New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-22
THE FIGHTING IN RIO HARBOR.
ENGAGEMENTS BETWEEN TIE REBEL FLEET
AND TIE FORTS DESCRIBED BY
CAPTAIN PICKING.

Washington Nov 2l.-Secretary Herbert has re-
ceived letter from Captain III. +. Picking. COM
handing the Charleston at Rio Janelro, dated
October 20. He gives account Of the happenings
in the harbor from day to day. Captain Picking
SAYS
"On October II at 3:l5 a. m. Fort st. Cruz be-
gan firing which continued at intervals until about
a. m when the Aquldaban and Trajano got I'M
der way and went toward the forts and began fir
ing. The Guanabara and Javary were also lowed
into action All the forts took part in the bonn
bariment Fire opened from several points In
the village of Nictheroy about "A. m, ana this
drove away some of the insurgent merchant steam
ers at anchor off the town. About 1870 all firing
ceased. and the vessels came to anchor About
II a "A. m small-arm firing began near the arsenal
q Nictheroy. 1t lasted only few moments and
the insurgents attempting to gain the arsenal were
driven back
October -. About 1870 a. m. musketry firing was
heard in the city: cause unknown.
October Is Firing was begun on Nictheroy about
a. m by one Of the in surgent steamers. II was
returned from several points in the village by small
guns The firing ceased about y. m. The Javary
got under from her anchorage on Fort VILE
gsgnon. and tOwed to her former anchorage on
Nictheroy. The firing was again begun on Nictheroy
after the Javary had anchored ana u was con,ih
ued AT intervals during the day AZ aoQu, ~ roit
St cruz and Fort St Joao ana the batteries on
the ridge to the westward began bombardment
OF Fort Vlllegagnon. and the insurgent vessels re-
turned the fire. This bombardment cea'ed AT ABOUT
one OF two shots apparently strike Fort \lllega-
gnon
October H. Very quiet until 1890 p. m. when
Fort 81 cruz began firing on Fort Nilegagnon:
ST Joso and the guns on the ridge TO me wentward
also fired. and there was brisk cannonading Tor
some time. About 20 .. m. some guns In the VII
sge Of Nctheroy began firing on the insurgent YES,
sells anchored OFF that place This was returned
by the vessels II appeared from IN" snip hat TINS
engagement was To prevent party 81 men IN on
of the small steamers 81 the rebels from Landing.
At $50 =. m. Nlllegaenon made vigorous assault
on -. cruz firing with great rspidly. The forts
returned the fire and the ridge batteries opened.
and the cannonadlng was kept up Tor some time
on October ~ Captain Picking went Ia n con
ference OF the Ministers and commanding Officers
on board the Arethuse. The object Of the meeting
was 10 discuss the matter Of The firing OF one or
shots by Fort Nillegagnon on searchllght
mounted on OF the hills Of the city. on tr
evening OF the nth when the forts were firing. IN"
searchlight thrown on Fort Nillegagnon, thus
making her more distinct target for the Govern
ment batteries. and interfering with the proper
sighting Of the guns in NillegagnOn. The fort fired
on the llgh;. and some bf the missiles went INTO
the city II was decided that In this case the
searchlight engine OF war. and that II
would loo proper for the Ministers To call the at
ention of the Government To this preteNt for trims
on ne city by IN. Insurgents.