, 1860-04-27
NAVAL BATTLE CAPTURE OF TWO STEAM
SHIPS BY U. S. MEN-0F-WAR
LARGE LOSS OF LIFE, ETC.

Browns wharf on Monday morning, 10
days from San Francisco, via Portland.
We are indebted to Wells, Fargo & Co.
for files Of San Francisco papers to the l4th|
inst, and TO j. w. Sullivan for Eastern
papers to the goth March,
The Overland Mail from ST. Louis, with
dates to March 22d, arrived at San Fran
cisco on the 18th inst
We clip the following summary of news
from the San Francisco Herald:
Naval Engagement - Capture Of Two
steamers by U. S. Ships.
Miramon commenced the sege of Vera Cruz Mlrc,
5th On the 9Th. two war steamers, which lett lio-
vana under Gen Mami, appeared before the city pass
ing all the squadron aud refused to show their colOrs
though ordered TO do ~ by shot from the Castle Oi
san Juan d UlJa, and other Signals The English,
French and Spanish vessels,of war took no notice Oi
the fact. Commodore Jarvis ordered Commander
Turner, in the Saratoga, with detichmens from the
Savannah and Prebe, on the steamers lndianoll and
Wave, to proceed to the anchorage Of the two steam
ers of Anton Lizardy, and ascertain their character
As the SJatnga approached, one Of the vessel,
seen 10 move OF, when shot waSIicd ahead IN bring
her TO- according u one account. The lndIanoa,
cording to another account, sent boat with llag to
demand the nationality, when the Cen Mira
mon fired on the boat with cannon and muskctry. A
moment after this the Saratoga fired a brOadsde into
the Miramon, and the action became general Both
steamers hOisted the Spanish flag A spirited
engagement ensued, IN which the Americans had
three wounded-Oue mOrtally And the MeNiCans about
fifteen killed, and between twenty and thirty wound
ed. The result was the capture ol the Gen. Miramon
and Marquee, with most OF the men, and Gen. Marni.
The MiramOn was sent tn New Orleans prize, in
charge Of an American officer, and has arrived there
The Prcble was expected there in few days. with
Zen Marni and some other prisoners aboard the Te.
mainder having been distributed among the other
steamers II said there was much excitement in
Vera Cruz among the French and Spaniaris they de-
nouncng the conduct of the squadron. The prisoners
corroborate this report There were two steamers
cleared from Havana ns merchantmen, and hoised the
Mexican flag after leaving the port and subsequently
they mounted guns. President Mram1n paid Sjj 600
for the two steamers.
The news created profound sensation at Washing
ton. Particulars are awaited with great interest. II
is supposed that the steamers were attacked pirates
and the act :he part Of naval force Is fully
taincd. The Spanish authorities condemned the tit
ting out Of the expedition, act against the Con
stitutOna Government, which the United States rec
OgnZes 1t is believed by some, that they were fitted
out by the Spanish authorities, and sustained by
France.
There were captured with the two steamers. six
mortars, six 2lpOunders, and 20 900 stand OF small
arms. The materials of war were slowed away below
out Of sight, and the men who were Oh board were
forced into service.
4 dispatch from Washington March 2lst SAYS that
there Is the best authority for stating that the capture
Of the steamers not in consequence of line
Of instructions to the commanders Of the squadron
from either the President Secretary Of the Navy,
though the act is fully approved by the Administra-
tion. Yesterday morning Secretaries Cass and Tou-
cey had conference on the subject.
Another dispatch says that the refusal of the steam
ers to show their colors when asked, is sufficient to
place them Ia the position Of pirates. This view Is
adopted by the Administration.
The latest accounts from New Orleans state that
Miramons steamers returned the SaratOgas fire. The
Indianola pursued the Miramon when the latter fired
on her. After the lndianola returned the fire, her
boarded the Mramon at the point Of the bayonet
portion Of the lndianOlas deck carried away
by shot. The Miramon was run aground. The Sar.
atoga brought the Marquee to the two steamers; two
hundred men were killed and forty wounded The
lndianola and Wave had eighty men each. The Pic
1yuRs learns from French prisoners on board the
prize (the Marquez being anchored opposite New Or
leans) that the lighting was done principally by Off
GERS who obliged TO charge and fire the guns,
assisted only by Mexican officers from the shore.
IL is stated that the expedition cost $500 000 most
ly furnished In Havana, by the Government under
secret articles
Capt Turner asked Gen. Marni why he fired on the
American vessels without provOcaton. Marni replied
that the men could not be controlled. He knew the
nationality Of the Saratoga and understood the sig
nails but the menred contrary to his orders. Turner
replied. you entirely responsible for the outrage
Juarez issued proclamation declaring Marni's expe-
don piHtical, and authorized any to capture it.