Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-01-14
News IPoliAaesa 60


BuRsIsG OF THE MEXICAN BRIG CREoLE.--
We published an account Of this daring act,
performed under the guns of the Castle Of San
Juan d'Ulloa, Immediately on the receipt of
the intelligence in this city. The following
graphic description of the brilliant exploit,
which first appeared in the Savannah Geor-
gian, will be read with deep interest at this
time, now that two of the principal actors in il
have met with sad reverses. Passed Midship-
man HySsoS having lost his life BY the catas.
trophe on the U. 5. brig Somers, and Passed
Midshipman RoDGERs having been captured
by the Mexicans whilst accommodating the vi
entity Of Vera Cruz, preparatory TO an attempt
10 blow up the Mexican magazines.
II appears tlatthe Creole had slipped in du-
ring the night Of the 18th November, and ia
ken refuge under the Walls Of San Juan dull
loa. The S0ners was the only vessel then
blockading Vera Cruz, and the officers, aatici-
pating ridicule from the English squadron,
who saw that the vessel had slipped the block
ade, il was determined, desperate as the enter
prise was, to destroy her Accordingly, on
the morning the 10Th Lieut.. JAS. S. PARKER
asked permission for himself and Midshipmen
RoDGERs and HYNsoN TO visit the English
squadron, which was granted
ain 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
modore DECATUR in the 'PresidentO When
the night had well set in PARKER and his
friends babe their English friends good even
ing, and as they shook hands requested them,
IF nothing is heard of us before tomorrow
evening, please send word to the .Somers that
we are dead or prisoners in the Castle, for we
are going 10 cut out or burn the brig that gave
US the slip Yesterday The Englishman
laughed and promised, not thinking them mad
enough for such an attempt. They showed
off, and soon were lost to his sight Nine gal
liant hearts were they, who left on desperate
enterprise with such slight farewell--they
were in small six -oar'd boat-three officers
six good men. 1t did seem madness-not
80 much 10 the deed as to escape after the deed
was done, from the fire Of such and so many
batteries--ior discovery seemed inevitable, as
| the brig was moored to the walls Of the Cas-.
tie, and overlooked BY the sentries. The En-
gli,hman, gallant fellow. thought them mad
as they pulled away. Three hours after, the
Quauermastcr of the watch called his auen-
ton TO strange Ugh, a, the Castle. II flick
cred, flashes sprung up--Aames burst out
and by her own burning Light he saw the brig
.
ming his eye along the now lighted horizon,
he saw small boat pulling steadily, and far
out on her way TO Green Island BY
they've done it, But let us 90 on 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 Cas-
Identified we'll their oar locks-arranged
their plans, and every man understanding his
place, they waited till silence and the increas-
ing darkness 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 a dark shad-
ow over the waves. Silent as death, with
steady noisless stroke, they urge the boat
The brig looms up-they see the very sentry
on the wall Of the Castle. One other pull !;
the oars slide quietly trailing from their locks
they touch the brig, and eight brave men
spring up her sides. The careless night
watch, dreamless Of danger, was smoking
with comrade, leaning against the main
mast Hearing noise, he turned, exclaim-
ing, 'Quien riv-' stunning blow cut short
his challenge, and ere his mate had well turn
ed to see the cause he too was felled upon the
deck. Three others were secured upon the
deck. Swift and noisess as had been the
work, the sentries on the Castle had observed
disturbance in the brig, and hailed to know
the cause. PARKER, who speaks Spanish like
native, assumed the part Of captain Of the
brig, and replied coolly-'some of my rascals
are tipsy. and am tying them, that's all. |
don't want any assistance His officers and
men were, meanwhile, busy securing all they
could find below; in less time than it takes TO
tell of it, they had securely bound and secure
ly gagged all on board. The sentries on the
wall never imagining the possibility of an en-
emy by their very side, were satisfied with
PARKER's answer; and he as soon as the
Mexican crew were secured, remained quiet
for some time-then cautiously passing his
prisoners and men into his boat, every thing
was prepared for their retreat. The three
now entered the hold Of the brig, and careful
IL fired her in various parts, building their
fires so that some twenty or thirty minutes
would elapse before they would burst out"
With the rest our readers are already ac-
quainted The party returned in safety 10 the
Somers, and carried their prisoners with them.
| We see i, stated in the Philadelphia Penn
sylvanian that Passed Mdshipman RoDGERs
is a son of JAMES RopGERs, Esq, Of Newcas-
! tie. Deaware-B Bali. finer.