diff options
Diffstat (limited to '76898-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 76898-0.txt | 10902 |
1 files changed, 10902 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/76898-0.txt b/76898-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..78d8a6e --- /dev/null +++ b/76898-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10902 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76898 *** + + + + + +[Illustration: Engᵈ. by J. C. Buttre, New York. + +_Wᵐ. Walker_] + + + + + THE + WAR IN NICARAGUA. + + WRITTEN BY + GEN’L WILLIAM WALKER. + + WITH A COLORED MAP OF NICARAGUA. + + MOBILE: + S. H. GOETZEL & CO. + NEW-YORK: 82 WARREN-ST. + 1860. + + Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, + BY S. H. GOETZEL & CO., + In the Clerk’s office of the District Court of the United States + for the Southern District of New-York. + + + + +To My Comrades in Nicaragua + + +I dedicate this effort to do justice to their acts and motives: To the +living, with the hope that we may soon meet again on the soil for which +we have suffered more than the pangs of death—the reproaches of a people +for whose welfare we stood ready to die: To the memory of those who +perished in the struggle, with the vow that as long as life lasts no +peace shall remain with the foes who libel their names and strive to tear +away the laurel which hangs over their graves. + + W. W. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +No history is so hard to write as that of our own times. Few, if any, can +free themselves from the fashions of thought and opinion which control +the daily life of their neighbors, and every one inhales to some extent +the vapors and miasms floating in the air he hourly breathes. The task +is even more difficult if a man attempts to narrate events in which he +has taken part. As the soldier, warmed by the heat of battle, dimly sees +through the dust and smoke of a well-fought field, the large movements +which decide the issue of the conflict, so he who has mingled in the +struggles of parties or the contests of nations, may not be as well +fitted as others to speak of facts moulded partially by his own will and +hand. But if the memoir writer be fair and discreet, he may contribute +materials for future use, and his very errors may instruct after ages. +The author of the following narrative does not expect to attain perfect +truth in all things; he merely asks the reader to give him credit for +the desire to state facts accurately, and to reason justly about the +circumstances attending the presence of the Americans in Nicaragua. + + _March 1st, 1860._ + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + CHAPTER I. + + THE VESTA AND HER PASSENGERS. + + The Revolution of 1854—Organization of Provisional Government—Grounds + of the Contest—The two Constitutions—Democrats and Legitimists—Siege + of Granada—Retreat of Jerez—Death of Chamorro—Policy of Honduras + and of Guatemala—Lower California Expedition—Its Objects and + Purposes—Its Termination—Contracts of Cole with Castellon—Crabb + Contract with Jerez—Legality of the Cole Grant of Colonization—Charter + of the Vesta—Her Difficulties and final Departure—Her Voyage—State + of Parties in June, 1855—Arrival of the Vesta at Realejo—Landing of + Passengers—Walker’s Visit to Leon—Castellon and Muñoz—The American + Phalanx—Its Organization—Expedition to Rivas PAGE 13 + + CHAPTER II. + + RIVAS, JUNE TWENTY-NINTH, 1855. + + Preparations for the Rivas Expedition—Native Troops—Ramirez and + Mariano Mendez—Maximo Espinosa-Departure from Realejo—Landing + at El Gigante—Difficulties of the March—Appearance of the + Camp—Skirmish at Tola—March from Tola to Rivas—Effect + of Scenery on the Americans—Plan of Attack—Action at + Rivas—Desertion of Ramirez—Loss of the Americans—Retreat to + San Juan del Sur—Embarkation on the Schooner San José—Burning + of the Cuartel—Departure for Realejo—Execution of Dewey—Its + Effects on the People—Transfer to the Vesta and Return to + Realejo—Despatch to Castellon—His Reply-Visit of Mariano + Salazar—Castellon’s Anxiety—Americans at Chinandega—Cole + and Von Natzmer—March to Leon—Arrival there—State of the + Capital—Policy of Muñoz—Danger to the Falange—Necessity for + Caution—Counter-march to Chinandega—New Contract with Castellon PAGE 42 + + CHAPTER III. + + VIRGIN BAY, SEPTEMBER THIRD, 1855. + + Discontent of the Americans—Sale of the Vesta—March of + Muñoz toward Segovia—Movements of Guardiola—Walker’s Plans + for Returning to Rivas—José Maria Valle—His Friendship + to the Americans—Reports of the Enemy—Departure from + Chinandega—Despondency of the People—The Cholera—Valle on + the Vesta—Distress of Castellon—Action at Sauce—Death of + Muñoz—Sailing for San Juan del Sur—Arrival at San Juan—Parker + H. French—Relative Strength of the Democrats and Legitimists + in the Meridional Department—Action at Virgin Bay—Good Conduct + of the Natives—Results of the Action—Death of Castellon—His + Character and Policy—New Director—Contribution Levied—Sources + of Revenue—Don Guadalupe Saënz—Rumors of Corral’s + Advance—Ambush on Transit Road—Intercepted Despatches—Corral + Ready to Treat for Peace—Arrival of Gilman—Re-organization of + the Falange PAGE 76 + + CHAPTER IV. + + GRANADA, OCTOBER THIRTEENTH, 1855. + + Hornsby gets Possession of the Steamer La Virgen—Democrats + embark for Granada—Landing above the Town—Surprise + of Granada—Flight of the Legitimists—Fury of Native + Democrats—Conduct of the Americans—Release of Prisoners—Fermin + Ferrer and Carlos Thomas—Niña Yrena—Father Vigil—Negotiations + with Corral—Mediation of Mr. Wheeler—Arrival of Fry—The Lake + Steamer fired on—Shooting of Mayorga—Corral at Masaya—Comes + to Granada as Commissioner—Treaty of 23d October—Macdonald’s + Loan of Twenty Thousand Dollars—Entry of Legitimists to + Granada—Rivas Inaugurated—Walker Commander-in-Chief—Formation + of the Cabinet—Nature of the Treaty—Intercepted Letters + of Corral—His Trial and Execution—Narciso Espinosa—Rivas’ + Government recognized by Mr. Wheeler PAGE 109 + + CHAPTER V. + + THE ADMINISTRATION OF RIVAS. + + Policy of Rivas—His Appointments—Course of the + Clergy—Colonization Decree—El Nicaraguense—Military + Enlistments—The Accessory Transit Company—Its + Mercenaries—Kinney and His Schemes—Negotiations with the + Company—Garrison and Morgan—Course of the Company—Edmund + Randolph and Parker Crittenden—Revocation of the Company’s + Charter—Justice and Policy of the Act—The Randolph + Grant—How Americans were carried to Nicaragua—Sickness at + Granada—Circular of Rivas—General Trinidad Cabañas—His + Influence over Jerez—Resignation of Jerez and Selva—Course + of the Four States of Central America—Commission to + Costa Rica—Policy of the United States—Policy of Great + Britain—British Consul at Realejo—British Aid to Costa + Rica—Declaration of War by Costa Rica—Its Effects on the + Country PAGE 142 + + CHAPTER VI. + + THE COSTA RICAN INVASION. + + State of the American Force on March 1st, 1856—Arrival + of Goicouria—Col. Padilla—Proclamation of + General-in-Chief—Expedition to Guanacaste—Rout at Santa + Rosa—Its Effects—Headquarters at Rivas—Government removed + to Leon—Address to the Troops—C. J. Macdonald—Goicouria + as Intendente-General—The Americans at Granada—Mora at + Rivas—Walker marches to Rivas—Action of 11th April—The + Americans retire—Effects of the Action—Action on the + Serapaqui—Appointment of Father Vigil as Minister to + Washington—Sickness at Granada—Arrival of Hornsby with + Recruits—Cholera at Rivas—Depression of the Costa Ricans—Mora + leaves Nicaragua—Letter of Cañas—Cholera in Costa + Rica—Expedition through Chontales—Execution of Ugarte—Effects + of Fever—Difficulties of the Americans—Affairs at Leon PAGE 177 + + CHAPTER VII + + THE DEFECTION OF RIVAS. + + Communication from San Salvador—Reports from Northern States of + Central America—Walker at Leon—Proposal of San Salvador—Effect + of Vigil’s Reception at Washington—Arrest of Salazar—Goicouria + and Guerrero—Election Decree—Movement at Leon—Flight of Rivas + to Chinandega—The Course of the Americans—Ferrer as Provisional + President—Election and Inauguration of Walker—Forfeiture + of the Schooner San José—The Granada in Commission—Lt. + Fayssoux—Cabinet of Walker—The New Administration recognized + by Mr. Wheeler—Cruise of the Granada—Capture of Salazar—His + Execution—Letter of Manning—Arrest of Dr. Livingston—Course + of the American Minister—Hon. Pierre Soulé—Desertion and + Fate of Turley—State of the Allies at Leon—Disease and + Dissensions—Murder of Estrada—Arrangements with Morgan and + Garrison—The Cubans in Nicaragua PAGE 216 + + CHAPTER VIII. + + THE WALKER ADMINISTRATION. + + Necessity for Social Re-organization—Difference of + Language—Decree of Forfeited Estates—The Registry + Decree—The Slavery Decree—Colonial Systems of Spain and + England—Anti-Slavery Feeling in Europe and America—How + Produced—Effects on Spanish American States—The Negro in + Tropical America—Policy of the Decree—Its Relations to + Parties in the United States—The Anti-Annexation Character + of the Decree—M. Ange de St. Priest—Interest of Continental + Powers—Interest of England—Feeling against the Slave Trade—True + Character of the Commerce—Africa and America—Experiments + of Hayti and Jamaica—Position of the Slave States—Their + Apathy—The Course of the South—Her Proper Policy—Efforts of the + Anti-Slavery Parties and Powers—Southern Interest in Nicaragua PAGE 251 + + CHAPTER IX. + + THE ADVANCE OF THE ALLIES. + + The Army in September, 1856—Death of Ubaldo Herrera—March to + San Jacinto by McDonald—Attack on San Jacinto by Cole—Death + of Cole and Callahan—Reinforcements for Belloso—The Allies + march to Managua—State of the American Force at Masaya—Its + Withdrawal to Granada—Belloso occupies Masaya—Attack by the + Americans—Zavala attacks Granada—Action of the 13th October, + 1856—Conduct of the Allies at Granada—Murder of Lawless—Other + Murders—Treatment of the American Minister—Shooting of + Lainé—Execution of Valderraman and Allende—Arrival of + Henningsen—His Appointment as Brigadier General—State of the + Meridional Department—Lieut. Fayssoux and the Granada—Action + of the 10th November—Action of the 12th—Effects of these + Actions—March to Masaya—Fighting there—Return to Granada PAGE 281 + + CHAPTER X. + + THE RETREAT FROM GRANADA. + + Preparation for Retreat—Causes of Delay—Force at Virgin Bay—The + Granada and the Once de Abril—Promotion of Fayssoux—The + Attack of the Allies on Henningsen—His Defence—Charge + of O’Neal—Henningsen’s Difficulties—Destruction of the + Town—Loss of the Fort—The Americans abandon the Plaza—They + take Possession of the Guadalupe—Henry and Swingle—Disease + in Henningsen’s Camp—Strategems of the Allies—Henry’s + Entrenched Position—Cholera and Typhus—Commissary and Ordnance + Stores—The Hospital at Omotepe—The Attack of Indians on the + Island—Exaggerated Report—Reinforcements from San Francisco + and New-Orleans—Organization of them—Landing of Waters at + Granada—His Relief of Henningsen—Embarkation of the whole + Force—Justice and Policy of Destroying Granada PAGE 313 + + CHAPTER XI. + + OPERATIONS ON THE SAN JUAN. + + Spencer’s Attack on the Serapaqui—He takes the Boats at + Punta Arenas—Course of Capt. Erskine of the Orion—Mora’s + Force on the San Carlos—Occupation of Castillo—Capture + of Fort San Carlos—Full Possession of the Lake by + Mora—Spencer’s Services—His Employers—Connivance of Mr. + Marcy—Violation of Neutral Rights by Costa Rica—Causes of + Mr. Marcy’s Action—British Fleet at San Juan del Norte—The + Costa Rican Decree—Lockridge at Punta Arenas—Interference + of British Officers—Arrival of Titus—Action at + Serapaqui—Desertions—Difficulties of the Costa Ricans—Titus + at Castillo—Effects of his Misconduct—Instructions sent to + Lockridge—Reinforcement under Capers and French—Failure to + attack Castillo—Disorganization of the Force—Explosion of the + J. R. Scott—Subsequent Attempts to open the Transit PAGE 342 + + CHAPTER XII. + + THE DEFENCE OF RIVAS. + + Force at Rivas in December, 1856—State of the Allies—Charges + against Belloso—Rangers at Nandaime—Rivas prepared for + Defence—Advance of the Allies to Obraje—Skirmish at + Obraje—Allies occupy San Jorge—Henningsen’s Attack on San + Jorge—March to San Juan del Sur—The Americans at Virgin + Bay—Attempt to carry San Jorge by Surprise—Proclamation of + Mora—Cannonade of San Jorge—Desertion—Its Causes—H. B. M.’s + Steamer Esk at San Juan del Sur—Sir Robert McClure and Capt. + Fayssoux—Commander Davis and the U. S. Sloop St. Mary’s—Davis’ + Visit to Rivas—Encounters near the Transit and at Jocote—Red + Star Guard—Address to the Troops—Action of 16th March—News by + the Orizaba—Attack of the Allies on Rivas, the 23d March—Their + Repulse and its Results—Rations at Rivas—Second Attack of + 11th April—Women Leave Rivas—Conduct of Davis—Treaty with + Walker—Capture of the Granada—Conclusion PAGE 367 + + + + +THE WAR IN NICARAGUA. + + + + +Chapter First. + +THE VESTA AND HER PASSENGERS. + + +On the 5th of May, 1854, a number of native Nicaraguans who had been +exiled by the existing Government of their Republic, landed at Realejo, +and thence proceeded to Chinandega with a view of organizing a revolution +against the acting authorities of the country. Among them were D. Maximo +Jerez, D. Mateo Pineda, and D. José Maria Valle, leading citizens of the +Occidental Department. They had sailed from Tiger Island on a vessel +commanded by an American, Gilbert Morton, and were about fifty-four in +all when they surprised the garrison at Realejo. After the revolutionists +reached Chinandega, they were joined by large numbers of the people, +and they proceeded with little delay to march towards Leon. On the road +thither they met the forces of the Government at several points, each +time routing them; and the President, D. Fruto Chamorro, seeing the +temper of the people, and unable to resist the revolution about Leon, +fled alone, and without an escort, to Granada. He did not reach the last +named city for some days after leaving Leon, having gone astray in the +woods and hills about Managua, and his partisans had almost despaired of +ever again seeing him, when he rode into the town where his principal +adherents resided. + +After the revolutionists, headed by Jerez, reached Leon, they organized +a Provisional Government, naming as Director, D. Francisco Castellon. +This gentleman had been a candidate for the office of Director at the +preceding election in 1853; and his friends asserted that he had a +majority of votes, but that Chamorro had obtained the office by the free +use of bribes among the members of the electoral college. Chamorro was +installed in the office, and soon found pretexts for banishing Castellon +and his chief supporters to Honduras. In that State, General Trinidad +Cabañas held executive power; and favored by him, Jerez and his comrades +had been able to sail from Tiger Island with the arms and ammunition +requisite for their landing at Realejo. + +While his political enemies were in Honduras, Chamorro had called a +constituent Assembly, and the constitution of the country had been +thoroughly revised and changed. The constitution of 1838 placed the Chief +Executive power in the hands of a Supreme Director, who was elected every +two years; the new constitution created the office of President, who +was to be chosen every four years. In all respects the new constitution +placed more power in the Government than had been trusted to it by the +previous law; hence it was odious to the party styling itself Liberal, +and acceptable to those who called themselves the party of order. +The new constitution was printed on the 30th of April, 1854; and its +partisans say it was also promulgated on that day. The opponents of +the new constitution say it never was promulgated. At any rate, the +revolution, made professedly against this constitution, was started on +the 5th of May, before the new law could have been promulgated in the +towns and villages distant from the capital. + +The Leonese revolutionists styled their Executive Provisional Director, +and asserted their resolution to maintain the organic act of 1838. +They took the name of Democrats, and wore as their badge a red ribbon +on their hats. Chamorro was called by his friends President—they thus +declaring their adhesion to the new constitution; and calling themselves +Legitimists, they mounted the white ribbon, in opposition to the red of +the Democrats. + +During the month of May the Provisional Government was accepted by all +the municipalities of the Occidental Department, and by some of the other +towns; and the democratic army, as it was called, marching southward, +reached Granada in the early part of June. The delay of the Democrats at +Leon and at Managua had given Chamorro time to organize his force, and +though his numbers were small, he repulsed Jerez and his followers (for +these latter could not be called a force) when they attempted to carry +Granada by assault. After the first repulse, Jerez sat down before the +town, and affected to lay siege to the place. The rabble at his heels +were, however, busier in plundering the shops of the suburbs than in +defeating the plans of their enemies. The arrival of some officers and +soldiers from Honduras assisted Jerez in his efforts to organize the +“democratic army,” and was a proof of the readiness with which Cabañas +had recognized the Provisional Government. + +For some months Jerez remained at Granada, vainly attempting to get +possession of the chief square of the city, known as the Plaza. All the +towns of the State had in the meanwhile declared for Castellon, and +his friends held the lakes as well as the San Juan river, by means of +small schooners and bungos. The schooners were under the command of a +physician—an American or Englishman who had resided in the United States, +and bore the name of Segur, although his real name was Desmond. In the +month of January, 1855, Corral succeeded in taking Castillo, as well as +the lake schooners, from the Democrats; and soon thereafter Jerez broke +up his camp before Granada, and retreated in a rapid and disorderly +manner towards Managua and Leon. The flight of the Democrats from Rivas +followed almost immediately the retreat from Granada; and in a few weeks +the turn of affairs was visible by the adhesion of many persons of +property to the Legitimist party. + +It was well for the Democrats that Chamorro, worn out by long disease and +anxious thought, died a short time after they left the Jalteva. He was +buried in the parish church, on the main Plaza of Granada, and his death +was kept carefully concealed from the enemy. His name was strength to +the Legitimists and a terror to their foes; and had he lived, a far more +vigorous hand than that of Corral would have driven the flying Democrats +back to the square of Leon. After the death of Chamorro, Corral remained +in command of the Legitimist army, and the Presidency fell, under the +constitution of 1854, to one of the Senators, D. José Maria Estrada. + +In the meantime, causes at work outside of Nicaragua were destined +to influence very materially the fate of the Provisional Government. +President Carrera, of Guatemala, being friendly to the principles of the +party led by his countryman Chamorro, had determined to act against the +Government of Cabañas, in Honduras. In view of this fact, Alvarez and the +Honduras contingent received orders to return from Nicaragua, and this +dampened the spirit of the Democratic leaders. Honduras, threatened by +the much greater power of Guatemala on the north, not only had need of +all the resources she could control, but she could hardly hope, without +foreign assistance, to resist the strength of Carrera and his Indians. +Not even the Nicaraguans themselves could blame Cabañas for the course he +took, and the friendship between Castellon and the President of Honduras +remained unaffected by the policy the latter was forced to pursue. The +alliance between the Governments at Leon and at Comayagua continued, and +they seemed to be linked together for a common fate. But closely as the +cause of Castellon was bound to that of Cabañas, it was not in Honduras, +nor yet in Guatemala, that its destiny was being determined. The very +day which witnessed the most signal triumph of the Nicaraguan Democrats +was destined to behold the overthrow of the Cabaña administration; and +to ascertain the cause of such a strange result we must leave Central +America and consider events in California. + +Three days after Jerez and his comrades landed at Realejo—that is on +the 8th of May, 1854—a novel scene was enacted on the boundary between +Upper and Lower California. On that day a small band of Americans marched +from the Tia Juana country-house to the monument marking the boundary +between the United States and Mexico, and there yielded their arms to +a military officer of the former power. These men were poorly clad, +but even at the moment of their surrender they—I speak not of their +leader—bore themselves with a certain courage and dignity not unworthy +of men who had aspired to found a new State. They were the last of what +has been called the expedition to Lower California; and some among them +had seen the flag of Mexico lowered at La Paz to give place to another +made for the occasion. They had passed through much toil and danger; and +most of them being altogether new to war had taken their first lesson +in that difficult art by long fasts, and vigils, and marches across one +of the most inhospitable regions of the American continent. The natural +obstacles of Lower California, the scarce subsistence, the long intervals +between watering-places, the rugged sides of the mountains, and the +wide wastes of sandy desert, would make war in that territory not a +pastime even to a well-appointed force. And when you add to these natural +difficulties an enemy who knows the country well, and who is always able +to muster larger numbers than your own, some idea may be formed of +the trials of those engaged in the Lower California expedition. When, +however, these men crossed the line, they gave no sign of failing spirit, +but looked the foe which hung about their rear and flanks as resolutely +in the face as if they had just left a field of triumph and victory. +Such a fact is itself sufficient to prove that the vulgar ideas of this +expedition are false; and as several of the persons with Colonel Walker +in Lower California afterward acted in Nicaraguan affairs, it is not +irrelevant to ascertain the motives which guided them in their first +enterprise, so little understood by the American people. + +The object of these men in leaving California was to reach Sonora; and +it was the smallness of their numbers which made them decide to land at +La Paz. Thus forced to make Lower California a field of operations until +they might gather strength for entering Sonora, they found a political +organization in the peninsula requisite. It was the intention of their +leader to establish at as early a time as possible a military colony—not +necessarily hostile to Mexico—on the frontier of Sonora, with a view +of protecting that State from the Apaches. The design of such a colony +first took form at Auburn, in Placer county, California, early in 1852. A +number of persons there contributed to send two agents to Guaymas for the +purpose of getting a grant of land near the old town of Arispe, with the +condition of protecting the frontier from the Indians. These agents—one +of whom was Mr. Frederic Emory—arrived in Sonora just after Count +Raousset de Boulbon had agreed to settle several hundred French near the +mine of Arizona; and the State Government of Sonora expected the French +to do the work the Americans desired to attempt. Mr. Emory and his +companion, therefore, failed in their object; and the Count de Boulbon +soon afterward going to Sonora, the Auburn plan was abandoned. The +Government of Arista, or rather persons attached to that administration, +became hostile to Raousset de Boulbon on account of their interest in a +conflicting claim to the mine he contracted to work; and by the intrigues +of Colonel Blanco the French were driven into revolution, and afterward, +during the illness of their leader, into an agreement to leave the +country. + +At the time the news of their departure from Sonora reached California, +Mr. Emory proposed to Mr. Walker, to revive the Auburn enterprise; and +Walker, together with his former partner, Mr. Henry P. Watkins, sailed +for Guaymas, in the month of June, 1853, intending to visit the Governor +of Sonora, and try to get such a grant as might benefit the frontier +towns and villages. Walker was careful to provide himself with a passport +from the Mexican consul at San Francisco; but this availed him little +when he reached Guaymas. The day after his arrival there the Prefect +ordered him to the office of police, and after a long examination forbade +him to leave for the interior, refusing to countersign his passport +for Ures. Seeing the obstacles placed in his way at the outset, Walker +determined to return to California; and after he went aboard the vessel +for that purpose the Prefect sent him word the Governor, Gandara, had +ordered his passport to be countersigned in order that he might go to the +capital. The same courier who bore the order from Gandara to the Prefect, +Navarro, also brought news that the Apaches had visited a country-house, +a few leagues from Guaymas, murdering all the men and children, and +carrying the women into a captivity worse than death. The Indians sent +word that they would soon visit the town “where water is carried on +asses’ backs”—meaning Guaymas; and the people of that port, frightened +by the message, seemed ready to receive any one who would give them +safety from their savage foe. In fact several of the women of the place +urged Walker to repair immediately to California, and bring down enough +Americans to keep off the Apaches. + +What Walker saw and heard at Guaymas satisfied him that a comparatively +small body of Americans might gain a position on the Sonora frontier, +and protect the families on the border from the Indians; and such an act +would be one of humanity, no less than of justice, whether sanctioned +or not by the Mexican Government. The condition of the upper part of +Sonora was at that time, and still is, a disgrace to the civilization +of the continent; and until a clause in the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo +was rescinded by one in the Gadsden treaty, the people of the United +States were more immediately responsible before the world for the Apache +outrages. On none more immediately than on the American people, did the +duty devolve of relieving the frontier from the cruelties of savage war. +Northern Sonora was, in fact, more under the dominion of the Apaches +than under the laws of Mexico; and the contributions of the Indians +were collected with greater regularity and certainty than the dues to +the tax-gatherer. The state of this region furnished the best defence +for any American aiming to settle there without the formal consent of +Mexico; and although political changes would certainly have followed the +establishment of a colony near Arispe, they might be justified by the +plea that any social organization, no matter how secured, is preferable +to that in which individuals and families are altogether at the mercy of +savages. + +But the men who sailed for Sonora were obliged to sojourn, for a time, on +the peninsula; and their conduct in Lower California may be taken as the +measure of their motives in the enterprise they undertook. Wheresoever +they went they sought to establish justice and maintain order, and those +among them who violated law were summarily punished. An instance occurred +at the old mission of San Vincente, illustrative of the character of the +expedition, and of the persons who directed it. Several of the soldiers +had formed a conspiracy to desert and to pillage the cattle-farms on +their way to Upper California. The plan and purposes of the conspirators +were revealed by one of the confederates, and the parties to the plot +were tried by court-martial, found guilty of the charge, and sentenced +to be shot. A military execution is a good test of military discipline; +for no duty is so repulsive to the soldier as that of taking life from +the comrade who has shared the perils and privations of his arduous +service. On this occasion, too, the duty was more difficult, because the +number of Americans was small, and was daily diminishing. But painful +as was the duty, the men charged with the execution did not shrink from +the performance of it; and the very field where the unfortunate victims +of the law expiated their offence with their lives, was suggestive of +comparison between the manner in which the expeditionists and the Mexican +Government severally performed the duties of protection to society. The +expeditionary force, drawn up to vindicate law, by the most serious +punishment it metes out to the offender, stood almost in the shadow of +the ruins of the church of the mission fathers. The roofless buildings +of the old monastery, the crumbling arches of the spacious chapel, the +waste fields which showed signs of former culture, and the skulking form +of the half-clothed Indian, relapsing into savageism from which the holy +fathers had rescued him, all declared the sort of protection Mexico had +given to the persons as well as the property of the Peninsula. In the +vital functions of government, the expeditionists may safely challenge a +comparison of their acts with those of Mexico in Lower California; and +the ruin and desolation which followed the unwise no less than unjust +measure of secularizing the missions, were sufficient to forfeit the +claim of the Mexican Republic to the allegiance of the peninsula. + +The main fact for us to know is that those engaged in the Lower +California expedition gave proof of their desire not to destroy, but to +re-organize society wherever they went. They were all young men, and +youth is apt to err in pulling down before it is ready to build up. But +they were men, also, full of military fire and thirsting for military +reputation; and the soldier’s instinct leads him to construct rather than +to destroy. The spirit of the soldier is conservative; the first law of +military organization is order. Therefore, these men, though young, +were not ill-fitted to lay the foundations of a new and more stable +society than any they might find either in Sonora or Lower California. +They failed, however; whether through the actions of others more than +of themselves, it imports not our present purpose to determine. Suffice +it to say that the last remains of the expedition reached San Francisco +about the middle of May, 1854. + +The leader of the expedition—William Walker, or, as he was then called, +Col. Walker—after returning to Upper California, resumed the occupation +of editor of a daily paper. One of the proprietors of the paper he edited +was Byron Cole, whose attention had been for several years directed to +Central America, and more particularly to Nicaragua. Cole, in frequent +conversations with Walker, urged him to give up the idea of settling in +Sonora, and to