New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-04-04

UNITED STATES SHIp SARATOGA
OH Vera Cruz Mexico, March s. 1860.
To Capt Jos R. Jarvis Commanding United states Ship sa
. ,Sia.-On the morning of the 9th inst two large
steamers appeared off the harbor of Vera Cruz,
without any flag being hoisted, although gun was
fired from the Castle and the Mexican flag run up
at the same time to induce them to do So. They
were evidently confederates as they never hove to
for some time, communicating with each other.
After several hours, and after communicating with
the Spanish vessels of war at SACRIFICES, which
sent out boat to them, they stood down in the di
diately to place my ship in tow Of two American
steamers here, the Wave and Indianola, which
were placed at your disposal, to follow them, to
ascertain their character, where they were from,
of what nation, where they fitted out, and what
their object upon this coast, and to report to
you the result of these inquiries with all possible
dispatch. sss ygsst
In obedience to these orders, left here about
sunset, in tow of those vessels, on board of each
of which placed a detachment OF about thirty
five men and marines, in case they might 20 into
shoal water, where my ship, with her large
draught, could not follow and communicate with
them. The detachment on board the Wave was
commanded by Lieut.. Joel s. Kennard, of the Sa-
yannah, accompanied by Midshipman Whittle of
the Preble. That Of the lndian0la was commanded
by Lieut. Bryson, of the Preble, accompanied by
Mr.. Joseph Miller, of the same vessel Iient.
Hayes, Of the marine guard Of tile Savannah, and
Lieut.. Meiere, of tho marine guard OF this ship.
proceeded down the coast, making Anton Lizardo,
fifteen miles distant where expected to find
them about midnight, Two large vessels were re-
ported at anchor nj Anton Lizardo. ! stood di
rectly for them. had directed my pilot to anchor
me Immediately between the two vessels At the
moment when I had nearly reached this point, and
the toWof both the little steamers being ahead Of
me, they hailed and reported that the larger
steamer of the two was under way and endeavor-
ing to escape through the southern passage. Il
hailed, and ordered them to pursue him and get
ON board him if possible, as was ordered to COM
mira IN will 1yl otsrtts oil
was on board of this vessel. AT this moment /
fired shot ahead of him to bring him to. AS soon
as they got close to him, which was but few mo-
ments, to my extreme establishment he opened a
heavy fire Of great guns and musketry upon them,
and it was reported to me at the same time that
the other steamer was slipping her cable.
ediately gave him broadside, az had not
the remotest doubt of his being in completely with
and under the orders of the officer OF the Other
steamer, and was afraid that he would go to his
assistance, in which case should have been OBJ
ged to recall my vessels or to have Witnessed then
capture and destruction and as he had the au.
dacity to ire into me without any provocation
whatever, was determined to seize him II could.
He ran up the Spanish flag as soon as ] fred In
the meantime the larger steamer was hoty en-
gagged with the forces on board my two Little
steamers, in running fight. Finding he could not
get out of the southern passage, he mmedaleiy
changed his course, put his head to the nortnwarq
and passed inside of me, to gain the norInern Pa5-
sage, and to keep out OF the way Of my guns IoI
lowed by my vessels warmly engageus wa, and Was
the time He was evidently too iast 10, anu INV az
gaining upon thern rs ne SHOE a aJ shat a,xsg
Got q gun to bear upon HIM ana snot away
r. snaEe stack found now that il was impossi
He 10 fire without danger to my vessels, az they
| 80 an together The chase was continued, and |
ia the midst of the hot re on either sue leouid not
,iese fine fellows, contending with such superior
force They closed upon and grappled with him.
IN spite of his efforts to shake them of Finding It