The Athens Post

The Naval Fight at San Juan del Sur. An extra from the office of the Key of the Gulf, printed at Key West, gives the following account, by a passenger on the Tennessee, of the brilliant naval engagement which took place on the Pacific, in view of San Juan del Sur, on the 28th of November last, between a Nicaraguan schooner and a Costa Rican brig-of-war:

He states that the rumors had reached that settlement that a brig-of-war under the colors of Costa Rica, was about to enter that port for the purpose of landing reinforcements to operate against Gen. Walker's army; which rumor having reached the commander of the Granada, (a small pilot boat in the interest of Gen. Walker,) preparation was made to give the brig a suitable welcome.

The pilot boat schooner, armed with two six pounders, got under way as soon as the brig appeared in sight, and by skillful maneuvering was soon to windward of the brig some two or three miles, and then bore down upon the brig, the latter heaving to for action.

The schooner being very low, managed to get so close to the brig as to allow all her shot to pass over the hull of the schooner, and by frequent backing under the stern of the brig, engaged her for two hours, when the brig finally blew up.

The commander of the brig was at San Juan del Sur when our informant left, with some forty or fifty of his crew which had been picked up by the victorious crew of the schooner and landed at the port.

The brig is reported to have been armed with six 18 pounders, and to have had a complement of one hundred and twenty-four men. The schooner was armed with only two 6 pounders, and having a complement of twenty-eight men.

The commander of the brig is reported to have stated that he was about to surrender, and had given the order to cease firing but a second or two before the fatal catastrophe. So close were the opposing forces, that he attributed the accident to a wad from the guns of the schooner, setting fire to the brig's magazine.

The engagement was heard and viewed by the residents of San Juan del Sur, and the wounded crew of the brig were at that place when our informant left. Truly this was a most gallant affair, and we could almost wish that we had a finger in that pie.