The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-23

CerrO FOrt-A SOrtie of the (:urri,ou-Trs
Rcpuse-GaIiant Exploit of Binnco- Atteinvs
to Arrange Matters, without Avnil-Tks
| Markets.
MoNTEvIDEo Dec. IT, 1870.
The war continues. on the morning OF the 18th
| November the people here were startled by a salute
of twenty-0ne guns fired from the Cerr0 fort where
the lighthouse is situated, ana their surprise was
decreased when they learned hat at TWO O'Clock
A. NJ. on that day Blanco's troops had carried the
position capturing the garrison, consisting OF sixty
men and six officers, ten pieces OF artillery and q
| large store or ammunition ana dong all this with
a loss OF only two three men. The attacking
force, mostly Spaniards, serving volunteers, sur
prised the garrison, and oay short and feeble
si5tance was made
AT noon OF the same day President Battle, with
the advice OF his Cabinet and the commanding
officers OF his army, made an attempt to capture
Union, a town about four miles from Montevdeo
and where the troops OF BIanco making merry
over their success OF the night before. Presidents
Battle commanded in person. ana the attacking force
consisted OF 1000 men, with six pieces OF artillery.
Blanco's pickets were surprised on the right and
centre, and where not killed were driven In upon
their reserves. The garrison OF the town i'm
medately marched to the front, accompanied ny the
pickcts who had now rallied, and engaged the
Colorados holding them In check until the arrival
OF reinfOrcements, when President Battle and mis-
men were compelled TO make nasty retreat AMI TO
seek saIely In flight, leaving behind them three
pieces or artillery ana about 800 men In Killed,
wounded ana prisoners.
Blanc0, eated with these successes, organized o
naval expedition, and on the sth OF December
dash was made INTO the port OF Mevades where were
captured the steamer Anil ia. with 100 men on board;
the passenger steamer RIO Uruguay ana the steamer
Rio de Ia Plata The steaming qualities OF the Amer
lea saved her, anu she INTO Montevideo ana gave
the alarm. Towards morning OF the 9th Blanco's hcet
appeared in the harbor and captured Within haillng
distance OF the Captain OF the Porpand, OF
Oriental, which had on board large quantity OF
powder. This was distributed among Bianco ves-
sells, and then they LETT the Oriental, steamng away
under cover OF the IRE from Cerro fort, winch Iney
had previously taken. They made for the coal yards
OF Brazilian which were not far OF, and took IN
full supply OF coal. They were not long here, how
ever when an order was received from the BRAZILIAN
Minister and Admiral that another anchorage must
be found.
The Uruguayan government was powerless in tho
emergency, as their only war ship was stationed NJ
ColOna- The Vilita, commanded by Captain Morse,
an American, was chartered and he carried sum
come TO tais city with all despatch and annihllate
Blanco's vessels. She arrived next day, but
could de little, as three water batteries eiiectually
guarded the prizes and looked too formidable for
the COquimbo to venture serious attack. Both
it was finally agreed that Bianco should give up the
prizes to the Brazilian Legation. This arrange
was soon afterwards carried into effect.
For three or four days now the British Charge
d'Affars at Bueno3 AyreS has been endeavOrlnQ
effect compromise between the rival factions. lie
succeeded in obtaining note from the commander
OF the Biancos, Timoteo Apareclo, deprccaung the
calamties entailed upon the country by the endless
civil strife and proposing the appohiiment OF COM
missiOners to meet commissioners 10 be appointed
by the government for the adjustment OF all points
at issue The government has not accepted the pro-
position in full aGd mas demanded modification OF
the bases upon which the negotiations are TO take
place.
The market Is fairly active for nides Sales about
a. 900 for the United states at % 10 reals There
Il small stock OF H. 900 on hand and holders are
quite firm at the former figure.
The import xarket is very dull Kerosene has
fallen ten cents gallon. Lumber Is a drug. and
every cargo touching here has to be taken to BuenOa
Ayres
Exchange on London. 81 a SIX dollar; discount
currency, IL per cent Money very tight ut Ia .
/ "a per cent q month on good c0aterals.