The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-06
SCENES IN THE GULF.

= 49,
From Capt. Geo w Hughes. Of the Typographical En-,
gineers yattached 10 alor General Wo,hs eom"a,ao
70 Col J. j. A5ert, chisf Of the Typographical Corps
Washington.
Orr LoBos March lst lsl7
My DEAR COLONEL: Gen Worth and staff left Brazos
the evening of the 18th ut IN the steam M
Edith and early on the morning OF the 2oth, made 'he
bar of Tampico.
This bar IS said to be the worst the coast but we
found IL apparently better than either the Boca del mo
tirande or the Brazos The depth OF water is
feet but as we drew considerably more our vessel cou
aot enter, and were taken up to the city IN small
steam tow boat We found Tampico small, but con-
irary to my Impressions, derived from English book OF
travels, clean and beautiful town. most pleasantly slua
ed on high bluff, at the confluence OF the Iampco
and Panuco rivers, with large lake IN lis rear II is
quite different in appearance from the interior Mexican
lowns and more nearly resembles European or Amer
lean city. The inhabitants are very dark -
The Rio Tampico, within the bar, is noble nver, lar
ger and beautiful than the Rio Gande, below Mat
amoros; and IFS banks are covered with growth oil
live oaks. There two batteries at the mouth, and
large fort few miles below the city; which might nave
defended the river successfully against our whole navy
unless taken in Tampico is seven miles above
the mouth. 3,
this morning, by O'clock amidst our army Meet
lying behind the small island Of Lobos, about 90 miles
south of Tampico, and miles from the man land ne
anchorage here good and pretty well protected against
the northers The only national vessel here IL the 81
Marys, Commander Saunders. 80,
Before leaving Brazos, General Worth, with incredible
energy had shipped all his command except the "a dra-
goons, and two days OF fair weather would be sucent
get them aboard All the regulars of General Twiggss
command had either sailed for the place or were yeste-
day, afoat
As we came up this morning. passed near the ship
Talbot having the sth infantry aboard AS soon as the
soldiers recognised General Worth, their old colonel the
gallant fellows made the very welkin ring with their oft
repeated and right hearty cheers Our troops responded
and the merry welcome was taken up, ship by ship.
General Worth has been assigned to the command OF
the first brigade consisting of the I'd and Sd artillery.
and the 4th 5th, and 9th nfantry with one company OF
Louisiana and of Kentucky volunteers serving with
the 5h and 9th nanty the whole consisting OF ateast
5000 men.
General Twggs commands the I'd brigade, which is of
about the same force 1t constituted of the rifle regl-
ment dsnounted, the LIST and 4th artillery, and the Isl,
ID 3D. and It'll infantry.
Col. Harvey commands the cavalry; and il could not
be ntrstcd to of stouter heart reader hand
General Patterson commands all the volunteers ABOUT
,OOO and brigades them as he chooses.
Tampco is garrisoned by De Russeys Louisiana regi-
ment, the Maryland battalion, and one company OF the
Sd artlley the whole under the command OF Colonel
Gates.
We shall sail as soon the artillery come upper
haps in two days So you see affairs are drawing to
crisis. IT, W. II.
March 2d-The signal is flying from the Massachu-
setts the flag Ship get under way for Anton LZardo
So, if the wind holds, whole fleet will soon be under
way 1t is beautiful spectacle to see this fleet bearing
on its BOSOM uncertain and perilous enterprise, H.,
900 gallant hearts, ready to cast Its TO the breeze
God prosper it!
Gen Patterson is expected here to-day or tomorrow,
with the of the volunteers 1t is arranged that Gen
Worth is lead the first line in landing Gen Patterson
the second, and Gen. Twggs will command the reserve.
ent must retain It till reach the bockadng squad
finer and better appointed army than the present
the United States has never fitted out. g. W. H.
Orr ANTON LIzARDo, March 5, 1917
My DEAR COLONEL AT 10 O'Clock, a. m OF the cd in
stan the signal hosted for all ships to proceed to
Anto Lizardo" The morning. which had been rainy,
ing, the mist lifted ITSELF beautiful spectacle On
the side the lofty peaks Of the Sierra Madre.
while behind the small island of Lobos lay noble fleet
OF than 40 sail, each bearing the flag of the stars
and stripes Immediately after the signal for sailing was
displayed, the Massachusetts General Scotts ship got
under and was closely followed by the Edith with
Cen Worth on board Asthe Edith passed through the
feet and Gen. recognised deck the troops OF the
ships spontaneously cheered him. with peal after
peal of wid hurrahs, and the bands as he passed by
struck up our national airs of yankee Doodle" "Hal
Columbia" and the American Flag" As the general
stood, with telescope in hand and turned from ship TO
[nmy last letter. spoke Of expedition as being an
uncertain and perilous enterprise Penous may be,
but with such troops not uncertain.
It strikes me that when negotiations for peace with
Mexico opened. it might perhaps be the policy of our
government to retain possession OF LobOs which, next to
the Torugas, may be regarded the most important po-
sition on the gulf. II affords safe and capacious
anchorage against the norhers but requires art
cal works Tor protection from the south 1t is 60 miles
from Tampico, six miles from the MAN, and 80
from Vera Cruz 1t would furnish most commanding
post on the Mexican coast in either peace or war il is
perfectly healthy, and could be made nearly impregna-
bic any work be, il being inaccessible except by
direct attack Its influence in time of war; pacu-
larly with powerful naval enemy, must be obvious, in
the shelter which if would afford in these nhospabe
waters to merchant vessels; and the means OF pro-
lection and repairs for ships OF from the vicissi
tudes of he battle and the Storm" Should canal
be opened between the Atlantic and Pacific oceansby the
way of the Huasacuaco and Tehuantepec rivers, its i'm
porance would be greatly enhanced submit these crude
suggestions Just they have occurred to without the
consideration which the subject deserves.
During the whole of the 18th our entire fleet was out
in one of those tremendous northers, which often
sweep at this period of the year. with fury the
Mexican gu but ALL nearly all have arrived at their
destination in safety We came in early this morning,
and riding quietly at anchor in the beautiful and
cemmodous harbor of Anton Lzardo, after passing in
sight OF Vera Cruz and the famous castle OF San Juan de
Uloa. Ships able TO run in here without pilot, by
following the directions OF Admiral Baudns chart AS
Of the capped peak Of Ozaba and OF the cae of
Peroe Within short distance from shore, there
is a small Mexican post of cavalry. Ii is here that
propose land, and everything favorable for such
purpose.
received by the troops with loud cheers, and the
Rartan, Commodore Corners flagship, fired salute OF
Tomorrow General Scott, accompanied by his general
officers and principal engineers will, as am informed,
make reconnaissance along the coast.
We have Just heard the Mexican account OF General
Tayors glorious victory at Saltilo. You will remember
that in one OF my papers designated position just in
advance Of San Juan dc Buena Vista the true battle
field for the defence of Salhllo had previously
fully examined the whole valley, and designated that
locality to Gen. Wool. ought to say suggested
March 6th.-As l stated above, the reconnaissance OF
the coast made to-day by General Scott, the other
principal generals Commodore Conner, Captain Breese,
Of navy and all the engineer officers, Capt Huger,