The New York herald., 1844-11-15
MontevldeO.
Correspondence OF the New York Herald
U. 3. BRIG BAINBRiDGE, !
MoNTRvIDEo, Sept. z, IS4l is
Sea Race and Fight on Shore Escape of a
SD,u o pier Be
Montevideo.


Snsuggler, &c.
My DEAR SR:-
As wrote last, we sailed from Rio on the 24th
August, in company with the Raritan, Congress,
and United States, and French sloop Of wa,, to
try our respective rates of sailing. The wind was
qsite fresh and ahead, therefore it was dead beat
The whole night we carried on, and it was doubt
tal who would be ths weathermost vessel, but day
light discovered the gallant little brig dead to the
windward Of the fleet, the Frsnchman having de-
serted us in the night A passage Of eleven days
brought us to this place, which, as you have heard,
's besleged and blockaded. Admiral Brown has
squadron OF Buenos Ayrean vessels off the town,
And large force of troops are outside the walls.
went out to the lines the other day and was
tempted to visit the outposts-there l found the
Montevideans and the enemy hotly engaged; mus
ket balls flying in every objection. The suburbs
of the city Is IN complete ruins, the houses having
been abandoned by their inhabitants and convert
I'd into military quarters. The main stay OF the
Montevidean army consists of regiment of ne
,roes, chiefly emancipated slaves, wno have shown
he most uRdaunted courage in many of the en-
sagrments which have taken place They have
now the post OF honor
It is melancholy sight, the ruins Of once
dourlshlng city; the fields once covered with wa
wing corn and sprlnglng grain; the noble orchards
converted into field of blood and strife. Every
ninu'e the boom of heavy gun is heard and tn,
rattle OF musketry and SO II will probably continu.
'or years.
We saw an interesting escape the day before
Yesterday. Montevidean gun boat had gone "
he river tor some purpose or other, and was re
turning when two OF the Buenos Ayrean echooners
started to cut her of. We heard the firing som.
iIne before we saw the combatants; presently on.
OF the schooners hove in sight over a low point OF
land near the Mount, firing her long gnn fast az
she could load; another came and kept up an in
ressant cannonadr; small craft appeared
juggling the shore with h latieen sails hauled well
1T and carrying on like the very devil under cover
rom the guns on the Fort, on the top Of the Noun,
occasionally inpg her gun; the chase became ex
ltng; the shot fell nearer and nearer to the ttl.
,arque, when running the risk of going on shore
he passed over the shoal, between reef and tn.
,oint and rounded the outer fort, firing gun from
mere bravado, or contempt; another followed ant
scaped In the same way. cannot describe il a.
| would, but assure you it was one of the mos
interesting sights have witnessed for many days
The city Of Montevdeo is like all Spanish towns,
feeding no.descriptlon; the houses all fiat rooted
md built of brick sun dried There is Cathedral
mere which, when finished, will be OF the finest
n the world It's dome and turrets are covered
With porcelain, having. very pretty effect. We
get nothing to eat from the shore, and have t..
send to Buenos Ayrean town about eight miles OIL
or fresh beef and vegetables. We shall probabl,
remain here three months; perhaps longer.