On the following day we arrived at Lobos, the appointed place of rendezvous. The Raritan, with a detachment of one hundred and eighty officers, seamen and Marines, from the Potomac, added to her own complement. In the Albany, John Adams, and Germantown, with the bomb-vessels Vesuvius, Aetna, and Hecla, had been previously dispatched for Lobos, where they arrived in good time, and were subsequently joined by the Decatur.

On the 15th all the vessels left Lobos for the anchorage, under Tuxpan reef, but were separated by eighty Norther during the night. Having again concentrated on the morning of the 17th, the whole of that date was employed in lightening the small vessels, in sounding and buoying the channel of the bar, and in other preparations for ascending to river.

The following morning (the 18th) the bar was safely crossed by the steamers and gunboats, with about thirty barges filled with detachments from the different vessels at anchor outside, having with them four pieces of artillery.

After crossing the bar I waisted my flag on-board to Spitfire, and immediately lead up the river to be attack; the steamers having the gunboats and barges in tow, until we got into the range of the fire of the enemy, when I ordered them to cast off: the gunboats to follow up the river under sail, and the detachments in the barges to land with the artillery and storm the forts and town. These orders were executed with extraordinary rapidity, while the flotilla continued its course up the river, and driving by its well directed fire, the enemy from his defenses.

The dispositions of the enemy for defense were judicious; they consisted of two forts on the right, and one on the left bank of the river, with positions well selected for commanding the reaches of the stream. They had seen seven guns mounted, and attachments of infantry firing from the forts and a thick chaparral along the margin of the left bank.

General Cos, chief of the windward military division of the Mexican Army, was in command, and had with him, as is believed from the evidence of his order book, about 650 rank and file.

But if the dispositions for defense were judicious, the defense itself was feeble; though, had it been more obstinate, the results would have been the same, for I cannot exaggerate the intrepidity of our officers and men, or say too much of this spirit that animated them.

The Truxton's guns were brought off, and the others destroyed; the forts were also destroyed.

Our loss in the attack had been small -- fourteen killed and wounded. The enclosed papers will furnish all necessary details.

The Albany and Reefer have been left to watch Tuxpan; the Hecla is ordered to blockade Soto de la Marina; the Aetna to occupy the river Tabasco; and the Vesuvius and Porpoise the port of Laguna, while the Germantown is scouring the coast north of Lobos.

I am, Sir, with great respect, your most obedience servant,

Tuxpan, April 19, 1847.