The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-05-07
Capture of AIvarado - Naval Court of
Inquiry,

The following interesting account of the taking
of Alvarado, as given on oath by Com. Perry be.
fore the Court of Inquiry sitting at Annapolis we
take from the Washington Republic of The 18th ut !:
QUESTION BY THE CoURT-To Com PERU
Do you know any thing relative to the surrender
and occupation Of the town of Alvarado and its de-
tendencies, in Mexico, about that time If so,
state particularly all you know in relation thereto
ANswER.-ldo. Three years have elapsed since
that time, but will state all | know, from the best
of my recollection. Immediately after the surren
der, and, i believe, before the evacuation of the
city aud castle of Vera Cruz, General Scott and
myself concerted measures for making land and
naval demonstration to the South of Vera Cruz TO
take possession of the country and Of Alvarado and
Its dependencies in view of detaching the interests
Of the people of that country from the cause of
santa Anna, and OF procuring supplies of horses
and cattle for the army and navy, of which thew
were greatly in want and in which that country
abounded. II was perfectly we'll understood, or
supposed at the time, that no defence would he
made after the fall Of Vera Cruz but a very con-
siderable detachment the squadron were detailed
IN view of intmidating the people of that region
ana at the same time eonciliating them bV kindness
into more pacific measures, as it was generally
thought, both by the officers of the army an, navy
mat alter the fall of Vera Cruz there would be no
iu'ther active operation IN that quarter against the
enemy. The naval force was thus large because
II was ~ contemplation to undertake an expedition
against Iuspan. A squadron of cavalry was at
taehed TO the land force, for the purpose of more
active operations.
On the day of the evacuation, as believe. Gen.
Quitman, who detailed by Gen. Scott To con.
duct the land forces called on me on board Nav dag
ship the Mississippi, with directions from Gen.
Scott to confer with me. Gen. Quitman and INV.
self concerted measures for approaching Alvarado.
1t was thought desirable that the troops should be
IN the immediate vicinity, and near the town, by
the time that the small steamers and boats of the
squadron should enter the river, in view of sur
prisng, if possible, and cutting off the garrison
and interceptng of the leading citizens think
ing that they might be induced to forward the
policy Of pacfcation. Signals were established be.
tween Gen Quitman and myself for the night as
well as day, so that the two forces, the army and
navy, should be in communication. Boats were
sent from the Ohio to assist Gen. Quitmal's COM
mand to cross the Madelin river, which lay on the
march, Some Of the vessels were moved from
their anchorage at SACRIFICES to Anton Lizardo, on
thatday or the next; the log book will show when
IN y the 30th OF March, gave orders to Can't
Dreese, commanding the Albany, TO get under
weigh Tor AvaTadO, and proceed off that river and
continue as well as lrecoect, about twelve miles
from the mouth OF the river, to intercept any YES
sells escaping-haying knowledge that there were
tnree Mexican vessels of war and steamer in The
river, which l was anxious to capture and feared
might slip out gave particular orders 10 CAM.
pfeese not to go near the month Of the river ID
% alarm the people on shore also stated 10 him
.ne OBJECTS and plans had in view, Lieut. Hun
st VINO had arrived the day before from the United
States IN command Of the Scourge, received writ
.en olIers TO report to Capt Breese, for the pur
ppse u cooperation with him and think he was
"''0 'Asos acquainted with my designs My i'm