Whitehaven Gazette Oct. 18, 1819 Capture of Barcelona

Capture of Barcelona

Whitehaven Gazette - Oct. 18, 1819

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE CAPTURE OF BARCELONA (From Dublin Evening Post)         Scarcely a day passes without or receiving cheering intelligence from South America, and particularly from that part of it, in which so many Irish interests and Irish feelings are now engaged. The arms of Venezuela continue to triumph, and each succeeding account tends to raise the spirit and increase the confidence of those who have embarked in the cause of independence, of liberty and justice.       Our readers are already aware of the capture of Barcelona by the Patriots. This news we had through various channels leaving no doubt of the fact. Since our last official confirmation of the intelligence has been received.       The expedition from Margaritta having presented itself before Barcelona, the batteries of the Morro, were on the 18th of July taken by assault. The attack was commanded by Colonel URSLAR, and he effected his object with the loss of only eleven men and two officers. The city was afterwards occupied by the Patriots. Colonel URSLAR was left to act as Governor. Immediately after this operation had been completed, General URDANETA, Commander-in-Chief of the Expedition, ordered the army to be landed at Bordones, a place less than a league distant from Cumana. In this position they were joined by several divisions belonging to General BERMUDEZ's army, and every preparation was making a spirited attack.       The Spanish Squadron was blockaded by Admiral BRION, in the port of Cumana, and the forts and the town were soon expected to fall into the hands of the Independants.       General MARINO had returned to Angostura to take his seat in Congress. The Orinoko papers contain nothing farther of importance, except the official details of General MARINO's late victory over the Spanish Division under ARANA, of which we sometime since published the result. This army has since been placed under the orders of General BERMUDEZ, who had dispersed a corps of 600 Royalists, on their way to Arana, being ignorant of his defeat. Those who escaped fled to Calabozo.       We a few days since announced the fall of Cumana, and capture of the Royalist squadron by Admiral BRION, on the authority of accounts from St. Thomas's and the United States. We are in daily expectation of the official intelligence of this important event. The city of Caraccas will be the next object of attack. From General URDANETA, and the fine troops under General ENGLISH, every thing that talent and valour can accomplish may be expected.   FURTHER PARTICULARS.       After the preceding paragraph had been put into type, we received our London Letters, written late on Wednesday evening, one of which says - "By a Gentleman arrived this day from Angostura, we have information that Admiral BRION has succeeded in capturing three Spanish vessels, at the entrance of the Harbour of Cumana. That place had not yet fallen when the last accounts were transmitted, but every expectation was entertained that it would speedily surrender. The garrison is reduced to the last extremity."       The accounts from St. Thomas stating the actual fall of Cumana, are of a later date than any that could at that period have reached Angostura. However, taking all the accounts together, there can be little doubt of this important place being now in the hands of the Patriots.   ******

 

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