Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-01-06
Burning of The Mexican Brig Creole.

Burning Of The Mexican Brig Creole.
The Sayannah Georgian contains the
following account from the Gulf, Of the
burning Of the Mexican Brig Creole, un
der the walls Of the Castle of San Juar
d'Ullea:- ..
II have something to tell you which
am sure will please you of your real
dashy, off:hand, brilliant affairs, by smal
party, worthy Of the time of Decatur anc
Somers. We received the news a few
days ago, that is general statement of the
facts. | shall do little filling in for your
special edifcation-but the facts the acts
stand for themselves.
The late movements Of the squadron on
different points left the U. S. brig Somers
under Lieut.. Com'dt r. Simms, the only
vessel blockading the immediate port OF
Vera Cruz.
On the evening Of the 18th November,
nothing being in sight, the Souers ran into
the anchorage at Green Island. On the
morning of the 18th, they were mortified
to find brig under Mexican colors stand
ing in to the northward OF the castle, and
too close for them to cut her off. The
Msxicans received her with great joy and
exultaton. She was now safe under the
protection Of their powerful batteries, and
to make it worse, our officers would have
to stand the jokes of the Englshmen, with
whom we often exchange vists-their
squadron of observation anchored ut Sacr-
fees saw, Of course, the brig slip SO easily
through the blockade. The Somers remain
ed quietly at her anchors, and on the next
day (the 2oth) we nave the opening OF the
lst Act-time, afternoon Lieut.. Com
manding Simms pacing the deck, looking
rather blowy-no body in fact, particular
ly good humored. Enter-Lieut. Jas. S.
Parker, I'd Lieut.. of the brig with Passed
Midshipmen R. C. Rodgers and J. R. Hyn-
son. They approach Lieut. Commanding
s. very respectfully, touching their caps.
Lieut.. P-"We request permission, Sir,
to visit the English squadron at Sacrifcios."
Lieut.. Commanding S. hesitates. Parker
continues-"We might get some informa-
tion." Lieut.. Commanding S S-"You can
go, Sir! You must be back, gentlemen, as
early as possible" Lieut.. Parker and
friends exchange glances, evidently pleased.
"Certainly, Sir! Can we have the lst
Cutter, Sir?" Lieut.. Commanding S.
"No, Sir! You may take the Sd" Parker
and friends evidently lower in the chops
every good, Sir!' In little while they
shove off, and before sunset are pleasantly
chatting with the officers of the celebrated
frigate 'Endymion." She was one Of the
squadron that captured Com. Decatur in the
"President."
When the night had well set in Parker
and friends bade their English friends good
e'en, and as they shook hands requested
them, 'If nothing is heard of us before to
morrow evening please send word to the
Somers that we are dead or prisoners in the
Castle, for we are going to cut out or burn
the brig that gave US the slip yesterday"
The Englishman laughed and promised,
never thinking them mad enough for such
an attempt. They showed off and soon
we're lost to his sight. Nine gallant hearts
were they who left on desperate enterprise
with such slight farewell-they were in 4
small six oar d boat-3 officers-6 good men.
1t did seem madness-not so much to do the
deed, as to escape after the deed was done,
from the fire ofsuch and so many batteries
for discovery seemed inevitable, as the
brig was moored to the walls.of the Castle,
and overlooked by the sentinels; madness
yes, it is madness that often wins that
which wisdom will not dare. The English
mana gallant fellow-thought them mad
as they pulled away. Three hours after
the Quarter master Of the Watch called his
attention to strange light at the castle
it hickered-Aashes sprung up-hames
burst out--and by her own burning light
he saw the brig under the castles wall
consuming! Running his eye along the
now Lighted horizon, he saw Il small boa
pulling steadily, and far on her way tc
Green Island. "By Cd they've done it. >
Butl us 60 with our own true hearted boys
Slightly armed with each cutlass and one
pistol cheerily they pulled away yet gently
and presently lay on their oars, about
half mile from the casile--mufled well
their oar locks-arranged their plans--and
every man understanding his place, they
waited till silence and the increasing dark
ness favored their design. "Now my men
said Parker, give way--sink your oars
well--pull steady--not word--give way.'
And the boat glided like dark shadow
over the waves. The castle seems to rise
from out the gloom as they approach, and
its huge battlements spread out into the
darkness. Silent as death, with steady
noiseless stroke they urge the boat The
brig looms up--they see the very sentry
on the wall--and they unseen, Good