Louisiana capitolian., 1879-12-06

heads stood over the grave Of q man
who, though their persistent and most
active enemy, had won their esteem
and respect BY noble daring and true
humanity. We have no official re-
ports from the prisoners. Probably
they are still suffering from the inju-
ries received ~ the combat. In my
last dispatch communicated the
movements Of the corvette Union.
Capt. Aurelio Garcia I Garcia, COM
manding the division to which this
ship is attached, has solicited court
of inquiry to Investigate his conduct.
in leaving the Huascar to fight alone
against the Chilian squadron. We are
also without a list of the men-sailors,
gnnners, soldiers, and machinists-
who may have been killed or wounded.
Its known, however, that Mr.. Samuel
MacMahon, the Chief Engineer IF the
Huascar, a native Of the United States,
is unhurt. Five officers were killed
and nine wounded more or less seri-
ously. The list Of officers who took
part in the combat is as follows:
Killed, Admiral Miguel Grau !;
Aide-de Camp Lieut.. Diego Ferre
dangerously wounded, Flag Officer
Capt. Carvajal, killed Capt. Elias
Aguirre lst Lieut. Melton ROlri-
guez I'd Lieut.. Garenson wounded,
I'd Lieut.. Palacios; Chief Surgeon
Tavara; Lieut.. Herrera; Midship-
men Socomayor, Bonnemaison, Vale
Riestra, Villayicencio; Captain of
Marines Urgateche; unhurt, Surgeons
Rotalde and Canales; Paymaster Juan
Alfaro; Lients. Diaz Canseco and
Santillana Marine Officers Busta-
mente and Arellano; Midshipmen
Villar and TizOn.
Among the rumors current concern
ing incidents of the late fight between
the iron-clads, and which Of course
would scarcely find their way into
official reports is one to the effect
that one Of the shots aimed by the
BIanco Encalada at the Huascar mis-
sed it's destination but struck the
Cochrane, killing several men and
doing other damage.
In this connection it is interesting
to refer to the story Of Nelson's fight
with the combined feet of the French
and Spanish, Sept. IS. 1905. The
London Telegraph, which has recent
ly retold the story, says:
At twenty minutes past noon the
Victory was in the thick Of the fight.
Scarcely a minute after the ship got
within range, seven or eight ships
opened terrible and destructive fire
upon her. The Admiraps secretary,
Mr.. Scott, was shot dead, and soon
the mizzen topmast of the Victory
was carried away, and also her wheel,
necessitating the process of steering
by the relieving tackles below. Yet
no hail of fire destroyed the dauntless
and dogged courage of Nelson and
his sea dogs. When splinter from
the fore brace bits passed between
Nelson and Hardy, and tore away the
buckle from the shoe of the latter,
the Admiral only smiled and said,
'"rhis is too warm work to last long,
Hardy !" Still, warm rs it was the
English admiral was determined to
make it hotter. The Victory's sails
were hanging in ribands; she had
lost full fifty men killed and wounded;
but soon it was her turn to begin.
Determined to pass under the stern
of the Bucentaure as the only mode
of breaking the line, the Victory's
helm wasput hard apart, and there
was scarcely space for her to 90 clear.
Sailing close to the larboard side of the
Bucentaurc, the Victory poured in
such directed and tremendous
broadside that the French ship heeled
two or three streaks on receiving it..
All this time Nelson was pacing the
quarter deck with Hardy, their walk
being bounded aft by the wheel, and
forward by the companion ladder.
The distance was only about twenty
five feet, and it was here, when the
Redoubtable brought up, that the
fatal bullet struck Nelson. He fell
on his knees just where Mr.. Scott had
fallen, and said, "'rhey have done
for me at last, Hardy; my backbone
is shot through" The victory was
all but gained when Nelson was COM
pelled to go below. In that dreadful
moment he thought of his men, and
caused his face and his stars to he
covered by his handkerchief, in order
that lie might pass unnoticed by the