The republic., 1851-06-06
Destruction OF the Pfratical Settlements OF
6ulOo by the SpamtArts.

Destruction OF the Pfratical Settlements OF
sulOo by tho spaniards.
The Spaniards Gas we learn from English news
papers) have carried into effect their threatened
chastsement Of the Sultan and people Of suloo but
attended with great sacrifice ofhuman life, with
out comprising any ultimate object. The partic-
uars of the fall of this nest Of pirates is interest
ing:
"The expedition sailed from Zamboanga on the
10Th February. Owing to the cf1ect of strong cur
rents and other cOntrssmPs the corvettes Villa dc
Bilboa and Bilbaino both grounded on q coral reef
to the eastward of the island of Pangasinan, when
the former vessel commenced making twenty feet
Of water an hour. Both vessels were extricated, /,
and on the 26th the expedition sighted Suloo Eve
ry preparation had been made to offer most for
midable resistance. general order having been
issued announcing the plan Of attack, the disem-
barkation Of the troops commenced early on Febru-
ary 26th. The shores, forts, and houses are de-
scribed crowded with natives eager TO begin the
fray, and three ofthcm were mpetuous as TO rush
the first column OF troops; two OF them were shot,
while the third threw himself upon sergeant, whom
lie slew with lance. The fret drawing ofSpanish
bood heated the imagination Of the troops and the
assailant fell amid shower of balls. Save this in
cdent the troops marched on regardless of the fire
of the enemy; their advance in regular order, not
withstanding the narrowing influence Of the guns,
nstonished the Suloos. In the mean time the three
steamers and brig Of war opened brisk and ef-
fectivo fire on the fortresses, doing much cxecu-
ton; the corvettes anchored on the right and dis
town where masses of natives were seen. The
success of the firing mainly attributable TO the
circumstance of the engineer officers seating them
selves on the nass, from whence they took the an
giles of the forts, &C., and gave instructions for the
elevation ofthe guns with degree of accuracy and
precision not otherwise attainable. The fire di-
rected to the left ceased about midday; this division
was under the personal command Of the governor
general, who made an assault on Fort Daniel, re-
garded by the Suloos the strongest in the place
On the right the firing was kept up until haifpast
one.
"In advancing to the assault of Fort Daniel, the
troops barred their breasts and pressed on. The
fire from the forts is said to have been incessant
and tremendous, and the resistance offered ex-
puted amidst cries Of viva la Reina' on the ono
hand, and the war yell the other. All their
hope Of security lay on Fort Daniel; here the fight
was maintained, the slaughter fearful each in sue
cession possessing themselves of the place; but
eventually the Suloos were expelled. The Spanish
flag was hoisted on the fortress by Father Pascual
Ibanez, priest of the order of Recoetos, who paid
for his daring by being slain. Tho assailants on
the right had little to overcome; the Sultan's and
other forts in that direction had been abandoned.
The Sultan, in escaping from his fort, accompa-
MED by his Datoos and large force of SuoOs, en-
countered the right division, which appears to have
and two colonies Immediately after battle
placed in arrest, and will bo tried by court mar
tial for cowardicc. Had these officers acted with
decision, the Sultan must have been either slain
made captive, and his escape naturally vexcd the
intrepid governor general. The left division suf-
fered loss OF thirty three killed and eighty -four
wounded, while the loss of the other division was
single man.
.'The defenders of Fort Daniel fought to the
last; every one o them pctshed. The whole Of
the forts and part of the town were destroyed on
the night; the captured artillery, consisting
of one hundred and thirty pieces of ordnance and
a quantity of ammunition, were embarked. The
number of the defenders slain could not be asccr-
tanned, but must have been considerable. The ex-
Had rkoo laoxy
Spanish flag floating the ruins of the deserted
city of Suloo. Owing to the advanced period of
the monsoon, and the difficulties Of following the
general did nos carry out his promised cxtermina-
ton, but he will probably return to the work when
the time is more favorable"