The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-06
A Brilliant Affair OF our Gallant Navy.
4" Enthusiasm as the lcord !"

An article appeared recently in the newspapers of the
United States giving the Mexican account OF the opera
tons of the soop Cyane at Guaymas and representing
that the attack repeed and the assailants ngori-
ously driven off We have been furnished by friend in
New York. to whom it was addressed, with the follow
ing of the visit OF the Cyane to that port which,
though not official, is believed to be correct
The affair resulted in the successful accomplishment of
Commander Du Points Objects and the details exhibit
newed proof that the spirit which has, in times past
cred the navy with honor still exists and will display it.
self whenever opportunity presents itself.
The official dispatches may be daily expected.
an account of the bombardnlent of Guaynas and the
cutting ont Of the Merican brig Condor, from under
e s aoyy ~cs syy q the sns y b. uP os
Oct. 7, 1916, by an officer on board,
''We had been cruising in the Gull Of California about
three weeks and had visited La Paz Loreo, and Mu,
lage, the Peninsula side of the gulf to establish and
give notice OF our blockade, and we were also IN
pursuit OF two Mexican gun-boats. we went INTO
the harbor of Guaymas, situated in the province
of Sonora the east side of the gulf, in latitude
2s degrees NORTH Monday October 5, 1876 and came
to anchor in the same harbor at o'clock p m, distant
from the town about one mile We soon discovered the
one boat already hauled up in fr9n OF the town, the
other they actively engaged in hauling up near the
first
.They were also dismantling and dischargng the brig
Condor which was hauled close in. No attention was
paid by us TO these doings A large concourse Of
the CllZenS, STOng array OF were dsSel
bled upon hill, situated in the front and central part
of the town, the flag staff TO witness arrival
and the fight likely to off, by their intended resist
ance to landing Just before shutdown, we sent
an unarmed boat on board the neutral vessels
in the harbor to give the notice OF blockade
short time after the return OF our boat we had visit
from captain of one of the neutral vessels who informed
Captain Du Pont, that the authorities shore
ious to communicate; that they had strong military
force shorethe Snooa battalion. distinguished Tor
good discipline and bravery had arrived only the day
beforehand that they had 500 men under arms, breathing
defiance; that they had compelled our consul to leave
the place some days previous "a note was received
at the time he left saying that he had left agent and
requesting that note be taken Of his sgnaure and that
after hove in sight they determined to haul and dis
mantle the gun oats and that they had that morning
ceved letters and newspapers from the city OF Mexico, and
gave items of news that Gen Taylors army was in
creased to 900, and that Col keanys force, numbers
ing $500, was marching south from santa Fe
On the morning OF the 9th, about 9 o'clock, Captain
Du Pont sent communication, by flag Of truce, to the
commanding officer shore, informing him OF the for,
beaance that had been extended toward the persons and
property OF the places had visited in the gull that
they had all readily yielded to his moderate demands and
concluded by requesting the delivery to him OF the two
sells in the port The Mexican commandment desired (and
was giyen) three hours to answer this communication
Within that time Mexican boat, bearing flag OF truce,
came off with two officers, with the reply, which was
refusal to comply with the demand, as not COMFORTING
with their military national honor In the course of
the afternoon Captain Du Pont sent his utmatum, by
flag of truce. that unless his demands were complied
with by 10 O'Clock the next day, he would take the Mex
lean vessels by force and that the military must evacuae
the town, he would be obliged to fire upon it. The
officer that delivered this letter ordered to have
interview with agent which the military commander
refused him The neutral vessels directed to haul
out of the range of shot We hoised out our launch,
and warped in nearer the town.
son the morning Of the It'll hauled in still nearer TO
the town, and close the water would allow at
high tdeew water leaving us aground; our distance
then being to the nearest point OF the town 100 yards
We sprung starboard broadside upon the town. At
o'clock Mexican boat, with flag of truce, oft,
bearing Mexican officer with reply to Captain Du
Points last communication; the reply was a peremptory
refusal TO comply with his terms, somewhat detyng,
with spnnkHng OF gasconade Accompanying the off-
who brought the reply four PERSONS represent
ing themselves neutral merchants residing in Quay
mas they brought letter from the Spanish consul in
PRODUCING them to that effect they desired that hosties
might not commence for three days to allow them
time TO their effects They stated that not
woman or child remained in the place, and that 500
men were under arms. They admitted they had known
of the two months and had been apprised of our
visit four days. Captain Du Pont shrewdly suspect
ed that the object OF these merchants was not sim
ply personal as they unaccompanied by agent,
and did not bring line from him. Subsequent events
strongly confirmed The suspicion for they gave their as
surance when it urged that granting their requests
would give time to the enemy to throw up batteries and
rentorcements that it was impossible for the
forces shore receive any increase during the time
yet, the evening of the next day, three hundred armed
Indians, mounted rode into the place, they being the adj
of body OF seven hundred, that Join them
the next day. These Indians armed by the Mexi-
cans and subsidiary to them. Captain Du Pont final
B told them that he had been refused the courtesy of an
interview with the American agen-hat he had received
deiyng letter from the military COMMUNICATIVE all he
could do under the circumstances would be to extend his
terms one hour, which was the time they had lost
board They showed off few minutes after O'Clock ;
their boat had been on shore only few minutes, and
before 10 O'Clock both the gun-boats were discovered
with the Mexican flag flying and on fire, which was