The Shasta courier., 1861-07-13
The SackiHg of Old Panama.

The sacking of old Panama, in 1911, by
Captain Henry Morgan and force of 100
Buccaneers, is thus described by writer of
thirty years ago. Having recounted the tolls
and starvation of nine days march, on foot,
across the Isthmus, he says:
In the evening the steeple of Panama was
beheld at n distance, and forgetting all their
sufferings,. the Buccaneers gave way to the
most rapturous exultation, tossing their caps
in the air, -leaping, shouting, beating their
drums and sounding their trumpets, at the
sight of so glorious a plunder, and as if
victory were already consummated. They
encamped for the night near the city, intend
ing to make the assault early in the morning.
The same night party of fifty, horsemen
came out as if reconncitering, and advanced
within musket shot of the pirates; they..scorn-
fully challenged s'the dogs" to come on, and
then retired, leaving six or eight of their
number to watch the enemy's motions.
Upon this, the great guns of the town be-
gan to play upon the snemy's camp, but
were too far distant OF i'll directed to do any
execution, and instead of betraying alarm,
the Buccaneers, having. placed sentinels
around their camp. made another voracious
meal preparatory to the next days business,
threw themselves upon. the grass, and, lulled
by the Spanish artillery slept soundly till the
dawn.
The camp was astir betimes, and the men
being mustered and arrayed, with drums and
trumpets sounding, they advanced towards
the city but instead of taking the ordinary
route, which the Spaniars were prepared to
defend, by the advice of one of the Indian
guides they struck through the woods, by a
tangled and difficult path, in which, however,
immediate obstruction could be apprehended.
Before the Spaniards could counteract this
unexpected movement, the Buccaneers had
advanced some way. The Governor of Pan.
anna, who led the forces, commanded 20C
cavalry and four regiments of infantry, and
a number of Indian auxiliaries conducted an
immense herd of wild bulls to be driven
among the Buccaneers, and which were ex.
pected would throw them into disorder.
This extraordinary arm of war was viewed
by the hunters of Hispaniola and Campeachy
with indifference but they were somewha,
alarmed at the regular and imposing array
of troops drawn up to receive them. 1t was,
however, too late 80 retreat They divided
into three detachments, two hundred dexter
Gus marksmen leading the advance They
now stood on the top of little eminence,
whence the whole Spanish force, the city and
the fiat open country around were distinctly
seen. As they moved downward, the Span
ish cavalry, shouting .'Vive ell Rey," imme-
ilately advanced to receive them, but the
ground being soft and marshy, greatly OBJ
structed the maneuyres of the horsemen. The
advance of the Buccaneers, all picked marks.
men, knelt and received them with a volley,
and the conflict instantly became close and
hot. The Buccaneers, throwing themselves
between the Spanish horse and foot, succeed
ed in separating them, and the wild bulls,
taking fright from the tumult and the noise
of the guns, ran away, or were shot by the
Buccaneers before they could effect any mis-
chief
After contest of two hours, the Spanish
cavalry gave way. Many were killed, and
the rest fed. which the foot soldiers perceiv-
ing, fred their last charge. threw down theiI
muskets, and followed the example of the
cavalry.
Some of them took refuge in the thickets
though the Buccaneers did not continue the
pursuit. they took a savage pleasure In shoot
Ing without mercy all who accidentally fell
into their hands In this way several priests
and friars, who were made prisoners. were
pistoled by the orders of Morgan. A Spanish
officer who was made prisoner, gave the Buc-
cancers minute intelligence of the force of the
enemy and the plan of the defense, which en-.
abled them to approach the town from the
safest point !. but the advance was still at
tended with difficulty.
After the route in the open field had taken
place, and the slaughter which followed, the
Buccaneers rested for q short time, and dur
ing this pause solemnly pledged their honor,
by oath, never to yield while single man
remained alive.
This done, carrying their prisoners with