devote his labors to Nicaragua; and soon after he heard +of the revolution undertaken by Jerez and Castellon, Cole sold his +interest in the paper at San Francisco, and sailed for San Juan del Sur. +He left for Nicaragua on the steamer of the 15th of August, 1854, being +accompanied by Mr. Wm. V. Wells, whose attention was fixed on Honduras. +From San Juan del Sur, Mr. Cole, after numerous delays and vexations, +succeeded in getting to Leon, and there obtained from Castellon a +contract, by which the Provisional Director authorized him to engage +the services of three hundred men for military duty in Nicaragua, the +officers and soldiers to receive a stated monthly pay, and a certain +number of acres of land at the close of the campaign. With this contract +Cole returned to California early in the month of November, and forthwith +sought Walker for the purpose of getting him to take an interest in +the enterprise. As soon as Walker read the contract he refused to act +under it, seeing that it was contrary to the act of Congress of 1818, +commonly known as the neutrality law. He, however, told Cole that if +he would return to Nicaragua, and get from Castellon a contract of +colonization, something might be done with it. Cole accordingly sailed a +second time for San Juan; and on the 29th of December, 1854, Castellon +gave him a colonization grant, under which three hundred Americans were +to be introduced into Nicaragua, and were to be guaranteed forever the +privilege of bearing arms. This grant Cole sent to Walker, and it reached +the latter at Sacramento early in the month of February, 1855. + +A few days after receiving this contract, Walker went to San Francisco +with the view of providing means, if possible, for carrying two or three +hundred men to Nicaragua. He there met an old schoolmate, Mr. Henry A. +Crabb, who had just returned from the Atlantic States; and Crabb having +passed through Nicaragua on his way from California to Cincinnati, gave a +glowing report of the natural wealth and advantages of the country. While +crossing the Transit Road, Crabb heard of the events then transpiring in +the Republic—of the revolution at Leon and the siege of Granada; and he +also ascertained that Jerez was anxious to obtain the aid of Americans +for the campaign against the Legitimists. This suggested the idea of +getting an element into the society of Nicaragua for the regeneration of +that part of Central America; and while in the Atlantic States Crabb had +secured the co-operation of Mr. Thomas F. Fisher, formerly and now of +New-Orleans, and of Captain C. C. Hornsby, who had served in one of the +regiments known as the Ten Regiments, during the Mexican war. The three, +Crabb, Fisher, and Hornsby, left New-Orleans together in the month of +January, 1855: and on the way to San Juan del Norte they found aboard +the steamer Mr. Julius De Brissot, bound, as he said, for the Gallipagos +Islands. De Brissot joined the party; and he, together with Hornsby and +Fisher, remained in Nicaragua, while Crabb proceeded to San Francisco. +When Walker met Crabb at the latter place, he was awaiting advices from +Fisher, who stopped on the Isthmus for the purpose of visiting Jerez and +obtaining from him authority to engage Americans for the service of the +Democratic army. + +Not many days elapsed before Fisher himself came to California, bringing +with him authority to enlist five hundred men for Jerez, and with a +promise of the most extravagant pay, in both money and lands, to the +officers and men who might engage in the service. It seems Fisher, +Hornsby, and De Brissot, found the newly-arrived United States Minister, +John H. Wheeler, on the Isthmus; and as His Excellency was anxious +to visit the Democratic camp in the Jalteva, as well as Chamorro, in +Granada, before deciding what authority he would recognise, Fisher and +his party went as an escort to the Minister, and under the protection of +the American flag, into both camps. From Jerez, however, Fisher obtained +at this time the contract he bore to San Francisco; while Hornsby and +De Brissot, after leaving Granada, went to Rivas, and entered into a +Quixotic agreement with D. Maximo Espinosa to take Fort Castillo Viejo +and the San Juan river from the Legitimists, who had lately driven +the Democrats from the stronghold at the Rapids. These two gentlemen, +however, were soon glad to manage their escape from San Juan del Sur +aboard of the steamer for San Francisco; and not long after Fisher’s +arrival, Hornsby and De Brissot both appeared in California. + +Crabb and Walker had known each other from childhood, and their views +were similar in regard to the state of Central America, and the means +necessary for its regeneration. Therefore, Crabb generously proposed +to give Walker the whole benefit of the contract Fisher had made with +Jerez; and Crabb, in view of certain political movements then occurring +in California, decided to remain in that State. Walker, however, while +thanking Crabb for his offer, refused to have anything to do with the +Jerez contract, preferring to act under the Castellon grant to Cole, +not only because of its entire freedom from legal objections, but also +because it was more reasonable, and had been given by an authority +competent to make the bargain. Hornsby and De Brissot embarked in the +enterprise with Walker; and it will be seen hereafter that they, as well +as Fisher, held commissions under the Republic of Nicaragua. + +In the meanwhile, Walker had taken care that no show of secrecy should +bring suspicion on his undertaking, either as to its illegality or its +injustice. He took the Cole grant to the District Attorney of the United +States for the Northern District of California, Hon. S. W. Inge, and +that gentleman after examining it declared no law would be violated by +acting under it. At that time, too, General Wool, commanding the Pacific +Division, was supposed to have special power from the President for +suppressing expeditions contrary to the Act of 1818. His headquarters +were at Benicia, and the General was in the habit of reading to many +persons the letters addressed by him to the then Secretary of War, +Colonel Jefferson Davis, defending the course he took in reference to the +Lower California expedition. Among others, he read these letters (which +the old gentleman seemed to think models of logic and style) to Walker, +the very person about whose acts the discussion had arisen between +himself and the Secretary. From these letters Walker was led to infer +that the common impression about the powers vested in the General, under +the Act of 1818, was correct; and, therefore, when he heard of General +Wool being in San Francisco, he sought him out, and found him on the +wharf only a few minutes before four o’clock, the hour for the departure +of the Sacramento steamer. The General was about to leave in the boat for +Benicia; and after hearing Walker’s statement as to the nature of the +grant made to Cole, and of his intention to act under it, the old man, +shaking him heartily by the hand, said he not only would not interfere +with the enterprise, but wished it entire success. Thus having secured +the sanction of the proper Federal authorities, Walker proceeded in his +efforts to provide means for carrying colonists to Nicaragua under the +Cole contract. He soon found that it would be impossible to get more than +a pitiful sum of money, and that his arrangements would have to be made +on the most economical scale. + +While engaged in these preliminary preparations, Walker received an +injury in the foot, which kept him in his chamber until the middle of +April; and, in fact, the sore was not wholly healed when he sailed from +San Francisco. Thus confined to the house, he was able to do little more +in the way of means than to obtain a thousand dollars from Mr. Joseph +Palmer, of the firm of Palmer, Cook & Co. At this gentleman’s house he +had met with Colonel Fremont and talked with him about the enterprise +in Nicaragua; and the Colonel, who had passed across the Isthmus the +previous year, thought well of the undertaking. It is due probably, to +both Colonel Fremont and Mr. Palmer, to state that they were not fully +aware of all the views Walker held on the subject of slavery; nor, +indeed, was it necessary at that time for those views to be expressed. +Besides the assistance given by Mr. Palmer, Walker was much aided by two +friends—Mr. Edmund Randolph and Mr. A. P. Crittenden. + +After much difficulty, a contract was made with one Lamson for the +passage of a certain number of men, aboard the brig Vesta, from San +Francisco to Realejo. The agreement had been made through a ship-master, +McNair, and it was considered that he would sail in command of the Vesta. +But, after the cash payment on the charter party had been made to Lamson, +he and McNair fell out, and the former was obliged to employ another +captain for his vessel. The provisions and the passengers were all aboard +the brig about the 20th of April; and when it was thought she was on +the point of leaving, the Sheriff seized the vessel by attachment at the +suit of an old creditor of the owner, Lamson. The evening, too, after the +attachment, there were some signs of the brig getting under way for sea; +and therefore the Sheriff sent down a posse of eight or ten, armed with +revolvers, for the purpose of preventing an escape. A sort of scuffle, +more in jest than in earnest, occurred between some of the posse and +their acquaintances among the passengers; and the new captain, frightened +out of his wits, jumped over the rail to the wharf, taking with him the +papers of the ship. A few days afterward the United States Marshal served +a writ on the brig for the price of the provisions; and the revenue +cutter W. L. Marcy was hauled astern of the Vesta, with orders to keep +her from going to sea with the Deputy Marshal aboard. To make assurance +doubly sure, the Sheriff had the sails of the brig unbent and put in +store. The owner seemed to be entirely without means to satisfy the +claims against the vessel, and everybody thought the chance very small +for the departure of the vessel on her proposed voyage. + +Walker, however, advised the passengers to remain aboard, and all except +a few followed the advice. Soon he found a captain for the Vesta, in the +person of Mr. M. D. Eyre, who professed some knowledge of navigation. The +holder of the claim against Lamson, under which the attachment issued, +happened to be a friend of Crabb, from Stockton; and he was induced by +good will for the voyage the Vesta was bound on, to grant easy terms for +the release of the brig. Lamson really controlled the action of the +merchants who sold him the provisions; and when he was told it might +not be safe for him to keep the passengers in San Francisco, he rather +hesitatingly agreed to have the libel dismissed. But the sheriff’s costs +had run up, by the employment of the posse, and other extraordinary +expenses, to more than three hundred dollars; and Walker having expended +nearly the last dollar, it seemed as if this trivial amount might stop +the whole enterprise. The costs of the sheriff were very large, if +not illegal; but, as he had the sails in store, he seemed to have the +Vesta in his power. Walker managed, however, to get an order from the +sheriff on the store-keeper for the sails; and as the sheriff was kept +in ignorance of the dismissal of the libel, he supposed the cutter would +detain the brig in port if she tried to go out. Besides this, he had +a keeper aboard; and the keeper having been a member of a California +Legislature, was supposed to keep a sharp lookout for any suspicious +movement. The captain of the cutter was informed a little before dark +that the Vesta was out of the marshal’s hands, and arrangements were made +through one of the Marcy’s officers, for her sailors to come aboard about +ten o’clock, in order to bend the sails of the brig. The United States +sailors came at the appointed time, and the passengers managed to get the +sheriff’s keeper into the cabin, where he was detained for several hours. +Swiftly and silently the work of bending the sails went on; and shortly +after midnight, on the morning of the 4th of May, 1855, the steam-tug +Resolute came alongside the Vesta, and hitching her on, towed her from +the wharf, through the shipping, into the stream, and out by the Heads +to sea. The sheriff’s keeper was sent to the Resolute, the towlines were +cast off, and the Vesta put to sea, to the great joy of the passengers, +who had been for two weeks alternating between hope of her departure and +fear of her detention. + +When the brig got to sea, it was found that there were fifty-eight +passengers bound for a new home in the tropics. Among them were Achilles +Kewen, who had commanded a company under Lopez, at Cardenas, in 1850; +Timothy Crocker, who had served under Walker throughout the Lower +California expedition; C. C. Hornsby, whose previous adventures in +Nicaragua have been alluded to; Dr. Alex. Jones, who had lately been to +the Cocos Islands in search of a buried treasure; Francis P. Anderson, +who had served in the New-York regiment in California during the Mexican +war; and others, whose names will hereafter appear in the course of this +narrative. They were most of them men of strong character, tired of the +humdrum of common life, and ready for a career which might bring them the +sweets of adventure or the rewards of fame. Their acts will afford the +best measure both of their capacity and of their character. + +The voyage of the Vesta was rather long and tedious. In crossing +the Gulf of Tehuantepec she encountered a gale which tested her +timbers—twenty-nine years in her sides—to the utmost. The bow of the old +brig would open to the waves as they roared around her, and at times her +decks were swept clear by the huge billows passing over her. She was +worked by men detailed from the passengers; and after living through the +storm off Tehuantepec, the crew had little to do until she reached the +Gulf of Fonseca. More than five weeks had been consumed since leaving +San Francisco before the volcano of Coseguina—the first Nicaraguan +land—was seen looming in the distance. The want of wind detained the +brig for some hours at the mouth of the gulf, while a boat was sent in +to the port of Amapala, on the Island of Tigre. Captain Morton, the same +American who had carried Jerez to Realejo, in May, 1854, was at Amapala +with instructions from Castellon, awaiting the arrival of the Vesta. +The captain was gladly welcomed aboard the brig, as the skipper who +had brought the vessel from San Francisco knew nothing of the Central +American coast. After taking Morton aboard, the Vesta proceeded on her +way, and on the morning of the 16th of June, she came to anchor within +the port of Realejo. + +I have been somewhat minute, and it may be tedious, in narrating the +earlier incidents of the enterprise whereby Americans were introduced +as an element into Nicaraguan society, because we may often judge best +of events by seeing clearly the origin of them. The father ceases to +have any direct influence over either the mind or the organization of +the child after the moment of conception; and yet how often we trace not +merely the features of the father, but even the delicate traits of his +character, in his offspring. The fine cells which determine the nature of +organic structure, have been minutely studied by the physiologist, and +the manner of their development has opened to him some of the hitherto +hidden laws of life. If, then, you desire to understand the character +of the late war in Nicaragua, do not despise the small events which +attended the departure of the fifty-eight from San Francisco. From the +day the Americans landed at Realejo dates a new epoch, not only for +Nicaragua, but for all Central America. Thenceforth it was impossible for +the worn-out society of those countries to evade or escape the changes +the new elements were to work in their domestic as well as in their +political organization. + +The state of native parties in Nicaragua on the 16th day of June, +1855, was quite different from that existing on the 29th of December, +1854—the day on which Castellon made the grant to Cole. When the Vesta +dropped anchor in the port of Realejo, the Provisional Government was +confined almost entirely to the Occidental Department. The Legitimists +held all the Oriental and Meridional Departments, and most of the towns +and villages in Matagalpa and Segovia were subject to their sway. The +ally, too, of the Provisional Government, Cabañas, sat less firmly in +the executive chair of Honduras than he had on the previous Christmas. +A force organized by the aid of Guatemala, and commanded by a General +Lopez, had invaded the Department of Gracias; and while Lopez was sent +into the north of Honduras, General Santos Guardiola—whose name was +itself a terror to the towns of both States—sailed from Istapa for +San Juan del Sur, aboard the Costa Rican schooner San José, with the +intention of engaging in the service of the Legitimists for a campaign in +Segovia, close to the confines of Tegucigalpa and Choluteca. Guardiola +arrived at Granada only a few days before Walker reached Realejo; and +the latter found the people about Chinandega trembling at the name of +one who, whether properly or improperly it is hard to say, had acquired +the epithet of the “Butcher” of Central America. After the retreat from +Granada Jerez had fallen into disgrace with his party—at least they +denied him all claim to military capacity, no doubt glad to place on +the shoulders of their leader the blame of all the misfortunes which +had followed their entire want of military virtue. In place of Jerez, +Castellon put at the head of the “Democratic Army” General Muñoz, who +had at that time more reputation as a soldier than any man in Central +America. He had been invited to Leon from Honduras, whither he had +retired several years previously in consequence of having failed in a +revolution against the Government of D. Laureano Pineda; and it was only +by much entreaty and grave concession that Castellon had prevailed on +him to take the command of the army of the Provisional Government. Since +assuming the command Muñoz had acted wholly on the defensive, devoting +his time to drilling the men pressed into the service of Castellon; and +it was widely whispered among the people, especially among the blood reds +of the Democrats, that Muñoz was anxious for a compromise between the two +contending parties, thinking more of maintaining himself in power than of +the success of the principles for which the revolution was begun. + +Walker was not ill pleased to hear from Morton on the way from Tiger +Island to Realejo, the condition of affairs in Nicaragua. He felt that +the more desperate the fortunes of the Castellon party were, the more +deeply would they be indebted to the men who might rescue them from +their danger, and the more thoroughly would they be committed to any +course or policy the Americans might propose. Far from being depressed by +the news, which to some might have appeared gloomy, he saw in the very +straits to which the Democratic party was reduced, the cause no less than +the presage of the success of his companions. The anxiety, too, with +which Castellon evidently awaited the arrival of the Vesta, was cheering. +He had sent Morton to Tiger Island for the express purpose of boarding +the brig and of bringing her as speedily as possible to Realejo; and when +the vessel appeared off the Island of Cardon, the collector of the port +and a special officer, sent by the Provisional Director, Col. Ramirez, +came out to the Vesta in order to welcome her to the waters of Nicaragua. +On the evening of the 15th of June—the day before the Vesta was able to +enter the harbor—these two officers came aboard the brig, and Colonel +Ramirez informed Walker that he was ordered from Leon to see all proper +arrangements made for the reception of the Americans. Quarters had been +prepared for them at Realejo, and the Director was anxious to see Walker +as early as possible. + +As soon as the brig came to anchor, the passengers got ready to go up the +river to the town which lies four or five miles from the harbor. Several +bungos were secured for the purpose; and a little past noon the native +boatmen pulled away from the brig, the Americans taking with them their +clothes and blankets as well as their arms and ammunition. Each of them +carried a rifle, and many of them had revolvers. The bungos entered the +river, and silence was rarely broken save by the plashing of the oars +in the water, or the harsh cry of a macaw screaming its discordant note +from the boughs overhanging the stream. The deep gloom of the tropical +forests was more impressive from the ocean of sunshine which surrounded +it; and the stillness of all nature affected the beholder with an awe +which commanded silence and reflection. After pulling a short distance, +however, the native boatmen, whose senses long use had blunted to the +peculiar impressions of the scenery, began to talk about the different +objects they passed; nor did they fail to point out the stones used by +Morgan as ballast, and which he threw from his vessel in order to receive +the precious freight he pillaged from Realejo. The distance of the +present town from the harbor is due in fact to the dread the Spaniards +had of the buccaneers of the seventeenth century. + +It was near 4 o’clock in the afternoon when the Americans drew up at +the wharf of Realejo and leaped ashore for the first time in Nicaragua. +The guard-house was near the landing-place, and as Walker passed, the +officer, a light, active young fellow, with a bright red short-cloak +thrown gracefully over his left shoulder, turned out the guard, and +saluted. The soldiers all wore the red ribbon with the words “Ejercito +Democratico” printed on it; and although without uniform or any music +except that made by a very indifferent drum, they had a good military +carriage, and their step, unimpeded by shoe or sandal, was excellent. As +the Americans passed up the street to the quarters assigned them, the +women, with their best dresses and most pleasing smiles, stood at the +doors and windows saluting with much natural grace the strangers who +had come to find a home in their midst, and to share the fortunes of the +party with which their husbands and lovers, and fathers and brothers, +were identified. + +Early the next morning, Walker and Crocker, accompanied by Col. Ramirez +and Capt. Doubleday, an American who had served in the Democratic army +during the siege of Granada, started for Leon. As they entered the town +of Chinandega the church bells rang a welcome peal, and at all the +villages on the road they received marks of good will and hospitality. +The road from Chinandega to Leon, by Chichigalpa and Posultega, passes +through a country for which nature has done much and man little; and +the effect of even what little man had done was marred by the constant +signs of revolutionary violence. Under the shade of the magnificent +ceiba might be seen halted a company of soldiers with their trowsers +rolled above their knees; but on close observation you could perceive +that the sergeants and corporals were keenly watching lest some of +their new recruits might take advantage of the halt to slip away for a +moment, and so escape the hated service. It was a relief to turn from +man and his works to the nature brilliant with beauties in her tropical +aspects. As the travellers approached Leon they beheld spread out before +them a vast plain which seems almost boundless in extent as you look +toward the south; while gazing northward, you perceive the lofty line of +volcanoes—Viejo on one flank and Momotombo on the other—stretching from +the Gulf of Fonseca to the Lake of Managua. It is only when you ascend +the tower of the cathedral within the city, and are able to distinguish +to the westward the ocean through the break in the coast range of hills, +that you see the southern wall of the plain made by the mountains around +the town of Managua. + +But it was not to muse over nature or to admire her vast and grand +proportions in these southern latitudes, that the companions of the +swarthy Ramirez had come to Central America. The sight of the picket on +the outskirt of the town, though at least three quarters of a league +from the Plaza, was more suggestive of the objects they had in view; and +riding rapidly through the lanes and streets they soon reached the house +of the Provisional Director. Castellon received the new-comers with frank +cordiality, and expressed the lively pleasure he felt at their arrival. +It did not require many minutes to see that he was not the man to control +a revolutionary movement, or to conduct it to a successful issue. There +was a certain indecision, not merely in his words and features, but +even in his walk and the general motions of his body; and this trait +of character seemed to be aggravated by the circumstances about him. A +short conversation revealed his anxiety that Walker should meet Muñoz; +and Castellon said at once that he needed the military assistance of the +Americans to secure the success of the Provisional Government. He said +he wished them to enter the service as a separate corps, and proposed to +call them _La Falange Americana_—the American Phalanx. + +During the evening Muñoz called at the house of the Director, and Walker +was presented to him. The contrast between the manner of the Executive +and that of the General was striking. Castellon was modest, gentle, +almost shrinking in his address; Muñoz had an air of conceit which +affirmed a feeling of superiority on his part, to all around him. It was +not difficult to see that they disliked each other; though Castellon +concealed his feelings and opinions better than Muñoz. The General, soon +after saluting Walker, began to talk in the most ridiculous style about +the comparative military merits of General Scott and General Taylor, +exposing his ignorance in every sentence, and showing the weakness of +his character. Muñoz let the American perceive that the new element +Castellon proposed to introduce into the war did not have the approval +of the commander-in-chief; and after the General took leave, Walker +told Castellon that if he and his comrades entered the service of the +Provisional Government, it was with the distinct understanding they were +not to be put under the orders of Muñoz. Walker found that the Director +was not at all averse to have some one with him to lighten the burden he +had been obliged to bear in the person of the commanding general. + +The next day Walker determined to return to Chinandega, to let the +Americans know that Castellon wished their services as soldiers; and +before leaving, he proposed to the Director, in case they enlisted, to +immediately march on the town of Rivas, with a view of occupying the +Meridional Department. This movement, if successful, would furnish money +to the Government, which was now obliged to overtax and thereby to create +disaffection among the people of the Occidental; and the occupation of +the Transit Road would place the Americans in a position to increase +their numbers from the passengers across the Isthmus. The Director +said he would place the proposition before his Minister of War, D. +Buenaventura Selva, and advise Walker of the decision in the matter. + +The Americans were delighted, on Walker’s return to Chinandega, where +he found them, to hear that Castellon wished them to engage in the +service, and that in a few days they might be called on to march against +the enemy. On the 20th of June, Walker received a commission as Colonel +in the Democratic army, and the Secretary of War informed him that +commissions would be issued to other officers among the Americans as he +might suggest. Achilles Kewen was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant +Colonel; Crocker was made Major; and the _Falange_ being organized into +two companies, two captains were named, the senior being C. C. Hornsby. +By the constitution of 1838, a simple declaration of intention made any +native-born citizen of an American Republic a naturalized citizen of +Nicaragua, and under this clause most of the _Falange_ became Nicaraguans. + +At the same time the Secretary of War sent Walker his commission, he +informed him that the Director desired him to organize a force to act +against the enemy in the Meridional Department; that Col. Ramirez had +been ordered to raise two hundred natives, and to report with his command +to Col. Walker as soon as he was ready to march; and that the civil and +military officers at Chinandega and Realejo had been ordered to give him +any assistance he required in the way of supplies and transportation for +the force intrusted to his charge. + + + + +Chapter Second. + +RIVAS, JUNE TWENTY-NINTH, 1855. + + +Immediately after receiving the dispatches of the Government placing +him in command of an expeditionary force to act against the Legitimists +at Rivas, Walker began to prepare the _Falange_, as the Americans were +henceforth called, to march to Realejo whence they were to sail on board +the Vesta for a point in the Meridional Department. The stores, both +commissary and ordnance, were sent by ox-carts to Realejo and thence +by bungos to the brig anchored off Point Ycaco. On the 23d, three days +after the order reached Chinandega, the force was aboard ready for +sailing. Ramirez had been backward in his movements and showed little +disposition for the enterprise, deeming it hazardous and ill-advised. +He was evidently influenced by the words of Muñoz, whose disapproval +of the expedition to Rivas was well known. So much did the opinion of +his superior, Muñoz, control his conduct, that he made small effort +to enlist the number of men—two hundred—the Director assigned as the +strength of the native force. When the Vesta was ready for sea, not +many more than one hundred natives mustered on her decks. Among the +officers with Ramirez was Mariano Mendez, a pure Indian who had been +engaged in revolutions and counter-revolutions from his youth upward. +With violent passions and uncontrolled desires he had a courage and +experience which made him at times useful to the men who were in the +habit of attempting political changes for personal objects; and when +active service was required, they would put the old chief on a good horse +with a stout lance in his hand, and reasonably expect from him the most +hazardous enterprises. Utterly unfit for civil life and incapable of +being subjected to the rigid rules of military law, he was a dangerous +tool and an unreliable friend. He would not serve under Ramirez, and +obeyed no orders except those from Walker himself. Aboard of the Vesta +his principal amusement was to spread his blanket on the deck and gather +a crowd of soldiers about him for his favorite game of Monte. Once the +money of the bettors was on Mariano’s blanket, it mattered little, so +far as the fate of the cash was concerned, whether the cards ran for or +against him; it was honor enough, so Mendez thought, and so some of the +men seemed to think, for a soldier to bet with a Colonel of Lancers, as +he