The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1851-09-17
From the Pennsyiraaia Inquirer.


i to our readers, that Havana has been three
times captured. Such, however, is The fact.
The infant city and fortress were founded by
= Velasco, the conqueror Of Cuba, IN the be-
ginning Of the sixteenth century. The city
r was first captured and burnt by the French.
, in the war between Henry II. OF France, and
5 Charles V. Of Spain and Germany. The
Preach, on this occasion, smeared over the
doors and wood work Of all The houses with
pitch, and then fired them. The walls at
The city we're also de molishe6 and the fort
destroyed.
II was next taken BY Morgsn, the bueea.
neer ehleitain-sbose name has been de.
servedly handed down tn an infamous nolori
ety-in 1869. The pirates, on tina, oceas on
committed their usual atfociues Of arson, rob
berry torture, violation and murder. Nor.
gan was ANXIOUS Ia retain his bloody conquest,
only he could not then obtain the protection
OF The Engll.h government. To the disgrace
IF Charles ii he was, after Imprisonment and
fine only, for his macy enofmliles, actually
knghted, aud thencsforward was known as
Sir Henry Morgan.
I The third capture Of Havana was IN l762,
40 accom-, OF which evest. 90 give IN the
language Of Lord Mahen, from his eslsbra.
ted historical work:
The next object for our arms in the West
Indies was not French but Spanish. o. the
9th Of March, 1862, an expedition against
the Havana had sailed from Portsmouth,
commanded by General the Earl Of Abe.
maIle and Admiral SIR George Pocock. II
was joined on it, way by a share Of the squad
ron which had conquered Marusco the
whole force, after hi. addition, amounting TO
nineteen ships Of the line, eighteen smsller
ships Of war, and $50 transports with TO-.
600 soldiers on board. They made good
their landing near Inc Havana without oppo
sltion, but on approaching the city fouad
themselves bes.t wi'h the most formidable
obstacles. FRS, among these might be rec
koned the climate, which, at the summer
senson, to which his enterprise had been de.
isysd, and With The need u exposure Of &c.
tive service, is dangerous. nay deadly, TO m
European frame. The cuy Itself, tho like
most other sea paints ia Cubs destitute OF
natural strength, had been fortified with The
utmost skill, cost and care, Rs the great mart
and centre Of the Spanish Amercan trade. .
Within the hatbor lay twelve ships Of the
hae; within the fampa''- garrison which,
including the country militia, VAS not lnfe
nor Ia force 10 the besIegets. Besides the
strong work aanked with bastions which de. .
Tended the main bod, Of the place, the mar.
row entrance OF the harhor was secured By
two forts deemed well nigh Impregnable, he
forts Of Puu,al and Of Moro. Il was against
The Moro that he Engll,h first directed their
attack, They began on the l2lh OF June 10
construct their batteries bu, so thin was he
soil, and 80 hard the rocs beneath, that they /
advanced but very slowly. The sesmen,
however, cordially co operated with Inc sol
dlers by their JaiBt exertions the bsttcrie.
we're al length completed. md the cannon
dragged with proilgious labor over a long
ext-rl Of shore. Several Of The m~a Of work
dropped down dead With heat thirst and "a.
tgue. At length the artillery Of the bcsieg
efs began 10 play upon The or, ard some
vigorous saIiles were steadily fepu.ed. One
morning three ships Of the Englsh feet sta.
toned themselves as close as they could TO
the Moro, and attempted by their fire to dis. I
mount lls guns, but lhev we're compelled to I
wI'hdfaw, after slight effect upon the enemy,
and g'ea, progress 10 themselves. Many .
days elapsed with lllle damage, nevertheless (
the besIeges continued undaun,cd and to-
wards the close OF July they we're cheered
BY the arrival Of some expected renlorcs. I
menis from New York. Ga The 30th Of that /
month the mines having been sprung, and a I
practicable breach effected thou ) silll mar.
70" and difficulty the EsgIl,h troops march
ed up 10 The assault. The enemy dad not on
tals occasion display the same in'ieplduy as
IN their iotmer ssll'rs many threw dusn
their arms and cried fsr qpariets; many 9th 1
ers rushed huadlopg towards the water,
where they peflshed yet their Ulcers set
Them gallant example, and II was not until I
both their first and second N command tDou .
LUIS de Velasco and he Marquis de Gunza
les) bad fallen mortality. wounded ths, the
besIegers stood victorious on the SUNNI, Of
the castle wall.
The Moro thus conquered, the batteries
we're forthwith raised agsins, he Havana il.
self, and on the | lth Of August thor fire be
gao. Wth,n SIX hours they had sllenced
nearly oil the enemy's guns Gag. Of Truce
hen appeared from every quarter Of the .
town, and = capiuIaiInn ensued by which
not only the Havana, but the distiic, $50
miles to he westward, and all the ships ~
harbor, were yielded 10 The Eaghsh. This
capilna'ion was not sigped u6tIl the morning.
Of The l3h though the l2th has been more
commonly alleged, for the sake Of connect
ing his susplclous event with the birth day
OF the Prince Of Wales. II came IN good
time the English had already les, above
+ 100 from sickness or the sword. and fad
/ Il asserted that 81 the time OF the surrender
no more than $500 renamed capable Of real
service.
Treasure md merchsndizs Of immense Va