The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-01
From our Squadron on Vera Cruz.
U. S. SHIP RARITAN,


OF Sacnhcos March TO- lsi7
SIR In my last despatch, dated the 18th inst, | in
formed the department OF the arrival OF Major General
Scott at Anton Llzardo. Most of the transports, with
troops and the matere OF the army having arrived, about
the same time speedy Decentralization resolved
upon, beng quite important that we should effect
landing before norther should come on, this would
delay two or three days Aftera Joint reconnaissance
made by the general and myself in the steamer Petria
the beach due west from Sacrifcios one of the points
spoken OF in my previous letters selected the most
suitable for the purpose The anchorage this place
being extremely contracted became necessary in
der TO avoid crowdng 1t with undue number of
ses TO transfer most OF the troops 10 the vessels of
for transportation to Sacricos Accordingly, on the
morning OF the 9th, at daylight, all necessary prepare
ons-such as launching and numbering the boats, de-
failing officers &c.-having been previously made, this
transfer was commenced The iNgates received board
between twenty and twenty eight hundred each,
with their and accourements, and the soops and
smaller vessels numbers IN proportion This part OF the
movement completed very successfully about IL
o'clock, m, and few minutes thereafter the squad
ron under my command, accompanied by the command
ng general in the steamship Massachusetts, and such OF
the transports as had been selected for the purpose got
under way. The weather very fne-indeed we
could not have been more favored in this particular than
we were. We had fresh, and yet gentle breeze from
the southeast, and perfectly smooth The passage
to SACRIFICES occupied between two and three hours
Each ship came in and anchored without the slightest
disorder confusion, in the small space allotted to her
the harbor being still very much crowded, notwthstand
inc the number of transports we had left behind The
Decentralization commenced on the instant Whilst we
were transferring the troops from the ships to the ser
boats, (sixty-iive in number) directed the steamers
Sphre and Vixen, and the five gun boats to form in line
parallel with and close in TO the beach, to the landing
This order promptly executed, and these small
ses from the ghess of their draught enabled to
take positions within good grape range OF the shore AS
the boats seveay received their compliments of troops,
they assembled, in line abreast, between the fleet and
the gun boats and when all were ready, they pulled in,
together, under the guidance OF number of the officers
of the squadron who had been detailed for this purpose
Gen. Worth commanded this, the first line of the army
and had the satisfaction OF forming his command on the
beach and neighborng heights just before -Four
thousand five hundred men were thus thrown
on shore, almost simultaneously No enemy APP
peared to offer the slightest opposition. The first
line being landed the boats, successive trips, relieved
the men-ofwar and transports of their remaining troops,
by 10 O'Clock, p. m. The whole army (save few
struggling companes) consisting of upwards OF ten
thousand men, thus safely deposited Shore with
out the slightest accident of any kind The officers and
seamen under my command We'd with each other on this
occasion, IN a Jealous and energetic performance OF
their duty cannot but express to the department the
great satisfaction have derived from witnessing their
efforts to contribute all in herpower to the Of their
fortunate brethren of the army The weather still
continuing fine, to-day, engaged in landing the
artillery, horses, provisions, and other maerie The
steamer New Orleans, with the Louisiana regiment Of
volunteers 500 strong, arrived most opportunity, at
Anton Lizardo just had put ourselves in motion.
She joined and her troops landed with the
Another transport arrived at this anchorage to-day Her
troops have also been landed General Scott has now
with him upwards of eleven thousand men. AT his
quest permitted the marines of the squadron, under
Captain Edison, to join him. part of the Sd regiment OF
artillery. The general n-chief landed this morning,
form its lines around the city There has been some
distant firing of shot and shells from the town and
tie upon the troops they advanced, but without
suit am still OF the opinion expressed in my previous
out for any length of time The castle has, at most,
but four five weeks provisions, and the town about
enough to last for the same time
am very respectfully, &c,
d. CONNER,
Commanding Home Squadron.
Hon. j. Y Mason, Secretary of the Navy, Washington.