Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-11-10

SuFrtCtiOn SuuueHiy uuISt Jun mn"
That is the door the exasperated Her.
rada broke thro' in search OF him: he
fed from the table into this next apart
ment; was pursued; ard in trying to
escape by that window, was dragged
back and assassinated.
The scene ofhis punishment recalled
TO my memory his acts Of cruelty and
could not feel any commisseration for
his fate.
Lima is about eight miles inland
from the Pacific Ocean, and Chorillos
is the temporary sea port, distant about
nine miles. Callao is the proper sea
port, and about the same distance from
Lima, but it is occupied by the Royal
lists under Gen Rodil and is now the
only seat Of war in Peru. The three
places are about squidistant from each
other.
Callao is situated on neck of low
land that projects into the sea, and con-
tanned before the war about 1000 inha-
bitants. The Notifications consist Of
three Castles, mounting together one
hundred and ninety pieces OF heavy Or
dinance, and command the town, the
harbour, and the whole neck OF land
across which they are situated. They
are built Of heavy stone work, inrlining
inwards from the base and surrounded
by deep moats with heavy drawbridges
across in the ancient style. The walls
are SO strong that no al tilleiy can pen
citrate them; their inclination inwards
| from the base causes the balls which
strike them horizontally to glance over;
besides, they are protected by trenches
Thrown upon the outside nearly to the
muzzles Of the guns, and which also
answer as breast work for troops out
side.
Six months ago, when the Patriots
second time got possession of Lima, ii
was expected Rodil would have imme-
diately capitulated and surrendered
Callao. Instead of which he drove
the old men, women and children from
the town, laid up stores of provisions
for his troops and deGed his antago-
nists His force at that time was 1900
men, but the number is reduced by
death and desertion to about 800. They
are blockaded by squadron of five or
six vessels, and besieged on land by
Patriot force of 1000. The castles con-
tain immense stores of ammunition and
considerable wealth.
Rodil is determined man in despe-
rate circumstances. He may be re-
duced by disease and dcsertion, but
will never voluntarily surrender. His
boats fish in safety under the guns of
the castles, and he has land enough
within their protection to raise vegeta-
bles for his troops.
The bcsieging army occupies small
town called Pellavista, Oh the road to
Lima, -apout three quarters of a mile
FROM fsfstlsf This town is nearly
destl 1ns Of the Castles;
there house remaining ha-
hlta5lg. ID e(l( yldiers are primo ipal-
ly shell Eeu IN Wits behind the remain
ing walls. There has been daily fight
ing for the last three months, and fire..
quent skirmishing between the troops.
The firing from the Castles is at
times tremendous.-They certainly re-
turn the Patriots ten shots for one.
visited the Patriot camp few days
ago, and leaving my horse at Bellavis-
ia, proceeded Oil foot along the trench
es which project in short angles from
tho town about half mile towards the
Castles and within a few hundred yards
of them
These trenches are dug about three
feet deep, and the loose earth thrown
up on the side towards the castles and
s,aked; so that the trench and breast
work together are about as high as the
head, and behind them | felt tolerably
safe from the balls which whistled ever
me. Whilst looking over the en-
trenchmcnt at the lower end, towards
the castles, | observed one Of the fish
ing boats, full Of men, pulling towards
the blockading vessels They were de-
serting from the castles, which instant
" opened most tremendous fire upon
the boat. The shot dashed the water
about her without appearing to do her
any serious damage.
took this opportunity whilst they
were engaged on the sea side to go be-
yond the cntrenchmcnt and view the
castles They did not appear to have
received the least Impression from the
heavy firing that had been made on
them by the besiegers. l hey had
very military appearance; the Royal
Standard was flying.
The sentinels were marching on the
baltlements, and every thing appeared
to be in perfect order. | do not think
they can be taken by assault; the moat
is too wide 10 be passed without much
labor; the land is SO low they cannot lie
undermined, and they have been bonn
barded without any perceptible effect.
= No ha icond have n, y 1f. pyarv mana