The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-21
U. s. FLAG SHIP MISSISSIPPI,

last evenings mail
U. S. FLAG SHIP MISSISSIPPI
Oh Tabasco river, June "a. ls47
SIR Having, IN my communication of the sth instant,
informed the department OF my intention logger to de-
lay the attack upon the enemys forces concentrated near
the CITY of Tabasco anchored the 9th off the bar OF
the river with detachment of the squadron consisting
OF the Mississippi Albany Rarl,aa. John Adams, Deca
tir Germantown, Stromboli, Vesuyus, Washington and
the steamers Scorpion, Spre, Scourge and Vxen-the
Etna and Boneta being stationed in the river.
On the 14h, the 1otla having crossed the bar, the
barges and boats containing seven pieces of aru
ery and many officers seamen, and marines could
be spared from each of the vessels at anchor outside
with detachment OF forty seamen and marines from the
Potomac were then towed by the steamers across the
bar, and joining the vessels at Frontera the whole force
was formed INTO line, and proceeded up the river IN the
following ORDER
The Scorpion, bearing my pendant. leading the van,
having in tow the Vesuvius and Washington and the
boats of the Mississippi aud John Adams;
The Spire, with the Strombo and Bonea, and boats
of the Albany;
The Scourge, with the American merchant schooner
Spte, having on board Captain g. w. Taylor, with his
sub. marine apparatus;
The Vixen, with the Eina, and the boats of the Rar-
tan, Decatur, and Germantown;
When, the following day, the dotlla having arrived
within thirty miles OF the city, information was Obtained
works in the thick chapparal lining the banks OF the
river at three different points, where they had posted
ambush armed parties in considerable force.
From all the positions indicated by the Indian the
sells and boats were fired upon but the fire of the
my Immediately senced by great guns and mus
kerry AT the second position, OF the OF the
Vcsuvius severely wounded and at the third Lieut.
VIM May received an escopete ball in his arm, and
three men were slightly wounded Lieut. May, at the
time OF receiving his wound, was engaged, in CO. opera
ton with Lieut. Jas. Alden, in sounding and examining
the distractions placed by the enemy in the channel d.
rectly opposite to the breastwork.
Considering it doubtful whether the steamers could
pass the distractions without nconvenlent delay, and be-
ing anxious to reach the main body Of The enemy or
dered their commanders to every eior ascend the
river, and determined myself not to wan the experiment
nd -ra-
vously made all the arrangements for a3ag and tovs
ing the line of march, the barges and szrf-
landing, called the .sSeven Palm Trees an nar % he
third entrenchment of the enemy, which had been mo
ment before raked by the great guns OF the fotiIa
Everything being in readiness took the lead with my
boat accompanied by Captain Mayo "a volunteer, and
ing adjuant generaD in another boat and giving the
order to go ahead the whole force, with three hearty
IN separate columns on the bank, under the direc-
ton Of Capt Mayo. In the space of ten minutes
every officer and man was on shore and in position with
seven pieces OF artillery, which taken from the
boats and hauled up bank twenty feet in height and
nearly perpendicular by the main strength OF the officers
and men attached to them boats then for the
three pieces belonging to the bonb-vesses and in
ty-hve minutes the entire column OF than eleven
hundred strong with ten pieces OF artillery, was in mo-
ton towards the city lis march, however, VERY
much retarded by the difficulty OF moving ;hroagh The
high prairie grass and the occasional thckets OF chzyz
raj; yet In opposition to all the obstacles wA5c1 gEs
scented themselves, and the excessive hea, OF he laE
the column moved steadily on, preceded By Inc y1-.-
and driving back with IFS artillery and advance Elar1
the Ouposts OF the enemy, entrenche1 BY tEe4s--rEs
Meanwhile, the steamers had succe13el ia exusslzr
the distractions in the channel and proceeded rzE1F
up, face of the fire of the battery OF Hs amt
body OF infantry lining the entrenchments; and z1ar
exchanging few shots, with but slight injury 10 u.s. The
enemy retired hastily from their defences-z measure
undoubtedly precipaied by the proximity OF our ad-
vancing column. At little after A in the afternoon.
entered the city with the entire force OF infantry and
artillery and took quiet possession Of the public quar-
ters
In the fatgu!ng march from the landing place 10 the
cly-a distance OF nine miles, struck, as often
have been before with the universal enthusiasm exhib
tied By the officers and men, and with the extraordinary
efforts which they made this to keep the
hllery In line In the skmishes with the ouposts OF
the enemy, our advance displayed much order and mill
worthy of veteran soldiers.
II were TO undertake partcularize the gallant and
judcous conduct of the officers, should be obliged to
name them all hence beg TO refer the enclosed pa
pers, (marked and 3D. which contain the names of all
who were engaged in the expedition stating the respective
duties assigned to them also refer the department TO
the report of the senior medical officer.
From the best inform alton have been able to obtain
from several sources, the enemys force in action the
10th may be estimated at fourteen hundred strong, and
their loss about thirty killed which, compared with the
force under my command, and considering the advan-
tages OF his fortified position may render the smness of
our loss remarkable
am sir, with great respect your obedient servant,
NJ c. PERRY,
Commanding Home Squadron
The Hon. JOHN Y. MASON,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.