claimed to be; and to lose his money was, with the soldier, a pleasant +mode of paying for so signal a distinction. Muñoz was no doubt glad to +get Mendez out of Leon; and the Colonel of Lancers was glad for awhile +to exchange the aguardiente of Subtiaba for the chocolate of Rivas, +especially with the prospect of being able to slip a few ceroons to Leon +for sale among the Indians of his neighborhood. + +Nor had Castellon failed to provide for a civil organization in case +the expedition got a foothold within the Meridional Department. D. +Maximo Espinosa, the owner of a valuable cacao plantation near Rivas, +was authorized by the Minister of Relations, D. Francisco Baca, to act +as Prefect of the Department, and also as Commissioner to collect the +revenue so necessary for the sustenance of the Provisional Government. +Espinosa was an old man, upward of seventy, with a Don Quixote cast +of features, and the dark lustreless eye, full of melancholy, so +characteristic of his race. A ruling passion with him seemed to be +hatred to D. Juan Ruiz (one of Estrada’s Ministers), whose lands touched +those of Don Maximo. Indeed it is probable that an old feud about limits +between Don Juan and Don Maximo determined the latter to espouse the +cause of the Democratic army. Having lived all his life near Rivas, +Espinosa was thought to be well informed as to the roads and places +near the town. His nephew, who accompanied him, was also familiar with +the Meridional Department; and his services as guide were useful to the +expedition. + +Morton was placed in charge of the Vesta; and although he knew the coast +well and took all advantage of the winds, it was not until four days +after leaving Point Ycaco that Walker was enabled to land. On the evening +of the 27th of June, about sunset, boats were let down for landing the +force at a point known as El Gigante, a short distance above Brito and +some six leagues to the north of San Juan del Sur. The boats were few and +small, and De Brissot who, by his desire to produce an effect was often +taking false steps, ran a whaleboat he had charge of against the rocks +the first trip she made to the shore. It was nearly midnight before the +whole force, consisting of about fifty-five Americans and one hundred and +ten natives, was landed on the coast. When the disembarkation commenced +the moon was shining brightly; but by eleven o’clock the sky was +overcast. The clouds continued to grow thicker and darker, and before the +force was formed in marching order, drops of rain, precursors of a heavy +shower, began to fall. Espinosa and his nephew found the trail which led +over the coast range of hills to Rivas; and about midnight the Americans +in front, Ramirez and his command in the rear, and a few native soldiers +detailed to carry the ammunition covered with ox-hides in the centre, the +column took up its march for the interior. The men carried nothing but +their arms and blankets with two day’s provisions in their haversacks, so +that they marched with as much rapidity as the damp, muddy nature of the +ground would permit; but before they had gone more than half a mile the +rain came down in torrents. Then Espinosa and his nephew lost the trail; +the old man complained of colic, and the young one seemed to be afraid to +venture further. A halt was ordered; several were sent out to search for +the trail; and in the meanwhile the main body got what shelter it could +under the heavy foliage of the large dark-looking forest trees. In a few +minutes, however, the rain ceased, the trail was found, and the command +resumed its march. At dawn the little force had somewhat recovered its +spirits, and had got over the drenching of the night previous; and +marching briskly through the thick forests, they avoided all habitations, +designing if possible to surprise the enemy at Rivas the night of the +28th. About nine o’clock they came to an old deserted adobe house, and +halted several hours for breakfast and rest. + +The encampment that morning was quite gipsy-like. The felt hats of the +_Falange_ showed, in their drooping brims, the effects of the night’s +rain; and thick, heavy beards gave to most of the body a wild and +dangerous air. As soon as the sentries were posted, the Americans began +to dispose of their crackers and cold meat, washed down in some instances +by a draught from a liquor canteen; while the native soldiers opened +their supplies of cheese and tortillas, winding up with a little tiste—a +mixture of chocolate, sugar, and corn meal, diluted in water—from the +fantastically carved jicaras they carried tied with a string run through +the button-holes of their jackets or trowsers. After breakfast and +several hours’ sleep, the force was well prepared to renew its march, and +the disagreeable impressions of the night were completely forgotten in +the balmy effects of the soft, mild air, which seemed a fluid altogether +different from the atmosphere of northern climates. You felt as if a +thin, and vapory exhalation of opium, soothing and exhilarating by turns, +was being mixed at intervals with the common elements of the atmosphere. +By night, however, the clouds began again to gather; and soon after dark +a steady rain set in. The weather interfered so much with the march +that Walker saw he could not reach Rivas, as he had expected, before +morning; and as the natives carrying the ammunition began to complain of +their burden, it became an object to secure pack-horses for the command. +Besides this, many of the Americans, tired and foot-sore, lost some of +the alacrity requisite for action. + +At the little village of Tola there was a small body of horsemen, sent +out by the commandant at Rivas, to watch the approach of Walker, whose +departure from Realejo had been already communicated to Corral at +Granada. Report said the news of this fact was carried to the Legitimists +by a German who received a passport to leave Leon from Muñoz. The story +is not improbable, and was confirmed by so many circumstances, that it +is not singular the Americans adopted it as a well-authenticated fact. +The Legitimists themselves said, the first news they got was from this +German; and it is certain he passed through Pueblo Nuevo with a passport +from the commanding general of the Democratic army. On receipt of the +news of Walker’s sailing from Realejo, Corral sent Colonel Bosque with a +force to Rivas; and after his arrival at the latter place, Bosque began +to build barricades, and to press the men of the town into the ranks as +soldiers. He had sent out horsemen to scour the country between Rivas and +the sea-coast; and twenty of these were, according to the information +Walker received from some Democrats near Tola, quartered in the village +the night of the 28th. As the expeditionary force approached Tola, the +rain fell fast; the roads became filled with water, and the men found it +almost impossible to keep their ammunition dry. About half a mile from +the village, some twenty men were sent on in advance to attack, and, +if possible, capture the enemy there. The detachment marched briskly +forward, the main body following at a short distance. As Walker reached +the outskirts of the village, he heard, between two claps of loud +thunder, the sharp crack of the American rifles, then all was still. +The detachment had found the hostile party in the corridor of one of the +principal houses of the town; and so little did the Legitimists expect +an enemy in the midst of the storm, that they were, without a sentry +posted, playing at cards. Several of them—among others the officer in +command—were wounded; the rest escaped, and carried the news of the +approach of the Americans to Rivas. After securing the horses of the +Legitimist troopers, sentries were posted by the Democrats, and they +halted for the night. Orders were given to the surgeon, Dr. Jones, to +look after the wounded prisoners—much to the dissatisfaction of some +native officers, who thought they ought to be shot. + +A little after eight o’clock next morning, Walker marched for Rivas, +which lies about nine miles to the eastward of Tola. The day soon +became clear and bright; and the _Falange_, eager for a fight, pressed +forward briskly. Mendez having found a horse and taken a lance from one +of the enemy, was in a fine flow of spirits, and kept near the head of +the column, sometimes pressing the advance-guard to let him pass. But +Ramirez hung back, and even checked his men as they stepped close after +the Americans. Every now and then market-women, with fruit-baskets on +their heads, and just from Rivas, would gayly greet the soldiers, nodding +familiarly to some acquaintance among the natives, and much wondering at +the strange figures of the men from California. Nor were the Americans +less amused at the new faces and forms they met on the road; and such of +them as spoke any Spanish, would waste all the terms of endearment they +could muster on the girls, who seemed pleased with the compliments of the +men from the land of gold. When, however, the command reached the summit +of a hill, about four miles from Rivas, a scene of beauty and of splendor +burst upon their vision, and for a while drew them from everything else, +even from thought of the eager strife in which they expected soon to +mingle. + +As the advance guard reached a turn in the road it seemed to halt for a +moment, involuntarily, and though the order was to march in silence an +exclamation of surprise and pleasure escaped the lips of all. Mendez, +the red streamer flying from the lance which rested on his stirrup, was +up with the advance and uttered the single word “Omotepe.” To his eye +the scene was familiar, but to the Americans it appeared a vision of +enchantment. The lake of Nicaragua lay in full view, and rising from +it, as Venus from the sea, was the tall and graceful cone of Omotepe. +The dark forests of the tropics clothed the side of the volcano, which +seemed to repose under the influence of the soft sunshine around it. The +form of the mountain told its history as if written in a book; and the +appearance of the volcano was so much that of a person enjoying a siesta, +the beholder would not have been surprised to see it waken at any moment +and throw the lava from its burning sides. The first glimpse of the scene +almost made the pulse stand still; and the Falange had scarcely recovered +from its effects when the command was halted opposite a country-house a +few hundred yards from Rivas, in order to prepare for the attack on the +town. + +About a mile from Rivas Walker had fallen into the road leading to +Granada, so that he might enter the former place from the north. He took +this course with a view of securing the houses either of the Maleaño or +of the Santa Ursula estates—two cacao plantations on the edge of the town +furnishing good positions to a force either attacking or defending the +place. Halting his troops, then, less than half a mile from the first +houses of the town, Walker called the principal officers, American and +native, around him, explaining his plan of attack, and assigning to each +his separate duty. Kewen and Crocker were ordered to drive the enemy, if +possible, from the streets, keeping the Americans advancing at a quick +step until they reached the Plaza; while Ramirez and his command were +to follow close after the Americans, protecting, as much as they could, +their flanks and rear. A few moments sufficed for these orders, and all +declared their full understanding of the several places assigned them. +Then Kewen and Crocker ordered their men to advance. As they got within +sight of the first houses, a body of the enemy opened fire; the reply of +the rifles was sharp and deadly, and the shout of the Americans as they +rushed forward proclaimed their eagerness for the strife. The Legitimists +fell back rapidly toward the Plaza; the hill of Santa Ursula was gained +by the Falange, and driving in the panels of the gates and doors with the +butts of their rifles, the soldiers soon had possession of the houses on +the summit. Walker rode past just as the houses were entered; and seeing +Crocker a short distance in advance, he called out to know how far the +men had got toward the Plaza. Crocker was panting with excitement; his +chin was bleeding from the graze of a bullet, one arm hung useless, being +shot through near the shoulder, while in the hand of the other side he +carried his army revolver, with half its barrels discharged. But the rage +of battle was on him; and heedless of wounds he was trying to drive the +men toward the enemy. As soon, however, as he saw his commander, he sank +his voice, and said in a low tone, “Colonel, the men falter; I cannot get +them on.” Then Walker, looking to the rear, saw that the natives were not +yet in sight. The pack-mules and horses with the ammunition were slowly +coming on; and Mendez, with a few natives near him, was to be seen a +little to the right. Passing to the front, Walker saw it was too true, +as Crocker said, that the men could not be brought to advance. At the +same time a brisk fire was opened on the left flank of the Americans by +Colonel Manuel Arguëllo, who had just arrived with a force from San Juan +del Sur. Then the Americans were concentrated in a large adobe house near +the hill of Santa Ursula, and in some small houses on the opposite side +of the street; the ammunition was unpacked, and the whole force was, as +far as possible, placed under cover, in order to get a breathing time +before future action. + +The enemy seeing Ramirez did not press forward to aid the Americans, +got in between the two bodies; and Madregil, as the Leonese colonel was +called, marched off with nearly his whole command toward the Costa Rican +frontier, thinking, doubtless, that the Falange would be destroyed. +The Legitimists, too, noticing the disappearance of Ramirez, began to +press the Americans on all sides, making several efforts to charge the +houses, where the rifles did good execution. The white ribbons were +strewed thickly about the streets, and the Americans had several killed +and wounded early in the conflict. But the spirits of the latter did not +droop until first Crocker and then Kewen was reported killed. Even after +these losses, however, the men were brought to a charge in order to drive +the enemy from an old gun, a four-pounder, they were trying to get to +bear on the houses the Americans occupied. The charge was successful, +and the enemy were unable to use the piece during the action. Then the +Legitimists tried to fire the houses held by the Democrats, and they +so far succeeded as to get one of the roofs in a blaze. By this time +upward of fifteen of the Americans were killed or wounded, not more than +thirty-five of them remaining for action. The fight had begun at twelve +o’clock, and it was near four when orders were issued to prepare for +retreat. Several of the wounded had to be left; but those who could march +at all were notified of the intention to abandon the houses, so that they +might be ready to move when the order was given. The enemy, protected +by the thick undergrowth, had crowded in some force close to the houses +when the order was given to sally. At the moment of leaving the house, a +shout was raised by the sallying party; the nearest of the enemy turned +and fled in confusion; and the main body of the Legitimists, paralyzed, +as it were, by the offensive appearance of the American movement, waited, +expecting everywhere an attack. Thus the Falange escaped from its +difficult position with the loss of only one man killed. + +When the Democrats attacked Rivas, the Legitimists had probably five +hundred men in the town; and they were re-enforced soon after the action +commenced by Arguëllo, with some seventy-five or eighty men. There were, +according to the best accounts, at least seventy of the Legitimists +killed, and as many wounded. The Americans lost six killed and twelve +wounded; and five of their wounded left behind were barbarously murdered +by the enemy, and their bodies burnt. After such a day, the Legitimists +were not much in the humor of pursuing those who had taught them a first +lesson in the use of the rifle. + +But it was not by numbers that the loss of the Americans was to be +computed. The chivalrous spirit of Kewen would have weighed against a +host of common men; and the death of Crocker was a loss hardly to be +repaired. A boy in appearance, with a slight figure, and a face almost +feminine in its delicacy and beauty, he had the heart of a lion; and +his eye, usually mild and gentle, though steady in its expression, was +quick to perceive a false movement on the part of an adversary, and +then its flash was like the gleam of a scimetar as it falls on the head +of the foe. With little military experience and less military reading, +he was a man to lead others where danger was to be met; and none who +knew him feared he would get a command into any position from which his +courage and address would be unable to extricate them. To Walker he was +invaluable; for they had been together in many a trying hour, and the +fellowship of difficulty and danger had established a sort of freemasonry +between them. + +There had been with the Americans during most of the day, at Rivas, two +natives, one of them a boy, the other a man, familiar with the country +about Rivas. Under the guidance of the latter the little band retreated +through cacao plantations, seeking some road which might lead them toward +the Transit. Their march was of course slow, and they were obliged to +wait often for the wounded to come up. Among those most seriously hurt +were De Brissot and Anderson (afterward Colonel Anderson), the former +having a wound through the fleshy part of the thigh, and the latter, in +addition to a wound in the thigh, having a scratch in the scalp and a cut +in the foot. Capt. Doubleday, a volunteer in the expedition, was useful +by his knowledge of native character and the modes of native warfare; and +although having a painful wound in the head, he did not for a moment lose +his spirits or presence of mind. Two or three times in their wanderings +through plantations, the retreating party came upon native laborers, who +are accustomed to fly at the sight of armed men, through fear of being +pressed into military service; and once overtaking a slow, cautious old +man who, after some hesitation, half opened his jacket, to show a red +rose under it, they were amused by seeing a white rose at the same time +fall to the ground. After a doubtful day in revolutionary times, the +poor fellow thought it best to have the white emblem for the Legitimists +as well as the red for the Democrats. Nor were the Americans themselves +altogether lacking in such prudence; for many of them had torn the red +ribbon from their hats, in order to escape the notice of hostile parties. +This, however, was a vain precaution, since their tongue, as well as +their dress and manners, plainly told the race, and therefore the party, +to which they belonged. + +It was nearly dark when the guide succeeded in striking the road from +Rivas to St. George, about half way between the two places. As the +Falange approached the high road the bells of Buenos Ayres were ringing +in the distance, and Doubleday thought it was for the victory of the +Legitimists, though it was probably for the usual vesper prayers. +Marching briskly on, the remains of the expeditionary force passed, about +dark, the outskirts of San Jorge, all the doors being closed, as usual +when a battle has been fought in the neighborhood, and all the dogs of +the village seeming to bark at the tread of the retreating Americans. +Walker ordered Mayorga, the guide, to take the command by as quiet a path +as possible to the Transit; and he soon led the party by a trail to the +right of the road between Rivas and Virgin Bay. The ground was muddy and +difficult, the men at times sinking into it over their shoes and half way +up to the knee. And if the march was trying to well men, how much more so +was it to Anderson and De Brissot, with the muscles of their thighs bored +through by musket-balls. The rear guard, however, did its duty well, and +kept the column closed up, while maintaining the coolness and firmness +requisite for meeting the enemy in case of a pursuit. But there was no +sign of pursuit; and about midnight the worn-out soldiers of the Falange +halted, and camped until morning at a deserted hut on the top of a hill, +some two miles from the Transit road. + +A little sleep and a hearty breakfast revived the exhausted spirits of +the command; and before nine o’clock on the morning of the 30th, they +were again toiling along the muddy trail. Soon they got a glimpse of +the white Transit road, between two and three miles from Virgin Bay. +It looked American, and the very sight of it refreshed the Falange and +put new life even into the wounded. Not many minutes after they got +on the Transit, Walker heard, at a distance ahead, the tinkle of a +mule-bell, and the guide said it was the treasure train, the passengers +having crossed from San Juan del Sur to Virgin Bay the day before. As +the train was usually accompanied by an escort, Walker was apprehensive +of a collision between the treasure guard and his force, and of the +misrepresentations which would necessarily arise from such an event. +Hence he hastily ordered the men to be hid on the side of a hill they +were then passing; and he was relieved at seeing the whole train pass by +with none but the muleteers in charge of it. The march was then resumed, +and near the Half-way House a man named Dewey, formerly a gambler in +California, rode up, and informing Walker he was just from San Juan del +Sur, told him some of the native Democrats, Mendez among them, had passed +through town the night before, on their way to Costa Rica, but that no +Legitimists had been there since the departure of Arguëllo, early on the +morning of the 29th, for Rivas. + +A few minutes after sunset, the people of San Juan del Sur beheld about +forty-five men, several of them wounded—some without hats, others without +shoes—all of them travel-stained and clinging to their rifles, defile +through the streets of the town and take up their quarters in the +barracks near the beach. The appearance of the Falange at that moment was +not imposing; but he who knew how to read men might see from the looks +of these, that they bore with firmness the blows of adverse fate. There +was no hesitation in their march or in their movements. A few men—you +could not style them a detachment, scarcely a detail—were ordered to +take possession of all the small boats in the harbor and keep them under +guard. The Costa Rican schooner, San José, cast anchor in the harbor just +as the Falange entered the barracks; and, before any of her officers or +crew had got ashore, a file of Americans were aboard and held her for +further orders. Walker expected to hear something of the Vesta, as Morton +had been ordered to cruise off and on near San Juan del Sur, until he +saw a certain signal from the shore. But no one at San Juan, although +many there were friendly to the democrats, could give any news of the +Vesta. Several of the residents of the town did all they could for the +wounded and destitute soldiers; and even in that moment of adversity, +an Irishman, Peter Burns, and a Texan, Henry McLeod, had the hardihood +to link their fate with that of the Falange. It was encouraging for the +soldiers to find that some, besides themselves, did not regard their +fortunes as altogether desperate; and small as was this addition to their +numbers, it gave increased moral as well as material strength to the +command. + +Hearing nothing from the Vesta, Walker determined to press the San José +for the service, and go in search of the brig, or in default of finding +her, sail for Realejo. Accordingly the wounded were first sent to the +schooner, and soon afterward the whole command followed. They found +the owner of the vessel, one Alvarado, of Punta Arenas, aboard the +San José, which had formerly been a pilot-boat out of San Francisco. +Alvarado received the command courteously, and Walker assured him the +schooner should not be used for the democratic service longer than was +absolutely necessary; and as this same vessel had brought Guardiola, a +military person of importance, from Guatemala to Nicaragua, with the +avowed object of making war against the Provisional Government at Leon, +the owner thought it well to act civilly, lest a libel might be filed +against the schooner on her arrival at Realejo. In what may be termed +minor diplomacy, the Central Americans are not surpassed by any race on +the continent. + +The tide was coming in, and there was little or no wind when the +Americans went aboard of the San José; hence the vessel remained at +anchor waiting for the turn of the tide and for the morning breeze to +spring up. Most of the soldiers, fatigued by their toils and excitement +during the last three or four days, at once threw themselves on the decks +and were asleep almost the moment after they touched the planks. Walker, +however, with Captain Hornsby and a few others, kept awake, watching +anxiously the shore for any signs of movement there, and as keenly +regarding the waters and the heavens, in order to catch the faintest +signal of the ebbing tide or of the expected breeze. With all their +senses on the stretch, they suddenly saw the flames burst forth from the +barracks near the beach, and in an instant the blaze seemed to their +startled view to spread over half the town. Immediately a boat was sent +off to gather the meaning of the fire. The flames, on close observation, +seemed to be confined, and owing to the calmness of the night the fire +did not spread. In a few minutes the boat returned with the news that +the barracks had been set on fire by Dewey and a sailor named Sam: the +former being an American, who had lived for a while on the Isthmus, and +the latter being the owner of a small launch running between Realejo +and San Juan del Sur, and which had followed the Vesta on her voyage +to El Gigante. These two men had some private hatreds against certain +legitimists about the Transit: and taking advantage of the times, they +determined to wreak their revenge by this act of destruction. It may be, +too, that the thirst for plunder and the hope of satisfying their avarice +during the confusion of the fire partly prompted the act: for Dewey was +a desperate man who had fled from California to escape the punishment of +his crimes. Their act had jeoparded the whole town; for all the houses +being built of wood, a light wind would have borne the flames to most of +the property of the place. + +It became important for Walker to get possession of these men and punish +their offence; otherwise the whole responsibility of the act might fall +on the Americans in the democratic service, and the enemies of these +last would say that, in revenge for their repulse at Rivas, they had +attempted, like savages, to burn up an inoffensive town. He therefore +sent an officer with a few men—their arms concealed in the bottom of +the boat—to attempt to get Dewey and Sam aboard the San José. Half +by stratagem and half by force, Sam was brought to the schooner; but +Dewey, doubtful of the result, refused to venture aboard, and took, +as he thought, the safer course of getting to Sam’s launch, which was +luckily hitched astern of the pilot-boat. Sam had no sooner crossed the +taffrail of the San José than he came reeling (for he was drunk) to +where Walker stood, and openly boasted that he and Dewey had set fire +to the barracks, and that they considered it an act of right against +the legitimists. After these declarations of Sam, there could remain no +doubt of his guilt, and as little of Dewey’s, since Sam had made similar +statements in the presence of and uncontradicted by his accomplice. The +refusal, too, of Dewey to come before Walker, implied guilt. Sam was, +therefore, ordered to be tried: and after a short consultation with Capt. +Hornsby and John Markham (afterward Colonel Markham), who had shown much +discretion at Rivas and during the march thence, Walker determined to +send the criminal ashore in order to have him executed there. Riflemen +were also placed at the stern of the schooner to watch the launch and +prevent Dewey from cutting the lines which held it to the San José. + +The prisoner was sent ashore in charge of Capt. Hornsby and a few +select men, with orders to shoot him and place on his body a memorandum +stating the offence, and by whose command he had been executed; for +haste was necessary, it being far past midnight and Alvarado’s skipper +was expecting every moment to be able to weigh anchor and set sail. +The duty was disagreeable; and therefore, the Colonel commanding had +himself chosen the men for the performance of it. Hornsby was an upright +honorable soldier; but, then, his ability to fulfil the order might +depend on the disposition of those who were to carry it into execution. +He was almost the only commissioned officer left to Walker; yet, he was +without the large views requisite for perceiving the great importance +of clearing the Americans from any participation in the arson which had +been committed. Therefore, the commander took aside those who were to +go with Hornsby and strove to impress on them the urgent necessity for +faithful and conscientious conduct on their part. Hornsby and his detail +took the prisoner off in a small boat; in a short time Walker heard the +crack of the rifles, and soon afterward the rubbing of the oars against +the rowlocks as the boat approached the schooner. Hornsby came back to +report that the prisoner had escaped; that while the men were in the act +of untying Sam he had broken away, and the rifles being fired at random +in the dark, it was not known whether he had been hit or not. It was +afterward ascertained that he escaped unhurt to Costa Rica. + +The escape of Sam gave an air of connivance at his crime to the action of +the Americans. This was the impression certain to be made on the natives +of the country, unless some means were found to counteract it. Indeed, +when the Costa Rican merchant, Alvarado, who was watching the events as +they happened, heard Sam had not been shot, he seemed, by his air, more +than by his words, to intimate that the Americans were not over-anxious +to punish the offender. Hence, it became necessary to guard against +Dewey’s escape; for such an event would tend to strengthen the inference +enemies might draw from the failure to execute the sentence of his +accomplice. Throughout the night, therefore, which seemed to Walker as if +it would never end, strict guard was kept over Sam’s launch. The wearying +wretchedness of that night’s watch may be imagined when it is considered +that the future character of the Americans in Nicaragua depended, to a +great extent, on their ability to punish Dewey’s crime. + +At last day broke, and about sunrise the breeze sprung up off shore. The +skipper of the schooner weighed anchor and the vessel put to sea, towing +the launch astern. Walker ordered the San José to be kept two or three +leagues from the land, steering for Realejo, and watching in-shore for +the Vesta. A native woman of Chinandega, Sam’s