The Express.
London, England, 1866-06-04 00:00:00

[STAMPED, ld. ADDITIONAL.]

THE DEFEAT OF THE SPANIARDS AT

CALLAO.

Commodore Rodgers, of the Pacific squadron, has
transmitted to the Secretary of the American
Navy the following report of the bombardment of
the port of Callao, Peru, by the Spanish fleet under
the command of Nunez, on the 2nd May :
United States Steamer Vanderbilt, at Sea,
May 10,1866.
Sir,—l have the honour to report that on the 27th of
April the Spanish admiral, Mendez Nunes, addressed a
letter to the diplomatic oorps in Sun* declaring that
the port of Callao was blockaded from that date, also
another justifying the course of Spain, and announcing
that he should give neutral inhabitants four days to re-
move their persons and property previous to the bom-
bardment of the city. On the 30th of April Admiral
Peirsoh anchored our men-of-war out of gunshot of
the fortifications of Callao. Merchant vessels had

some days Wore taken poelticem out of the way of hos-
tile operations. It was thought that the attack would com-
ment), en the lit of Nay, when the time expired given to
neutrals for removal, but on the 20 of May, about tea

. _
o'clock a.m., the Spanish feet got tinder weigh. Sane
time was spent in forming their lines, and about eleven
d'Chick the squadron moved in' two divisions to attack the
defences of Callao. The trot division, under Adississl
Nunes, consisting of the ironclad Mullane* of 7,000 tons
burthen, with the frigates Blanca and Resolucion, moved
along the San Corenso Island to attack the batteries on the
south side of Callao, while the frigates Ville des Madrid.
_ _ .

Removela, and Almansa, pulsing in front of the national
gm% merchant vessels anchored in the bay, steamed at first

fly 'towards the Peruvian batteries on the north side
of the city. As these vessels approached they accelerated
their speed, and ran swiftly into position. At fifteen
minutes slier twelve thefirstgun was tired—lthought from
the Numaneir—quiskly followed by two from a bottery on

the south side. The Spanish fleet carried about 240 guns
mostly 32-pounders. The Numancia was armed with 68:
pounders, as was also the three-gun corvette Vencidora,
which was held in reserve to tow if necessary, and also, I
presume, to cover the transports. The Peruvian batteries
numbered is the aggregate forty-five guns, five of them
450-pounders Blakeley's, and four Armstrong guns, 300-
pounden, mounted on top of iron turrets. The rest were
32-pounders. Sand bags were extensively used in making
the batteries, to which were added brick masonry and some
of adobe. The firing soon became warm. About two o'clock
the Villa de Madrid set her jib and tryssils and was out of
the fight. She made signals, and was taken in tow by
the Vemcidors, with steam soaping abundantly below.
She was soon followed by the Berengnek, listed over
Ito one aide, and with smoke pouring from her ports.
Just before she retired • puff of black dust had shot out
at her water line on the side away from the batteries. A
ball had gone through the coal bunkers, f thought, and
through both sides. We saw men over the side attempt-
ing to patohlwith canvas the ragged hole, which seemed
some two feet &Mare. The Almeria moved to join the
first division engaged with the southern batteries. The
Reeolucion and Blanca, about 2.30, steamed away from the
southern division, leaving the Alumna* and the Numancia
still engaged. These vessels drew off at 15 minutes before
8 o'clock—the Peruvians firing after them as long as their
guns could reach.
The action was fought on both sides with courage and
persistency. The Peruvian guns, which were all en barbette,
never ceased firing, and the Spaniards, I believe, only left
off when their ammunition was exhausted.
The killed and wounded in the batteries were said to
number 80. In one of the ironclad batteries • shell ex-
ploded, igniting other powder and disabling the guns. By
this explosion Senor Galves, the Peruvian Minister of War
and Marine, was blown to stems. He was next to the
Dictator in power, of liberal views and marked ability.
His loss will prove a serious one to the country. His
Excellency the Dictator is said to have been everywhere
in the thickest of the fight, animating, encouraging, and
directing the Peruvian batteries.
I do not know the damage to the Spanish Beet, but the
loss was no doubt heavy. It was obvious that several of
the vessels bad been badly punished. The Spaniards, we
thought, did not go very near to the batteries, many of
their shot falling into the water. The presence of torpe-
does may have inspired caution.
In coming away from a farewell visit to Admiral Pear-
son I picked up one floating adrift near our vessels. It was
a red keg containing about fifty pounds of wet powder,
with some yards of insulated wire attached, and inside the
arrangement for explosion by galvanic battery.
The senior surgeon, Dr. Peck, was sent to the Villa de
Madrid and Berenguela as soon as they anchored with
offers of assistance. His services were accepted by the
surgeon of the Villa de Madrid, but on board the Bono.
guela the officers gathered around him at the gangway,
and said they were deeply grateful, but needed no help.
When the Numancia anchored Dr. Johnson was sent on
board, while Dr. Peck, who had returned to the Vander-
bilt, went on shore to tender his services to the Peruvians.
I was sorry to learn through Dr. Johnson that Admiral
Nunez had been badly wounded by splinters—no fewer
than eight injuries having been received in the head, arms,
legs and aide. The doctor was not permitted to see the
admiral, and I apprehend he has been severely hurt.
The Peruvian batteries were but little injured. The
authorities on shore were confident that on the morning
following the bombardment they would be better prepared
than at the first to resist an attack.
There were two iron-clad vessels on the side of the Peru-
vians—one the monitor Thews, with • single gun, • 68.
pounder, in a turret, and one, the Vittoria, built in the
shape of the Confederate iron-clads, covered with railroad
iron, and having a 68-pounder at each end. The monitor
was struck ten times, but received no damage. I do not
know how the other fared.
There were several small menof.war, but their artillery
was too light to be used, and they were secured inside the
wall.
I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant,
(Signed) JOHN BUDGIES, Commodore.
To the Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy.
A correspondent of the New York Herald says:
The Spanish fleet under Admiral Nunes, mita way to bom-
bard the city of Callao, Peru, was badly beaten by the ahore
batteries in the harbour, the vessels shattered, and Nunez
himself wounded. The Beet (reinforced by the frigate
Alma's) raised the blockade at Valparaiso on the 14th of
April, and steamed for Callao. The American squadron,
under Commodore Rodgers, followed the next day, for the
purpose of protecting neutral property in case it should be
the intention of the Spanish admiral to bombard that port.
On the 25th of April the fleet found itself lying off the har-
bour of Callao.
The first intelligence of this movement received by the
Peruvians at Callao was by the English mail steamer on
the same day that the dreaded visitors arrived. The
greatest alarm ensued : but it subsided as it became cer-
tain that the %malaria did not meditate an attack on that
day. On the next day, however, formal notice was given
the city that the Spanish fleet was there to operate against
it, and that four days were allowed for the removal of
non-combatants and foreigners. The greatest activity was
then manifested for the removal of the private property of

