Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-10-01
A FRIGATE ATTACKED BY HoRsEMEN.

We believe there is case recorded in the pages OF
history where troop cavalry has undertaken charge
ship of war; but such an occurrence has actually taken
place this continent. 1t in the year 1919,
that period during the saDguinary which were
waged by Spain possession of her rebeloTs
provinces that large Spanish fgate entered the River
Plate and proceeded up the city Of Buenos Ayres,
anchorng in the outer roads, about miles from
the city Buenos Ayres the time possession Of
the revoutoniss and the rigate could oHer but little
serious annoyance to the Buenos Ayreans, who
theess quite indignant seeing their port blockade
ed and themselves menaccd by ship carrying in tr-
umph at the peak the hated flag Of Spain.
1t is weu known all WHO have visited that part OF
the continent that the and tides in the River OF
Plate and its mouth regulated by the winds An
easterly wind produces strong easerly current and
causes rise OF in the river to greater less
amount according its duration while, the other
hand westerly wind drives the water rapidly Of hs
river and at such times boats approach the city
of Buenos Ayres within quarter and sometimes half
mile wagons and carts, drawn by horses, being
used for conveying passengers, baggage sc. shore
frem the boats At the period of which speak strong
westerly wind, which continued several days. literally
drove nearly all the water out of the river leaving the
channel comparatively BARE snd exposing bars sand
banks, and shoals that were before by
the oldest inhabtant" The ships in the inner and tho
outer roads rested quietly the bottom thrown
upon their beam ends and could be approached
shore by walking the hard sandy bed of the river with
only little occasional wadng through the shallow POOLS
1t was at this time that bright idea entered the head
of the commander Of the Patriot forces in Buenos Ayres
to take possession of the Spanish frigae she lay on
her beam ends by his land forces and carry her by
bold coup de main Unfortunately the only available
forces which he could command a the time belonged to
the cavalry and regiment of well well armed
horsemen ordered to proceed forthwith to the
roads and make charge upon the Spanish frigate wk
the expectation that the commander of the gate seeing
the formidable array opposed to him, would surrender
without much opposition, with further instructions how
ever that, if it found necessary, the horsemcn
should dismount advance the assault and carry the
ship by boarding
The spauiard the result proved was rather nm OBJ
snae fellow to deal with, and was opposed to the idea
of being captured in summary and inglori-
ous He aware of the exposed situation Of his ship,
but little dreamed he that he about to encounter
charge of dragons As they collected and formed the
beach preparatory the grand onset he shrewdy
pected that mischief Of kind brewing and be-
ing ready at resources caused platform be erected
forthwith on the side of the fgac which he managed
to mount couple of twevepoun carronades an expo
dent which did not occur to the Patriots until they fet
the effect OF a measure prompt and pugnscious
The cavalry dashed gaanty on through pools, and
gulies and quagmres sand banks and ridges and
shoals cheered by the voice Of their commander who
couraged them to expect that by thus attacking them in
50 novel and unexpected manner they might count
an easy victory. But his tune Of triumph changed
to note Of modification and disgust when having adj
vanced within half mile of the frgate with horses pant
ing from fatigue the extemporaneous battery opened up
his regiment with showers of grape and cGnisterf
Onward! still the word Of the commander butthe
horses well the zeal othe horsemen seem
rapidly to away and when the commander charger
was knocked over by grape shot, several saddles Ia the
front rank emptied and be himself lay foundering IN
puddle, the men nsncvely took "open order" turned
the tails their horses towards their naval foes ana scat
tered in every direction but one!
In word the attempt to capture heavy frigate by
charge of cavalry in this proved failure, and
are not aware that the attempt has since been repeated
in any of the wars carried on in any part Of the world
The river remained in this comparatively dry for
Some twelve or eighteen hours when, the being
moved the waters rushed in with great velocity and the
river soon assumed its ordinary level The current
ever was so strong that it required very nice manage
mont to right the various vessels which had been
aground The frgate narrowly escaped being filed while
on her hroadsde and several smaller vessels did not
cane SO easy.--BostoH Journal