The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-24
Naval Expedition to Tabn.co.

| Naval Expedition to Tabnsco.
We have published the official accounts OF this inter-
esting achievement But we have received from two
eyewitnesses their accounts of it, of which we
lay before our readers:
On Monday morning. June IA, ls47, the United States
home squadron Commodore NJ c. Perry, at anchor at the
mouth OF Tabasco river, detachments from the Mssis-
sppi, Potomac Albany, Raritan, John Adams, German
town, Decatur, Supply, Fredona and Electra, embarked
in forty boats for expedition up the river to San Juan
Baus,a. The and marines were commanded by
their respective officers as on shipboard the whole
about 900 strong) being under the immediate direction
and command of Commodore Perry in person
The steamers Scorpion, Spitfire, Vixen, and Scouge
toed the boats the bar at the mouth of the river
where the brig Washington, the bomb vessels Strombol,
Vesuvus and Etna were also takenin tow Pilots were
readily obtained at Fronera; and after supplying the
steamers with sufficient quantity OF coal Tor ten
days, the hotlla, at o'clock in the evening" moved
steadily and proudly up the river The rapdlty
of the rendered necessary to anchor for few
hours during the night At an early hour OF the morn
ing the steamers with the briggs and schooners (owng
either sde and the surf-boas on which were a,, mount
ed seven brass field pieces and which were filled with
arterists and small arm men, Glowing astern moved up
the of five and six miles an hour against three
knot current
An Indian, who had been planting corn by the river
bank taken from his for the purpose OF pro-
curing information concerning the force at IabascO. AT
first he knew nothing but, on being threatened with
punishment gave important information, which subse-
Iqueny proved to be correct and valuable. When the
hohlla arrived at bend of the river, within four
ing the pennant of Commodore Perry being in adyance,)
voley of musketry from force of some 300 or 400
men, under the notorious Bruno, opened upon the flag
ship from the dense chappara which covered the lett
bank The fire was brsky returned 1t was sing lary
fortunate that injury sustained on shipboard but
was subsequently ascerained that our return FIRE from
the Scorpion, Washington, musketry, and held pieces,
mounted in the surf boats was not without effect upon
the enemy A lo-inch shell was sent whzzng through
the chapparal from the big gun OF the vesuvns which
feet which, is said induced the enemy TO suppose that
also attacking them in their rear Very few OF
their muskets were fired second time
AT 81 p m, the hotIla reached the Devils turn, and
anchored near the Seven Palms Here scattering ire OF
musketry from the chappara severely wounded sea,
man board the Nesuvus; and about one hundred
horsemen were parading in the interior from the
mast head of the Strombol
lOnch shell was hurled away in the direction of the
mounted men, and the scattering fire from the shore was
soon stopped by the active retun-re from the iolla
1t was determined to lay at this anchorage during the
night and it was expected that the vessels would be re-
peaedy fired upon. barricade of hammocks was
therefore thrown up their bulwarks as protection;
for the dense chapaa not three rods distant afforded an
had position for deadly and destructive fire upon the en-
tire line of the otlIa There but singh volley
from the shore during the night no injury sustained
Early morning two boats, with surveying offcers,
were sent reconnore and sound the bar where obsuc-
tons had been formed by the enemy 10 prevent vessels
owar from ascending the river These boats were Tired
upon from breaswok ashore, and It, May was severe
ly wounded in the rig arm, near the elbow; There was
now sharp return OF grape shot bomb shells ana mus
kerry from the steamers, the brig Washington bomb
vessels artillery and small arm men of the surf boats;
and Commodore Perry, taking his broad pennan In ms
hand accompanied by Captain Mayo, adutan general OF
the expedition and their aids pushed ashore and dashed
up the bank Three loud and hearty cheers now went
up from the ilota. The boats with artillery and lnan-
try landed in rapid succession In five minutes the IN
fanry were formed on the bank in eight minutes more
seven field pieces drawn, by main strength, up a
bank twenty five feet high and ranging not more than
twenty-five degrees from perpendicular. Three more
field pieces afterwards landed from the bomb yes
sells by the surboats, taking position as a reserve:
In half hour from the time the Commodore FIRST set
his foot upon the Shore the entire column was in motion
followed by the marines, under Capt Edison; the arile
ry, under Capt Mckenzie; the detachments OF seamen
they respectively beonged Capt Mayo having charge
as adjuant general and Commodore Perry giving ms
personal attention to every movement OF the whole
The scene OF debarcaon was highly exciting a GAL
liant lieutenant had Just been wounded while in the dis
charge of perilous duty active fire OF shot, shell,
and muskey had just rung forth at the enemy from the
upon the bank under the deafening cheers OF 1000 gal
liant spirits who painted to be near it, and who eagerly
pulled for the shore 1t was the more exciting, because
it is not usual for commanders nchef to take the field
under such circumstances advance OF their commands
and the enthusiasm of gallant ars at the sight OF
their old Commodore on the bank was unbounded and
But their hopes not long deferred for in less than
twenty minutes they had joined him with formidable
the capital OF the State OF Iabasco
Passing through skirt of wood three hundred yards
from the river, the column opened upon cleared plain
about mile in extent, and again entering the WOOD
soon came in sight of Acachapan where had been sta
toned one hundred Mexican musketeers, and from which
fire had been opened upon the pioneers marines, and
artillcrss. Before entering the wood the lively crack
of muskery had brought the division of edpieces into
position, from which few rounds were red putting the
enemy to flight towards the town. and, as was afterwards
learned, killing some eight OF their number. Pass
ing the river discovered that the steamers
had passed the distractions and galanty ascending
towards the fort and the town. Hearty cheers were ex
changed between ship and shore, which, while II en-
couaged our hearts and strengthened our hand, evident
y had nlimdang effect upon the ueerdnos OF the
FORT who could hear, but as yet, not see us.
We now at the breastwork of Acachapan, which
had been abandoned in haste by the Mexicans leaving
their clothes bedding, cooking utensils, and even break
asts already prepared consisting OF boiled beef, tort
las, squaShes, and preparations OF corn Inc
ground covered with tracks OF cavalry cartridges
and several ances of rancheros scattered about de-
noting the most sudden and speedy exit.
The column passed to the ample shades OF several
enormous scyba trees, which was lagoon OF wafer,
where the advance rested until the should up
thus giving rest to the officers and men, who had labored
with the most interchangeable zeal and lively patriotism,
hauling the eldpieces along and difficult paths,
aud rude corduroy bridges, hastily but faithfully
sucted by the pioneers which, under other circumstances,
might be considered impossible either for man or beast
with burden Many of the best officers and most atb-
etc seamen tainted by the way from excessive heat and
fatigue; but receiving little and rereshment,
revived and resumed their arduous duties at the guns
with an alacrity and cheerfuness which inspired the
entire line with laudable spirit OF emulation.
The Mexican musketeers driven back from the held
works OF Acachapan announced to their comrades IN and
about the fort the approach of the Commodore overland
magnlfyng his numbers and exhibiting their wounds IN