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Foreign News
November 7, 1777
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Spanish forces under Don Pedro de Cevallos captured the Portuguese-held island of St. Catherine in February 1777 after a naval approach and debarkation, leading to the evacuation and surrender of Portuguese troops to Buenos Ayres.
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From the Antigua Gazette of October 8th, we have extracted the following.
A relation of the taking of the island of St. Catherine, by the Spanish army, under the command of the Captain General Don Pedro de Cevallos, extracted from authentic letters from Madrid, dated June 6th, 1777.
Our fleet, consisting of about 120 sail, left Cadiz the 18th of November 1776, and after a most happy passage found themselves on the 8th of February in 26 degrees N. lat. and 37 degrees 24 minutes longitude, when they took a Portuguese merchant ship, called the Lucia a Fortunada, bound from Rio Janeiro to Lisbon, on board which they found letters which informed them that four ships of war and five frigates were placed in the Bay of Garupa to observe and attack us, if we should enter the Port of St. Catherine; in consequence of which we resolved to sail for that place in order to attack them.
"No sooner had we discovered the island of St. Catherine, on February 10th, and had doubled the Cape of the Bay of Garupa, than our frigate St. Margarita informed us that she had seen the enemy's squadron, consisting of 12 sail, for two days. On this information, our General Don Cevallos, and the Marquis of Casa-Tilly, commander of the squadron, having deliberated, they judged it more proper to enter the port of the island than to pursue their squadron, which they accordingly entered on February 20th, excepting a few transport vessels, on board of which there were 1400 men, which we supposed had made for Monte Video, the place of general rendezvous.
"The Portuguese forces in garrison on the island were much more considerable than usual; independent of four battalions of troops, and 200 artillery, they had regimented the militia, so that the force was not less than 4000 men, exclusive what they called auxiliaries, and the inhabitants of the island who were to assist in defending the castle, and the strong forts of St. Croix and Punta Grosa, very strongly situated by nature and art, and well provided with provisions and ammunition.
"When the place had been reconnoitred, the army was debarked the 22d at night. Next day we occupied the camp near within cannon shot of Punta Grosa, while the Septentrion and two bomb vessels approached the castle. In the night a body of troops was detached towards the left, and dispositions were made for our army to take position of the heights, which the Governor seeing, and the Portuguese being intimidated at firing a gun, and retired to a strong advanced work, but with such precipitation that they left all their cannon and stores, and every provision for a long siege.
"The Portuguese troops in the castle of St. Croix, seeing the castle abandoned, and a body of Spaniards marching towards them, took a like resolution with other Portuguese troops, and abandoned it, with their entrenchments and batteries, so that the whole island was evacuated on the 25th. And having passed over to the continent, and crossed the river Catabon; about seven or eight leagues from the island, their Commander in Chief, Don Antonio Carlos Hurtado de Mendoza, sent Brigadier Don Joseph Custodis de Saa-Faria, with orders to propose to our Commander Don Cevallos to grant them ships to transport them to Rio Janeiro; but this he refused to consent to, and insisted they should make themselves prisoners of war; which after some messages passing, they agreed to, and ships were allowed to transport the officers only to Rio Janeiro, on promise of not serving in any manner against his Catholic Majesty, and to render themselves to any other place when called on by the Spanish General.
"Since which all the Portuguese soldiers have been sent to Buenos Ayres, and nothing remains on the island belonging to the Crown of Portugal."
A relation of the taking of the island of St. Catherine, by the Spanish army, under the command of the Captain General Don Pedro de Cevallos, extracted from authentic letters from Madrid, dated June 6th, 1777.
Our fleet, consisting of about 120 sail, left Cadiz the 18th of November 1776, and after a most happy passage found themselves on the 8th of February in 26 degrees N. lat. and 37 degrees 24 minutes longitude, when they took a Portuguese merchant ship, called the Lucia a Fortunada, bound from Rio Janeiro to Lisbon, on board which they found letters which informed them that four ships of war and five frigates were placed in the Bay of Garupa to observe and attack us, if we should enter the Port of St. Catherine; in consequence of which we resolved to sail for that place in order to attack them.