mistress, and who sailed +with him on his voyages, managed the rudder of the launch. Three or four +hours passed thus; the riflemen in the stern with their eyes constantly +on the launch, and with orders to shoot Dewey if he attempted to cut the +lines by which she was towed. The small hold of the boat enabled Dewey +to keep out of sight, and as he had a couple of army revolvers with him, +and was a remarkable shot, it was necessary for the men watching him to +keep themselves covered. It was a contest between crime and law after +the fashion of the Indian. After a while Dewey rose stealthily from the +hold, and managing to place the woman between himself and the riflemen, +was evidently preparing to make a desperate effort to cut loose from +the schooner. The woman was warned in Spanish to keep clear from Dewey, +and was told that death would be the result if she attempted to aid +him in his plans. But the poor creature was unable to get away from the +man. The order was given to the riflemen to watch their opportunity and +shoot Dewey when they could do so without endangering the woman. The +discharge of a couple of rifles, almost at the same instant, told that +the opportunity had been found. Dewey dropped into the hold, shot through +the body; but the ball, passing entirely through him, had, unfortunately, +inflicted a painful and dangerous wound on the woman. The woman was +brought aboard the San José; her wound was dressed by the surgeon, and +she recovered in a short time her usual health. Dewey’s body was sewed up +in canvas and buried at sea. + +I have minutely narrated the circumstances attending Dewey’s death, +because they made a deep impression on the native mind, and gave a +certain and decided character to the Americans in the democratic +service. The Nicaraguans conceived from these events a respectful idea +of American justice. They saw that the men they had been taught to call +“filibusters,” intended to maintain law and secure order wherever they +went; that they had the will to administer justice, and would, when they +had the power, protect the weak and the innocent from the crimes of the +lawless and abandoned. And it is this sentiment stamped deeply on the +people of Nicaragua which makes the evil-doers of that land dread the +re-appearance of the Americans in the country. The anarchy and license of +thirty-five years of revolution have unfitted the political leaders for +subjecting their lawless passions and unbridled impulses to the fixed +rule of unchanging and unswerving duty. + +Late in the afternoon of the same day the schooner left San Juan, her +passengers recognized the Vesta at a distance bound northward, and +apparently for Realejo. After the brig saw the schooner, her movements +became mysterious and uncertain; in fact she did not know what to make of +a vessel showing Costa Rica colors, and clearly looking out for, and in +chase of the Vesta. The San José, however, soon overhauled the brig, and +in a few moments the Falange was again aboard of their old acquaintance. +The wind was favorable; the Vesta kept on her course for Realejo, and +the schooner followed close in her wake. Alvarado, no doubt, thought it +was fair, and by his civility he had made it safe for him to carry on +a little smuggling, and pay himself out of the pockets of the Leonese +for the services he had rendered their friends. Early the next morning, +it being the first of July, the Vesta again found the volcano of Viejo +bearing due north, and letting her cable slip, she stood at her former +anchorage opposite Point Ycaco. + +A few stragglers from the force of Ramirez, taking the coast trail +from Rivas to Chinandega, had already reached the latter place, and +reported some of the incidents of the march and action on the 29th. +Therefore the Vesta had been but a few hours in port, when three or four +of the principal Democrats of Chinandega came down to get the news of +the expedition to the Meridional Department. On their return with the +flood-tide—for whenever a boat was sent up the river to Realejo, it was +generally on the incoming tide—one of these gentlemen bore to Castellon +the written report of occurrences at the south. In his report, Walker +stated his impression that Muñoz had acted in bad faith, and that the +conduct of Ramirez was due to the inspiration, if not orders, of the +commander-in-chief; and the report concluded by informing the Director +that, unless the course of Muñoz was inquired into, and cleared of the +suspicions hanging about it, the Americans would be compelled to leave +the service of the Provisional Government, and seek elsewhere than in +Nicaragua a field for their faculties and enterprise. The next day Dr. +Livingston, an American, long resident in Leon, brought Castellon’s +reply to Walker aboard of the Vesta. The Director complimented the +Americans on their conduct at Rivas, thanked them for the services +they had rendered the democratic cause, but evaded saying anything in +reference to the acts of Muñoz. He urged Walker, however, not to think +of leaving Nicaragua, as such an event might be fatal to the Provisional +Government; and Dr. Livingston was sent to urge verbally the same views, +intimating, too, that the critical position of the democratic party +made it inexpedient for the Director to scan too closely the conduct +of the commander-in-chief. Walker, however, appeared obstinate, having +decided in his own mind to remain some days on the brig for the purpose +of allowing the Americans to recover from their fatigues and wounds, and +with a view of making the Castellon party manifest as clearly as possible +the necessity of the Falange to their cause. So Dr. Livingston went back +to Leon, with a report not very encouraging to the Provisional Government. + +For some days Walker continued to receive letters from Castellon, +entreating him not to give up the democratic cause, and urging him to +march the Falange to Leon. In order to bring about the latter result +the Director stated that the Legitimists were meditating a movement +against his capital, Corral being at Managua with a force of nearly a +thousand men, and with arms and ammunition for the supply of a large +additional number of recruits. It was also certain that the recruiting +of _voluntarios forçados_—forced volunteers—was going on actively in the +Oriental Department. Don Mariano Salazar, too, the most energetic man in +the democratic party, visited Walker aboard the Vesta, to impress on him +the danger of an attack on Leon by Corral, and the necessity of having +the American rifles about the residence of the Director. Salazar was the +brother-in-law of Castellon; and being a merchant of much shrewdness and +sufficient capital, he managed to have a sort of monopoly of the trade +in foreign fabrics, imported by the ports of Realejo and Tempisque. Thus +he was able and willing to furnish means to the democratic army, and +offered to supply the Americans with any ammunition they might need. He, +accordingly, sent to La Union, and procured a quantity of rifle powder +for the Falange; the powder which the natives used in their muskets +not being fit for the arms of the Americans. Walker appeared, however, +inflexible, and the friends of the Provisional Government again began to +despair. + +Some ten days passed in this manner, and the Falange, recovered from +the effects of the expedition to Rivas, was beginning to wish for more +active exercise than could be found aboard the Vesta. It was, therefore, +decided to march them to Chinandega, as they were promised good quarters +there, and the wounded would be able to get more delicate diet than was +to be had at Point Ycaco. Accordingly boats and bungos were procured, and +the whole body of Americans was transported to Realejo without previous +notice given to the authorities. Not many minutes after Walker reached +the town he was standing in front of the Collector’s office, and saw +the Director, Castellon, and Don Mariano Salazar, step from the boat. +It seems Don Francisco had left Leon that morning, and passing by the +Polvon, a sugar plantation belonging to two Americans, John Deshon and +Henry Myers, had reached the Vesta only a few minutes after the Americans +entered the river. He had forthwith followed, in order to persuade Walker +to continue his march to Leon. His anxiety was apparent; in fact it was +necessary for him to get back to his capital before the people discovered +his absence, otherwise a panic might ensue, and the effects be disastrous. + +In reply to the entreaties of Castellon, Walker affected to be undecided +as to his course after reaching Chinandega, evading a positive reply, +by saying he did not know whether he could safely leave his wounded at +the last-named town, since the Legitimists, if they intended to enter +the Occidental Department, would certainly occupy that place, in order +to cut off supplies and communications. The Director told Walker that +if he intended to go to Leon, the sub-prefect at Chinandega had orders +to furnish him with all the supplies and transportation he required. +Castellon and Salazar left for Leon in better spirits, because there +appeared a prospect of retaining the Falange in the country; and the +Americans proceeded to Chinandega, where they arrived the same afternoon, +and found as comfortable quarters as the town afforded. All the officers, +civil and military, vied with each other in the efforts they made to +satisfy the wants of the Falange; and the women of the place were +constantly paying to the wounded those little attentions which take away +from the tedium of the soldier obliged to lie idle and inactive, while +the bustle of preparation for marching and adventure is going on around +him. + +The day after reaching Chinandega, Walker made his requisition on the +sub-prefect for the horses and ox-carts necessary on the march to +Leon; and the Americans were in high spirits at the idea of visiting +the old capital of the country, and the second city in size of Central +America. The evening before they set out for the seat of the Provisional +Government, Byron Cole rode into Chinandega accompanied by Don Bruno Von +Natzmer. The former had waited several months after sending his contract +to California, expecting each week to hear of the arrival of Americans at +Realejo; but as time wore away and the cause of Castellon waned rapidly, +he had gone to Honduras hoping to find profit, if not fame, in the gold +hills of Olancho. There he met Bruno Von Natzmer, a Prussian, who had +resigned his commission in the cavalry of his native country to join +Baron Bulow in the colony he proposed to establish in Costa Rica some +years ago. Von Natzmer spoke Spanish very well, French tolerably, and +English quite indifferently. Having resided for some time in Central +America, and being a man of fine intelligence, Von Natzmer was well +calculated to render much service to the Americans. He and Cole had left +Olancho for Nicaragua as soon as they heard of the arrival of the Vesta +at Realejo; and it will be seen in the course of events that they were +valuable auxiliaries to the Falange. + +Leaving the wounded at Chinandega, in charge of the sub-prefect there, +Walker marched to Leon, carrying the ammunition and baggage in the +ox-carts of the country. It was late at night when he arrived at the +first pickets; and the strength of the pickets, as well as the number +of sentries, indicated that Muñoz thought it not altogether improbable +the enemy might be in the neighborhood. A native officer was sent on +to inform the sentries it was necessary to pass of the approach of the +Falange; though the creaking of the cart-wheels, easily heard at the +distance of a mile, was sufficient evidence that the party entering +the city did not expect to take it by surprise. The white trowsers and +jackets of the sentries, as they paced their posts, enabled a person to +distinguish their position, even in the darkness of the night, while +the clothing of the Falange was favorable to secrecy and concealment. +Nor were other differences in military habits less striking; and it +was difficult for the Americans to see the advantages of many pickets +where large camp-fires were kept burning, as the light enabled an +enemy not only to discover the position, but also, in some cases, the +exact strength of the picket. It might appear a delicate matter for a +force speaking an entirely different tongue, and with military habits +altogether dissimilar, to enter a friendly camp near the hour of +midnight; but the very difference of language and habits in this case +facilitated the task, and no unpleasant incident occurred to mar the +arrival of the Americans at the quarters which were assigned them. + +The day after the arrival of the Falange at Leon, Castellon expressed +a desire for a meeting between Muñoz and Walker, entreating the latter +to forget his resentment for the grievances he thought he had suffered +at the hands of the commanding-general. Accordingly they met at the +house of the Director, and both avoided any allusion to the past, +conversing mostly about the prospects of the advance on the part of +Corral. The cholera had broken out at Managua; and with an adventurous +captain this might have determined him to attack an enemy, hoping by a +movement forward to escape the dreadful scourge, or if pursued by the +plague to scatter it also among the hostile force, and at least to bring +on an action before his own strength was destroyed by the ravages of +disease. But Corral was not of the temper such a movement requires; and +his character was sufficient guaranty that the cholera alone, without +other foe, would drive him back to Granada. Nevertheless, there were +constant rumors of the approach of the Legitimists; and the market-women +were frequently seen picking up their trays and baskets and flying in +all directions from the Plaza. These alarms would sometimes happen at +night as well as during the day; and one of them, soon after the Falange +reached Leon, was near having serious consequences. + +Muñoz had invited Walker to visit the pickets with him, and to observe +the condition of the camp after tattoo. Previous to mounting they +had met at the house of the Director, and they with Castellon were +conversing together when a clashing was heard at the main entrance of the +building, and the officer on duty ordered the body-guard to fall in. The +general-in-chief, the Director, and Walker, all advanced rapidly toward +the gate in order to ascertain the cause of the movement; and on getting +into the street, they found the Americans with cartridge-boxes on, and +their rifles in their hands, mingled with the officers of the general’s +staff, some mounted, others dismounted, some with their swords drawn, +and others with their pistols out of their holsters. As soon as the +Americans saw Walker they at once retired toward their quarters; and then +the cause of the disturbance became manifest. Two of the officers of the +general’s staff had got to quarrelling at the door of the Director, and +had drawn their swords intending to fight out the quarrel on the spot. In +the effort on the part of others of the staff to prevent this, a certain +noise and confusion ensued; and as the quarters of the Falange were near +the Director’s house, and the Americans knew that Walker was there with +Muñoz, the idea occurred to some of them that treason was being practised +on their leader. They rushed to the house demanding admission, and were +about to force the door when Walker appeared. The difference of language +added, of course, to the misunderstanding; and in the confusion of the +moment the report spread among the people that the enemy had secretly +entered the town, and were already at the house of Castellon. The alarm +continued for some moments; but at length quiet was restored, and the +officers proceeded to make the tour of the camp. + +The ride that night would have furnished amusement and interest to the +general observer, no less than to the soldier. The sentry duty is well +done by the natives, and if they fought as well as they do guard duty, +or as patiently as they submit to all manner of hardship except when +mixed with danger, they would make extremely formidable troops. In riding +through the streets at night, it was difficult at times to keep your +horse from treading on the soldiers. There they lay on the hard pavements +ranged by companies in two files, the feet of the front and rear ranks +toward each other, and their heads against the walls of the houses on +opposite sides of the street; their arms are at their sides, and their +cartridge-boxes with one compartment, and made sometimes of leather, +sometimes of hide, turned in front, in order to enable them to lie easily +on their back or sides. And if dismounting you enter their quarters and +see them, some on the brick or dirt floors, others swinging in hammocks, +and bent up almost double in order to keep from falling out, you would +not wonder at the horror the whole people have of military service. There +is scarcely any labor a Nicaraguan will not do in order to keep out of +the clutches of the press-gang; and their immunity from this dreaded evil +by the presence of the Americans in the country, gave the latter much of +the moral power they possessed over the native population. The laborers +and small proprietors run more risks to escape military duty than they +are generally required to meet, if they are so unlucky as to be caught by +the recruiting sergeant. + +After the Falange had been in Leon a few days reports of the advance +of Corral became less frequent, then ceased altogether; and afterward +there came vague rumors of terrible ravages by cholera at Managua, and +of the intention of the Legitimists to fall back on Granada. Then Walker +broached to Castellon his real object in going to Leon. He desired to +get an efficient native force of two hundred men, commanded by a man in +whom he had confidence, to make another effort against the enemy in the +Meridional Department. Castellon appeared uneasy as soon as the subject +was broached, and at length proposed a meeting of Muñoz, Walker, Jerez, +and several others, in order to discuss a plan of a general campaign. +Jerez was at that time under a cloud; but Walker sought to bring him +forward inasmuch as he manifested a deep resentment at being superseded +in the command of the army by Muñoz. Accordingly the meeting was held, +and of course without result. The general-in-chief proposed to divide +the Americans by tens, distributing them among the several bodies +of the native troops, and this done he proposed to march by several +directions on Granada. But the object of his policy was too plain to +deceive anybody, and by proposing such a plan he merely disclosed his +feelings without being able to move a step toward the accomplishment +of his desires. The manner of Castellon showed Walker that but little +was to be done toward obtaining aid for another expedition to Rivas, +although the Director went so far as to say that Muñoz would march toward +the Department of Segovia in a few days, and something might be done +after his departure in furnishing force for the Meridional Department. +Walker then, to the chagrin of Castellon, determined to counter-march to +Chinandega. + +Orders were issued to the Falange to prepare for marching, and +requisitions were made on the prefect for horses and ox carts, but +hours passed and the carts did not make their appearance. All at once a +section, consisting (in the Nicaraguan use of the term) of three hundred +or three hundred and fifty men, marched into a strong house just opposite +the quarters of the Americans. Walker immediately ordered the Falange +to be on the alert, standing by their arms and ready for action. At the +same time he sent word to Castellon that the movement of these troops was +menacing and, unless they were ordered from their new position within an +hour, the Falange would consider the force hostile and act accordingly. +The native troops were immediately ordered from the building, and they +marched out of the house less than an hour after they marched into it. +Had Muñoz been able to take the Americans unawares, he would, in all +probability, have disarmed them and sent them out of the country. Nor +was it long after these troops evacuated the house opposite the Falange, +before the carts, required for the march of the latter from Leon, were +driven to their quarters. In a little while the Americans were on the +road to Chinandega, keeping a sharp lookout to the rear and all the time +prepared for any movement which might appear offensive. They arrived, +however, at Chinandega without any incident worthy of notice. + +Cole had remained in Leon with the view of securing certain +modifications in the contract by which the Americans had entered the +service of the Provisional Government. He easily obtained what he +sought. The colonization grant was given up, and Walker was authorized +to enlist three hundred men for the military service of the Republic, +the State promising them one hundred dollars a month, and five hundred +acres of land at the close of the campaign. Castellon also gave Walker +authority to settle all differences and outstanding accounts between the +Government and the Accessory Transit Company. These powers were necessary +preliminaries to the effort for securing a position in the Meridional +Department; and it was a fixed policy with Walker to get as near the +Transit as possible, in order to recruit from the passengers to and from +California, and to have the means of easy and rapid communication with +the United States. So far as the Falange was concerned it was idle for +them to waste their energies and strength on a campaign which did not +bring them toward the Transit road. + +As soon as Walker received the documents Cole brought from Leon he +determined to return to the Meridional Department, whether he was or +was not able to obtain aid for the expedition from the Provisional +Government. It was necessary, however, to wait on events and choose the +most opportune moment for carrying out the designs he had in view. + + + + +Chapter Third. + +VIRGIN BAY, SEPTEMBER THIRD, 1855. + + +Nothing tries so much the firmness of men like those constituting the +Falange as inaction. The roving and adventurous life of California had +increased in them the thirst for action and movement characteristic +of the American race; and as they were engaged in the service of the +Provisional Government on mere promises, the value of which depended on +success, it is not singular that the garrison life at Chinandega soon +became irksome to them. Two of the men, especially restless and unsettled +in their characters, abandoned the service; and their conduct as well +as their conversation had a demoralizing effect on many others of the +Falange. Walker perceiving the spirit which began to prevail called the +men together and addressed them for a few minutes, exhorting them not +to look back when once the hand was to the plough; and his address had +the effect of bringing the disaffected to a sense of the duties and +responsibilities devolved upon them. In his conversations as well as in +his addresses he strove constantly to fill them with the idea that small +as was their number they were the precursors of a movement destined to +affect materially the civilization of the whole continent. Thus filled +with the importance of the events in which they were participating, the +Falange became capable of performing worthily the part assigned them. + +Nor were other causes for difficulty lacking. The skipper of the Vesta, +Eyre, did not know what to do with his vessel. He had brought her out +of San Francisco without sailors and it was impossible to engage any in +the port of Realejo. Besides, her condition as to sea-worthiness made +it unsafe to undertake a long voyage with her. Therefore it was thought +advisable for the men who had worked the vessel down from California to +bring suit against her for wages; and the collector intervened also for +his port charges. After due notice judgment was rendered against the +captain and vessel in favor of the claimants, and the brig was ordered +to be sold under execution. She was bought for a little upward of six +hundred dollars by the two persons, McNab and Turnbull, who had separated +from the Falange. + +In the meanwhile, letters were daily passing between Castellon and Walker +in reference to the expedition to the Meridional Department. The Director +seeing that the commander of the Falange was bent on this enterprise, no +longer opposed it directly but strove to delay it promising assistance +after the departure of Muñoz from Leon. At length Muñoz marched with six +hundred men, the best organized and best equipped in the Provisional +service; but he left few materials either of men or of arms to be +disposed of by the Director. The movement of Muñoz was made with the view +of acting against Guardiola, who having left Granada with a small force +but with a good supply of arms and ammunition was proceeding toward +Condega, thereby joining hands with his friends in Tegucigalpa and being +thus enabled to act against either Comayagua or Leon as circumstances +might require. Guardiola was recruiting industriously in the villages +of Matagalpa and Segovia; and his activity together with the terror of +his name inspired the people of the Occidental Department with a dread +they seemed unable to shake off. The Director himself thought Guardiola +intended to strike at Leon; and he therefore desired to have the Falange +within easy distance of his capital. The people of Chinandega, too, were +anxious to keep the Americans in their town, in order that their property +might not fall a prey to the reputed rapacity of Guardiola and his +soldiers. + +Under these circumstances it was easy for Walker to see that there was +small hope of his securing assistance from the Provisional Government for +any enterprise outside of the Occidental Department. He went on, however, +purchasing all the rifles he could find about Leon and Chinandega, in +order to have arms for any recruits on the Isthmus, and continued to +replenish his stores of fixed ammunition, almost entirely exhausted by +the Rivas expedition. Powder and caps were obtained from La Union; but +it was impossible to get lead thence, and the quantity of that metal +in northern Nicaragua was extremely small. The cartridges used by the +natives in their muskets contained an iron missile, made by cutting +into slugs, about an inch long, the gratings of the windows. Leon and +Chinandega were searched in order to procure one or two hundred pounds of +lead for the American rifles; and the only supply to be had was from a +few pounds of bird-shot and a few pieces of lead sheeting belonging to an +Englishman at Chinandega. An officer was sent to buy the metal from him, +but he refused to sell. A small guard was then sent with orders to take +the lead, paying therefor a reasonable price. Thereupon the Englishman +declared to the officer that if the guard entered his house he would run +up the British flag and put his house under the protection of the British +Government. The officer, uncertain how to act, returned to Walker for +orders; and being told that no foreign resident, except a representative +of the sovereignty of his country, had a right to fly a foreign flag, he +was ordered to enter the house, and in case the British colors were shown +over it, to tear them down and trample them under foot, thus returning +the insult offered to the Republic of Nicaragua by their display. The +native authorities, accustomed to yield to the wishes of not only British +consuls but even of British merchants, were utterly astounded at these +orders. On the Englishman, however, the orders produced a wholesome +effect; for he immediately gave up the lead, about one hundred and fifty +pounds, for the use of the Americans. + +At the same time Walker was collecting the scanty supplies of arms and +ammunition the country afforded for the use of the Falange, he was also +searching for some native officer who would have the resolution to join +in the expedition to the Meridional Department with or without the +consent of the Provisional Government. Such a person was found in the +sub-prefect of Chinandega, D. José Maria Valle. He was one of those +who accompanied Jerez on his landing at Realejo, in May, 1854, and had +risen to the rank of Colonel in the democratic army; but a severe wound +in the lower third of the thigh had endangered his life during the siege +of Granada, and the bone being broken in splinters, he was left with a +stiff knee, and had retired for the time from active service. Valle had +great influence over the soldiers about Leon and Chinandega, and with a +certain rude eloquence he was accustomed to stir the hearts of the people +with a recitation of the wrongs they had suffered from the Legitimist +Government. Almost a pure Indian, without any education, being unable to +either read or write, he would ride through the streets of Chinandega and +into the hamlets of the neighborhood, speaking of the generous Americans, +who had come to help them in their struggles against the Granadians. Nor +was his influence confined to the men. When he took the guitar in hand +he would carry the women away with his songs of love or of patriotism; +and the control he exercised over the women was not to be despised in a +country where they serve to some extent the use of newspapers, at the +same time scattering news and forming opinion. + +Since the arrival of the Americans in the country, Chélon—as Valle was +familiarly called—had been their firm friend; and it was not difficult to +secure his co-operation in the movement toward the Meridional Department. +He was, however, a warm adherent of Castellon, and the latter could +scarcely refuse his permission for Chélon to march with the Falange. But +the Director endeavored to dissuade Valle from the enterprise, trying +to convince him of the danger to Chinandega from Guardiola, in case the +town was left inadequately guarded. As the devotion of the sub-prefect +to his family and friends was strong, it required an effort for him to +resist the arguments of Castellon; but his hatred to the Legitimists, +and his desire to avenge the death of a brother he had lost in the siege +of Granada, overcame the logic of the Director. Valle was, however, one +of those wavering men easily influenced by persons around them, and it +became necessary to fix his determination by leading him to take some +active steps in the enterprise. + +Accordingly Walker decided, near the middle of August, to march the +Falange to Realejo, and place it aboard the Vesta. The morning the +Americans were to leave Chinandega, and while they were packing the +carts for the march, an alarm arose and the rumor flew through the town +that Guardiola was a few leagues off on his way to attack the place. The +commandant sent a couple of drummer-boys through the streets beating the +call to arms; and although it was Sunday, the churches were closed, and +the whole town wore the appearance of expecting an immediate assault. +Walker, however, thought the alarm was a mere trick, got up by the +government, in order to keep the Americans from