The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-03
[RxsoRTED FOE THE REPUBLIC
CAPTURE OF ALvARADO.
Naval Court or Inquiry.

CAPTURE OF ALvARADO.
Naval Court or Inquiry.
Minutes Of the Proceedings Of Naval Court of
Inquiry, eonUensd at Annapolis, Maryland, on
the l6h day Of ApriI, 1850, by Viytue of pre-
eePt from The honorable the Secretary Of the Navy.
CONTINUED.
MONDAY, April 22d, 1850.
The court presented chart of the Alvarado river,
received from the Navy Department.
Lisuitenant Shutfietoorth, sworn.
Co,~t.-Were you engaged in the Gulf of Next
CO, &ci
Anssoer.--Yes, ON board of the Mississippi, as
captain of the marine guard.
Co,1t.-Are you acquainted with any circum-
stances connected with the surrender of Alva-
RADIO, &c.1
Ans,oer. off the mouth of Alvarado
river on the LIST Of April; saw an American flag
floating on a fort on high hill or bluff on the
right hand side of the river; ordered the marine
guard TO be transferred to the steamer Spitre;
her into the river; came to abreast OF Alvarado;
about an hour afterwards was ordered on shore; in
the afternoon, about two o'clock, the marines of
the squadron marched up andoccupied the deserted
barracks; from general appearances should judge
that from three to five hundred troops had occupied
disorder, if they had left in much trepidation;
about five o'clock in the afternoon, about three
hundred American troops, or dragons, entered
the town, under General Quitman; officer of
the guard that night, at the barracks; the next
morning, the I'd of April, was relieved by infantry,
and returned, with my guards, to the Spit6re;
went up to Tlacotalpan; a deputation was sent
ashore to visit the authorities and as understood
it, to demand surrender of the place.
Court, Cnterposing. State only whatyou know,
Of your personal knowledge.
Witnsss.-I know deputation sent ashore;
can't say positive for what purpose, further than
was told. After the deputation returned, went
back to Alvarado; next morning, the Sd Of April
ran out and got on board the Mississippi again,
with my guards; about two days after was again
sent ashore, to guard the quarters of Captain Mayo
who had been made Governor. All that after
wards occurred is mere hearsay.
The witness was dismissed; and Captain Aulick
was released from further attendance upon the
court.
Lieutenant Lee (now of the Naval School was
called and sworn, and, in answer to the usual ques
tiops said he was, at the time referred to- senior
lieutenant Of the Mississippi, and that he knew
nothing further than appeared upon the records of
the court martial, Of which he member. He
was discharged.
Lieutenant Marine, sworn.
Couyt.-Were you employed in the Gulf of Mex
leo, &c.9
Anstoer.--Yes, and second lieutenant of the
Scourge.
Cowt.--Are you acquainted with any circum-
stances connected with the surrender of Alva-
RADIO, &C.?
Ans,oer.-Reached vicinity of AIvarado river on
the afternoon of the 3Oth March; approached near
the bar; fired shot in the direction of fort; don't
recolect number of shots; then stood off; weather
was getting bad; stood off and on during that
night Captain Hunter directed me to prepare boats
to go with him to cut out several vessels of war;
at the time for starting it was blowing too fresh;
told Captain Hunter SO; he said he going in;
told him it impossible for boats to the bar
we should all be lost; Captain Hunter then gave up
the undertaking; was to take the watch, and he
ordered me to keep good lookout towards morn
ing, at daylight he intended to attack the town;
at daylight informed Captain Hunter of our stua-
ton; he then ordered me to my quarters, to the
gun where was stationed; we commenced firing
at what thought fort, at the mouth of the river;
soon learned that boat was coming off towards
us we were then standing in for the bar, the boat
coming out had white flag flying at her head; we
stopped in order to receive her; when she came
alongside was informed, in Spanish, by person
in the boat he,was sent by the authorities of the
town, think he said to surrender it; understand
the Spanish language; informed Captain Hunter of
this acted interpreter; Captain Hunter ordered
US to stand in--did so he ordered me ashore to
meet the authorities, and demand, believe, I'M
conditional surrender; the authorities complied
with the demand; returned to the vessel; informed
Captain Hunter of the fact; colors were hosted
in the mean time; salute was fred by the Scourge;
got under weigh; Passed Midshipman Temple and
some men were left in charge; stood up the river;
on the way captured several vessels; reached Tlac
otalpan the morning of the LIST April; ordered
to go ashore and demand absolute surrender of the
place; the alcalde said he could not do without
assent of the town council; ordered him to summon
them; he did so received the surrender, and,
turning, so reported TO Captain Hunter, to whom
delivered the surrender; we returned TO Alvarado
the latter part Of the same day.
Cowt.-Did the persons who came out to the
scourge represent themselves as official person
ages'
An,,oU.--Yes; one said he was captain of the
fort.
Covt.--Did any Of these say any thing of the
presence or absence of troops in near Alvarado2
Ans,c1.-Said that the troops had left the town
that night, and gone up the river.
Court, (verbally. Did they assign any reasons
for leaving?
Annc0.-Don't recollect.
Cowt.-Did either of the persons alluded TO pilot
the scourge in the river; and if so, it compul
sive or voluntary
Ansrr.-one Of them said he could pilot us in;
not sure whether not he had been spoken TO about
il; one Of them did pilot in; rccoect Captain
Hunter said, order him TO pilot me in.
Court-Did the scourge show white flag after
the boat was seen coming from the shore' and what
time was il hoisted and when hauled DOWN
Ans,oe.-The scourge did show a white flag
when the one was seen on the cnemy's boat; but
cannot say when il was taken down.
Cowf.--were your communications made orally
or in writngl
Anror.-They we're reduced to writing.
What disposition did you make Of the
communications thus made and received
Ansrer. Delivered them over to Captain Hun
ter.
Commodore Pury.-Look at this log book Of the