The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-26

ters to carry the wounded and scktents medicines,
NC; but before the march ended additional men had 10
canteens with liquor, and the moment they poor
fellow fall, they would give him drop OF comfort"
which had an astonishing effect on him Two or three
times the route there skrmishing but none
of our hurt, but several of the enemy killed
and wounded.
As the steamers had orders TO proceed up the river il
they could pass the distractions, they did SO; and
when we within two three miles OF the city, we
heard their great guns, and knew they had passed the
distractions, and engaged with the Tort and city
Three cheers given to the steamers, and our pace
was increased The firing very rapid and continued
for some time. We thought they must have some hot
work. and all were anxious to push on; but oyer sueh
roads speed could not be much increased When the
firing ceased were all anxiety to hear the result we
did not wait long, however-he news soon reached us
that the fort and city were taken Just at this time
the advanced guard the stars and stripes flying on The
fort Cheers, hearty cheers, passed along the line; but
the disappointment OF all hands you may imagine Tie
field pieces became thousand pounds heoper at once
heaped upon the "bloody Mexcanos" by Jack: "The
bloody cowardly rascals are not worth fighting, any
how; they wont stand and be licked like :, and va
rous other remarks. Jack is certainly queer COM
pound.
1t appears that Smith Lee, commanding the Sptfre,
was the first to pass the distractions. He struck on
them but good head OF steam and Determined lcW TO
pass, soon put him over them. He had in tow at the
time the gun boat Bonita and several boats After he
had opened the way, the Scorpion, Scourge, and Vixen
ollowed Soon the Scorpion came up fired, and passed
on to the city Porter Lees first eulenanD landed, by
Lees ORDER took possession OF the FORT and spiked the
guns. He brought Oft two handsome feld-pieces OF
brass. The Mexicans about the time Porter was
pulling shore; they took but prisonera fer bog.
The city is still in possession; and believe 1t is the
Commodores intention to hold it. The whole number OF
wounded side does not exceed a dozen-none
killed The foreigners in Tabasco say there 800
men under arms. The fort could easily have destroyed
gallant little steamers One shot passed through the
Spitfre's wheel-house-no other damage. We have
taken large quantity of arms ammunition, &c, &c. Van
Brunt with his bomb vessel Etna, with 10 marines)
will be left as governor of Tabasco The Sptire also
remains. The Commodore is still in Tabasco but is ex
pected daily.
Thus has ended an enterprise that must always reflect
great credit Commodore Perry. He is certainly the
only OF his age and rank in the navy who would
have undertaken it; difficulties prevent his "gong
ahead" During that march, he attended in person TO all
the arrangements all orders emanated from him; and
man underwent fatigue than hmself and after
entered the city, all the necessary precautions for hold
ing it made by him personally You would not
have supposed from his appearance, that he had been
he was quite fresh and assured he could take Just
such another walk that day The responsibilities OF the
command Of this squadron would kill onehalf, at least,
of our old officers | do not know of his rank who
would have ordered four briggs bar where there
is not water enough to float them He ordered the
Washington, Ena, Stromboli, and vesuvius to anchor
inside the bar of Tabasco river" He knew what waller
they drew, and what water was on the bar; but was
the place of their commanders to get their vessels there
OF course they had to take everything out of them but
their guns and little ammunition after doing this, they
forced by steam, striking quite hard on getting
in and coming out. These t1qes with Perry, when
there is an object to gain.
have spun you out quite long yarn, something in
sailors strain, because thought few details would
amuse you. have written in haste as the Raritan may
sail to- morrow and send this by her. The Albany also
sails for home soon.
The vessels of the squadron now here are-the Mis-
sssippi, Raritan. Albany, John Adams, Germantown,
Decatur, briggs Etna Vesuvius, Sromboli, Washington
schooner Bonita and steamers Spitre, Scorpion, Vixen,
and Scourge.
*The Scorpion having the advantage of superior speed
rom having boats tow,) passed ahead CALAMITY and
received and returned the opening fire OF the forts. The
Spitfire engaged.