New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-13
MEXICO

PARTICULARS OF THE CAPTURE OF THE FILIBUS-
TERING STEAMER FoRwARD-sHE. Is DE-
sTRoYED BY THE MoHICANs BOATS UNDER
THE GUNS OF MEXICAN BATTERY-TWo
AMERICANS KILLED.
SAN Francisco, July 11.-By the arrival al
this port steamer Continental from Mazatlan July
further particulars OF the capture of the steamer For
ward by the steamer Mohican have been received
After leaving Guaymas, the Forward with the two
in tow proceeded TO Chicola In the South
San Bias District where LOsadass vessels discharged
their cargoes portion OF which, it is said sent to
Tepec. The Forward then proceeded 40 miles up the
river When the authorities of Mazatlan heard of the
raid on Guaymas they, conformity with the American
Consul and the merchants urged Capt Low Of the u
steamer Mohcan TO pursue the Forward. He con-
sented and after cruising for some tme the MOhican
proceeded San Bias and thence to Chhca and there
ascertained the whereabouts Of the Forward. The Mo
hcan reached the mouth Of the river June 6 and Capt
Low at once sent expedition OF boats with GO men up
the river to cut out the hlibuser When the Mohcans
boats were nearing the Forward they observed
boat leaving the side of that vessel and hailed It, The
Forwards boat refusing to stop the officer in command
OF the Mohcan expedition gave the order TO fire upon it,
which was promptly obeyed At the same moment the
Mexicans on the river bank opened heavy fire from
battery Of five 12pounders, supported by Infantry En-
sign Wainwright and the coxswain OF one Of the Moh
cams boats were killed The expedition however, cap
tured and destroyed the Forward and took the following
prisoners George Holding, LIST oicer James Lee, 2d
officer T.. w. johnson, engineer and H. Martini Harry
Keoch and James Highbeck, seamen. The expedition
retreated down the river under running fire from the
bank but there further casualties The wounded
prisoners were taken board the steamer and carefully
tended The Mohcan returned Immediately to Mazatan
and the prisoners were delivered TO the Mexican auhOr-
ties who treated them shamefuly Even the representa-
tions of the American Consul failed TO procure them
any consideration. Charitable foreigners were then
appealed to, and promptly responded, when the
poor fellows made comfortable. They all
peaded with regard to the charge OF piracy
and after an examination before Judge in Mazatan,
were sent to Guaymas for trial. The body of Ensign
Wainwright brought to this city by the steamer Con-
tinental
The following Is list OF the killed and wounded OF the
limited states steamer Mohican in the engagement be-
tween the expedition from that vessel and the pirate
steamer Forward:
Kiled-Ensgn Wainwright and Coxswain James Don
Wounded-F W. Tounrow, C. Il. Scott, Thomas Daley,
j. c. Mcintyre, William H. Higgins, and John WEIGH.
Ensign Wainwrghts body will be sent to New-fark'
Lieut. Brown who commanded the expedition, says
the Governor OF snaoa Consul sisson and other proi-
nent persons urged Capt Low to destroy the Forward
as she was only praca vessel in Mexican waters,
but in their opinion intended to seize one OF the Pan
anna steamers. The expedition found the steamer
aground and II being impossible to move her she Was
fred and burned to the waters edge.
There are various opinions in Mazatlan, where Gov
Ruld is commander now. The lower classes sympathize
with Placido Vega, and speak OF the foreign influence
prevailing in Mexican waters The better classes APP
proye the action taken. Gen. Vallejo and Raymunds
Dessaldo prominent Cafornians, and friends Of Vega,
we're the owners Of the Forward.
There had been heavy rains and waterspouts In west
ern Mexico, doing considerable damage to property ana
driving the inhabitants to the mountains.