The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-14
OFFICIAL.
UNITED STATES FLAG SHIP MISSISSIPPI,
Al saa off Vera Cruz Auril 81 Il


SIR: Tuxpan being the only fortified place OF impor-
lance, situated the gulf coast not IN our possession,
and concerning to be point OF honor as well as duty
to reclaim the guns taken by the enemy from the wreck
of the TrXtun and mounted with others for the defence
of the river and town, determined on attacking H. and
left Sacrcos in this ship for that purpose on the 18th
instant, having the steamers SPittire Vixen and
Scourge and the gun-b boats Bonita, Petre and Refer,
with detachment of three hundred officers and
marines from the Ohio distributed In this and the smaller
vessels On the following day we arrived at Lobos, the
appointed place OF rendezvous. The Raritan, with de-
tachment OF hundred and eighty officers, seamen,
and marines from the Potomac added to her own com
plement The Albany, John Adams, and Germantown,
with the bomb-vesses Vesuvius, Etna, and Heca, had
been previously despatched for Lobos where they ar
rived in good tme and were subsequently joined by tue
Decatur.
On the 18th, all the vessels left Lobos for the anch or
age under Tuxpan reef but were separated during The
night by norther Having again concentrated on the
morning of the 18th, the whole of that day was employed
in tightening the small vessels, in sounding and buoyng
the channel of the bar and in other preparations Tor as
The following morning (the lsth) the bar was snely
crossed by the steamers and boats with about thirty
bages filled with detachments from the different We sels
at anchor outside, having with them four pieces .d ar
After crossing the bar hoisted my flag boz. nd the
Sptfre and Immediately led up the river to the attack
the steamers having the gunboats and barges In tow
til got into the range OF fire OF the enemy when ordeg
ed them to cast off the gun-boats TO follow up the yer
under SAIL and the deachments the baes to Land with
the artillery and storm the forts and town. these orders
were executed with extraordinary rapidly, while the
Fotlla continued lis the river and crlvng by
lis well directed fire, the enemy from his defences.
The dispositions OF the enemy for defence were Judi
cous they consisted of two forts the right and
the left bank OF the river with positions well selected
for commanding the reaches of the stream They had
seven guns mounted and detachments OF infantry firing
from the forts and the thick chapparal along the margin OF
the left bank
General Cos, chief of the Winward military division
of the Mexican army, was in command, and had with
him. believed from the evidence of his orderbook,
about $50 rank and file.
But if the dispositions for defence were 1udcious the
defence itself feeble though had it oeen OBJ
snae, the results would have been the same, for
not exaggerate the ntrepidy of officers and men,
say too much of the spirit that animated them.
The Truxun's guns brought off, and the others
DESTROYED the forts also destroyed.
Our loss in the attack has been small fourteen killed
and wounded. The enclosed papers, lettered A. B, c.
and d, will furnish all necessary details
The Albany and Refer have been left to watch Tux
PAM the Hecla is ordered to bocka de Soto de la Mari
ma the Etna to occupy the river II ibasco and the We
suvius and Porpose the port of La guna. while the Ger
mantown is securing the coast NORTH of Lobos.
am, sir, with great respect Your most obedent ser
want, M. e. PERRY,
Comma nding Home Squadron.
The Hon JOHN Y. MASON, Secretary OF the Navy,
Washington.