marching. The general +impression about the Falange was that you only had to show them a chance +for fighting, to secure their presence at the dangerous point. + +When the Americans left Chinandega the people who really imagined +Guardiola was near the town, gave up to despair, expecting soon to find +themselves at the mercy of one their fancies painted as a relentless +foe. In a few hours, however, the alarm subsided; and, although Don +Pedro Aguirre, the sub-delegado of hacienda at Chinandega, who had shown +much attachment to the Americans during their stay there, followed the +Falange as far as Realejo, the news of Guardiola still being in Segovia +encouraged the old man to remain ashore rather than proceed to the Vesta. +As a consequence of this change in his resolution (for he had brought his +trunk along, with the idea of going to the brig) Don Pedro was taken with +cholera at Realejo, and died there after a few hours’ illness. + +The cholera—or colerin, as the natives called it, for the disease was a +mild type of cholera—had appeared at Chinandega in the month of July. +It had aided the democrats previously by its ravages at Granada and at +Managua; and moving slowly northward had finally reached the Occidental +Department. At Chinandega it preyed entirely on the natives, and the +Americans escaped it altogether. Nor was this peculiarity of the disease +confined to Chinandega. It will be seen hereafter that although natives +and Americans were together on the same vessel, with the disease killing +off the former in considerable numbers, the latter were entirely free +from the malady. Whether the fact arose from the more vigorous life or +from the more generous meat diet, or from the greater care in sleeping, +which the Americans had, it is difficult for the unlearned—probably also +for the learned—to decide. + +In going aboard the Vesta Walker had put out the report that he intended +to leave for Honduras since the Provisional Government would render him +no assistance in the expedition to the Meridional Department, and General +Cabañas had written letters inviting the Falange to Honduras. In fact, +the President of the latter State was beginning to be hard pressed by the +invaders from Guatemala; and in some of his letters to Castellon he had +inquired whether some of the Americans could not be sent to Comayagua +in return for the aid rendered to the Provisional Government of Leon +the previous year. Walker, however, had little idea of getting farther +off rather than nearer to the Transit: still less did he intend, if he +could prevent it, to have the Americans divided up into squads, and thus +trifled away for the use of chiefs of contending factions. In his letters +to Castellon he spoke of going to Honduras; and the former, despairing +almost of keeping the Falange in the Occidental Department, rather +favored the plan, sending copies of extracts from letters Cabañas had +written on the subject. + +The Falange, with all its baggage and ammunition having been put aboard +the Vesta, Valle, who had recently performed the duties of commandant +as well as sub-prefect for the district of Chinandega, began to recruit +his force. He placed on his staff D. Bruno Von Natzmer (afterward Col. +Natzmer) who, in his new capacity, was of great service to Valle as +well as to the Americans. The people immediately began to talk about +Chélon’s recruiting; and rumors were soon rife of a revolution against +the government at Leon. In fact, Valle wished to pronounce and establish +a new provisional government; for he had been used to such proceedings +for the last twenty-five years, and felt at home in them. But Walker +dissuaded him from the idea; and at length got him to march his force +to Realejo, and thence to send it aboard of the Vesta. Von Natzmer, who +wished Walker to go to Honduras and was doubtful of the enterprise in the +Meridional Department, rode up to Leon and let the Director know what was +going on. Castellon, in great alarm, wrote to Valle, now entreating him +as his old friend, then commanding him as a superior his subordinate, +to desist from joining Walker. But Chélon was now aboard the Vesta; his +course was decided, and the Director could not turn him from his purpose. +Von Natzmer, on his return to Chinandega, was put in arrest by Walker; +but he had acted with good motives, though from mistaken views, and being +soon after released he showed himself first, a worthy soldier, and after, +one of the best officers in Nicaragua. + +Valle brought down from Chinandega between one hundred and sixty and +one hundred and seventy men; but while the commissary stores were being +taking aboard the brig numbers died of cholera and several deserted when +sent ashore at Point Ycaco to keep the vessel from being overcrowded +while in port. Just before the Vesta sailed a courier came down with +letters from Castellon, informing Walker that there had been an action +between Muñoz and Guardiola, at Sauce; that the Democrats had won the +day, after several hours’ fighting, but that Muñoz had died of a wound +received in the battle. The loss of the Democrats had, however, been +heavy, and the Director, uneasy lest the Legitimists, though defeated, +might move toward Leon, when they heard of the death of Muñoz, was +anxious to keep all the force he could in the Occidental Department. +Again he urged Walker to return to Leon, and now, Muñoz being out of the +way, all would be well. But the Vesta was ready for sea, and the order +was given to weigh anchor, Morton being again in charge of the vessel. +And, as the brig was overcrowded, a ketch of Punta Arenas, having a +German supercargo aboard, was employed to convey a part of the force +bound for the Meridional Department. + +The expedition sailed on the 23d of August, and the ketch was ordered +to sail for San Juan del Sur. Scarcely had the Vesta passed the mouth +of the harbor before she saw the schooner San José making for the port, +her decks being apparently filled with men. The schooner passed close +to the brig, and some aboard of the latter recognized Mendez among the +passengers of the San José. Walker ordered the Vesta to be put about, and +leaving her near the mouth of the harbor, he, with Valle, took a small +boat and endeavored to overhaul the schooner as she sailed slowly up +toward the river; but they were unable to reach her until some minutes +after she had come to anchor. On boarding the schooner it was ascertained +she was from Punta Arenas, and that Ramirez, who had come passenger, +had already taken a boat and started for the town, fearing to meet the +Americans after his conduct at Rivas. Chélon easily persuaded Mendez +to go aboard the Vesta, but, as they had to wait for the ebb tide, it +was nearly dark when they started for the brig. As they passed down +the harbor, Valle insisted on saying good-bye once more to his two +daughters, whom he had brought as far as Point Ycaco. The girls, with a +younger brother, got into the boat with their father, and went with him +some distance down the harbor, the old man promising them presents from +Granada when he returned, and the girls as gay as if their parent was +going out with a hunting party. The old revolutionist took his eldest +son (not more than fifteen) with him, and telling the younger to take +care of his sisters, he embraced them as composedly as if he expected to +meet them at breakfast the next morning, and saying adieu again and again +as he put off for the Vesta, left them, to pass through many a scene of +peril and danger before again meeting them. + +After getting to sea the cholera was less severe among the troops, and +few died between the time of leaving Realejo and the arrival of the brig +at San Juan del Sur. The passage was long, and it was the 29th of August +before the Vesta made the port. Two Americans seeing her outside brought +Walker the intelligence that all the Legitimist troops had left San Juan +as soon as the well-known brig hove in sight. The ketch had not arrived, +nor had she been seen by the Vesta for several days. Some uneasiness +was felt on her account, but the calms and contrary winds which had +prevailed and the slow sailing of the craft were sufficient to explain +her non-appearance. Soon after dark the Vesta dropped anchor in the port, +but it was determined not to land the forces until the next morning. + +A short time after the brig came to anchor Walker ascertained that +Parker H. French had just arrived in the town from Granada, and was +there waiting the next steamer for San Francisco. French had started for +California in 1849, but, being engaged in some doubtful transactions in +Texas, on his way to the Pacific, his name had ever since been suggestive +of unfairness and dishonesty. In California he had been a member of +the Legislature, and afterward established a short-lived journal at +Sacramento. During the time Walker was trying to get men at San Francisco +to go to Nicaragua French had met him and professed to have great +influence with C. K. Garrison, the agent of the Accessory Transit Company +in California. French’s character presented no obstacle to an intimacy of +the sort he alleged between himself and Garrison, and French told Walker +he had spoken to Garrison in reference to the proposed expedition and +its bearing on the Transit Company. Certainly Garrison did nothing to +aid the departure of the Vesta from San Francisco, but French intimated +that after the sailing of a first party for Nicaragua he would himself +follow, and would manage to interest Garrison in the enterprise. Nothing +was heard from French until it was reported through the country that the +Legitimist government was about to secure the services of a “coto”—one +armed man—whose skill as an artillerist was amazing; for French had +brought with him from San Francisco a mulatto servant to be used as the +vehicle for communicating the most astonishing stories as to his master’s +skill, bravery and general attainments. At his own desire French was +brought aboard the Vesta under arrest. He strove to impress Walker with +the idea that he had gone to Granada to observe the strength and defences +of the place, and he then proceeded to state what he had observed. Of +course Walker attached no importance to his statements, nor did he ever +care to examine minutely the real motives of French in going there. The +motives of such men are generally so tangled that he who attempts to +unravel them is poorly paid for his trouble. + +The next morning the force, together with all the stores, were landed, +and the Democrats had scarcely taken possession of the town before the +steamer from California appeared off the harbor. It was a glad sight +for the Falange, inasmuch as it suggested the fact that they were now +in communication with the friends of youth and manhood, and that there +would now be an opportunity to swell their numbers from the passengers +crossing the Isthmus. Some difficulty occurred at first in regard to +the conveyance of the passengers across the Isthmus, as the contractor +seemed afraid to venture to town with his mules and carriages; but soon +they were all sent to Virgin Bay, and the town settled to its usual quiet +condition. About midnight the ketch appeared, and the troops aboard of +her were immediately landed. The full force of the command then amounted +to near fifty Americans, and one hundred and twenty natives. A number +of the latter were on the sick list, and the prevailing disease was the +colerin, which generally carried the patient off in two or three days. + +The enemy was reported to have five or six hundred men—some said eight +hundred, but this was an exaggeration—at Rivas, and in a day or two it +was known Guardiola had arrived to take the command. Flying from Sauce +after his defeat there, the Legitimist General had hurried to Granada, +entering that city with a single attendant. Brooding over his ill-luck in +the north, and anxious for a chance to regain his lost fame, he leaped +at the opportunity of going to Rivas in order, as he said, to sweep the +“filibusters” into the sea. He marched from Granada with some two hundred +select soldiers, expecting to make them the nucleus of a force to be +organized after his arrival at Rivas. With him marched several officers, +reputed to be of skill and courage, and desirous of more active service +than was to be had under Corral. French’s mulatto man, Tom, who was sent +over to Virgin Bay on some errand for his master, reported on his return +that Guardiola had come down with a thousand men, and would march at once +on San Juan del Sur; but this story was like that of his master being +able to hit a man every shot with a twenty-four pounder at the distance +of a mile. + +By the morning of the 2d of September, the passengers from the Atlantic +side had arrived, and were aboard the steamer ready to sail. French +returned to San Francisco with authority to raise and bring down +seventy-five men for the service of the Provisional Government. Anderson, +who had been wounded at Rivas, also went up on the steamer, hoping, +by change of air, to recover his health and the use of his leg. The +Vesta sailed for Punta Arenas the same day the steamer left; and on the +afternoon of the 2d, the port had a solitary look. On shore, however, +the town wore an aspect of activity. Pack-mules and carts were being +collected for a march, and the soldiers in all the quarters were busy +preparing for a movement which, it was supposed, might bring them nearer +to the enemy. + +Owing to the delays of some native officers, it was past midnight before +the force was ready to march. The column was formed with the Falange in +front, and the command of Valle in the rear, the baggage and ammunition +of the Americans being in their charge; while the ammunition of the +natives, they having no baggage, was under a guard from their own body. +The night was fine and pleasant, the road good, and the spirits of the +command high. At the Half-way house a halt was ordered, and the owner +of the establishment brought water to the door, the soldiers not being +allowed to enter as there was liquor within. The keeper of this house +was, perforce, a model trimmer. He was an American; but having witnessed +various political changes since his residence on the Isthmus, and his +place being often visited the same day by scouting parties belonging to +adverse parties, he had acquired the habits of a man born in the midst +of revolutions. He had in perfection all the little arts by which a +man manages to maintain his neutrality though constantly surrounded by +circumstances tending to endanger it. + +About daybreak the report of a gun was heard in the direction of Rivas; +but not much attention was given to it at the time. The march was +uninterrupted, and the force reached Virgin Bay about nine o’clock in +the morning. A few moments after Walker halted and took quarters in the +village, a well-authenticated report was brought to him that Guardiola +had marched from Rivas with a strong force the previous afternoon; but +the same report stated that he had returned to the town. The pickets +were posted; quarters were assigned the several companies, and all +prepared for a hearty breakfast after their bracing night march. + +Breakfast was just over, and some of the men had already spread their +blankets for sleep, when a fire of musketry was heard in the direction +of the picket on the transit road. Then the picket of natives was seen +retiring slowly and in excellent order, firing, as it fell back with +coolness and entire regularity. The conduct of this picket, checking +as it did momentarily, the advance of the whole body of the enemy, was +admirable; and it gave the Falange time to get ready for the reception +of the attack. The picket reached the main body without loss, and they +had scarcely got to the first houses of the village before the enemy was +seen in large numbers, pressing forward rapidly along the sides of the +Transit, and to the right and left of the road, through the thick wood +which skirts its edges. + +On the right of Virgin Bay, as you stand with your back to the Lake and +your face toward the Pacific, is a rising ground, offering advantages +to an enemy attacking the place; on the left, the ground is level, +though somewhat interrupted by ditches, and covered with fences made of +upright stakes, affording defence for a force within the village. Near +the lake the ground falls at once to the beach by a steep declivity, +thus forming a sort of bank for the protection of riflemen. The building +of the Accessory Transit Company, a large wooden storehouse surrounded +with palisades, stands on the edge of the village next the lake, and to +the left of the road. A small, trifling wharf then ran a few yards from +the end of the Transit into the lake; but it afforded little advantage +either for embarking or disembarking. Thus the democratic force stood +with its back to the lake, and in a few moments its front and flank were +simultaneously threatened by the enemy. It thus became necessary to fight +well or be cut to pieces; none, not even the natives under Valle, hoping +or expecting any quarter at the hands of Guardiola. + +Walker’s first object was to prevent the enemy from gaining the high +ground on his right flank, and for this purpose he placed some twenty +of the Falange along the slope under cover of the weeds and bushes and +of a few small huts scattered irregularly on that side of the village. +This detachment advanced toward the enemy, creeping cautiously along, and +firing only when it could do so to advantage. At first the Legitimists +came on quite boldly; but when they got within thirty or forty yards of +the Americans their hearts seemed to fail them. The defiant air of the +Americans, shouting at the same time they fired with deadly accuracy, +appeared to appal their assailants; and the officers of the Legitimists, +marked by their black coats, and many being mounted, were seen freely +using their riding whips and the backs of their swords in order to drive +the soldiers to the use of the bayonet. But these efforts had little +effect, and Walker seeing the enemy checked on the right, turned his +attention to the other flank, which was being vigorously assailed. + +Valle and Luzarraga, with the native force, had steadily resisted the +advance of the Legitimists by the centre on the transit road. At one +time the Granadinos had nearly got to a charge against the Leoneses, +and one or two of the latter actually received bayonet thrusts from the +former; but the Democrats showing a firm front, the enemy retired, thrown +into some confusion and disorder by a fire from the houses on the edge of +the village. But it was on the left flank that the Legitimists pressed +their opponents the hardest. They appeared to aim at securing a position +on the beach, and also at gaining possession of the Accessory Transit +Company’s house, whence they might assail the rear of the Democrats. +Markham, with some fifteen of the Falange, was pouring a well-directed +fire from behind the fences and palisades on the left of the village, +and a few others were deployed at irregular intervals along the beach to +prevent a lodgment there by the enemy. At one time the Legitimists had +got within thirty or thirty-five yards of the Company’s buildings, but +Gray and several others charging with revolvers had driven them back; +then Markham pressed forward toward the wood, skirting the left of the +village, and the enemy showed signs of giving way, not only in that +direction but on all sides. Soon the firing grew feebler and feebler; +Chélon was seen coming in from the transit road with the ox-carts +carrying the enemy’s ammunition; and then a loud shout from the whole +democratic force announced that the day had been won by them. + +Walker’s loss was trifling, and, considering the duration of the action, +its heat, and the close distances at which the firing was done, almost +inexplicable, unless on the supposition that the Central Americans fight +better far off than near. None of the Falange were killed, though +several were wounded. Small was shot through the chest, besides being hit +in more than one place elsewhere; Benj. Williamson had a painful hurt +in the groin; Capt. Doubleday was struck in the side; and Walker was +struck in the throat by a spent ball, which knocked him to the ground +for a moment, while the letters of Castellon, in his coat pocket, were +cut to pieces. The only wound apparently fatal was that of Small, and he +recovered in a few weeks; while Williamson’s wound, seemingly trifling, +kept him in bed for months. The native Democrats had two killed and +three wounded. The loss of the enemy was large. Upward of sixty dead +were found on the field; and subsequent reports stated that over a +hundred wounded—many of whom died of their wounds—reached Rivas, whither +Guardiola retired, almost unattended, after the action. + +When the wounded prisoners were examined, it was ascertained that +Guardiola had marched from Rivas the afternoon of the 2d, with about six +hundred chosen troops of the Legitimist army. He had camped over night +at Jocote, a farm-house, distant about half a league from the Half-way +house. His plan was to attack the Americans soon after daylight, at +San Juan del Sur, expecting to find them there. But on arriving at the +Half-way house he found, probably from the servants of the establishment, +as well as by the signs on the road, that Walker had just passed toward +Virgin Bay. Immediately facing about, he followed the Democratic +force—probably not more than four or five miles in their rear. He had +with him a six-pounder, with which he expected to drive the Democrats +from the houses; but on arriving at Virgin Bay, he was unable to use +the piece, through some defect in the carriage. Finding he could not +use his gun, he decided to attack at once with the bayonet. Rations of +aguardiente were distributed to the troops, and the order was given to +charge. But either the quantity of liquor was insufficient, or it may +have been too great, or it began to die out before the soldiers got close +to their adversaries. The empty demijohns which were picked up on the +road after the action looked like huge cannon-balls that had missed their +mark. + +The people of the village were quite relieved when they saw Guardiola +driven back to Rivas. When the firing commenced the women and children +had sought refuge in the Company’s house; and the agent, Mr. Cortlandt +Cushing, had so arranged the trunks and boxes stored in the building +as to protect the inmates from the fire of the enemy. Although very +much frightened, the women and even the children maintained a silence +which might be the result of revolutionary training. After the danger +had passed, however, their tongues were unloosed, and the squalling of +babies, mixed up with the shrill tones of the mothers, soon brought even +the smooth-tempered agent into the open air. Fortunately, none of the +poor people were hurt; and after it became very certain the enemy did not +intend to return, they withdrew to their several houses, engaging with as +much calmness as if no war existed, in the daily round of their domestic +joys and domestic cares. + +The troops, both American and native, being fatigued by the night-march +as well as by the excitement of the action, Mr. Cushing undertook +to have the dead of the enemy buried. In the meantime the wounded +Legitimists were brought in and carefully tended, the surgeon of the +Falange dressing their wounds as carefully as if they had been Democrats. +This surprised the people of the village much; and the poor fellows, who +expected to be shot, were exceedingly grateful for the attentions they +received. Details of the Leoneses were sent into the neighboring wood to +gather up the muskets thrown away by the retreating foe; and more than +a hundred and fifty of these were collected. Later in the day Valle and +Mendez, with such Americans as were able to get horses, scouted the roads +for several miles round, to see if any of the Legitimists yet lurked in +the neighborhood; but no signs of the enemy were found, and they seemed +to have disappeared as suddenly as they had appeared. + +Walker’s object in marching to Virgin Bay had not been to occupy the +place, but to prevent the enemy, as well as the people of the Department, +from supposing he intended to remain entirely on the defensive, by +keeping his force shut up at San Juan del Sur. His own force would +acquire confidence by seeing its ability to pass through the country +without the fear of an attack from the enemy; and he had scarcely hoped +for so fortunate a circumstance as the march of Guardiola to Virgin Bay. +The action of the 3d of September secured the Democrats for a time from +being troubled by the Legitimists, and gave them time to gather up the +friends they had in the Meridional Department. On the afternoon of the +4th, therefore, Walker marched back to San Juan, carrying with him his +wounded, and the arms and ammunition taken from the enemy. Early the +next morning the column was seen pouring over the hill back of San Juan, +and in a short time the whole force was again quartered within the town. + +Despatches were immediately sent to the Provisional Director informing +him of the incidents at Virgin Bay, and requesting, if possible, new +supplies of men and provisions, with a view to offensive operations. The +bearer of despatches arrived in Leon just in time to see the Director +die. Within an hour after the official news of the victory reached the +capital, Castellon breathed his last, yielding to the fatal cholera which +was then slaying so many scores of his countrymen and adherents. He had +fulfilled his task—an important one it was—of introducing a new element +into Central American society; and his amiable spirit—the body worn out, +probably, by the toils and troubles ill-suited to his gentle nature, +and offering an easy prey to the fearful pestilence—had gone forth to +give an account of the deeds done in the flesh. Much as his friends and +neighbors loved and respected him, their estimate of his character will +rise yet higher if they live long enough to see in maturity the fruits of +the policy he inaugurated. Leon deeply mourned his death, and time will +yet develop the fact that, soft as his nature seemed, he was destined to +have a far wider, and a far deeper, and a far more enduring effect on +the fate of Nicaragua, than was left by his stern, unyielding rival, Don +Fruto Chamorro, who preceded him only a few months—but how fruitful—to +the grave. + +The despatches to Castellon were answered by the new Provisional +Director, D. Nasario Escoto, who succeeded to the office in virtue +of being the Senator of the Republic designated for the place by +the constitution of 1838. The Senator-Director warmly thanked the +expeditionary force, native and American, for the services it had +rendered, and he further wrote that the Provisional Government would use +all diligence to forward supplies from Realejo to San Juan del Sur. The +cholera, according to Don Nasario, was making much havoc about Leon, +and hence it was difficult to command labor, much less men for military +service. Besides this Walker wanted only volunteers from the natives, +and refused the forced levies by which the ranks of all factions, and +parties, and governments, are generally filled in Central America. The +Director promised to send only these, and stated the circumstances to +account for the fewness of the number. + +In the meanwhile the little force at San Juan del Sur was swelling its +numbers from another source. Soon after the news of the action at Virgin +Bay spread through the country, the men of San Jorge—always democratic in +their feelings and now irritated by the arbitrary acts of the Legitimists +at Rivas—began to come with the red ribbon on their hats, asking to +receive arms and be admitted into the democratic ranks. Those, too, who +had fled to Guanacaste when the Granada Government got possession of +the Meridional Department, now returned and joined Walker with the hope +of once more getting back to their families and friends. Among these +last were Dr. Cole, an American, who had married some years previously +into a family residing near Rivas, and the three Cantons, Tranquillino, +Clemente, and Daniel. Soon, also, Don Maximo Espinosa—who had been hid +in the neighborhood of his plantation since the 29th of June—made +his appearance, and then came his son-in-law, Don Ramon Umaña. After +Espinosa’s arrival at San Juan del Sur he was charged with organizing the +civil administration of the Department in virtue of the authority given +him by the Provisional Government in the month of June previous. + +Nor were deserters from the enemy’s ranks wanting. Almost every day the +men from Rivas, forced into the service by the Legitimists would manage +to escape from the barricades, and come down to San Juan del Sur to +report the numbers and situation of the enemy, and even to take up arms +to avenge the injuries they had sustained. As Walker would not permit +the native democratic officers to follow their old habit of impressment, +the people from the neighboring farms, men as well as women, came in +daily with their supplies of fruits and provisions for the soldiers. It +was difficult at first to check this inveterate habit of catching a man +and tying him up with a musket in his hand to make a soldier of him, but +seeing the good effects of the policy the officers afterward desisted +from a practice which seemed to have become almost a second nature to +them. + +Soon after returning from Virgin Bay Walker had, in order to raise means +for the support of his troops, resorted to a military contribution on the +principal traders doing business at San Juan del Sur. Among others, John +Priest, the United States consul, who kept an inn and drinking-house, +was assessed at the same rate as others of his calling. Priest refused +to pay, on the ground that he was a foreign consul, showing thereby +an intelligence more akin to his inn-keeping than to his consular +character. He talked largely about having an American man-of-war brought +into port for the purpose of enabling him to sell grog quietly to +soldiers and sailors without being obliged to pay taxes for the support +of a government which could not claim him as a citizen. But as he had on +a former occasion complained loudly at the outrages said to have been +practised on his person and property by the Legitimists, but had, when +the United States sent a sloop-of-war to inquire into his grievances, +made the commander of the ship appear very ridiculous by demanding +compensation for Priest, when the latter had really signed a paper fully +exonerating the Chamorro government, the consular inn-keeper’s threats +carried little weight with them. For his contumacy, he found a native +guard placed in his house, with orders not to permit any one to pass in +or out until the assessment was paid. Not many hours elapsed before the +inn-keeper forgot his consular dignity, and came forward with the money +to pay the contribution. + +There were, in fact, few sources of revenue at San Juan. Most of the +lots in the town are held by the occupants at a monthly rent, to be +paid to the State; and