The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-04-11
WHOLE NO. 1872.
Particulars OF the Capture of the Mexi-
can Steamers.


Much has been said by the newspapers OF
the country about the seizure of the two
Mexican steamers in the Gulf, by our squad
ron. The following particulars we take
from the New Orleans Picayune, so every
one may form opinions for themselves
The news comes from four prisoners ofwar,
who shipped under the Spanish flag at Ha-
vana:
The third day the Marques de la Habana
broke down, and they were obliged to put
into Sisal. Here it was that they fell in
with the Spanish mail Steamer Mexico, from
Vera Cruz, and bound to Havana. Signals
were exchanged, and when the vessels ap-
preached nearer, they all shouted, "1lurrah
for Miramon.'
This, says the prisoners was the first in
timation they had of the character of the
expedition. They did not know that they
carried materials of war. The cannons,
small arms ammunition, etc, were slowed
away in the hold.
The next day, however, the guns were
mounted, and both steamers perfectly fit
ted up as en-of-war. New clothing was
also distributed among the crew, bearing
! the name Of Gen. Miramon, in gold leaf
Some Of the crew at first refused to change,
but all finally yielded per force.
The expedition then continued its voyage.
On their approach to Vera Cruz they fell
in with a vessel from which they learned
that the city was beseigcd. Cannonading
had been heard the morning before. The
guns were now charged and manned, and
orders issued to lower the Mexican flag
Atfirst the prisoners say they thought the
English colors were to be raised instead, as
they had been several times, during the late
fete in Uaxn This, Of course, was moi
done. Eotns kssrs made their appear
ance before Vera Cruz, as before stated
without any colors. The captain said il
was not necessary.
The steamers came in sight of Xers
Cruz little before noon on the l
the 9Th It - NJ. thek~eresj ID from
the castle as suspicious steamers. They
approached the town from the sea, and as i
from the north, and passed directly under
the castle.
A shot from the fortress ordered them t
come to and show their colors. They CAV
it no heed. The United States sloop of wa
She also signaled the steamers to show thei
colors. They gave no more heed to her
however, than they did to the castle, bu
pursued their course, past Sacriticios, di
rect to Anton Lizardo. 49,"
At the former place, the French, Spanisl
and English men-of-war were all anchored
but there seems to have been no communi
cation with, nor did they appear to motto
the steamers.
As before stated, Captain Jarvis immed
ately ordered Captain Turner of the Saratt
GA, to 60 in pursuit The Saratoga got un
der way at halfpast 8 in the evening. Sh
was towed by Gen. Goicoura's steamship
Indianola, Captain Flanders from this port
and the steamer Wave, also an American
vessel, but for some time past in the servic
Of the JuareZ government as coast steam,
: er Each Of them had two guns and eight
men on board. \ portion Of these wer
United States marines, ordered theSsp
from the Savannah and Prebe, for the oe
casion.
The three steamers arrived at -An(nX
zardo little before midnight.
very safe harbor, some tifte9
Vera Cruz, and we'll protected BY t.
} flag to indicate the place of rendezT6t,
Both steamers had steam up, and SCENE
; to have taken position as if to make goo
their escape, if pursued. On the arriva
however, of the Saratoga, they were busil
engaged communicating with the shore
: and, though the moon was shining clear a
) the time, did not see her approach till to
late. They were dreadfully frightened, an
; did not seem to be decided at first what t
, do.
! In the meantime, the Saratoga sent out
: small boat to demand their nationality. -
They fired upon it twice as before stated
= The Saratoga then opened a broadside upo
e the Gen. Miramon, on Board of which wa
! Com Marin, and came near sinking her Il
the first shot. The steamer returned tn
shot. but in the meantime, got under way
naturally anxious to get out of so hot
place. The Indianola pursued and 500
} came up with her The Miramon shove
} fight, but the Indianola retuned her fir
and finally boarded her at the point of tn
! bayonet
1t was in this engagement that the Ind
anola had her pilot house carried away by
cannon shot. She received other sligf
damages, but nothing to in any way disabl
her. Nor does any one on board appear
i. have been wounded, except Gen. Giocour
who received slight flesh wound on one {
his hands.
: While all this was going on, the Saratoe
was paying her respects to the Marques q
: la Habana. This was the vessel whic
cleared from Havana as a Spaniard Sf
: cid not offer much resistance. A singl
e shot from the Saratoga brought her to, an
! then for the first time she hoisted the Spar
/. ish flag.
! This affair finished, the Wave, until no,
! in attendance on the Saratoga, went to tn
: aid of the Indianola, from which the Ger
\ Miramon was making desperate effort
$ escape, after once boarded. In her tligh
Y however, she ran aground, and after ie'
5 shots, finally surrendered.
1 The Miramon was not gotten off, howev
I er, until two days afterwards, and then onl
9 by the aid of her consort, the MARQUES d
$ la Habana. She was finally towed int
Vera Cruz by the Indianola, while tn
f Marques de la Habana had the unexpecte
: honor of returning the compliment by tow
}, ing back the Saratoga.
The French prisoners above mentione
declare that the resistance on board bot
| the captured steamers was done principal
t by the officers. They charged and discha,
t ged the cannon with their own hands, an
did most of the fighting. In this, however
they had the assistance of six or eight off
: GERS, who came on board the steamers in
G mediately after they made the harbor.-
t These last, as indeed all the officers blustel
| ed considerably at first, parading then
J selves on deck with drawn swords, but fir
ally fought bravely. Marin, in particular
| fought like a tiger.
The number of prisoners captured is nc
, stated, and but few of their names are gi,
en-. The two steamers are said to have ha
$50 men on board, and but few escaped
Besides all those who came on board at Ar