The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-05-05
OF the Bombnrdmcnt OF Val
nurn{so.

The Panama Stars correspondent, after COM
mentlng upon the barbarity of the bombardment
OF Valparaiso-which was dofenceless, without a
gun to reply or vossel to stand by t-statos that
from fifteen to twenty millions worth of property
is destroyed, nearly all belonging to British,
American and other foreign merchants, including
allthe commercial parts Of the town, the custom
house, Government buildings, &c. The CORES
pondent gives tho following particulars OF tho
bombardment:
1t is said that tho Spanish commander had re-
ceIved orders from Madrid to destroy, burn and
desolate, To- the utmost of his power, all Chilian
and Peruvian towns and property On tho coast,
and III pursuance Of these orders, on the 9th of
March he sent on to the commHndant of Yalpa-
ralso and notified the FOL eign representatives that
III four days he would lombard the city. The four
days ho allowed for tho removal OF the sick
Against this every foreign representative protest.
ed in tho most energetic manner. The British
residents we're promised protection and tho inter-
ferenco of Admiral Denmar and tho English
squadron.
Tho American Commodore (Rodgers) promptly
placed his squadron for corporation against
Span shonld the threatened 6ombardment be
| attempted, and the representative OF France was
equally ready to take the responsibility on his own
part of joining with the American and English
commanders to prevent the airocity, but ut last
the English Admiral drew back He sail he could
not interfere except automatically, and British
1ntorrs ts must look out for themselves on shore
Commodore Rodgers shrunk from undertaking
active resistance to the Spanish fleet when the
British commander had receded from the position
no had hrst taken up. Earnestly and most ur-
gently did the American Charge d fairs General
hlpatriek) and Commoaore Rodgers labor to
save the town, bnt nj in vain. While this was
going on time lost, and the day of tho bonn
bardment came on and the neutrnls hal still their
property in the cusom-house and their stores.
On the 3lst tho frigates Sutlej and Leander,
with the Devastation and storeship Nerons, left
the bay to take a safe anchorage outside. The
American ships had also tn get ont OF the way,
and about A. NJ. the enemy's vessels began to
take up positions over against tho town. The
Resolution WAS placed opposite the Central rail
way, station, the Vile dc Madrid and Blanca
twelve hundred yards from the custom house, the
Vencedora close in shore to destroy the dwelling
houses, and the Admirers ship Munancia remain.
| ed outside eignalizng orders.
house, to the cry OF "Viva Ia lsena." The others others
followed. each selecting some point on Which to
pour its share of destruction. For nearly three
hours the fro was kept up, without intermissiun.
TO the baths adjoining the Hotel de la Union and
the flames rapidly spread III three Streets but the
Fencedora did not desist Her shot continued to
rain on that part OF the town up to the last mo;
ment OF the bombardment with terrible and fatal
regularity.
On the other side the custom-house took fire at
IL 45, but there was NO cessation OF firing from
the shps; indeed, the Spaniards knew Only one
consideration, viz: that Valparaiso had been
given up to Thorn to wreak their vengeance on it /
At 1913 p NJ, the Munancia signalled to desist,
and the vessels OF the squadron drew off, The
people Of the town. who had crowded the sur
rounding hills during the bombardment, at ouce
rushed into town to e1tingnish the fires.
Such is the record OF this event, Which leaves
crippled for long time. We appeal to tho sym
pathy of England and America. We fear that this
work 30 begun, has only boon begun. Caldera,
Cngniabo and the ports Of Peru viii also he de-
less places, and they will fare worse than we have
done. - g'.al3 - ~ -