The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-08-30
Commodore fuckers Expedition.

A letter. from YQuitas, on the upper ANA
ION. near, the. border, line of Peru, brings
information that Commodore JOHN r. Tuck
Err had returned from his expedition up the
tributaries Of the Amazon with the loss Of
only one man, himself and his whole force
being In fine health. 7. =
This expedition, under the auspices Of the
Peruvian Government, has for its object the
selection of some point on the waters OF
the Amazon from which steam navigation
may be conducted to the mouth Of that great
river on the Atlantic. 1t is intended TO
build railway from Lima to such point,
and thus to form trans-continental line OF
communication between Peru and Atiantlc
ports. -.a,sa@
Commodore TUCKER went to Peru after
the end of the civil war in this country, ana
was appointed by the Government OF that
country to the command of the Peruvian
navy. But the representative of this coun-
try at the time, in di>creditable manner,
contIiyed to raise an issue with the Conlmo-
dore on the ground that he was Confede-
rate officer; and that bringing about some
embarrassment to the Government, the Com
modore promptly relieved the Government
by resigning his command. He was atonce
appointed to the important duty of survey
ing the Upper Amazon and its tributaries.
The first expedition, some two years since,
was unfortunate, and was suddenly checked
by the loss of light steamer which had
been procured in this country. 1t was ne
cessary to get another from the same source,
and this was taken to the Amazon last
spring.
Commodore TUCKER met with great dis
couragement Until he assembled long dis.
lance. In the Rio Para the officers and crew
were attacked with smallpox and yellow
fever, and at one time there were few left
for duty to assist the Commodore and one
of bis officers. BY extraordinary energy
and the most careful attention to the sick
all difficulties were conquered, and all the
sick recovered except one man.
After getting thousand miles up the river
all went smoothly, and after four months OF
surveying, forty days of which the expedi-
ton was carried on in canoes, the command
returned to Yquitas. The letter says that
the success achieved exceeded the most san.
guine expectations Of the Commodore. Du-
ring the voyage many tribes Of Indians were
encountered, and with some Of these were
few little fights, with no casualties on the
Commodore's side.
The papers concerning the survey had
been dispatched to Lima. Among the OH
GERS with Commodore Tucker were Captains
BUTT, OF Norfolk, and ROCHELLE, of South
ampton, both formerly of the Federal navy,
who Joined the Confederate cause. Young
holland, son of Mr.. holland, Of Hanover.
held the post Of engineer with the Comno-
dore. DR.. GAIT, of Norfolk, who has been
with him, is en- route home.
Commodore TUCKER estimates that in eight
months he will be able to complete tue sur
vey. lie has displayed great perseverance
under difficulties that can be little under
stood by persons unacquainted with the
strange country he has traversed. His many
friends will be gratified to hear of his sue
cess and fine health. His work will likely
do a good deal toward the development and
improvement of the valley of the Amazon.