in addition to this there were the customs and +the monopoly of the sale of beef. These revenues, small as they were, +could not be honestly collected through means of native functionaries. +One of the Leoneses, acting as collector, was caught taking bribes from +a merchant for smuggling; and the complaints against Mendez for killing +cattle and selling beef in fraud of the revenue were almost daily. The +habit of cheating the State, prevailing in all parts of Central America, +leads to the maladministration which produces revolution; and the habit +of revolution in turn reacts and increases the disposition of officers +to make as much as possible for themselves at the public expense, since +the tenure of their offices must, necessarily, be short. It is difficult +to say which is cause and which effect; and it may be that they are both +common effects of a radically bad social organization. Nor can reforms +in revenue, either as to the method of raising or of collecting it, be +well attempted in the midst of war. The taxes to which the people are +accustomed, being those most readily collected, must be resorted to in +times when the demand for money is urgent. + +Walker soon had evidences that the Legitimists found the question of +revenue as difficult as did the Democrats. Near the 20th of September the +steamer Sierra Nevada arrived at San Juan, having on board D. Guadalupe +Saënz, who had been sent to California for the purpose of raising means +to aid the government at Granada. Don Guadalupe seeing the red ribbons +on shore did not venture to land, but a detail was sent to the steamer +and searched the vessel thoroughly without, however, being able to find +the Commissioner of Estrada. His papers, less fortunate than his person, +fell into the hands of the Democrats, and showed that he had sold to +one Body of California some brazil-wood belonging to Mariano Salazar, +but then in the possession of the Legitimists, and that he had made a +contract with the same Body for the establishment of a mint in Nicaragua. +The private papers of Don Guadalupe also disclosed that while acting +for the Government he had not failed to take care of himself; and they +proved that Body had probably made good bargains, as his partner in the +contracts was no less a person than Commissioner Saënz himself. The +diary, too, kept by Don Guadalupe, revealed the singular sensation he +had when he first tasted a sherry cobbler, and recorded his deliberate +opinion as to the superiority of such a beverage over the taste of +Nicaragua. + +The Sierra Nevada was not able to get coal at San Juan, and had to go to +Realejo for that purpose. It was consequently some days after her arrival +before she got off for San Francisco. A few recruits for the Falange were +obtained from the passengers for California; and they, together with some +residents of the Isthmus, who enrolled themselves in the body, swelled +its numbers to nearly sixty effective men. The strength of Valle’s +force, in spite of losses from cholera, reached over two hundred. In the +meantime the Legitimists had been recovering from the effects of Virgin +Bay. Guardiola, made more moody than ever by his late defeats, was not +sorry to yield the command to Corral, who came from Granada with a view +of directing the operations against the Democrats in person. With more +amenity of manner than the Hondureño, the legitimist commander-in-chief, +was able to conciliate many the other had repelled; but he lacked +decision and was more fertile in perceiving difficulties than in defying +or overcoming them. Not having been defeated like Guardiola—for his +skill consisted rather in avoiding action than in bringing the enemy to +blows—he was better suited to restore order to the disorganized troops +he found at Rivas, and to infuse spirit into the adherents of his party +residing in the department. + +There were constant reports coming to San Juan of Corral’s intention +to advance against the democratic force. But the rainy season made the +roads difficult to pass, and swelled the water-courses so bodies of men +could not cross them with ease, unless having more facilities than are +to be found in Central American armies. A report, however, that Corral +had actually marched, coming with some probabilities of truth, induced +Walker to march out to meet him, and, if possible, bring him to action +unexpectedly. A day or two, therefore, after the steamer sailed, the +Falange, accompanied by Valle’s command, was marched late at night to the +hill, a little over a league distant from San Juan, on the transit road; +and on the side of the hill next to Virgin Bay the whole force was placed +in ambush to await the approach of Corral. The night was dark and dismal, +the rain falling now slowly and like a heavy mist, then rapidly and in +drops nearly as big as a revolver bullet; but the men stood to their +places, sheltering themselves under the large trees which cover the sides +of the hill, and being careful to keep their cartridge-boxes dry, drawing +them, for this purpose, to the front part of the belt, and bending over +so as to protect the precious powder with their bodies. Such situations +have their excitements and pleasures as well as their discomforts; and +although, when the morning came, and no enemy appeared, the force looked +wet and weather-beaten, it marched at a brisk and cheerful pace to the +Half-way house, where a ration of liquor made the men as fresh and lively +as if they had passed the night in a palace. + +Hearing no tidings of the enemy from mine host at the Half-way house, who +always ran off to another subject when the news was asked or talked of, +Walker determined to continue his march to Virgin Bay. There he heard +that Corral had actually left Rivas with nearly his whole force; but on +reaching the river Lajas, the Legitimist general hearing the Democrats +had marched from San Juan, and fearing they might attack the chief +town of the Department while it was comparatively undefended, hastily +counter-marched and withdrew within his barricades. Thus Walker, by the +march to Virgin Bay, ascertained that he had only to leave San Juan del +Sur, apparently for Rivas, in order to paralyze any advance movement his +opponent might make. Besides this, however, he obtained other useful +information which hereafter materially affected the operations against +the enemy. The day he reached Virgin Bay he intercepted despatches and +letters from the _Mayor General_—literally Major General, but really +performing the duties of Adjutant General—of the Legitimist army, D. +Fernando Chamorro, to Corral; and they disclosed to the democratic +officer the destitute condition of the government at Granada and its +inability to assist its commander-in-chief at Rivas with more men. +The letters also indicated that Granada itself was almost entirely +undefended; that the spirit of its people was drooping: and that the +chiefs of the party began to despair of maintaining the war much longer +if vigorously pressed by the democratic forces. + +After reading these letters and despatches, Walker sent them to Corral +with a note stating that he had taken the liberty to read them, thus +making the Legitimist general feel that his condition and prospects were +not unknown to his adversary. Walker also intimated in the note that +the country needed repose, both parties, so far as the native forces +were concerned, having nearly exhausted themselves in the long struggle. +To this note Walker soon received a reply acknowledging the receipt of +the letters and despatches from Granada, and within Corral’s answer was +a small slip of paper containing some cabalistic signs the democratic +colonel did not understand. Supposing these signs to be masonic—for it +was known Corral was a mason—Walker showed them to Captain Hornsby, +who, although a mason, seemed ignorant of their meaning. Then they were +shown to De Brissot, who, according to Hornsby’s statements, was of high +standing in the mystic order. De Brissot said the signs were masonic, +and that Corral desired by them to know whether he could communicate +confidentially with Walker. Here the correspondence ended; and it had +served the purpose of showing that Corral was not indisposed for peace +even in the then condition of affairs. + +Remaining only a few hours at Virgin Bay, Walker returned with his whole +force to San Juan del Sur. Even had the condition of the roads allowed +a march to Rivas, he did not have sufficient strength for an attack on +that place. Besides this, his views were now directed elsewhere; and the +reports he received almost daily from Granada confirmed the statements +of the despatches he had intercepted. A musician by the name of Acevedo, +imprisoned at Granada for being a democrat, escaped to San Juan and gave +a full account of the state of affairs there, saying, among other things, +that there were more than a hundred democrats working in the streets with +balls and chains about their legs. + +On the morning of the 3d of October the steamer Cortes from San Francisco +came into port, and soon the news spread that Colonel Charles Gilman, +one of the companions of Walker in Lower California, was aboard with +some thirty-five men. In a short time they were all ashore, each of +them carrying a rifle, and being well supplied with ammunition. Gilman +was a man of strong mind, with all the sentiments of a soldier, and +having a good store of military knowledge. He had lost a leg in Lower +California, and the wound from which he suffered long and cruelly before +the amputation of the limb, having kept him abed for many months, his +intellect seemed to have ripened rapidly during his confinement. With +him were also several others of excellent capacity. Captain George R. +Davidson, who had served in the Kentucky Regiment during the Mexican war, +was one of the company; as were also Captain A. S. Brewster, afterward +Major; John P. Waters, afterward Colonel Waters, and John M. Baldwin, +afterward Major Baldwin. They had scarcely landed ere they were sent on +service, being ordered to guard the specie train across the transit road +to Virgin Bay. + +The Falange, now numbering nearly a hundred men, was at once organized +into three companies, and called a battalion. Captain Hornsby was placed +in command of it with the rank of colonel, and Colonel Gilman was +appointed lieutenant-colonel. The three captains were Markham, Brewster, +and Davidson. Lieutenant George R. Caston was made adjutant, and Captain +William Williamson, quartermaster. While, however, the Americans were +thus gaining strength in Nicaragua, they also suffered some losses. +Captain Doubleday, who had served for some time under Jerez, and had +diligently performed the duties of commissary of war under Walker, asked +and obtained leave to return to the United States. Industrious and exact +in the performance of his duties, and having from his long residence in +the country a knowledge of the language and manners of the people, he was +much missed after his departure. He left at this time because having, +without invitation, stated to Walker his opinion about certain movements +being made, the commander remarked, that “when his commissary’s opinion +was required it would be asked for.” At the time the remark was made, +it was of the first necessity for the force to feel that it had but one +head. Captain Doubleday afterward returned to the country and engaged in +its service with credit to himself and benefit to the cause. + +The same day Colonel Gilman with his comrades arrived at San Juan, a +small vessel came in from Realejo, having on board a democratic officer, +Ubaldo Herrera, with some thirty-five Leoneses. These, with the recruits +who had been daily dropping in to fill the places of those cut off by +disease, raised the force under Valle to upward of two hundred and fifty +men. It became necessary, at the same time, to get rid of Mendez. His +offences were daily; and his cruelty to his men, together with his petty +peculations, destructive of discipline and order, made it expedient to +send him to Leon. He went away telling Walker he would learn that the +Nicaraguans were to be governed only with silver in one hand and the whip +in the other. + +Besides the increase of numbers about this time, the democratic force was +somewhat strengthened by a small brass two-pounder brought from Leon, +and a new iron six-pounder obtained from Captain Reed of the clipper +ship Queen of the Pacific, then in port with a cargo of coal. Some days +were passed in mounting the six-pounder, and preparing ammunition for +it; and during this period, the organization and discipline of the whole +force were being improved. Finally all was ready for a march, and on the +morning of the 11th Walker moved with his whole force to Virgin Bay, and +arrived there a little after dark of the same day. + + + + +Chapter Fourth. + +GRANADA, OCTOBER THIRTEENTH, 1855. + + +It was expected that the steamer La Virgen, belonging to the Accessory +Transit Company, would arrive at Virgin Bay the evening of the 11th, +and the democratic force had scarcely got into quarters before it was +announced that she was in sight. A sentry had been previously posted +near the wharf with orders to prevent any boat from leaving the village +without permission; and as soon as the steamer appeared, Colonel Hornsby +was ordered to go aboard when she cast anchor and take possession of +her. He executed the order without Capt. Joseph N. Scott, who was on +the Virgen, knowing his object until he had accomplished it. Both Mr. +Cushing, the agent of the company, and Capt. Scott, protested against the +use of the vessel for military purposes, as well as against the forcible +possession. Mr. Cushing said he had the assurance of the United States +Government, that it considered these vessels of the Accessory Transit +Company American property, under the American flag; but he had been +in the diplomatic service of the United States, and was too familiar +with the first principles of public law, to imagine that persons acting +under the authority of Nicaragua would regard any such interpretation +of her rights of sovereignty. The Accessory Transit Company was a +creature of the government of Nicaragua; and its vessels were by the +very terms of its charter under the Nicaraguan flag. Even, however, had +the property been that of a neutral, and not of a subject, it would have +been permissible to use it temporarily for the purpose of transporting +troops. It is not at all true, as has been sometimes asserted, that +the steamer was there by concert between Walker and the agent of the +company; on the contrary, the latter had always resisted the idea of +permitting the vessels of the corporation to be used in any manner by the +belligerents, and the former, to disarm Mr. Cushing of any suspicions he +might entertain, had always protested that he knew of no way in which the +steamers could aid the objects he had in view. + +From the time the steamers appeared the camp was doubly guarded, and +no one was allowed to leave the village. Thus the enemy was kept in +ignorance of the fact, that the Virgen was in the possession of the +democratic force. The next day preparations were made for embarking the +whole command aboard the steamer; and by four or half-past four in the +afternoon, the last boat-full of men was alongside. Soon the order was +given to weigh anchor, and the prow of the steamer was turned toward +Granada. When the natives saw whither the force was moving, their joy +was extravagant. It became necessary, however, to keep them quiet, and +as much concealed as possible, in order not to attract attention from +the shore, as the scouts of the enemy could be plainly perceived at +intervals along the beach. On approaching Granada the lights on the +steamer were extinguished, the canvas curtains were let down from the +roof of the upper deck, and the boat was kept off from the fort, so as +not to be seen by the sentries stationed there. + +Near ten o’clock at night the steamer was anchored near the shore, about +three miles to the north of Granada. A line was made fast to a large +tree on the beach, and the disembarkation was effected by pulling an +iron launch from the steamer by means of the cable fastened ashore. It +was about three o’clock in the morning when the last body of men landed; +and the horses which had been brought up for the use of Valle and Gilman +made a great noise at the last trip of the launch. No doubt the noise +appeared greater than it was to those who were anxious to keep their +movements quiet and secret. After all had landed, the column was formed +with some difficulty owing to the darkness of the night, the thickness of +the forest trees, and the entire ignorance of the officers and soldiers +in regard to the nature of the ground. At last the order to march was +given, the Falange in front, the native force in the rear. Ubaldo +Herrera, a native of Granada, undertook to act as the guide. While it +was dark the march was perplexed and difficult; but as soon as day broke +Herrera seemed to know precisely where he was, and in a few minutes the +column reached the road running from the city to Los Cocos. One or two +market-people whom he met informed Walker that all was quiet in the city, +nobody expecting an attack, or apprehending the approach of an enemy. + +The Democrats had got to within half a mile of the town, and the first +rays of the rising sun had begun to warm the eastern heavens, when +suddenly all the bells of the city were heard ringing a quick and joyful +peal. Some of the Americans thought the bells were a signal of alarm, +and that their tone showed confidence on the part of the enemy, as if +welcoming an attack. But the ringing was really to celebrate a triumph +Martinez had over the Democrats at Pueblo Nuevo, two days previously. +The bells were yet pealing, when the advanced guard of the Falange +reached the first huts on the outskirts of the town. Then the Americans +seeing, from the startled air of the people in the suburbs, that the +Legitimists were completely taken by surprise, threw off their coats +and dropped their blankets, rushing forward with a shout to gain the +first barricades. The gaunt form of Hornsby in the van served as a sort +of guide for those behind. On they pressed, and the first shots of the +enemy were from the old convent of San Francisco; but these were few and +straggling, and scarcely checked for a moment the impetuous march of the +Falange. A shout from the advance announces that the Plaza is won, and +the last few shots were fired from the gallery of the government house +as Walker entered the square. Then the streets leading from the Plaza +were searched in vain for the flying enemy. In fact, the Legitimist force +in the town had been trifling, and the encounter between it and the +Democrats could scarcely be dignified with the name of an action. Two or +three of the Legitimists were killed, and a drummer-boy under Valle was +the whole loss of the Democrats. As Norris, the drummer of the Falange +afterward said, when asking to be excused from serving as drum-major, +“In every battle scene you see a drummer-boy lying dead by the side of +his drum.” + +When the Democrats entered the town all the doors and windows were +closed and the several national flags were flying from the houses of +the foreign residents—a flag being a very useful piece of furniture to +foreigners of equivocal character and doubtful nationality in Central +American countries. As soon, however, as the confusion of the collision +was over, the houses and doors began to be cautiously opened. The house +of the American Minister was about the first to unclose its portals; and +its saloon and chamber and court yard presented a curious spectacle. +Eighty or a hundred women and children were huddled together seeking +safety under the folds of the American flag. There was the gentle dame +who thought the Democrats were all robbers and murderers because they +made war on the old aristocracy of the land and the humble servant-girl +who imagined the Leoneses would kill her because her father or brother +had followed the fortunes of his legitimist master rather than take up +arms in defence of the rights of his class. In their fancies a filibuster +was a sort of centaur with far more of the beast than of the man in his +nature; and their surprise was great to hear the Americans speak mildly +and conduct themselves quietly after the noise of the fray was over. + +Walker had gone for a moment to the house of the Minister in order to +answer some of the demands made on his attention there and was returning +thence across the Plaza toward the Government House, when he saw several +of the native soldiers heavily laden with merchandise trotting hastily +along the opposite side of the square. On approaching them they did not +halt until ordered, nor did they seem to imagine they were doing aught +to anger their chief. It was clear from their manner that they thought +the town was to be given up for sack. But Walker, placing his sword at +the breast of one of them, called the guard and ordered the offenders +to be arrested and the goods restored to their owners. The order was +immediately given to the Falange to remain under arms in order to protect +the property of the citizens. There were some murmurs among the native +soldiers, especially among those who had themselves suffered either in +their property or their persons or in those of their families; but the +co-operation of Valle was soon obtained and the disorders were to a great +extent arrested. + +But on another point Valle was less yielding. In the course of the +morning D. Dionisio Chamorro and D. _Toribio_ Jerez had presented +themselves to Walker under the assurance of their persons being +respected, and they had been consigned to the charge of M. Bernard, a +French subject, in whose house they resided and with whom they were +connected by marriage. As the two well-known legitimists were passing +the streets on their way home they caught the eye of Valle, and the old +democrat immediately ordered them to follow him to Walker’s quarters. +By the time Chélon arrived at the quarters he was in a sort of frenzy +rhapsodizing about his losses, the death of his brother, the death of his +friends, and the cruelties of the Legitimists, and declaiming against all +who showed mercy to the hateful Granadinos. A little brandy for which +he had a keen relish, no doubt added fuel to the flame of his feelings +and inspired some of the eloquence which rolled rapidly from his lips. +In vain Walker tried to soothe his irritation; soft words seemed oil +to the fire of his passion. Then changing his tone Walker assumed the +language of authority, reminded Chélon that he was his superior and that +any disobedience of orders would be summarily punished. Dismissing the +legitimists to their house under the escort of Americans, he informed +Valle that any one interfering with their persons would do so at his +peril. The fierce old democrat retired muttering something about the +Granadian bullet in his leg; but he got over his wrath, and in the +evening was as ready as ever for a serenade or a charge, according as the +circumstances called for one or the other. + +A prisoner of consideration was made in the person of D. Mateo Mayorga, +the secretary of relations under Estrada. He was placed on his parole in +the house of the American Minister. Other leading legitimists presented +themselves in the course of the day, and were put under the protection of +the American rifles. + +Nearly a hundred prisoners were released from their chains by the capture +of Granada. They had been arrested for political offences, and some of +them were under sentence of death. Among them were D. Cleto Mayorga, +son-in-law of D. Patricio Rivas and cousin of D. Mateo Mayorga, the +Minister of Relations; an American by the name of Bailey, confined, as he +said, on suspicion of favoring the democratic cause; and a youth by the +name of Tejada, brother to D. Rafael Tejada, commissioner under Estrada +to settle the differences between the Republic and the Accessory Transit +Company. All these prisoners asked for arms and were incorporated into +the democratic forces, so that before the night of the 13th the aggregate +of the troops occupying Granada amounted to near four hundred and fifty +men. + +A short time after entering the city, on the morning of the 13th, Walker +met, on the Plaza, D. Carlos Thomas, a foreign merchant, long resident +in the place, and D. Fermin Ferrer, a landholder of Chontales, but who +resided at Granada, and was familiar with the routine of public business. +Ferrer was appointed prefect, and entered immediately on the discharge +of his duties. Thomas rendered much service to Walker, by his knowledge +of men and things in Granada; and among other functions he performed was +that of writer of proclamations. He spoke and wrote English, French, +and Spanish, with equal facility, and probably equal elegance, his +English being, however, more Johnsonese than idiomatic, and his French +and Spanish being probably tinged with the same fault. The swell of +his sentences was perfectly Ciceronian, when, with a glass or two of +brandy in his head, he began to dilate on the grandeur of the present +crisis in Nicaragua; and the exuberance of his feelings overflowed in a +proclamation he wrote out for Walker, and had published, somewhat to the +annoyance of the latter, when he saw his signature appended in print to +an address teeming with the rhetoric which characterizes Spanish-American +productions. The proclamation, however, though offensive to taste, did +some good; for the purport of it was, that protection would be given to +all interests, and that none need refuse to return to their homes through +fear of political persecution. + +For a short time after entering the city, Walker took up his quarters at +the house of a woman of middle age, called generally, by the people, Niña +Yrena. Her family name was Irish, and she was probably the descendant +of an Irish officer in the Spanish service, sent to the colonies before +the independence. A quick and minute observer, with all the gravity and +apparent indifference of the native race, she had rendered much service +to the legitimist party in days past; and even the stern nature of Fruto +Chamorro owned her sway, and yielded to her influence, when all others +failed to move him. The private relations which it is said, and probably +with truth, existed between her and D. Narciso Espinosa, a leading man +among the Legitimists, enabled her to breathe her spirit into the party +after the death of Chamorro had taken away the unity it before possessed. +The Niña was fertile in resources for sending intelligence to her +friends; and hence the headquarters of the force occupying Granada were +soon fixed at the government house on the Plaza. + +The 14th was Sunday, and at the eight o’clock mass Walker, with a number +of other officers, attended, the curate of the city, Father Vigil, +preaching a sermon, in which he exhorted to peace, moderation, and the +putting away of revolutionary passions. Sketching rapidly the history +of Nicaragua, since her independence, he dwelt on the miseries which +had flowed from the civil license of the period, and pointed out the +necessity to the country of a force strong enough to curb the political +passions which had hitherto rent asunder families, and friends, and +neighborhoods. None could object to the good Father’s sentiments, +and the effect of his sermon on the people was excellent and decided. +Nor were Father Vigil’s labors in the cause of peace confined to the +pulpit; he warmly co-operated with Walker in his efforts to make such an +arrangement between parties as would put an end to the civil war; and +the thorough knowledge of men and things he had, from long practice of +the duties of parish priest at Granada, made his counsel valuable in the +negotiations which followed the 13th of October. + +The chief object Walker had in view, when he marched on Granada was, by +securing the main depots of the enemy, to place himself in a position +to make the best terms possible with Corral for the advantage of the +democratic party, and especially for the policy Castellon adopted, of +introducing an American element into Nicaraguan society. Corral had +already shown Walker that he was not unwilling to treat for terms; +but, of course, it was more advantageous for the latter to treat at +Granada than on the Transit, though the possession of the Transit was +intrinsically more important to the Americans than the occupation of a +town forty or fifty miles from the line of travel across the Isthmus. +Hence he did not contemplate, at first, the permanent occupation, +regarding his possession of the place merely as a means of getting good +terms from Corral, in case a treaty could be negotiated. + +Accordingly, as soon as order was established, steps were taken for +communicating with Corral. The municipal authorities met and requested +Walker to take the Presidency of the Republic. This he declined, +suggesting, however, that if Corral were placed in the Executive, after +proper terms were agreed on between the contending parties, he would +undertake, as commander-in-chief, to maintain order within the State. On +the part, then, of the town, commissioners were appointed, the principal +being D. Hilario Selva and D. Rosario Vivas, to go to Rivas and urge on +Corral the expediency of an arrangement between the two parties which +divided the Republic. At the same time these commissioners proceeded by +land, D. Juan Ruiz, Minister of War, under Estrada, and Hon. Mr. Wheeler, +the American Minister, would go by the steamer to San Jorge with a view +of placing the same subject before Corral. Mr. Wheeler was urged to this +course by the Legitimists themselves. The families of the town insisted +that he should go with Ruiz, supposing the weight of his position might +influence Corral to treat with Walker, and thus get rid of the hated +Leoneses. + +Mr. Wheeler accordingly took the steamer, and in company with D. Juan +Ruiz proceeded to Rivas. When he arrived there he found that Corral had +marched north on the afternoon of the 14th; and D. Florencio Xatruch, +the friend and comrade of Guardiola, was in command of the Legitimist +troops in the Meridional Department. The Minister and his secretary +were kept under guard by Xatruch for two days, and they only made good +their escape—for so it may be called—by the spirit and resolution of Mr. +Wheeler. After his arrival at Virgin Bay, on his return from Rivas, the +minister received a note from Corral, dated at his headquarters, the +17th of October, informing Mr. Wheeler that he would not be responsible +for his personal safety, and that he had communicated an account of his +conduct to Mr. Marcy, the Secretary of State, and to the New-York papers. +The Minister returned to Granada without seeing Corral, and D. Juan Ruiz +failing to keep his parole, tied to Costa Rica. + +Selva, Vivas, and the other commissioners who went by land toward Rivas, +met Corral, on his march northward, near Nandaime. From that place they +sent a communication to Walker, saying that it was impossible to get +Corral to treat on any terms; but the next morning