The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-02
[RxPoRrKD FoR THE REPUBLIo.l
CAPTURE OF ALvARADO.
Naval Court or Inquiry.

CAPTURE OF ALVARADO.
Naval Court or Inquiry.
Minutes Of the Proceedings Of a Naual Court Of
Inquiry. concerned at annapolis, Maryland, ON
e.pt from he Honorable he Secretary Of he NaDy.
tContinusd.l
SATURDAY, April 20, 1850.
The court met.
Captain Hunter, sworn 4f
Court Were you employed ~ the Gulfof Mex
leo, &C.?
Scourge.
CoUt.-Are you acquainted with any circum-
stances connected with the surrender of Alvarado,
&C.?
Ansicer.-The Scourge arrived at Vera Cruz on
the 29th of March, ls47; while anchored in the har-
Dor Commodore Perry came alongside, in his boat;
whilst passing the fleet at SACRIFICES, and in the
midst Of them, Commodore Perry ordered me to
proceed up the castles did SO, and anchored under
its walls; remained there until the American flag
had been hosted at the city and the castle; the
same day proceeded with the Scourge to SACRIFICES,
and anchored; next morning, received an order
from Commodore Perry, on board of the MISSISSIPPI
pi to assist Captain Breese Of that vessel in the
blockade of Alvarado; it was written order; was
in the cabin Of the Mississippi; Captain Breese was
in the cabin at the time; reported to him, verbal
ly, whilst in the cabin; Commodore Perry came
alongside of the Scourge, the same morning, and
urged me to hasten in direction OF Alvarado;
promptly proceeded, and arrived off the bar, at the
mouth of the river, about dusk perceived a fort on
a hill; fired shot shell at it, it to blow;
and, there being heavy swell, stood off and on
during the night; the next morning stood in, and
seeing number of horsemen on the beach, pre-
o,,,,ed IN he I nrdered Ma rine
to fire gun upon them; a gun fired; after
shot. white flag was hoisted by the Mexicans,
upon staff or lance; at the same time, saw a
boat coming up the mouth of the river, with white
flag flying. directed the firing to cease, and
caused white flag to be hoisted at the forehead Of
the Scourge the persons in the boat came on board;
my interpreter (Lieutenant Maripe) informed me,
think, that they the captain of the fort, the
alcalde, and pilot they said the troops had
ated the city during the night and were retreatng
in the direction Of Tlacotalpan. asked this depu-
tation If they had a pilot with them; they told me
they had; Immediately directed him to pilot me in
the river. Anchored Immediately off the town,
(Alvarado,) close ashore; sent Lieutenant Marine
shore with orders for assemblage of the town
council, and to demand an unconditional surrender
of the place. The surrender was received, and
placed Passed Midshipman Temple, with five or
men, to hold possession of it until some supe-
rior officer arrived and then to hand it to him.
Got under weigh, and proceeded in pursuit towards
Tlacotalpan; in passing up the river discovered
vessel from which men were escaping to the shore;
ordered Passed Midshipman Pringle to take posses
sion of their vessel, and with armed men he pursued
the retreatng party into the chapparal, when they
escaped him directed Acting Master Bankhead to
go on board this schooner, and following him myself
found her TO be loaded with Shells rocks powder and
muskets; she was scutted; the musket- locks were
broken and the powder was wet; every thing on
board totally unfit for service; ordered Bankhead
to burn her, and after burning her to the waters
edge, to follow the Scourge up the river; whilst
proceeding, the Scourge captured two three
other vessels. About two in the morning, of the
first of April anchored, with spring cable, close to
the town of Tacotalpan; fired gun at it; sent
Lieutenant Marine ashore with orders TO demand
a surrender of the town, giving him twenty min
utes to report; after consultation, the authori
ties came off to the Scourge, and rendered me an
unconditional surrender, which received. About
twelve, during the day, got under weigh, and pro-
ceeded back to Alvarado, where arrived the same
evening; Immediately went shore, and re-
sorted TO the commander in chief of the American
squadron; returned to the Scourge, and finding
Pringle, whom had left in charge OF prize ves-
sci, had not returned, and fearful some accident
might have befallen him, ordered my boat, with
an extra number of armed men, and my clerk
(Mr. McIntosh) to join me; proceeded up the river
some eight nine miles, to assist Prngle if need
ed; whilst going up, saw vessel under the land;
boarded her and took possession, and anchored her
off Alvarado then started in search Of Pringle
again, but had not gone far before he was seen re-
turning with his prize, and we returned to the
Scourge.
Cosrt.--Dd you receive any orders from Cap
tain Brccse after the interview alluded TO in the
cabin of the Mississippi
Ansoer None. He asked me if could tow
him out. Commodore Perry there the same
morning, and ordered me to go Immediately TO as
sist in the blockade.
Cowt.-Did you receive any orders from Com
modorc Perry further than stated TO assist Captain
Breeses
Anroa.-I did. He verbally told me not 10 go
into Alvarado. This was at the same time re-
ceved the written order to assist Captain Breese;
and given in the cabin Of the Mississippi stated
this at the court martial which tried me for DISC
beying orders; don't deny II.
Co,1t.-Did Commodore Perry assign any rea-
son for desiring you not to enter AlvaradoS
AnstoG.-I don't think he did
Court What were the orders given by Com
modore Perry when he came alongside Of the
Scourgc?
Ansrco.--To proceed al once off Alvarado.
Court, VERBALLY. )-And blockade
Ansc0.-Ycs.
Cowt-Did the captain Of the fort and others,
who you say visited the scourge, from the fort,
sign any reasons for the retreat Of the Mexican
troopsS
Answo.-None; said they had rctreated during
the night.
Cowt-Look at this copy Of record Of court,
martial, (Which shown,) and sec II that is
copy Of the order giving you by Commodore
Perry.
44nspn.-Yes.
The Court showed Captain Hunter letter, con-
tanned in the proceedings Of the said court, and
which he recognised as having written.
Cowf.-You stated you directed white flag To
be boisted, when receiving deputation from the
fort at the mouth Of the river-how long did you
keep il hyingl