<unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> He participated in the abortive August 1846 assault on Alvarado, where strong currents in the river prevented the flotilla's boats from landing, and in the successful 9 March 1847 landing of General Winfield Scott's army at
Vera Cruz<unk> During the latter campaign, Balch served as acting master of captured schooner.