged, in CO.
operation with Lieut.. Jas. Alden, in sounding
and examining The distractions placed by The
enemy IN The channel directly opposite 10 the
breaslwolk
Considering ii doubtful whether the steamers
could pass III. distractions without inconvenicnt
delay, and being anxious TO reach The main body
oi The enemy, ordered their commanders 10 use
every effort 10 ascend the river, and determined
myself not to wait The experiment, but TO land
with the infantry and artillery Having previous.
ly made all The arrangements Tor landing and
forming The line OF march, The barges and surf
boats were manned and formed opposite 10 the
point selected Tor the landing called The "SeVen
Palm Trees" and near 10 the third enIrenchmenl
Of The enemy, which had been moment before
raked By he greai guns 81 The Gouila.
Everything being in readiness. took The lead
snh m. boat, accompaG. ny Captain Mayo "a
!unieer, and aciug as a.. ''anI grneral,) IN
another b al; aud, giving the Ier 10 90 anead
the whole force vii three hearty cheers, pusheo
lor The shore landed, and formed III separate co
lumns On The bank under The direction oil Capal
Mayo. In The space OF ten minutes every ofncti
and man was on shore and in position, win Sc
ven pieces OF artillery, which were taken from
the boats and hauled up bank twenty feel in
height and nearly perpendicular, by The main
strength OF The officers and men attached 10 hem
heats were then sent Tor The three pieces belong.
inc 10 the bomb.ressels; and in twenty .five mi.
nu,es the entire column, OF more than eleven
hundred strong, with ten pieces OF artillery, was
IN motion towards the city. LIS march, however
was very much retarded by the difficulty OF nov
ing through The high prairie grass and The coca
sional lhickels OF chappara; yet, in opposition le
all The obstacles which presented themselves, ant
The excessive heat Of the day, The column movec
steadily on, preceded by the pioneers, and drlv
ing back with its artillery and advanced.suard INT
oulpos!s OF the enemy, entTenched BY breast
works.
Meanwhile, Inc steamers had succeeded II
L. 49, md rrn
ceeded gallanlly up, in face Of the fire Of The mair
battery Of six guns, and a body of infantry
lining the entertainments; and after exchanging a
few Shots, with but slight injury 10 us, the enemy
retired hastily from their delences-a measure IN.
doubleday preciptaled by The proximity OF ouI
advancing column. AT little after in The after
noon, | entered the city with the entire force o
infantry and artillery, and took quiet possession
OF The public quarters.
In lie iaiisung march from the landing place
TO The cily-a distance OF nine miIes-i was
struck, as otn have been before with The uni
versal enthusiasm exhibited by The officers anc
men, and with the extraordinary efforts which
they made on this occasion 10 keep The artillery
in line. In The skirmishes with the outposis O
The enemy our advance displayed much order
and military skill, and the entire line conducted IL
a manner worthy Of veteran soldiers.
II were 10 undertake 10 parlicularize The gal
liant and judicicus conduct OF the officers shoulc
be obliged 10 name them all; hence beg 10 reiel
to the enclosed papers, Omar ked A and b. which
contain The names Of all who were engaged II
Inc expedition, stating the respective duties as
signed TO them. also refer The department tt
the report Of the senior medical officer.
From the hes; information have been able lt
ob,ain from several sources, the cnemy's force Ii
action on the 10th may be estimated al fourteen
hundred strong, and their loss about thirty killed
which, compared with The force under my con-
mand and considering the advantages OF his for
lificd position, may render the smalncss Of oul
loss remarkable.
am, sir, with great respect,
Your obedcnt servant,
NJ. c. PERRY,
Commanding Home Squadron
The Hon. JoHN Y. MASON,
Secretary OF the Navy, Washington, D. c.