Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-03-23
THE WAR WIFE MEXICO.
OF THE NAVAL ENGAGEMENT OF
ANTON LIZARDO-OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE
CAPTURE OF MIRAMONS VESSELS OF WAR.


ANTON LIZARDO-OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE
CAPTURE OF MIRAMON'S VESSELS OF WAR.
WASHINGTON, March 90, 1860.
The Secretary of the Navy received the following des
patch late last night which details very briefly the en-
gagement Vera Cruz between Captain Jarvis comman
der of the United States naval forces, and General Marn
who commanded the Spanish or Mramon naval forces
New ORLEANS, March ~, 1860.
Hon Isaac TOUCEY, Secretary of the Navy:
SlR-Lieutenant Chapman left Vera Cruz on the 18th
instant in command of the prize steamer Marquis OF HaS
vana as bearer of dispatches TO the Department from
Captain Jarvis but learning my arrival here this
morning that he had not arrived deem it my duty to
forward the following report to you
On the 9th instant Gen Miramon commenced the siege
of Vera Cruz and the 9th General Marin appeared be-
fore the city with this and another steamer and not
showing his colors Commander Turner, in the Saratoga
with detachments from the Savannah and Prebe IN the
steamers lndanoa and Wave, was ordered 10 proceed
To the anchorage of the steamers of Anton Lzardo and
ascertain their character. Upon nearing them one OF
them was seen to be moving OIL, when shot was fired
ahead of her TO bring her and the ludanoa sent TO
overhaul her. The hail from the lndlnola was replied
TO by 4 fire from the Gen. Miramons guns, and voley
of musketry when the Saratoga fired broadslde, and
the action became general resulting in the capture OF
both of Mlrins steamers, with himself and large num-
Der of his men on board.
Cant. Jarvis ordered both prizes to this port. The
Prebe will be here in few days with Marin and most
of the prisoners on board the being distributed be-
tween tins steamer and the Marquee OF Havana.
Your despatch will reach me here.
Respectfully,
r. D. MINOR, Lieut.. L. 5. Navy.
Commanding prize steamer Gen. Mramon.
Some additional intelligence was received to-day from
Lieutenant Chapman who had reached New Orleans IN
one of the captured steamers bearer OF dispatches 10
opr government The facts which he communicates are
Dearybe same as those contained in Lieut. Minors des
patch He states the engagement with the two Mexican
war steamers OF Mramon's government and says -
am in charge Of one Of tue steamers. The Preble ac
companies the other with the majority OF the prisoners
the loss Of life small, and among the crew only They
fired the first Shot | will be in Washington soon a;
possible The engine OF the vessel commanded by me
broke down at sea BY order of Capt. Jarvis am di
rectad 10 saw the ships Vera Cruz are very short
provisions particularly bread 1t is imprudent for any
of them to leave Vera Cruz at this time in the present
state of feelings there.
Itappears that Captain Jarvis in this affair acted with
out any instructions from this government They had
however sent out instructions by Minister NcLane anc
to the Commander of the Gulf Squadron, that in case al
attempt was made by Miramons vessels 10 blockade era
Cruz or any OF the ports in the Gulf to resist them al
all hazards.
Captain Jarvis who is discreet and gallant officer
with full appreciation Of his duties III protecting Amer
lean citizens and their property against the patcal opc
ratious Of Mramou has undoubtedly carried out the
views and wishes of the administration 10 tue letter.