The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-04-02

The Naval victory~-Tne Fight at Abt1O.
Chilli still remains the centre OF public interest
on this coast. The steamer OF the llth instant,
from Valparaiso brings confirmation OF the re-
ported victory OF the ellied squadron over the
Spanish frigates P'ltG de Madrid and Blanca.
Fifty-hye guns in the hands OF Peruvians and
Chiliens proved more than match fol- ninety
iSHI manned by the veterans OF Spain. After
contest of TWO hours, IN which fifteen hundred
shots we're exchanged, at the distance from one
thousand to fifteen hundred yards, the Spanish
vessels retired defeated.
REPORT OF THE COMMANDER OF THE PERUVIAN
DIVISION.
ON BOARD OF THE FRIeATE "APURIMAo ON THE
STATION OF CHAYAHUR, February 10.-rhe allied
squadron under my orders consisting of the r1gate
Apurimac, the Corveties america and Union belong
to Chill beng anchored at thus station, / was in
formed at IL O'Clock A. NJ, that in the contiguous
channels two steamers seen that IN al proba-
bIlity belonged to the Spanish squadron.
immediately gave orders to form close line OF
the engines of all the vessels including the rigate,
Notwithstanding that IL was quite unservIceabe ac'
cord to the report OF The engineers, owing TO the
damage OF which j have already informed your Ex-
celency. We remained ready for ac5ion establish
ing telegraphs IN the places most favorable for ac
Quaintng promptly of the approecb of the enemy.
In effect at halEpast clock T. NJ, two columns o.
smoke could be distinctly dscerned over the island
OF Abtao, which indicated the approach OF the
Spanish vessels by the eastern channel OF the SAID
island which is the widest.
At half past three the Spanish trigate Blanca ap-
peared in the channel referred TO- followed closely
by the HiLa de Madrid and when at a distance OF
frigate commanded opened fire upon them, as also
the other shps-a fire which was answered by the
epemy in spirited manner, but without being able
to overcome our resistance ano, at last forced by
the damage we inflicted, went to take shelter IN a
creek situated TO the north of our line from whence
they maintained vertical fire. In this position had
the ApuTiDlGc been alb to move, we should have
most probably with the most successful result.
Shortly after the two frigates left the creek, re-.
firing slowly from the , scene me Of combat without
responded TO, forced them to retreat until sheltered
from our shot by the northern point Of the Island Of
Abtao, which is the most elevated,
The enemy continued their retreat until, being out
OF range The firing ceased, which had lasted with
out interruption two hours, and IN which some
fifteen hundred shots must have been fred by both
The damage suffered by our side is as follows:-
The ApagTnac received three balls in her hull on
the water line SHELL which destroyed her launch,
which was moored astern and another which carried
The Imerica received four balls IN her hull, and
Two more, which, flying high, cut away the main
The Union three, one Of which entered by port
hole, killing two men who served the third gun and
upon the fashion pieces. ltwould be superfuous to
mention to your Exceency the officers who were
ton, did Their duty. am amply satisfied with the
discipline, GOODNESS, and courage displayed by all
Including about forty men of the Naval brigade of
Valparaiso, and thirty marines who were shipped at
the last moment in order to fill vacancies
As the course followed by the enemys force after
the engagement was not known, and the night was
al hand, and our shlps were unproylded with pilots,
suit of them for which reason gave orders that
sRis should be sent out to reconnotre the position
taken up oy them hi MoweVer tne % TeeonnGtrng @
V,itG de Aqdrid and BLaaca such as the figure head
OF one OF them fragments OF sides, ramrods, ,sponges
Motwithstanding that we were convinced of the
damage suffered by the Spanish, and the slight fear
we could entertain OF a fresh sttack after having
repulsed them so Rloriously maintaIned the force
under my commaudkat quarters until the 9th, when
the ChiIan corvette, the ESn'eraLdG, arrived, the
commander of which is at present the commander
inchief of the allied forces ana whom informed of
what had occurred.
This is what IT is my pleasing duty to have TO COM
Runicate to your Excellency.
MANUEL v1LLAR.
REPORT OF COMMANDER WILLIAMS.
HEADQUARTERS THE ALLIED SQUADRON,
February 10, 1850 TO the Minister OF Marine;-l
commenced my excursion on the 9th of the current
month, at Z. NJ after having instructed the
commander OF the CoOgdonga to keep his steam
up-a Recommendation had previously MADE to
the commander of the Apurimac--so as TO avoid
asurprise on the part OF the Spanish, whom ma
gined to be In southern waters.
The extensive quantity OF ammunition and the diff
ferent dispositions OF economical character neces
SION did not allow me to weigh anchor the following
day; consequently saw myself forced to defer my
departure until sunrise OF the 7th, when proposed
to return having in tow the - laden with every
thing requisite for the squadron. was ready and
awalnR only the tide when, at $3.50 A. j received
mmuncaton from the Intendant informing me
that the Spanish trigates VuLd de Madrid and
Blanca were at Hute-that is, at a very short dis
tance from the mouth Of fhe Chacao channel.
Directly l received tins intelliRenoe despatched
orders to proceed with ali possible speed to the
station and place in the hands of the Peruvian
commander the original communication, informing
HIM at the same time that renamed at the entrance
of the port of Ancud, waiting opportunity to
enable me to Join the diviSion. To-day i could not
do So, because the two Spanish 1ngates continued
cruising, both before and after the combat, in the
neighL OrhOod of the Island of Abtao. Neither could
do ii by night, because they placed themselves at
the mouth of the Chacao Channel, one at the north
and the other ut the south, with the intention OF
prising us, thinking, perhaps, that should endeaVor
to take advantage of the darkness attempt TO ION
the allied squadron. Atdawn began TO return but
on arriving near RemOlinOs was met by Flag Lieu
tenant Walker, announcing to me that the trIgates
had not moved from their positions, which obliged
me to return TO Ancud and remain there till A. NJ,
when again began my return which was enabled
On my arrival at the station / received the des.
patches which have the honor 60 transmit to your
two Spanish frGates have been repusod; and their
hurried retreat after such sudden attack SUGGESTS
the inference OF decided defeat as otherwise they
would have returned to the attack
If the enemy had not kept at great distance
during the combat-owing. probably, to the fear of
the battery that defended the entry with the sus-
tanned le, which lasted hour and three quarters,
we should have had TO deplore many losses; lbut
have the satisfaction to inform your Excellency that
they have been limited to the death of two seamen
4 OF the corvette Union, and sOme inconsiderable
damage, stated in the accompanying dispatches.
4 God preserve your Excellency JUAN WILLIAMS.
REPORT OR COMMANDER THOMPSON.
TEE STAkER "CovADoNGA," CHAYAHUR Febru-
lrY 8 1861 have the honor to inform your Excel
ency that yesterday at 8 A. M, two fIigates were
iescried by the Talon Islands, and about an hour
opseqnenuyI having been recognized 10 be the
Enemy, proceeded Immediately to mount my third
swivel gun and cleared Tor action. l applied to the
commander of the ttAtiOn for twenty -four men to
work the said gun. and / provided them with gun
ana mnsAet cartridges, as likewise with the rides
Wnicn your Excellency sent on board.
AT apom Z M the two trigates presented them
selves T s, dhey had passed by the 1agartja strait
ana were evidently bent on entering the creek. i,
IN conjunction with Captain LYNCH, had already