"No sooner had we discovered the island of St. Catherine, on February 10th, and had doubled the Cape of the Bay of Garupa, than our frigate St. Margarita informed us that she had seen the enemy's squadron, consisting of 12 sail, for two days. On this information, our General Don Cevallos, and the Marquis of Casa-Tilly, commander of the squadron, having deliberated, they judged it more proper to enter the port of the island than to pursue their squadron, which they accordingly entered on February 20th, excepting a few transport vessels, on board of which there were 1400 men, which we supposed had made for Monte Video, the place of general rendezvous.
"The Portuguese forces in garrison on the island were much more considerable than usual; independent of four battalions of troops, and 200 artillery, they had regimented the militia, so that the force was not less than 4000 men, exclusive what they called auxiliaries, and the inhabitants of the island who were to assist in defending the castle, and the strong forts of St. Croix and Punta Grosa, very strongly situated by nature and art, and well provided with provisions and ammunition.
"When the place had been reconnoitred, the army was debarked the 22d at night. Next day we occupied the camp near within cannon shot of Punta Grosa, while the Septentrion and two bomb vessels approached the castle. In the night a body of troops was detached towards the left, and dispositions were made for our army to take position of the heights, which the Governor seeing, and the Portuguese being intimidated at firing a gun, and retired to a strong advanced work, but with such precipitation that they left all their cannon and stores, and every provision for a long siege.
"The Portuguese troops in the castle of St. Croix, seeing the castle abandoned, and a body of Spaniards marching towards them, took a like resolution with other Portuguese troops, and abandoned it, with their entrenchments and batteries, so that the whole island was evacuated on the 25th. And having passed over to the continent, and crossed the river Catabon; about seven or eight leagues from the island, their Commander in Chief, Don Antonio Carlos Hurtado de Mendoza, sent Brigadier Don Joseph Custodis de Saa-Faria, with orders to propose to our Commander Don Cevallos to grant them ships to transport them to Rio Janeiro; but this he refused to consent to, and insisted they should make themselves prisoners of war; which after some messages passing, they agreed to, and ships were allowed to transport the officers only to Rio Janeiro, on promise of not serving in any manner against his Catholic Majesty, and to render themselves to any other place when called on by the Spanish General.
"Since which all the Portuguese soldiers have been sent to Buenos Ayres, and nothing remains on the island belonging to the Crown of Portugal."
What sub-type of article is it?
Military Campaign
Naval Affairs
What keywords are associated?
St Catherine Capture
Spanish Invasion
Portuguese Surrender
Don Cevallos Campaign
Naval Approach
Island Evacuation
What entities or persons were involved?
Don Pedro De Cevallos
Marquis Of Casa Tilly
Don Antonio Carlos Hurtado De Mendoza
Don Joseph Custodis De Saa Faria
Where did it happen?
St. Catherine
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
St. Catherine
Event Date
November 1776 To February 1777
Key Persons
Don Pedro De Cevallos
Marquis Of Casa Tilly
Don Antonio Carlos Hurtado De Mendoza
Don Joseph Custodis De Saa Faria
Outcome
portuguese forces evacuated the island on february 25th, 1777, abandoning forts and supplies; troops became prisoners of war, soldiers sent to buenos ayres, officers transported to rio janeiro under parole.
Event Details
Spanish fleet of 120 sail departed Cadiz on November 18, 1776, captured a Portuguese merchant ship on February 8, 1777, and approached St. Catherine. Entered port on February 20th despite enemy squadron. Army debarked February 22nd, occupied positions, prompting Portuguese retreat and evacuation by February 25th. Portuguese commander surrendered, with terms for transport.