The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-03-24

The naval Engagement IN shs Gulf.
The St. Louis Nescs presents the clearest
statement OF the recent events near Vera
Orus, and of the causes which led to them,
which we have seen. We therefore transfer
il TO our columns, only adding that Mr.. Bu-
chanan's administration is understood to ia
vor the government of Juarez, the leader of
the Liberals, while Miramon 10 understood
TO be the leader of the Church party:
The telegraph this morning, bringus ex-
citing intelligence from the Gulf. The
empty marching, countermarching, and man
muyering that have been going on in the
neighb0rhood OF Vera Cruz, have at last, re-
suited in an actual naval engagement between
the U. 3. steamer Saratoga, and the Mexican
steamers Gen. Miramon and Marquess, In
which both the latter were captured. They
are now safely anchored Of the New Orleans
wharf as prizes OF the United States. For
the information of our readers, we give an
explanation of the causes that led to this
affair.
Vera Cruz is the stronghold of the Juarez,
or Liberal party in Mexico, defended on land
by garrison OF 5000 or 1900 men, and
protected in front by the formidable Castle
of San Juan de Ulloa. For several weeks
Miramon has been meditating an attack on
the place by land, aided by an assault from
the Gulf, which, it was understood, has been
in course of secret preparation at Havana.
During this time, American, French, and
British .squadrons have been stationed at
Vera Crux to protect the interests of their
respective flags from violence, and their citi
Eens from outrage, by the contsnding fao-
tions. The American squadron, rs being the
favorite Of the Liberal party, was allowed to
anchor under the gons of the Castle. On
the Goth Of February, Miramon, having COM
pleied his preparations for the seige, took up
his position with 5000 men, and we'll pro-
vided seigc train, four miles from Vera Cruz.
The inhabitants OF the city, aware that IN
expedition from Havana was expected, petit
toned Commodore Jarvis to capture it as
soon as it madeits appearance, and thus save
the oty from bombardment. The Commodore
did not give decisive answer to this, but dc.
termined to await the course of events. On
the 9th inst, two steamers-thc Gen. Mira
mon, and the Marqnese, from Havana-sp.
fused to show their flag. Com. Jarvis order
ed the Saratoga, Capt. Turner, with detach
ments from the Savannah and the Preble on
proceed to the anchorage to ascertain the
character of the suspicious vessels. When
the Saratoga, towed by the lndianols, ap-
preached, the steamers tried to escape, and
Capt. Turner sent boat with flag, to de-
mand their nationality. The boat was fred
at by the steamers, the fire was returned by
broadside from the Saratoga, and the fight
began in good earnest, the steamers having
hoisted the Spanish flag.
After spirited action, Gen. Marin, the
commander of the Gen. Miramon and the
Marquese, surrendered with his officers and
crew, and the captured vessels were delivered
up to the Americans. The loss on the Ameri-
can side was three wounded, one Of them
morsally. The enemy had fifteen killed, and
twenty or thirty taken prisoners. The cap
tured vessels have been sent with the crews
to New Orleans.
IL was said there was much excitement at
Vera Cruz on account of the affair, the Span.
ish and French denouncing the conduct Of
our squadron in the bisterest terms.