The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-05-02

thought proper 70 that DarDarouS
war tho smaest pretext which may serve TO excuse It,
or this purpose he has given instructions 10 order your
Excellency as follows
You win address the chief OF the enemy, DON Casio
hendez Nuiez proposing TO him combat between the
maritime forces which Chile and Peru have at their dis
posa and those which the Spanish chief has under his
command As these latter forces are at present ncom.
paraby superior to the former not only on account OF
the number Of their guns but also on account OF the
ronplating and other advantages Of the figate Nu
manca this vessel ought to take part in the combat
and the elements Of aggression to be employed IN It
the fogs and channels of Chile may not be reason to
refuse this proposition, let the engagement take place
Peruvian squadron viii Immediately proceed Further
more the details of the combat to be arranged by the
Commodore OF the naval forces OF the United states 10
these waers who kindly consents to act as judge the
combat.
present II Spain sincerely desires peace. II the
brave and chivalrous spirit which she boasts be not
vain words Mr. Mendez Nunez hardly fail to admit
International duel which is equally in consonance
with the loyalty of civilized war; the interests of peace
and humanity, and which will spare him the perpetra'
strument in bombsrding Valparaiso Reproducing the
proposition In the note which have just transcribed to
your Exceiency have the honor to ask that yon VIII
be pleased TO give me - early reply as the present c
with sentiments OF distinguished consideration sub.
scribe myself your Exceencys most obedient servant,
VICENTE vIL4LAL0N
NIGHT BEFORE Im COMMANDMENT.
An answer declining the challenge received about
five H., and the last hope Of the city was abandoned
In the interview between Commodore Rodgers and Ad
mral Nuhex the latter informed the Commodore that he
should fire blank cartridges at eight o'clock In the
morning, and would give till nine before he opened on
the city. He also stated that no would signal the term
nation Of the bombsrdmen ny hosting his flag at the
fore yardarm Of the Numancia BY night the hustle OF
removing goods had ceased. The shone brighter
than have seen in the United States lighting up
every valley in the mountains and casting perfect sha.
dows of the men-ofwar the placid bay. spent
several hours riding through the city, and found
everywhere the most complete loneliness The
railroad depot was dark and silent The public gardens
open, but no was in them, and tho long COM
merca Streets the hotels and cafes deserted The
street cars and the CHATTER Of the hoofs Of cavalry
sounded strangely through the town. and at ten O'Clock
the total eclipse OF the moon added tenfold gloom.
THE IsOMBAIsDMH NT.
Saturday morning seemed the most beautiful Of tho
season soft autunlnai haze, richly tingod by the
sun hung the hay, whose waters lay smooth as
mirror rejecting the outlines Of every vessel. Thor-
sands of people covered the hills like army and tho
city, in its Stiffness appeared if plague dad suddenly
swept of its inhabitants.
PaEpARrsC FOR ACTION
At seven O'Clock black columns OF smoke rising
like inverted monuments from the Spanish
frigates indicated their preparations for action and
soon after the smokestacks Of the other steam.
ers added to the cloud above the harbor The Eng.
lish rgates Sute and Leauder and steam soop Devas
taton started first from tho anchorage and moving slow
y out vcered around to the eastward where the store
ships and prizes of the Spanards lay Next the Pow.
haan Tuscarora Mohongo and Monadnock Of our squad
rom abandoned the positions they had held close in along
the front the city, assembled sreund the flagship Van
derb and following her ont, dropped into line again
| mile and half from shore.
BY this time the spanisrds had commenced moving
~.
Marley captured from the Chlanos tender, and the
| frieate Resolution steamed from taclr stations
| at the right of the city, looking seward,
| straight across the mouth OF the bay aud
| slowly veering around In near the Custom
Houses continuing their until opposite the centre
| Of the town. The villa de Madrid, Blanca and yenoe
dora also changed their positions but still lay Oh at some
distance aud the Berengucla remained to guard the
prizes Of the Spanish squadron which anchored
| near the yiha dc la Mar. Little flags were constantly
gliding up and down the hayards Of tho Numancia sig
Mailing to the other vessels and Ia short TIM sn
steam launch 10 to the flag ship, and iayalongsids
70 receive and carry the orders Of the Admiral All tns
Spanish flags halfmast the observances OF The
viernes son.o not concluding until nine o'clock.
fnR SIGNAL CONS
Al eight tho Chilean flag went up the siad al the
fortress and almost ct the same instant two guns flashed
tho warning Of bombardment from the black sides
Of the Numancia. Another hour remained before the
firing commenced and again rambled through the
business portion Of tho city Foreign flags we're dis
played the consulates and white signals hung out
from the towers Of the churches and hospitals Sen.
tries were posted the angles Of the squares and few
venturesome fingered about the mole and espAnade
Of tho Custom Houses; but with these exceptions not
soul was to be The dogs were wandering about
in q frightened manner II conscious Of impending
evil and occasionally some lonely cur howled dismaly
In the street.
OPENING
few minutes before nine the Villa de Madrid, fol.
lowed by the Blanca and the vencedora started ia
Tho leading frgate steamed slowly towards tho mole,
and at twelve minutes past nine opened from her star
board with single thirytwo FOUNDER at dis
tance Of two hundred yards, the shot striking
in tho sides OF the preclplce the Custom
House A cheer Of defiance from the hill above
drowned IN tho roar of q broadsdc, and the Blanca
joining In the fire. both vessels Numbered at the Custom
House. Immense clouds Of rod dust rolled up like
belches OF smoke from the walls the shot struck
| them and the revcrbcrs,ons from the Surrounding
bus added horror to the sound Of the guns and the
devisb OF the shells As the frgatcs followed
the of the beach and lost the range OF the Custom
House they ceased firing, opening again when opposite
the Bosa Tor Exchangc and the palace Of the Governor
Three broadsidcs poured into these and the acs
turning their heads outward moved into position with
| their port guns barring the Custom House, and
| resumed their ERE.
In the meantime the Resolution had dropped ascrn OF
the Numanca and opened the railroad buildings The
| venccdora coming In more rapidly sent few OF her
rined sixty eight pound shells into the Custom House,
and passing the Blanca and villa de Madrid turned and
took position from which she could are through the
Bolsa and rake tina. portion Of the city between the
Palace aud the Custom House
hall ST fuc me sed
steady IRE the villa de Madrid and Blanca firing rapidly,
their shots going in and through the Custom House.
The vcreedora fred deliberately, her shots not svcrag.
| ing than ono every Ave minutes and doing much
damage TO private buildings The Resolution kept up
almost constant Ore the depot Ia which the Ven