The Sun.
London, England, 1866-06-06 00:00:00

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
command of Nunez, on the 2d May :
"United States Steamer Vanderbilt at Sea,
May 10, 1806.

_ .
" Sir,—l have the honour to report that, on the 27th of
April, the Spanish Admiral, Mendez Nunez, addressed a
letter tkrthe diplomatic corps in Sunia, declaring that the
port of Callao was blockaded from that date, also another
justifying the course of Spain, announcing that he should
give neutral inhabitants four days to remove their persons
and property previous to the bombardment of the city. On
the 30th of Awil Admiral Pearson anchored our men of
war out of gunshot of the fortifications at Callao. Merchant
vessels had some days before taken positions out of the
way of hostile operations. It was thought that the attack
would commence on the Ist of May, when the time expired
given to neutrals for removal, but on the 2d of May, about
10 o'clock a.m., the Spanish fleet got under weigh. Some
time was spent in forming their lines, and about eleven
o'clock the squadron moved in two divisions to attack the
defences of Callao. The first division, under Admiral
Nunez, consisting of the iron-clad Numancia, of 7,000 tons
burden, 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 Villa de Madrid,
Berengueta, and Almansa, passing in front of the national
and merchant vessels anchored in the bay, steamed at first
slcwly 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
after twelve the first gun was fired—l thought from the
Numancia-- quickly followed by two from a battery 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 wasleld in reserve to tow, if necessary, and also, I
presume, to corer the transports. The Peruvian batteries
numbered in the aggregate 45 guns, five of them 450-
pounders, Blakeley's, and four Armstrong guns, 300-
pounders, 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 2 o'clock
the Villa de Madrid set her jib and trysails, and was out of
the fight. She made signals, and was taken in tow by the
Vencidora, with steam escaping abundantly below. She
was soon followed by the Berenguela, listed over to one
side, and with smoke pouring from her ports. Just before
she retired a puff of black dust had shot out at her water
line on the side way from the batteries. A ball had gone
through the coal bunkers, I thought, and through both
sides. We saw men over the side attempting to patch with
canvas the ragged hole, which seemed 2ft. square. The
Almansa moved to join the first division engaged with the
southern batteries. The Resolucion and Blanca, about 2.30,
steamed away from the southern division, leaving the Al-
mansa and the Numancia still engaged. Thesis vessels
drew off at 15 minutes before eight—the Peruvians firing
after them as long their guns could reach.

" The action. was fought on both sides with courage and
persistency. The Peruvian huns, which were all eubarbette,
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 iron-clad batteries a shell ex-
ploded, igniting other powder and disabling the guns. By
this explosion Senor Galvez, the Peruvian Minister of War
and Marine, was blown to atoms. He was next to the
Dictator iu power, of liberal views, and marked ability.
His loss will prove a serious one to the country. Hit.
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 fleet, but
the loss was, no doubt, heavy. It was obvious that several
of the vessels had 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
Pearson I picked up one floating adrift near our vessels.
It was a red keg containing about 501 b. 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 Beren-
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 ".;o tender his services to the Peruvians.
I was sorry to learn through Dr. Johnson that Admiral
N uuez had been badly wounded by splinters—no fewer
than eight injuries having been received in the head, arms,
llgs, and side. 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 wore two iron-clad vessels on the side of the
Peruvians--one the monitor Thesoa, with a single gun, a
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. Ido not
know how the other fared. _

" There were several small men-of-war, but their artil-
lery was too light to be used, and they were secured inside
the wall.—l have, &c.,
(Signed) " JOHN RODGERS, Commodore.
" TO the Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy."

THE DUNMOW FLITCH.—The ceremony of pre-
senting a flitch of bacon to a "happy couple," and then
carrying them in procession through the town of Great
Dtuamow will, it is said, take place this autumn.