Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-07-07
ADMIRAL DU PoNr.

We transfer TO our columns, from q
speech Of the late Hon. John NJ. Clayton,
delivered in the Senate OF the United
States Oh the llth of March, 1856, the
details Of gallant aud daring exploit
performed by the lamented DU POM,
during the Mexican War. 1t will be
read with interest by his many admirers
in this State. 1t shows him to have been
q man of undoubted courage. aud bright
ornament to his profession. Mr.. Clayton
said -
II the annals OF your Navy Department arc
truly written, this was the man who, Oh tho
10Th day Of February, ls4s, performed deed
which for desperate courage and skilful manage
ment, vas never surpassed in the annals uf w4r.
That eminently brave aud much -lamented officer,
Lieutenant Haywood, had been stationed by the
commodore commanding tue Pacific squadron
with four passed midshi ppen aud twenty muriues,
in the mission house at San Jose, to prevent the
execution of threat Of Colonel Piueds, that he
sWOuld come to that place and put to dea all
friendly to the Gag of the United States" Being
suddenly appTised that Haywood was besieged
at San Jose, with the whole Mexican force upon
him, the commander Of the Cyane, with the most
successful dispatch. sailed from La PaE, and
arrived before San Jose on the l4,h of February,
at sundown. He heard the report OF the
hesiegiug artillery, aud beheld the Mexican
forces, which included, amoug their infantry,
Pineda's pstTdHos with the Mexican cavalry, all
finely mounted and armed with lauces, carbines,
and rides, and all swarming to the attack upon
the fortress in which Haywood, With his little
band, had taken refuge. Haywood was reduced
TO the utmost extremity for want of provisions
aud water, having been engaged in constant
| hghhng with the overwhelming force of Mexicaus
for more than three weeks. Avoiding the
danger Of an ambuscade by night, Du Pont
landed mis- whole available force, for the rescue
OF HeyWood, from the Cyane, ut day break on
the morning oil the 10Th, that force being but
one hundred and two men uud officers, ali told.
and rushed forward to the rescue of Heywood'
through distance Of two miles, wadipg the
water and climbing the hills, while driving
before him Mexican force Of more than three
times his number. thanked on both sides BY
Mexican rihemen in ambush-still forcing bis
way onward amid showers Of bullets, he reached
the castle Of San Jose, defeated aud dispersed
the Mexioans, and rescued tho brave Haywood
with bis band. TWAS this battle Of San Piacsnte
which materially helped to lay the sure touuda-
tOn for the conquest Of Lower California.
With delight we have often read in romance Of
the beleagured knight rescued from besegiug
squadroDs by the gallautry Of his brothers-in-
arms, but there is not an incident in history
which more thoroughly stirs the blood than the
othcial report which hold in my hand, which
represents Haywood, with his distressed but
uneopquereble little company, as he looked out
RIaiS the blaze Of muskery and rides, from tue
top Of his ,v.tress at sundown on the 10th Of
February, 1888, py:.lu the gulf of California,
>na saw the Cyape, With ,..s American flag
streamIle from the rigging, in tie omsH"' glViug
rproOf that his cGs.stryRsn had 81 LAST sppssr,,