Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-04-24
THE sPANISfI-CHILIAN WAR.
The Spanish Steamer Blanca Attacked anu
Driven from Il shiIiau Port

[From the Valparaiso Patra del Vapor, March 16, ]
In our last review announced the sailing on the
18th February last, of the Numancia and the Blanca
for the southern waters and that they had been seen
on the 2lst off Talcahuano They were not in very
great hurry to reach Chloe, the place they were
probably bound for, having employed four days in
navigating what can easily be done in thirty-siX
hours.
The object of this expedition, commanded person
ally by Mendez NuneZ, according to all cOnjec-
lures, to ayenge the calamity of Abtao. In Chieo
the Spanish commander was anXiOuSly looked out
for and precautionary measures were taken TO en-
able wooden vessels to contend with the formi-
daole iron clad at lesser disadvantage. Our con-
lectures did not prove erroneous. These two vessels
which, we have already informed our foreign read
ers, are the finest of those composing the enemys
squadrOn-the Numancia, on account of her size and
armor, and the Blanca, having the best crew among
them-these two vessels, with their crews increased
by men from the other ships, On the Ist
instant the eastern side of the island of Chloe
steering for Huite, where the Blanca anchored at so
metres from the shore in the creek named Tubildad
the iron-clad remaining a greater distance off.
Without doubt the commander of the Blanca was
inspired with confidence by the circumstance that
this place but thinly inhabited: but in this he was
mistaken. In Huite Two companies OF national
of the line, Mr. George Wood a son of one of the
Oldest English born officers in the Chilean service
Captain Wood Immediately noticed the weakness of
the position tax UP by the Spaniards, on account
OF their proximity to the shore and consequently,
under darkness of the night marched his men to the
fioe anu pio4eaSI lgnal q u aoSiScae; at dayght
of the frigate Blanca, causing them heavy losses
ana 0DllglHg them TO take refuge on the deck
in the greatest confusion and disorders: after so do
ing he spread his sharpshooters so as not to
expose them masse to the shot and shell of the
enemy.
They fired about two hundred rounds but did no
damage. They then retired, making sail for the an
chorage of the allied squadron As soon as they ar
rived in sight, without daring to attack they bouted
ship and returned to the island of Santa Maria near
to ota and Coronel. When there they seized the
British merchant steamer Packet of Maule bound
for Monteyideo, with one hundred and twenty-three
passengers, the Italian bark Dos Hermanos and the
Prussian bark Union, loaded with coal. The steamer
is supposed to have been seized under the impression
that she carrying contraband of war, and the
barks for having on board coal from the mines of
COrone which article MendeZ Nunez has declared as
such. So it seems that the fury of the Spaniards
cooled down little sighting, at anchor the YES
sells of the allied squadron, and that the san
culinary combat of Tuhildad was not sufficient to
urge them to active measures. They have avenged
themselves for the combat Of Abtao by seizing mer-
chant vessels belonging TO neutrals.!
We understand that the representatives, of the ma
tons to whom belong the captured vessels, will claim
them. The Spaniards have returned to the bay,
bringing In the two naval prizes They have sent on
shore the of the steamer retaining the passen
gers This is all that has occurred with respect to
the war.
A remarkable proclamation of the President of
Bolivia announces to the people that he will soon
sign the coalition against Spain. The same is expect
ed from Columbia and Venezuela There is no more
gDOken of m