PARTICULARS OF THE REPULSE OF THE SPANISH FLEET AT CALLAO.

West Coast Times, Issue 277, 13 August 1866, Page 5

PARTICULARS OF THE REPULSE OF THE SPANISH FLEET AT CALLAO.

The U.S. war steamer Vanderbilt, bearing Commodore Rodger's flag, arrived here yesterday evening about 6 o'clock. The monitor Monadnock, soon followed and brought up about a quarter before 7. The St. Mary's, Capt Colvocoressess, saluted the Commodore's flag with 11 guns. The two vessels left Callao on the afternoon of the 3rd inst, the day following the attempted bombardment of that port by the Spanish fleet. The time intervening between the termination of the engagement and the sailing of these men-of-war, was so short that no newspaper or correspondence, relating any details of the " great event," have reached Panama. Our thanks are due to the gentleman who so kindly furnished us with the particulars as follow : — The action commenced shortly after j noon, on the 2nd instant, the Peruvians firing the first shot. The Spaniards at- i tacked the batteries in two lines. The Villa de Madrid, Blanca, and Berenguela taking the forts to the north, and the Numaucia, Almansa, and Resolucion those to,, the south of the town. Early in the engagement a shot struck the Villa de Madrid, damaging her badly and cutting asunder the steampipe. After about an hour's firing, another shot penetrated the hull of tho Berenguela, making a tremendous hole through which the water rushed in, aud at one time she looked like going down, but they managed to careen her, aud patch her up sufficiently to drag herself away from the scene of action. The Blanca showed no indication of having been struck. The ships at" tacking the southern batteries were not i much damaged, nor did they effect much. One of the turrets ori shore mounting two heavy guns was blown up, but it is uncertain whether this was caused by a shell from the enemy or from some other cause. Callao itself was not injured, in the least; at sundown, the whole Spanish fleet withdrew ignominiousjly to their anchorage off San Lorenzo, the Peruvians blazing away bravely after them as they retreated. Senor Galvez, the Peruvian War Secretary, was killed ; the number wounded was not ascertained, but it must have been considerable. The Spaniards have also suffered very severely, far more so than the Peruvians had any idea of. Commander Nunez faced the fire well, 'and showed great evidence of personal bravery, but while walking on the bridge of the Numancia, he was wounded, it is said, dangei-ously. The captain of the Resolucion was also badly hurt. The number of killed and wounded among the Spaniards is estimated at about 500. The gentleman to whose kindness we are indebted for our information, was on shore at Callao on the morning following the engagement, and states that the enthusiasm among the Peruvians was unbounded. The Spaniards, on the contrary, were woefully taken in, and although they threatenedx a second attack, it is very doubtful if they would have courage enough to attempt it. Let credit be given where credit is due., The Peruvians, we are told on the very best uuthority, fought their guns bravely and well ; heedless of all danger and loss of life, they were almost quarreling among themselves who should occupy the post of honor and fire off the guns. Nothing would drive them away ; but now that the victory is justly theirs, it will be madness for the Spaniards to renew the action on the same tactics. The courage of the Peruvians is indomitable, and tlie result of this day's engagement shows unmistakably that they have more fight in them thau their enemies ever bargained for. Tho news ai this glorious triumph, as might be expected, was hailed with unbounded demonstrations of joy by the worthy citizens of Panama — foreign as well as native. Rockets were 'sent ! blazing skywards from the Plaza ; the band was out playing the national airs of Peru and Chili — the church bells rung out their joyous peals, sedate citizens shouted their " vivas" with gusto ; in short, everything betokened the receipt of glad- tidings. Verily, Panama was, last night, in a merrier mood than the quiet old city has experienced for many a long .day. The ; occasion was worthy of the enthusiasm. •^■Panama Mercantile Chrouiele. \