The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-11

Wreck Ship Empire, Captain Russell, of New
York, with U. s. troops board, destined for Vera
Cruz.
The following extract of letter from Lieut. Theodore
Talbot of this city, gives some interesting particulars OF
the loss of the g Empire which sailed from New York
on the 18th ultimo, having board companies and M
of the first and companies and Of the third regiment
U s. artileryin ALL $40 and Is officers under the
command OF Capt Van Ness The officers and men have
since safely arrived at Charleston, S. c.
We cannot but add that young Talbot is the who
so much distinguished himself in California with Lieut.
Col. Fremont:
"FowL CAY, Abaco Reefs, Bahamas,
October "a, 1S47
81 know that you will be surprised at the dating place
Of my letter. SO, hoping that i'll news may anticipate
this mssiye, will at once proceed to the explanation
"We left Sandy Hook the 18th instant, and with few
EXCEPTIONS had favorable winds, and sailing rapidly
our destination. Both officers and soldiers had entire
y recovered from the depression produced by the
sickness OF the first two days was, happily exempt
"A things, in fact promised pleasant voyage, when
about midnight of the 18th were reused from our
slumbers by violent shock, followed by succession Of
others still more severe, together with the gush and
guglng OF water, it forced passage telling but too
plainly that our noble ship had stranded the rocks 1t
and rain, which soon abaied. This proved our saliva
ton; for had struck coral reef, and had the
storm increased, the ship would probably have been
pieces.
Gas soon as we struck sentinels were Immediately
placed the main hatch, who prevented any of the
soldiers from coming on deck, or interfering with the
management of the ship Our position was very critical
for the six hours which interviewed from the striking of
the ship until daylight revealed true situation.
need not describe to you who have felt all the horrors of
shpwreck the anxious suspense OF those long hours
when we did not know but that at the next instant
would be engulphed in the raging billows which again
and again spent their fury shattered hull making
every timber crack and yield in the unequal contest
During this interval of have seldom
more cool courage than exhibited by the whole
command as they calmly awaited that fate which appa-
rently promised but destruction. The dawn of day,
however, disclosed to the westward, and about mile
Distant low chain of reefy islands and still farther
west the wooded shores of the island OF Abaco proving
that than fifty miles out of reckoning
strange and fatal AS it became light
discovered large ship some miles to the east, which
was just escaping from the danger that had
taken while from the shores of Abaco we could see
the light sail of the wreckers pushing boldly forth to
wreckers tempt the waves lowered round about our
dismantled vessel like wolves over the of a
buffalo.
"Many of them boarded us, and contrary the opinion
generally received OF this class OF men, exhibited much
Willingness in lending assistance. With their aid in less
than three hours the whole command with of the
personal baggage, was safely landed on Fowl Cay
though saved from the pers of the Deep we found our
serves on ragged mass of coral rock without water or
1000, ana entirely dependent for provision what
might be saved from the ships for the near island of
Aoaco is inhabited only by these poor wreckers, who
live on fsh and few Of the tropical fruits In few
days we managed, however, to collect good supply of
provsons and, except in the particular OF water which
was scant, lived very well on our newy-populated
island.
Lieut.. Hill was in the mean time despatcbed n
Nassau, 100 miles distant the capital of the island of
New Providence Here reside the English governor and
the American consu 1t is also the principal depot of the
British West India troops Lieut. Hill engaged TRANSPORTS
there 70 carry us to Charleston, South Carolina where
we will reft THEODORE TALBOT"