Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-06-24

and reached Porto Belle after most ia
tiguing march, on the evening Of the 5oih.
Early on the morning of the list, it having
rained necessarily during the whole night,
the Spanish troops were led on in two di-
visions. one commanded b. general Hore,
a very brave officer. and the other By col.
Sauta Cruz, AMI they attacked and sur
prised the place at six O'Clock, while NJ
Gregor and his troops were in their beds.
He however escaped in hi, shirt, by leap
ing from window IN the government house
90 feet high, throwing his mattrass te light
on, plunged off into the sea, and swan
to schooner in the harhor. whence lie
was safely conveyed 10 the brig Hero
Col. O'Hara with several other officers en-.
deavored TO rally the troops and make
what resistance they could, but which was
quite unava!ing. as they were soon over
powered ,one hundred men having been eli.
thcr killed or wounded 10 this unequal
struggle. Colonel O'Hara was severely
wounded and died IN few hours after
Seventy officers and three hundred men
were made prisoners by the royal forces,
and ali the baggage also fell into their
hands. Two Eng Iish women were killed
in the engagement. The prisoners were
ordered to Panama where, we learn they
are TO be confined, until their future fate
be decided by the government OF Spain.
Such artizens as may be among them are,
however, IL is said, to be compelled 10
work as soon as too's can be procured to
enable them to exercise their respective
trades. Governor Lopez, elevated to that
situation by Gen. M'Gregor, was killed in
his bed. Many Of those who had esca-
ped were afterwards found dead in the
woods, AMI others were made prisoners,
ard brought back to the town.
Such has been the disastrous end OF
this longed talked of expedition, and
which for moment, obtained small ad.
vantage, to be afterwards entirely destroy
ed-ani tia, advantage it seems happen
ed from the dastardly conduct OF a cow
ardly governor, who abandoned the place
without firing shot, This man, howe
yer, who fed with bis money and plate to
Chagres on that occasion. was made pri-
soner Immediately. and sent to Panama,
under strong escort OF troops, where he
would be tried by court martial Tor his
cowardice.
Notwithstanding the terrible FIRE OF grape
and musket shot which was kept up for
time from the troops who were rallied by
col. O'Hara, the royalists sustained but
very small loss.
Letters from Puerto Bello represent Sir
Gregor as better leaper than general, tor
instead OF taking refuge ina fort 10 defend
himself and bis brave followers on the
first alarm, he Immediately abandoned his
people and Hed on board the Hero, which |
Immediately made her escape. She al
forwards appeared of Cbaeres, and dis
charged some guns al the fort, but which !
was returned in style that induced her
speedily to decamp. 1t is conjectured
she was to proceed to St. Andreas.
The Independent hag was still kept
flying at Porto Bello as decoy to vessels
bound thither to join Sin Gregor.
General Hore was for proceed 10 Pana-
ma On the 9th inst. This officer distin-
guished himself in Spain, and is consider
ed very brave and enierprIsng 9th En-
Col. Santa Cruz was TO be lett in Porto
Belo, as commandant of the place. Be-
fore these generals eft Panama. they laid
an embargo on all vessels in that portland
an Introduction to any communication with
the town by land.
Gen. O'Sario and suit arrived in the
SAPPHIRE, and is to proceed hence to Spain
with dispatches, giving an account OF the
re-capture of Porto Belo.
Previously 10 the sailing of the SAPPHIRE
from Porto Bello, reports reached that
place from Panama, that Lord Cochrane
had made an attack on Lima, and was beat
off,
The Con6ance brig OF war, capt. Mont
gomery, was despatched from Porto BelIo
on the 4lh, for this island, with accounts OF
the re-capture OF that place.
Alter we had prepared the foregoing |
for press. we were favored with the iol-
lowing account OF the re-caplure Of Porto |