citizens.
But the defences of Callao were quite formidable, and
an attempt was determined upon to beat the Spaniards
off. The Peruvians evidently dreaded the heavy weight of
metal that the Spanish fleet could throw at them, and
looked forward to the Wile as doubtfuL But they went
manfully to work, throwing up earthworks and pieparing
for the combat. A system of telegraphing was extended
to all the batteries, and torpedo boats were held in readi-
ness for use if available.
The let of May being foggy, the attack was postponed ;
and on the 2nd the grand test of strength commenced from
the shore batteries, the fire being returned by the Boren-
vela, Villa de Madrid, and Blanca, on the north.
ern side, and the Namancia, Besolucion, and
Alumna 'on the south. The Villa de Madrid and
Berenguela were so badly damaged early in the fight that
they were obliged to withdrew to San Lorenzo, and they
were afterwards followed by the Numancia and the rest
of the fleet, more or less damaged.
The Sght lasted till four o'clock in the afternoon •
I then it terminated by the withdrawal of the Spanish fieet:
! Nothing reliable is known of the exact number of killed
and wounded on either side. The Peruvian Secretary of
War, Senor Galvin, was killed in battery No. 3, when it
was blown up. The wounded on shore, as fast as they
fell, were carried to the rear, and sent to the hospital at
Belts vista Those whose friends resided at Lima were
sent to the city, to be placed in camp of those who
would care better for them than if they era remained st
Baseline to take the chances. The most reliable Informa-
tion had, at the time the Vanderbilt sailed. was that the
Peruvians had lost 60 killed, and about 170 wounded.

[TWOPI

Nothing is known as to the lam on board ther
fleet, bothmed es their ships have been, the of C
easnallies most neeemerffy be very heavy. Admiral
is reported to have received no lass then eight wounds and
contusions, one in the heed pronounced severs. om-sur-
geons, who offered their services to both _ Partwormatbpo
were not allowed to me him, and, indeed, it wee e t
that they wished to conceal m far as ' . the
number al men that had been Aam4 hors de embed, And
the condition of the shim. By the thee that disabled the
deem-pipe of the Villa de Madrid 18 men were killed and
21 wounded. 80, taking the minehiM dome by on* ptiec-
tM, we may be safe in judging the Spanish loss aa Str in
atoms of that of the Peruvians.
thither Peek, of the United Mates steamer Vanderbilt,
whenhe went alongside the Villa de Madrid, sensited eight
shot holes Inter 'Asa This was dehm well, eonsidering
the Mandeb. wee nadir Are. The Blanca was struck over
forty times, and the Morns& and Berenguela suffered
°lt almost as muck. The Ressincion was bit often ly
as many times as the ethers. The Numeweia *ray
• wall, beingp.. but me 8-inob riled pro' frees
battery No. 5 her five end a half inch iron
and went y thimigh the wooden backing.
brought so as to receive the Are at an angle, hence bee
plating caused the shot to edam} The Vancedoss was
uninjured. After going oat the nest resumed theist old
position and ocenmeneed repairing. The future WV.'
swats of the defeated AIM are not known; but it is (pre-
Mined, in view of the neer 115th,, of the Muscat and
Independencia added to this le (Master, that its
early return toMpain will be off if possible -