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The Mississippi Creole
Canton, Madison County, Mississippi
What is this article about?
An officer justifies the US Navy's burning of the captured Mexican brig Truxton to prevent its recapture by the enemy, as it was bilged and vulnerable near a river bar. Capt. Engle ordered its destruction without awaiting Commodore Conner's instructions, who sent the sloop Falmouth to ensure it.
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—The following is
an extract from a letter in the Mobile Herald
and Tribune, from an officer in the navy, justifying the burning of the Truxton:
When the Truxton was boarded (from the
Princeton) she was found bilged with five feet
water in the hold; her upper works moving,
and water passing in and out freely. There
was not a possible chance of getting her off.
Suppose the attempt had been made and proved
successful, what could have been done with
her? Now there was a possibility of her beating
over the bar. There the water was smooth
and the enemy could have placed water casks
under her, or sent their large launches alongside
of her and carried her up the river. This
would have taken time, and some day you probably
would have heard of the Mexican brig
Truxton! Immediately on ascertaining her
condition, Capt. Engle remarked to his officers,
"the Mexican flag shall never fly on that vessel—she must come off or be burned"—and accordingly,
without returning to the Commodore
to receive instructions, Capt. E. gave orders
immediately to have her destroyed. In the
meantime Commodore Conner, fearing that
Capt. E. would not burn the Truxton without
positive orders to do so, had sent the sloop of
war Falmouth with instructions to do it.
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Foreign News Details
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Outcome
truxton burned to prevent enemy recapture
Event Details
The Truxton was boarded from the Princeton and found bilged with five feet of water, upper works moving, and water passing freely. No chance to get her off; risk of enemy recovering her over the bar and up the river. Capt. Engle ordered her destroyed immediately, stating the Mexican flag shall never fly on her. Commodore Conner sent the sloop Falmouth with orders to burn her, fearing Capt. Engle might not without instructions.