Walker got a note from +the Legitimist commander, complaining of some Democrats firing on a party +of his troops while commissioners were in his camp asking for peace. +As no cessation of hostilities had been agreed on, or even proposed as +preliminary to the negotiations, the note of Corral showed his anxiety to +keep up a correspondence and suggested the inference that he was desirous +of an arrangement with Walker. The reply of the democratic commander +was to the effect that no armistice having been agreed to, he should +continue to carry on the war as vigorously as possible. Though the reply +called for no answer, the Legitimist general wrote to say that Walker +could scarcely expect any peace to be made on the principles held and +enunciated by the native Democrats in his camp. To this, of course, no +reply was made, and the negotiations ceased until other events brought +them to a speedy and a favorable termination. + +On the 17th of October the steamer Uncle Sam arrived at San Juan del +Sur, having on board Col. Birkett D. Fry, Parker H. French, and about +sixty other Americans for the service of the Provisional Government. +They were all armed with rifles and well supplied with ammunition. On +landing they were organized in two companies commanded respectively by +Capt. S. C. Asten and Capt. Chas. Turnbull. Edward J. Sanders acted as +major, and French had, without authority, promised the rank of colonel to +Fry. A brass six-pounder, with some ammunition for it, was obtained from +the steamer; and then a most irregular march, considering the presence +of the enemy at Rivas, was made across the Transit to Virgin Bay. There +they found the steamer waiting to convey the California passengers to the +Toro Rapids. French urged Fry to take the steamer, the passengers being +also aboard, and proceed to San Carlos with a view of taking that place +from the enemy. It was a most foolish if not criminal act, to take the +passengers on the boat destined for such an expedition, and no benefit +could be expected to result from an undertaking commenced under such +circumstances. On arriving opposite San Carlos the works appeared too +strong for their force; it was suddenly discovered that the supply of +caps was insufficient, and the Virgin was wisely put about and steamed +over to Granada. Fry’s recruits were landed, and the passengers for the +Atlantic States returned to Virgin Bay. + +The existing circumstances made it necessary to overlook the acts of Fry +and French. At the conduct of the latter Walker was not much surprised; +but he had been led by the opinions of others to expect from Fry a more +discreet and regular course. The reputation of the latter, as a soldier, +had been gained by service in the Voltigeur Regiment during the Mexican +war; and the friends of the Nicaraguan cause in California had considered +him a valuable accession to the enterprise. Amiable in manner and +honorable in sentiment, he had many qualities to conciliate esteem; but +a lack of firmness and decision made him too often yield to the evil and +inconsiderate suggestions of others. As he had left California under the +impression that he was to receive the rank of colonel, it was given to +him; and at the same time Sanders, who had much more energy of character, +was made major. French was made commissary of war, with the hope that his +industry might be useful in the office, while, being under the control of +another, his imprudence, to say nothing of more serious defects, might be +prevented from doing harm. + +After the passengers from California returned to Virgin Bay from Granada, +and while they were waiting at the former place for an opportunity to +pass down the river to San Juan del Norte, a body of soldiers from Rivas +entered the village, and firing indiscriminately, killed three of the +passengers (American citizens), and wounded several others, rifling at +the same time the pockets of those who were killed. The house of the +Accessory Transit Company was broken into and plundered; and the agent, +Mr. Cushing, was taken a prisoner to Rivas, whence he was released only +after the payment of a fine of two thousand dollars. + +Nor were the passengers from New-York less unfortunate than those from +California. The Legitimist commandant at San Carlos fired a twenty-four +pound shot into the steamer as she passed from the river to the lake, +killing a woman and her infant, and taking away the foot of another +child. In such a state of affairs it was foolish, of course, to attempt +to pass into the river with the California passengers. They, therefore, +returned to Granada until some means might be found for passing safely to +San Juan del Norte; and at the same time news was brought to Walker of +the events of Virgin Bay and on the lake. + +Such conduct on the part of officers, acting under color of the +Legitimist government, called for retaliation and punishment in order to +prevent its recurrence. Accordingly, early on the morning of the 22d, and +soon after the news of the murders at Virgin Bay and on the lake reached +Granada, Walker ordered D. Mateo Mayorga to be shot on the main Plaza. +Mayorga was a member of the cabinet of Estrada, and was, therefore, +morally responsible for the outrages and barbarities practised by those +holding a military commission from the Legitimist authorities. He was +executed soon after the order was given to the officer of the day, Ubaldo +Herrera, and a file of Leoneses were detailed for the duty. All the +native democratic officers approved the act, and they then remarked the +Americans would hereafter learn that their mercy to the Legitimists was +injustice to themselves. + +In the meantime, Corral had reached Masaya and was there behind +barricades with a large proportion of the Legitimist strength; while +Martinez, who had driven the Democrats from Pueblo Nuevo, on the 11th of +the month, falling back on Managua after the surprise of Granada, was +again assailed by an irregular body of Leoneses under General Mateo +Pineda and Mariano Mendez. This was the position of affairs when, on the +morning of the 22d, D. Pedro Rouhaud, a French subject long resident at +Granada, went to Masaya, in order to inform Corral of Mayorga’s execution +and the causes for it, and also to say that all the Legitimist families +of the city would be held as hostages for the future good conduct of +Estrada’s officers toward American women and children, and toward +non-combatants generally. This message naturally produced a deep effect, +not only on Corral but on all the officers at Masaya, since most of them +had families or relatives then in Granada. Accordingly it was resolved +that Corral should go to Walker’s camp with full powers to treat for +peace, and D. Pedro Rouhaud returned late on the evening of the 22d with +the gratifying intelligence. + +Col. Fry, with a mounted escort of Americans, was immediately ordered to +the neighborhood of Masaya, to meet the Legitimist general, and accompany +him to Granada. A little after nine o’clock on the morning of the 23d, it +was announced that Corral, with the escort, had reached the powder-house, +just outside of the city, on the Masaya road; and Walker, with a number +of the democratic officers, rode out to meet him. The commanders of the +two forces, after saluting each other, rode side by side through the main +street leading to the Plaza. As they passed, the doors and windows of the +houses were filled with women and children, dressed in the bright colors +affected by the people of the country, and smiling through tears at the +prospect of peace. On the Plaza the whole democratic force was drawn up +to receive the commanding-general of the Legitimists; and arms were put +into the hands of many of the California passengers, and they were drawn +up in as good array as possible, to impress Corral with an idea of the +American strength of the democratic army. Then the two commanders retired +to the government house, in order to open negotiations. + +Corral produced his authority from Estrada, empowering him +_omnimodamente_—in all respects—to treat for the Legitimist government +without the necessity for ratification, thus beforehand making his acts +the acts of the government. Walker had no powers from the government +whose commission he held; and Corral treated with him simply as colonel +commanding the forces occupying Granada—it being understood that, in case +a treaty was agreed on, it should be sent to Leon for ratification. The +Legitimist general seemed disposed to take the lead in the negotiation, +and Walker permitted him to develop freely the terms he desired, saying +little by way either of objection or amendment. After some consultation, +the outlines of a treaty were agreed on, and Corral undertook to draw it +up for signature. + +The treaty, therefore, as signed, was nearly altogether the work of +Corral. By it peace was established between the contending parties, +and a Provisional Government was established, with D. Patricio Rivas +as executive, for the space of fourteen months, unless an election was +previously called. Walker was to be placed in command of the army, and +all officers of both sides were to retain their respective ranks and +rates of pay. All debts contracted during the war, by either party, were +to become debts of the Republic; and to provide for the liquidation of +these claims, a Minister of Public Credit was to be added to the usual +Cabinet officers. At Corral’s suggestion, the Americans were to be +retained in the military service of the State; and the only clause in +the treaty inserted at Walker’s instance, without a previous suggestion +from Corral, was that by which the articles of the Constitution of +1838, concerning naturalization, were to remain the law of the land. +All badges of previous parties were to be thrown aside, and the troops +of the Republic were to wear a blue ribbon with the device, “Nicaragua +Independiente.” The foreigners, principally French, who had been in the +Legitimist service, were to remain in the army or not, at their choice; +and the contracts made with them as to pay and lands, as well as those +made with the Americans by Castellon, became obligations of the State. +Martinez was to remain in command at Managua, and Xatruch at Rivas. + +On the afternoon of the 23d, Corral and Walker were together, at the +house of a merchant of the city, when news came that a steamer was in +sight, apparently from San Carlos. The Americans, as well as the native +Democrats, were suspicious of bad faith, and apprehended an attack might +be made on them while the enemy was appearing to treat. These suspicions +turned out to be groundless, as the vessel was the Central America, which +had come from Toro Rapids with the news that the Legitimist garrisons at +San Carlos and at Castillo had disappeared, thus leaving the river open +for the safe passage of those going to the Atlantic side. Thus the props +of the Legitimists seemed to crumble and give way under the influence of +the loss of Granada. + +The treaty having been signed Corral at once returned to Mayasa, with +the understanding that he would enter Granada at a time to be hereafter +agreed upon between himself and Walker. The Transit passengers then in +Granada left the same day, and Capt. Joseph N. Scott carried to Don +Patricio Rivas the news of events at Granada, and the offer to bring him +immediately to the capital by the Company’s steamer. Valle and Ferrer +were despatched to Leon with the treaty, and with the request from Walker +that the democratic force be withdrawn from the attack on Managua. + +In the meantime, means had been provided for setting the Provisional +Government in motion as soon as Rivas arrived. Among the passengers by +the Cortes, arriving on the 3d of October, was Mr. C. J. Macdonald, a +Scotchman, who had been for some time resident in California. He was +introduced to Walker by Col. Gilman, with the assurance from the latter +that he possessed the confidence of Garrison, the agent of the Accessory +Transit Company at San Francisco. Macdonald was at Granada when the +treaty was signed, and proposed to advance twenty thousand dollars of the +treasure in transit from California to New York on the faith of the new +government. French, being Commissary of War, brought the proposition to +Walker, and the latter refused to take advantage of it without knowing +Macdonald’s authority to act. Accordingly a power from C. K. Garrison to +Macdonald, vaguely drawn, but still constituting him a general agent in +Nicaragua, was shown, and, after asking Gilman particularly about the +relations between Macdonald and Garrison in California, so as to be able +to interpret the power fully, Walker acceded to the proposition. The bars +were landed from the steamer under protest from Scott, and Macdonald +drew on Charles Morgan in New-York for the value of them. Obligations +were given by the Commissary of War pledging the State to repayment with +interest, and securing the debt by pledging dues from the Accessory +Transit Company. It may be worth while to state that the drafts of +Macdonald on Morgan were duly honored. + +This amount was of signal service at the time, for the governments of +both Leon and Granada were then entirely without means. Soon after the +Democrats occupied Granada, a contribution had been levied by the prefect +on the Department, but little had been collected under it. The treasurer +of the Fund of Public Instruction should, according to all accounts, have +had some thousands of the public moneys in his possession; when, however, +he was called on to produce the fund with a view of placing it, for a +time, in the general fund, he paid over to the Treasurer of State only +a few hundred dollars. To show the utter destitution of the Legitimists +it is only necessary to state that the day after the treaty was signed, +Corral drew on Walker for five hundred dollars to pay the daily expenses +of the force at Masaya and Managua. + +A day or two after the treaty was signed a general order was read +forbidding the use of the red ribbon, and commanding the democratic +force in Granada to mount the blue ribbon, with the device “Nicaragua +Independiente.” There were loud murmurs on the part of the Leoneses when +the order was published, and some of them absolutely refused to take +the red ribbon from their hats. Several were punished before the order +could be enforced, and afterward some of the ardent Democrats would tie +a narrow piece of red about their musket barrels. It is possible that +Corral had some of the same difficulties in substituting the blue for +the white; but the Legitimists were far more orderly and submissive to +authority than were the Democrats. + +On the 28th it was agreed between the two commanders that Corral and +his troops should, on the next day, enter Granada. At an early hour the +hum of preparation was heard in the city, and about eleven o’clock it +was announced that the Legitimists were on the edge of the town. The +democratic force, American as well as native, was drawn up in line of +battle on the western side of the Plaza, and Corral marched in by the +street from the Masaya road. Thus, in case of any hostile movement—and +there were many suspicions of such—on the part of the Legitimists, the +Democrats would have been able to act with advantage from the public +square down the streets leading to it. The accidental discharge of a +single musket or rifle would have led to serious consequences, for each +party was suspicious of the good faith of the other. Fortunately no +disagreeable or untoward incident occurred. The two commanders approached +each other near the centre of the square, and, after embracing, +dismounted, walking arm in arm to the church on the east side of the +Plaza. Attended by numerous officers, both Legitimist and Democratic, +they were met at the door of the church by Father Vigil and conducted +toward the high altar. A Te Deum was sung, and then Corral and Walker +passed from the church to the government house, on the opposite side of +the square. The troops marched from the Plaza toward the several quarters +assigned them, with orders to the officers to keep the soldiers out of +the streets and away from the liquor-shops during the day, so that no +affray might arise to disturb the general peace of the city. + +D. Patricio Rivas having arrived on the 30th, it was decided that his +inauguration should take place immediately. The Cabildo was the scene of +the ceremony, and a table was prepared within the railing which separates +the raised portion of the public chamber from the part occupied by the +people. A crucifix with an open copy of the Gospels was placed on one end +of the table, and Father Vigil took his seat to put in form the procés +verbal recording the installation. The formal record being completed, +D. Patricio Rivas knelt on a cushion before the crucifix swearing to +observe the treaty of the 23d of October, and to perform the duties of +Provisional President in accordance with its stipulations. Then Corral, +by a slight gesture, intimated to Walker that they both were to take +an oath on the occasion. No agreement of the sort had been made on the +subject, and it is possible that Corral had no sinister purpose in thus +attempting to take Walker by surprise. But the American did not appear to +hesitate. Kneeling in the same manner with the President, he swore on the +Holy Gospels to observe, and cause to be observed, the treaty of the 23d, +and Corral took the same oath, the form of it being prepared in his own +handwriting. After the oath had been taken and recorded, all retired to +their several quarters, Corral and the President abiding together at that +time. + +In fact, for two or three days Corral seemed to have the new executive in +his keeping. The afternoon of the 29th he clearly thought the Legitimists +had gained the advantage over the Leoneses; for passing by the house of +Niña Yrena, who stood at the door to ask the general what he thought of +the turn affairs had taken, he replied in the language of the cock-pit, +“We have beaten them (the Democrats) with their own cock.” The Niña shook +her head incredulously, but Corral was in high spirits, and would not +listen to her doubts. + +Rivas had been collector of customs for the port of San Juan del Norte, +resident at Castillo, or San Carlos, under the Legitimist government; and +although moderate in his political opinions, was naturally disposed to +take part with the Granadinos against the Leoneses. Corral was forthwith +made minister of war and also minister general; and nothing was said to +Walker about the formation of a Cabinet. On the 30th, a decree from the +ministry appointed Walker commander-in-chief; and the minister intimated +to him that it would be necessary to take an oath of office. When Corral, +on the morning of the 31st, invited Walker to the executive chamber in +order to administer the oath, he remarked that it was a mere form, but in +accordance with usage. Although Walker had been educated a Protestant, he +had no objections to kneeling before the crucifix—the symbol of salvation +to all Christians—and if the Legitimist expected to gain a point by the +refusal of the American to take the oath, he was, as in the case the day +before, disappointed. + +On the 31st, Jerez, with a number of the leading citizens of Leon arrived +at Granada, bearing the news of the ratification of the treaty by the +Provisional Director, D. Nasario Escoto and his cabinet. At the same +time Walker received decrees of the government at Leon, issued some +days previously, promoting him first, to the rank of brigadier-general, +then to the rank of general of division. The appearance of the Leoneses +evidently annoyed Corral; and he had not expected so ready a ratification +of the treaty. Their presence was, on the contrary, very acceptable to +the new commander-in-chief; for there were previously no native Democrats +at Granada, sufficiently familiar with public business to take part in +the administration. + +Carlos Thomas had been much worried by the course of the new President +before the arrival of Jerez and the Democrats. He had signified to Don +Patricio that matters would go badly if he continued to remain entirely +in the hands of Corral. The brother of Don Carlos also, D. Emilio Thomas, +a man of excellent sense, and of most honorable character, perceived the +error of Rivas in trusting implicitly to the counsels of the minister +of war, and did what he could to change the course affairs seemed to be +taking. The President saw that it would be necessary for him to rely on +some others than Corral, if he expected to bring the Democrats to the +support of his administration; and, therefore, he came to consult with +Walker in reference to the formation of a cabinet. + +As the Legitimists were represented in the cabinet by their former +commander-in-chief, it was only fair that the Democrats should insist on +the appointment of Jerez to the Ministry of Relations. Walker suggested +this; but when it was mentioned to Corral, he evinced the most bitter +opposition to the proposal. He thought it would be impossible for himself +and Doctor Jerez—as he insisted on calling the general, D. Maximo—to act +together in the same cabinet. The principles of Jerez were, according to +his opinion, disorganizing and destructive of all civil society. The name +of D. Buenaventura Selva was also mentioned; but he was, if possible, +more unpalatable, than Jerez. To D. Fermin Ferrer, as Minister of Public +Credit, no serious objection was made; and as French was ambitious of +a seat in the cabinet, it was agreed in the struggle between the two +parties, that he should be appointed Minister of Hacienda. The main +difficulty was concerning the Minister of Relations; and Rivas, seeing +Walker insist on the appointment of Jerez, finally overcame or silenced +the objections of Corral, and the cabinet was completed with the name of +the chief of the Leoneses. + +The government, then, of President Rivas being fully organized, under the +treaty of the 23d, by the appointment of Jerez, Minister of Relations, +Corral, Minister of War, Ferrer, Minister of Public Credit, and French, +Minister of Hacienda, the first step was to establish the army on a peace +footing. With this view all the natives in Granada who desired discharges +obtained them. The desire of the soldiers to go to their homes was +universal, the military service being distasteful to most of them. On the +4th of November the Legitimist troops who had marched in from Masaya were +entirely disbanded, and not many of the native Democrats remained in the +service. Thus one of the first results of the treaty was to release more +than fifteen hundred men from the ranks of the army, sending them forth +to supply the demand for labor then existing generally throughout the +State. + +The Americans thus remained the chief military defence of the government, +and all parties looked to them for the maintenance of peace and order. +It was through their instrumentality that the treaty was made; not +a treaty, as has been often said, made by two military chiefs, but +sanctioned and ratified by two contending governments representing the +parties into which the whole people of the country was divided. The act +of the twenty-third of October was, therefore, in the fullest sense of +the word, the act of the sovereignty of Nicaragua; and therefore no party +had the right to say that the Americans were domiciliated in the State +and engaged in its military service without its consent. The contract of +Castellon was acknowledged by the Legitimist authorities as the contract +of the Republic. Both Democrats and Legitimists expressed gratitude for +the services the Americans had already rendered; and the new Provisional +Government, whose orders were now recognized and obeyed throughout the +whole State, looked to them as its tower of strength and bulwark of +defence. + +But in the midst of the general joy for peace there suddenly arose a +voice to disturb the public repose. On the morning of the 5th of November +Valle brought to Walker a package of letters which had been given him by +a courier Martinez despatched from Managua to the Honduras frontier. The +courier, it seems, was a democrat who had been imprisoned at Managua, +as he alleged, for political offences; and Martinez had given him his +liberty in order that he might carry the letters intrusted to him as +far as Yuscaran. After getting away from Managua, however, the democrat +suspecting there was something wrong in the package of papers given +him, turned his steps toward Granada, and on arriving there delivered +the letters to Valle. Walker found one of the letters addressed, in +the handwriting of Corral, to D. Pedro Xatruch at Tegucigalpa, and +another in the same handwriting to the Señora D. Ana Arbizu also at +Tegucigalpa. Another of the letters was addressed to the same Doña Ana in +the handwriting of Martinez; and as the Señora Arbizu was known to be a +friend of Guardiola, the letters were opened and the two from Corral were +sufficient to amaze any one who had heard him a few days before solemnly +swear to observe the treaty of the twenty-third. + +The letter addressed to D. Pedro Xatruch read as follows:—“Friend Don +Pedro: We are badly, badly, badly off. Remember your friends. They have +left me what I have on, and I hope for your aid. Your friend, P. Corral.” +That addressed to the Señora Arbizu was marked “private,” and read: +“Granada, November 1st, 1855. General D. Santos Guardiola: My Esteemed +Friend: It is necessary that you write to friends to advise them of the +danger we are in, and that they work actively. If they delay two months +there will not then be time. Think of us and of your offers. I salute +your lady; and commend your friend who truly esteems you and kisses your +hand, P. Corral. Nicaragua is lost; lost Honduras, San Salvador and +Guatemala, if they let this get body. Let them come quickly if they would +meet auxiliaries.” + +In order to fully understand these letters it is necessary to remember +that just after the treaty was signed Guardiola and D. Pedro Xatruch had +left Masaya for Honduras, by way of Segovia, they having there heard +of the entrance of Lopez into Comayagua on the morning of the 14th of +October, and of the flight of Cabañas to San Salvador. The letter of +Corral to Guardiola shows that the latter had made offers of assistance +and letters from D. Florencio Xatruch, contained in the same package +placed in Valle’s hands and forwarded by Martinez, showed his desire to +return with his brother and friend to Honduras, but that he had been +detained at the urgent entreaties of Legitimist comrades. Hence the +insertion by Corral in the treaty of the clause leaving Managua in the +hands of Martinez and Rivas in the hands of Xatruch. And the plot was +clearly against the Americans; for the “if they let this get body” could +refer to none else. + +As soon as Walker read these letters the guard was strengthened, and +orders were given to let none pass out of the town. Officers were sent +to the houses of the principal Legitimists, requesting their presence +at Walker’s quarters, and the President and members of the Cabinet were +invited to attend at the same place. When all had assembled the letters +of Corral were produced, and the commander-in-chief charged him with +treason, by inviting the enemies of the State to invade Nicaragua, +and conspiring with them for the purpose of overturning the existing +government. The minister of war admitted that he wrote the letters; +most of those present knew his handwriting, and every one saw their +genuineness. All appeared surprised at the contents of them, none more +so than D. Patricio Rivas; and a general stupefaction appeared to +pervade the Legitimists. Among the Democrats there was an expression of +suppressed pleasure, and the energy of Jerez was especially observed. He +suggested at once that Martinez should be ordered to Granada, and a new +commandant be appointed for Managua. Accordingly the orders were made out +by himself, Pascual Fonseca, the sub-prefect, being put in command of the +troops in place of Martinez. The latter, however, had in the meanwhile +heard of events at Granada, and taking a boat, with a few followers, he +crossed the lake to Segovia, thence flying to Honduras. + +The leading Legitimists at Granada were placed under guard; and charges +were made out against Corral for treason and conspiracy to overturn the +government of the Republic. A court martial was ordered to try him, on +the charges and specifications: for there was no existing civil tribunal +before which to arraign him, and besides, being a military officer, he +could, according to the laws of the country, be called on to answer only +in the military forum. The court consisted of Americans, for there were +few other officers of the army in Granada; and Corral, far from objecting +to the court, preferred the naturalized to the native Nicaraguans as his +judges. Colonel Hornsby was president of the court; Colonel Fry, judge +advocate; and French acted as the counsel for the prisoner. D. Carlos +Thomas was sworn as interpreter of the court. + +The court martial met on the 6th, and the testimony was short but +conclusive. The accused scarcely denied the charges; he asked only for +mercy. The condition of his family was brought before the court, in +order, if possible, to enlist its sympathy. The prisoner was found guilty +on all the charges and specifications, and the sentence was “Death by +shooting”; but the court unanimously recommended him to the mercy of the +commander-in-chief. + +The general-in-chief, however, considered that in this case mercy to +one would be injustice to many. Walker had solemnly sworn, with bended +knee and on the Holy Evangelists, to observe and have observed the +treaty of the twenty-third of October; and he was responsible before the +world, and especially to the Americans in Nicaragua—as well as before +the throne of Heaven—for the faithful observance of his oath. How could +the treaty continue to have the force of law if the first violation of +it—and that too by the very man who had signed it—was permitted to pass +unpunished? As an act of right and justice, none could reasonably impugn +the sentence of the court, and Walker considered the question of policy +as clear and unequivocal as the question of justice. Not only did duty +to the Americans in Nicaragua demand the execution of the sentence, but +it was politic and humane to make their enemies feel that there was a +power in the State capable and resolved to punish any offences against +their interests. Mercy to Corral would have been an invitation to all +the Legitimists to engage in like conspiracies, and would have involved +them in future difficulties, which many of them managed to escape. It was +after such reflections as these that Walker determined to approve the +sentence of the court, and Corral was, accordingly, ordered to be shot at +midday on the eighth of November. + +As soon as the sentence was published, the sympathy of the people for +the prisoner was everywhere shown. His mild and gentle demeanor had +conciliated the friendship of those among whom he had long lived; and +without the stern manner of Chamorro, he