Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-06-02
SPANS DEFEAT IN 1866.
Brooklyn Mans Story Of the CaIIao
Bombardment

| have a foOthOld on the continent where
her possessions had been so vast. "A
few United States citizens took part in
that last decisive battle and those yet
| living refer to the event, with evident
satisfaction, as a triumph of freedom
and pluck against heavy odds.
| While making a thorough study OF
the Inca antiquities in Peru, DR.. Au-
gustus lie Plongeon, now living IN
Brooklyn, resided in that country
ring events He gives the following
account of SPANS crushing defeat:
In 1864 a squadron of three Spanish
| frigates of sixty guns, suddenly ap-
peared at Callao. These ships We're
the Villa de Madrid. Commander Con
zalez; Ell Triunfo. whose commander
name ! do not recall. and La Blanca,
commander Topete, an uncle OF the
| Spanish consul-seneral recently in
New York The fleet was under COM
mand of Admiral Pinzon. allied to
| MaZaredo, who acted as plenipoten-
tiary. The officers declared they were
on a scientific mission, that their cruise
in the Pacific would extend to Califor-
|
ing at Callao was to renew friendship
with the Peruvians. After 1921, when
Peru had shaken off the Spanish yoke,
il had had no diplomatic relations with
that country, which had NOT acknoWl-
edged its Independence.
Those who have lived among the
Peruvians know how hospitable and
generous they are. The Sfaniards " ere
believed; cordially welcomed as broth
Iers who had returned after a prolonged
absence; feted by the best society in
Lima, where banquets ana balls were
given in their honor; treated by the
government as ENJOYS of a friendly
nation. and every facility for learning
all about the country, its public monu-
ments. institutions. and SO forth, was
given them.
after eight or ten days. during
! which nothing that could make then
visit enjoyable was omitted, the Span
iards left their hosts With many a
hand clasp and loudly expressing
their wishes for the prosperity of the
republic The officers said they Were
going toward California, and Were
seen to start northWard. But No
sooner were the ships out of our sight
Than they changed their course and
went south direct to the Chincha is
lands whose guano, exhausted in 49,
then made them the treasure house Of
Peru There a company of marines
landed. surprised the guard Of twenty
FIVE Indian soldiers. hauled down the
Peruvian flag and hoisted the Spanish
rolors. proclaimng Spain the owner
of that land. and declaring war OF
Peru, whose warships. as the treacher-
Gus Spaniards had seen, We're all dis
mantled and unfit for service, for tbs
country was at peace with all nations
and not anticipating any aggression
when the action of the Spaniard,
became known in Lima the indignation
of their generous entertainers knew IL
bounds. \ state of CONSERVATION ais
prevailed, when it was rumored tina
Callao would be bombarded. Gen
Antonio Pezet, the president, was a
his wits end to know how to rescue
the islands, so as to fill the contracts
for guano. To fail to do this Woult
have proved exceedingly detrimental
to the country.
In the council chambers of th'
Cabildo Getty halD the foreigners re
siding in Lima held a meeting. a
which the traveller George +. Squer
then commissioner Of the United
States to Peru, presided. 1t was re
solved that protest should be sent
in the name of the foreign merchants
to Mazaredo. SPANS plenipotentiary
With the fleet and on the Chincha Is
lands against the treachcrous action
of Spain. This was done, but did no
produce the desired result. Spain wa
there to insist upon the payment %
an indemnity. and the ships did no
move off until one of them was mystic
riously destroyed
How was ii done? Wen, after
few days Two or three citizens went L
l'esco, a small port opposite the Chin
cha islands hired a fsherman's cano
ana it's owner. and at early dawn
visited the Spanish squadron to SCI
how it appeared in the morning mists
Before the sun was UP an outside &c
cdent happened to FL Triunfo al
though afterWard officers and GREY
'lttititu lIit tdIeiiilllN " u4 ttA liis7iNi
the ship. There was q fine illumina
ton which first lit up the riSgings
then caught the hull. and the Span
ards were so pleased they jumpe'
overheard 70 have a better view of tn
spectacle. The Triunfo was toWed
short distance from the other ships: /
burned TO its water line and SAM
whore it can be seen to this da- il
calm weather.
Two or three days later the othe
ships sailed south to Chill, but th'
news of their doings had reached tina
place. therefore its ports We're CLOSED
and war declared against Spaniards
EGuayauuil followed the same course
} and not one country on the western
coast allowed the Spanish ships t.
take water. For this and for wood they
had to go to Juan Fernandez.
Chill and Peru took measures to-
ward fitting up their men-of-War
= but the Spanish fleet was strongly re
inforced by the armOred ship human
Ella. the 67-gun frigate Almanac, the
despatch boat Nuestra Sonora de CoVa
donga and the frigate Berenguela
These, with the others mentioned
formed the strongest Spanish squad