Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1860-03-31

I
testify tbat they shipped at Havana on
board the steamer Gen. Miramon, on the
Goth Of February. They we're to have
months pay in advance, another months pay
on their arrival on the coast, and a free pas
sage back again to Havana.
They sailed from Havana on goth Of
February, under the Spanish Gag. After
they got outside, however, the Meaieau flag
wus raised. The crew demanded their pay
according 10 promise, but did not get it,
The next two days nothing Of importance
occurred The third day the Marques de
la Habana breke down, Rad they were
obliged to put into Sjsal. Here it was that
they fell in with the Spanish mail steamer
Mexico, from Vera Cruz, and bound to
havasa. Signals were exchanged, and
when the vessels approached nearer, they oil
shouted, "Hurrah for Miramon"
This, say the prisoners, was the FIRST intim-
alton they bad Of the character of the expe-
dtiou, They did not even know that they
carried materials of war. The eannons,
small arms, ammunition, &C., were slowed
away below, out Of sight.
The next day, however, the guns were
mounted, and both steamers perfectly fitted
up as men-ot.war. New clothing was also
distributed among the crew, bearing the
name Of Gen. Mramon in gold leaf Some
OF the crew at FIRST refused to change, but
all finally yielded per force.
The expedition then continued its voyage.
and came in sight of Vera Cruz a little be-
fore noon the M rning Of the 9th. At IL n
they were signalled from the Castle as sus-
picious steamers. They approached the
town from the sea, as il from the Uorlh,
and passed directly under the Castle. A
shot from the fortress orderd them to come
to and show their coors They gave it no
heed. The Z S, sloop-oEwar Savannah was
| then anchored near the Castle. She also
| signalled the stesmers to show their colors.
They gave no more heed to her, however,
than they did to the Castle, but pursued
their coruse, past Sacrfcios, direct to An
: ton Lizardo. At the former place, the
French Spanish and English men-of-war
were all anchored but there seems to have
: been no communication with them nor in
deed did they appear to notice the suspicious
vessels.
As before stated, Capt. Jarvis mmedi.
ately ordered Capt Turner, of the Sarato-
ga, to go in pursuit. The Saratoga got
under way at half past eight in the even
ing. She was towed down by Gen. Col.
couria's steamship Iudianola, Capt Fland-
ers, from New Orleans and the steamer
Wave, also an American vessel, but for
some time past in the service of the Jua.
Fez government as coast steamer.
The three vessels arrived at Anton Liar
| l. IL l.zc L. = =.
safe harbor, some Is miles below Vera
Cruz, and well protected by reefs on every
side. Here Miramon had previously hoist.
ed flag to indicate the place of rendcz
s vous. Both steamers still had steam up
= and seemed to have taken position as if tc
b. make good their escape, if pursued. On
the arrival, however, of the Saratoga they
we're buSily engaged communicating with
the shore, and, though the moon was shin
D ing as bright as day, did not see her sp
proach TILL too late. They were dreadfuly
frightened and did not seem to be decided
at first, what course to pursue In the
meantime, the Saratoga sent out small
boat to demand their nationality. They
fred upon it twice.
The French prisoners above mentioned
declare that the resistance on board both
the captured steamers was done principally
by the officers in command. They charged
and discharged the cannon with their own
hands and did most of the fighting. In
this however, they had the assistance Of
six or eight other officers, who came on
board the steamers Immediately after they
made the harbor. These last as indeed all
! the Officers fought bravely. Marin, iu par.
ticular, fought like tiger.
The number of killed and wounded was
40 The former are said to have been
thrown overheard at once. The latter were
, FIRST taken on board the Saratoga, and af
} terwards to Vera Cruz OF the $50 men
e three-fourths at least are believed to- bt
Spaniards. The rest were French, Portu
guese, Americans, and Coolies from Man
; lila.
Among the prisoners more particularly
r mentioned are Sr. Rafael aud the Abb,
. Chandron, well known at Vera Cruz. Th,
j.. all important captive, however, is Commo
dore Marin himself
When Marin came on board the Saratc
go, Capt. Turner asked him why he haC
} thus fred upon American vessels, withou
duy pIOfOCdiiOu huatefcTI anu III fIOldIlO
of every rule of honorable warfare
Marin replied that his men were compos
ed of all sorts Of people, had been but re
Gently shipped, were badly disciplined ant
could not be controlled. He confessed tha
g he knew the Saratoga to be an American
1t vassels and that he understood all her sig
ID nails, but protested that he did not order {
le shot to be fired.
\ lie declared, moreover, that he CAV,
4. contrsry orders, but could not control BIZ
. men.
Capt Turner listened to ohisprotestation.
'e in silence ani then added "You hay,
% been guilty Of great outrage. You alone
K are responsible Tor th,s unhappy affair anC
70 upon you rests the responsibility"
y Marin responded meekIy, that be regret
q ted il very much, whereupon Capt. Turne
5. left him to bis sorrow, aud turned away.
!. Marin is said to have lived AZ Havana
d while the expedition was being fitted ont
!. in the house Of the Captain of the Pert
a and all the prisoners declare that the arms
! munitions aud stores werePut on board wit
the knOWledOa of the OOTernnneDt