had won more the affection of +his party. Father Vigil, after ministering to the spiritual wants of the +unhappy man, asked that the rigor of the sentence might be relaxed in +his behalf; but he soon saw that the mind of the general-in-chief was +fixed, and desisted from efforts clearly useless. Then the night before +the fatal day the daughters of Corral, accompanied by many of the women +of the city, came with sobs and anguish and tears to attempt what the +priest had failed to accomplish. But he who looks only at present grief, +nor sees in the distance the thousand-fold sorrow a misplaced mercy may +create, is little suited for the duties of public office; and hard as it +was to resist such entreaties as the daughters of the prisoner pressed, +Walker promised them to consider the pleas they had urged, and closed the +painful interview as soon as kind feeling permitted. + +The next day the hour of execution was postponed from 12 M. to 2 P.M., +and at the appointed hour the sentence was executed under the direction +of Colonel Gilman, the officer of the day. + +The remaining Legitimists who had been placed under guard for a short +time were released, with the exception of D. Narciso Espinosa. There +was some vague and uncertain evidence as to his complicity in the plot +to introduce foreign troops into the State for the subversion of the +government; but it was not sufficient to justify serious proceedings +against him. In the then condition of affairs, however, it was judged +well for him to leave the Republic, and he was accordingly sent to +New-York by one of the steamers of the Accessory Transit Company. His +conduct in the United States was such as might be expected of a man +without principle and without shame. + +The Ministry of War made vacant by the arrest of Corral was filled by D. +Buenaventura Selva, who had held the same office under the government of +Castellon. Although a native of Granada, and having numerous connections +there, he was among the most decided of the democrats. The family of +which he was a member was large, and much divided in its political +affinities. Don Hilario was a moderate Legitimist; and one of the sisters +married to Narciso Espinosa, was among the bitterest and most violent +of the same party. Several of the other sons, Pedro Ygenio, Domingo, +Raymundo, and Gregorio, were Democrats; and the mother of them all, while +not very decided between the native parties, was firm in her friendship +for the Americans, and devoted in her attentions to the sick or such as +needed her assistance. The divisions of this family are but one instance +out of the many produced by the unhappy wars of Nicaragua; and too often +political parties were used for the purpose of gratifying family feuds +and domestic hatreds. + +On the 10th of November the government of Rivas was recognized by the +American Minister. The Minister was escorted from the Legation to the +Executive Chamber, and as he passed the President’s guard, arms were +presented, and the march beat. The chamber was filled with officers +both native and American, and Mr. Wheeler, after being presented to the +President, delivered an address congratulating the country on the peace +just secured for it. D. Patricio Rivas made a suitable reply, saying that +the relations between the United States and Nicaragua were now of more +importance than ever, “since the Republic counts on new and powerful +elements of liberty and order which cause us to conceive well-founded +hopes that the country will march with a firm step in the path of +progress toward the greatness offered it by its free institutions and +natural advantages.” + +With the reception of Mr. Wheeler the administration of Rivas may be +said to have fairly commenced; and the course of events might have been +very different if the federal administration at Washington had frankly +approved the conduct of its representative. But let us not murmur at the +Providence which works out its own ends by its own means. + + + + +Chapter Fifth. + +THE ADMINISTRATION OF RIVAS. + + +In tracing the introduction of the American element into Nicaraguan +society, it has hitherto been convenient to follow events in the order +of time. As the facts become more complex it will be requisite to group +them so that their relative relations may be distinctly seen, and thus +the policy of the Rivas administration may appear with the unity it +really possessed. The domestic policy of the government first claims +our attention: for its foreign relations were the consequences of the +internal changes it aimed to effect. Thus, too, we may clearly perceive +the cause of the war which afterward raged in Nicaragua. + +From the outset the Provisional President aimed to heal the civil +discords, which had heretofore divided not only districts but even +families. With this view appointments to the principal offices were made +indifferently from both of the old parties, and the Legitimists were, in +spite of the Corral conspiracy, invited to share with the Democrats in +the duties of government. Rivas was himself moderate in his political +opinions and was much disposed to place in office men of the same stamp. +He was also honest and, therefore, desired the co-operation of all +“hombres de bien,” good men, in the Republic. Hence his gratification +when he was able to secure for the service of the State such men as D. +José, Maria Hurtado, who occupied the place of prefect of the Meridional +Department. His aversion to the dishonest Democrats, such as Trinidad +Salazar, forced on him by the Leonese element in his cabinet, was strong, +and it was with reluctance that he consented to appoint such men to +responsible offices. + +The authorities of the Church zealously co-operated with the civil +power to allay the passions which had so long divided the State, and +the servants of Christ did not fail in their public as in their private +ministrations, to inculcate the doctrines of peace and good-will +characteristic of their faith. Soon after the inauguration of the new +government, the vicar-general, Father José Hilario Herdocia, wrote from +Leon, the seat of the See of Nicaragua, congratulating Walker on the +success of his efforts to secure peace; and the general-in-chief, in +his reply, was careful to deny the charge of irreligion the enemies of +the Americans had brought against them. “It is very acceptable,” so the +general wrote, “for me to hear that the authority of the Church will be +used in favor of the existing government. Without the aid of religious +sentiments and religious teachers there can be no good government; +for the fear of God is the foundation of all social and political +organization.... In God I put my trust for the success of the cause in +which I am embarked and for the maintenance of the principles I advocate. +Without his aid all human efforts are unavailing, but with his divine +assistance a few may triumph over a legion.” The bishopric of the +diocese being vacant, the vicar-general was the highest ecclesiastical +authority of the State, and during all the trials through which the +Republic passed, Father Herdocia worthily and faithfully performed the +duties of his holy office. Had the good father been able to influence by +his conduct all the priests within his diocese, the dissensions of the +country would have been speedily cured. But, unfortunately in Nicaragua +as elsewhere the tonsure does not always destroy the earthly passions +of the mortal; and the emblematic crown of thorns may be worn by those +possessed of little of the spirit of humility which adorned the Holy +Redeemer. + +To secure internal order, however, Rivas did not rely so much on the +efforts of the civil and ecclesiastical authorities to extinguish the +party passions of the past, as on the speedy increase of the American +element in the government of the Republic. Therefore one of his earliest +decrees was that of colonization. By this decree each adult immigrating +to the State was entitled to two hundred and fifty acres from the public +lands, and after six months’ residence on it might secure a title for +the same. A family was entitled to a hundred additional acres, and all +personal effects, furniture, agricultural implements, seeds, plants, and +domestic animals, were permitted to pass in free of duty. A director +of colonization, Mr. Joseph W. Fabens, was appointed to carry out the +objects of the decree, and to collect seeds and plants for the use of +immigrants. The decree was published the 23d of November, 1855. + +As a means of diffusing information concerning the natural resources +and advantages of Nicaragua, no less than as a chronicle of current +events, the newspaper called “El Nicaraguense” had been established at +Granada soon after the signature of the treaty of peace. It was printed +with types found in the town at the time of its capture, and one half +of the paper was published in English, the other half in Spanish. To +collect such knowledge of the country as might be useful to immigrants, +commissioners were sent into different parts of the Republic, and their +reports were duly published. First, George H. Campbell, formerly of +Calaveras county, California, explored a portion of Chontales. Then a +Saxon, Max Sonnenstern, visited not only Chontales, but other districts, +and his reports were full of useful facts. These surveys were made under +the direction of the general-in-chief, and the expenses of them were paid +almost entirely from the chest of the commissary of war. In fact, for +some time, there was no other fund from which to defray the civil no less +than the military expenses of the State. + +But in addition to these acts, by which it was expected to introduce +American colonists into Nicaragua, a decree was also published +authorizing the general-in-chief to increase the American element of the +army. Under the contract of Castellon, dated in the July previous, Walker +was empowered to raise three hundred men for the military service of the +State; and early in December Jerez drew up the decree fixing the pay and +emoluments of those enlisted by the general. Before this the question has +probably suggested itself as to the means by which Americans had been +already brought to Granada; and the answer to this involves the policy +which was pursued in reference to the Accessory Transit Company. As the +course the Rivas government pursued toward this corporation has been much +misrepresented and censured, it is necessary to narrate fully the facts +as they occurred, and to explain clearly the causes for the revocation +of the company’s charter. It will then be seen that this important act +of the Rivas administration was vital to its safety and welfare, no less +than just toward a corporation which had abused the privileges granted to +it. + +Before leaving San Francisco Walker had tried to ascertain the wishes +of the Transit Company concerning the introduction of Americans into +Nicaragua. It was generally said that the company was indebted to the +Republic in a large amount, and Walker hoped to secure its co-operation +by proposing an advantageous mode of settling this debt. But the agent +of the company in California stated that his principals had instructed +him to have nothing to do with such enterprises as he supposed Walker +to contemplate. The company, however, did not practise that neutrality +between the contending parties in Nicaragua, its instructions to the +California agent seemed to inculcate. In July, 1855, they sent from +New-York to Castillo a company of armed men, organized militarily for the +purpose, as was alleged, of protecting their property on the Isthmus. +These men were mostly Europeans—Poles, French, Germans, and Italians. +A brother of Walker happened to be aboard of the steamer which carried +these men from New-York to San Juan del Norte, and saw them, a few days +after leaving the former display, the uniform provided for their use in +Nicaragua. After remaining several weeks at Castillo, most of these men +were engaged by D. Patricio Rivas at San Carlos for the service of the +Legitimist government, and were a part of the force under Corral during +the months of September and October. + +These men, gathered from all nations and professing to be nothing but +pure mercenaries, using their arms for no higher purpose than the +pay they got, were intended for the special object of protecting the +property of the company from one H. L. Kinney, who, it was said, aimed +at punishing the corporation for the wrongs he fancied he had received +at its hands. Kinney had been engaged in trade on the frontier between +Texas and Mexico, and had been suspected by many Texans, during the +days of independence, of giving information to their enemies for the +privilege of trading beyond the Rio Grande. He had acquired that sort of +knowledge and experience of human nature derived from the exercise of +the mule-trade, and having succeeded in making money, by bargaining for +horses and cattle, he fancied himself capable of establishing an American +colony on the Musquito shore. Alleging that he had an interest in the +Shepard and Haley grant from the Musquito chief, he went to Washington +for the purpose of interesting influential persons in his colonization +schemes. Through the instrumentality of one Phillips, a Washington +correspondent for newspapers, he made the acquaintance of Sidney Webster, +the private secretary of the President; and Webster becoming interested +in Kinney’s projects, it was surmised that Mr. Pierce and the government +would be favorable to them. It was also reported—but with how much +truth it is almost impossible from the character of the witnesses to +determine—that the Accessory Transit Company engaged to co-operate with +Kinney. But the United States Government, willingly or unwillingly, was +led by the remonstrances of Marcoleta, the representative of Nicaragua +at Washington, to take steps against the Kinney movement. Then, too, the +Accessory Transit Company pronounced against the colonial projector, and +Kinney, breathing fire against the traitors, as he called them, escaped +to San Juan del Norte with an inconsiderable body of followers. Hence +the pretext for the mercenaries who finally fell into the ranks of the +Legitimists. + +In the month of June, Estrada had appointed D. Gabriel Lacayo and D. +Rafael Tejada commissioners, to proceed to New-York, and to treat with +the company concerning its liabilities to the State, and Castellon soon +afterward notified the corporation that he would consider null and +void any settlement made with these commissioners. In July, Castellon +appointed Colonel Walker commissioner to negotiate and arrange with +the company, and that officer showed his credentials to the agent, +Mr. Cushing, a few hours after the action at Virgin Bay on the 3d of +September. Mr. Cushing, as he said, notified the company of Walker’s +powers, but nothing was ever attempted to be arranged under this +authority. During September and October, while the democratic forces +occupied the Transit, their relations with the agents and servants of the +company were of the most friendly character. + +When Colonel Gilman arrived at San Juan del Sur he gave Walker to +understand that there was a struggle in the company itself, between +rivals parties aiming to get the control of it. The impression made on +Walker was that the agents in New-York and San Francisco were acting +together to depress the market price of the stock, so as to buy in and +get the majority of the shares. The advance by Macdonald, however, +indicated another plan on the part of Garrison and Morgan. With the +conviction that Garrison might be brought to co-operate largely in the +policy of introducing the American element into Nicaragua, Walker wrote +to an intimate friend, A. P. Crittenden, of San Francisco, saying that +any arrangements he might make to get five hundred men into the country +would be fully approved. This letter was written immediately after the +signature of the treaty of peace; the necessity for more Americans in +Nicaragua was urgent, and Walker had entire faith in Crittenden’s honor +and discretion. + +Meanwhile the president of the company in New-York was, early in the +month of November, peremptorily notified, under a clause of the charter, +to appoint commissioners to settle the matters in controversy with the +government. To the notification given by the Minister of Hacienda the +company replied, enclosing an opinion of the counsel of the corporation, +Joseph L. White. The opinion maintained that the matter had passed from +the hands of the company, by the appointment of two commissioners to +treat with Tejada and Lacayo, although the powers of these latter had +been formally revoked, and the four, even if properly appointed, had not, +as the charter required, appointed a fifth to complete the commission. +The answer of the president of the company was a mere evasion; and +while this official correspondence went on, White, who was the leading +mind of the corporation, was writing letters to the agent, Mr. Cushing, +threatening the authorities unless they settled with the company on its +own terms. + +On the 17th of December, 1855, Edmund Randolph, accompanied by W. R. +Garrison, a son of C. K. Garrison, and by Macdonald, arrived at San Juan +del Sur, and soon afterward reached the headquarters of the army at +Granada. The friendship between Randolph, Crittenden, and Walker, was of +a character not to be expressed by words; but the existence of such a +sentiment between these three is essential for an understanding of the +perfect confidence which marked their acts in reference to the Transit. +And to the noblest qualities of the heart, Randolph and Crittenden added +the loftiest attributes of the intellect. To those who have heard the +former at the bar, it will not be deemed the voice of friendship alone +speaking, when it is said that his legal talents are such as would adorn +courts when learning, and logic, and eloquence, were more appropriate to +the profession than they appear to be in these latter days. And they who +have studied the legislation of California—not the evanescent laws born +of party passion or impure interest, but those which mould society, and +form its habits—can best appreciate the capacity, and the patient labor +of Parker Crittenden. + +After reaching Granada, Randolph informed Walker that he and Crittenden +had carefully examined the charter of the Accessory Transit Company, and +were both clear and decided in the opinion that it had been forfeited. +Then he stated what the lawyers would call the points of the case; and +they were almost too clear for argument. As they are fully stated in the +decree whereby the charter of the Transit Company, and of the Atlantic +and Pacific Ship Canal Company were revoked, they will properly appear +when the publication of that decree is narrated. Suffice it to say, at +present, that after due reflection Walker was entirely satisfied as +to the views of Randolph and Crittenden. At the same time Walker was +informed that under his letter Crittenden had agreed with Garrison to +obtain a new transit charter from the government of Nicaragua, and with +this view Randolph had come to Granada. In virtue of this agreement of +Crittenden with Garrison, more than a hundred Americans for the service +of the Republic came down with Randolph on the steamer Sierra Nevada; and +it was promised that as many as possible should be hereafter brought from +California; Garrison advancing to the State the price of their passages. + +Up to that time nearly all the Americans in Nicaragua had come from +California, and a very large proportion of them had been brought thither +at the expense of Garrison. The immigration into the country by persons +paying their own passage was small; for at that time little was known +in the United States of the natural advantages of Nicaragua. It was +necessary to get at once a number of persons capable of bearing arms into +the State; and none were more urgent in this policy, or more anxious +when the steamer arrived to hear how many passengers were for Nicaragua, +than the Provisional President and the members of his cabinet. Internal +order as well as freedom from foreign invasion depended, in their eyes, +entirely on the rapid arrival of some hundreds of Americans. + +It will thus appear that the agreement of Crittenden with Garrison was +the means, and at that time, the only means, for carrying out the policy +vital to the Rivas administration. True, neither the President nor the +cabinet knew of the means whereby their objects were accomplished; and +it was in fact highly necessary to the success of the measures that +they should be known by as few persons as possible. After Randolph and +Walker had agreed on the terms of a new transit grant, a copy was sent +up to Garrison at San Francisco, Macdonald being the bearer of it. W. R. +Garrison went to New-York for the purpose of informing Charles Morgan +of the arrangements which had been, and were about to be made; while +Randolph remained in Granada to await the return of these parties. +Nothing was said to Rivas of the new transit contract, Walker and +Randolph had drawn up and agreed to. + +At length Macdonald arrived again from San Francisco, and W. R. Garrison +from New-York, and it was decided that the blow should be struck. +Randolph had been living at the house of Niña Yrena, and was in bad +health; therefore Walker went to his room in order that they might +draw up the decree of revocation. It was necessary, in an act of such +importance, to state clearly and fully the causes for it, so that it +might appear properly before the world. Hence the considerations of the +decree were drawn with no common care. As the Accessory Transit Company +held its charter for the sole purpose of facilitating the building of a +ship canal, the destruction of the Canal Company implied the destruction +of the Accessory Transit. Hence the decree recites the failure of the +Ship Canal Company to perform its agreements. The company had agreed to +contract a ship canal across Nicaragua, and it had not only failed to +commence the work but had declared it impracticable; it had agreed to +construct a railroad, or a rail and carriage road, in case the completion +of the canal was not possible, and it had done neither one nor the other; +it had agreed to pay the Republic annually ten thousand dollars, together +with ten per cent. of the net profits on any route it might establish +between the two oceans, and it had failed to pay these amounts, falsely +and fraudulently alleging that no profits were made and no commissions +due; and finally, it had been notified to appoint commissioners to +settle the matter in dispute between the State and the company, and +had expressly refused to comply with the demand. If failure to perform +its obligations, coupled with falsehood and fraud in its dealings with +the government, and accompanied by marked contempt of the sovereignty +from which it derived its existence, were insufficient to warrant the +revocation of the charter, there is small merit in law or its remedies. + +At the same time the charters of the companies were revoked, three +commissioners, D. Cleto Mayorga, E. J. C. Kewen, and George F. Alden, +were appointed to ascertain the amount due from the Canal Company to the +State; and for this purpose they were ordered by the decree to notify +the agents of the companies to appear before them forthwith. They were +also commanded to cause all the property of the companies to be seized +and held by responsible persons, subject to the order of the Board. +Ignorant and prejudiced people have said the property of the companies +was confiscated; but this is untrue. The seizure was in the language +of the civil law prevailing in Nicaragua, a provisional one for the +purpose of securing the payment of the debt due from the company to +the government. And, in order to preserve the property, it was in the +meantime placed in the hands of persons giving the necessary bonds. Nor +was the condition that the property be forthcoming when called for by the +Board of Commissioners the sole agreement of the undertakers on the bond. +In order that the transit of passengers might not be interrupted, they +were required to transport the passengers who might arrive on the sides +of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the expenses of such transportation +to be charged against the companies. + +After the decree of revocation was drawn up in English, Walker broached +the subject to the Provisional President, and to D. Fermin Ferrer, then +acting as Minister General; and neither of them made any objections +to the measure. In fact, there was a general prejudice on the part of +the Nicaraguans against the Accessory Transit Company, because of the +arrogant tone it had used on all occasions toward the authorities of the +Republic. As collector of customs at San Carlos, D. Patricio Rivas had +frequent opportunities to observe the haughty and overbearing character +of the company, and he was gratified at the proposal to take away its +privileges. Accordingly, the decree was translated from English into +Spanish by Walker, the minister correcting the language of the rough +translation. The President signed the decree, not only without hesitation +but with undisguised pleasure. + +After the decree of revocation was signed, the decree for a new charter +to Randolph and his associates was submitted to the President; but there +was much difficulty in obtaining his approval of this act. Even at this +time the mind of Rivas had been poisoned by evil-disposed persons; and +in discussing with D. Fermin Ferrer the new contract, he said it was +“a sale of the country,” meaning thereby that it placed the government +entirely in the hands of the American element. In consequence of Don +Patricio’s feelings, the translation of the decree for the new charter +was so made as to deprive the grantees of many privileges they required; +and it became necessary to have the first draught of the Spanish decree +materially modified. With much difficulty the signature of Rivas was +finally obtained to the decree for the new charter, and it bore date +the 19th of February, 1856, the day after the date of the decree of +revocation. + +Although copies of the decrees had been signed and delivered to Randolph +and his associates on the 18th, the publication was delayed until the +day after the passengers from California crossed the Lake for San Juan +del Norte. Thus Morgan and Garrison had news of the acts before they +were known to the companies; and it was an object to give the former as +much time as possible, to get ready for running their steamer before the +old grantees stopped their line. The advantage of this course was shown +some days afterward; for, on the steamer of the Accessory Transit Company +which left New-Orleans on the 27th of February, more than two hundred +and fifty passengers for the service of Nicaragua were carried to San +Juan del Norte, their passages being paid with drafts of D. Domingo de +Goicouria on Cornelius Vanderbilt, the president of the company. Had the +decree of the 18th gone to New-Orleans before these passengers left—as +it might have done if published a day earlier—they would certainly not +have been carried to Nicaragua at the expense of Mr. Vanderbilt or of the +company. As it was, the price of these passages was so much secured by +the State on the indebtedness due from the corporation. + +The necessity for the American element to predominate in the government +of Nicaragua sprang from the clauses in the treaty of peace. In order +to carry out the spirit of that treaty—to secure to the Americans in +the service of the Republic the rights guaranteed to them by the full +sovereign power of the State—it was requisite to get into the country a +force capable of protecting it, not only from domestic but from foreign +enemies. Hence the “sale of the country,” in Rivas’ use of the term, was +a foregone conclusion after the 23d of October. Walker had sworn to have +the treaty observed in all respects. He was responsible before Nicaragua +and before the world for the faithful execution of it, and above all he +was bound to the Americans on the Isthmus to gain for them the strength +requisite for the maintenance of their privileges. And for this object it +was of the first importance to place the Transit in the hands of those +pledged by every consideration of interest to secure the permanence of +the new order of things. The old Transit Company aimed at being master of +the government; the new charter made the owners of the grant the servants +of the State and the agents of its policy. The control of the Transit +is, to Americans, the control of Nicaragua: for the lake, not the river +as many think, furnishes the key to the occupation of the whole State. +Therefore, whoever desires to hold Nicaragua securely, must be careful +that the navigation of the lake is controlled by those who are his +stanchest and most reliable friends. + +The commissioners proceeded, under the decree, to seize the property of +the companies, and place it in the keeping of Joseph N. Scott, after he +had given a full and satisfactory bond. The subsequent proceedings of the +commissioners, and the conduct of the grantees under the new charter, +will be hereafter related. In this connection the main object is to show +how the policy of Rivas toward the Accessory Transit Company was, as it +were, the keystone of the arch supporting his administration. With a +different policy the Provisional President would have found himself with +a very small force to oppose the combination which threatened him almost +from the day he was inaugurated. + +Under the influence of these measures of the government, the number of +Americans had been rapidly increasing since the first of November, 1855. +Mr. Fabens, who was in Granada at the time Walker entered the city, went, +soon after the treaty was signed, to San Juan del Norte, and induced +many of the Americans with Kinney to join the army of Nicaragua. On the +7th of November Capt. R. W. Armstrong, with a company from San Francisco, +arrived at Granada, and thus the American force was swelled to upward +of two hundred men. After this, until the arrival of Capt. Anderson on +the 17th of December, the increase was by small numbers at a time, and +in the meanwhile the cholera had appeared at Granada. The disease seemed +to select those officers who were most capable and useful, and there +were suspicions that the people of the town, mostly Legitimists, were +not entirely ignorant of the cause which produced the deaths of leading +Americans. Among the first victims of the disease were Capt. Davidson +and Col. Gilman; and the death of the latter was a severe loss. Then +Capt. Armstrong and Major Jesse Hambleton passed away. The deaths finally +became daily, and the frequent sound of the dead march, as the funeral +escorts passed through the streets, began to exercise a depressing effect +on the troops. The surgical staff was inexperienced, and the services of +some volunteers were valuable. Dr. James Nott was the most efficient of +these, and many a Nicaraguan, who owed his life to this surgeon’s kind +and skilful attention, regretted his departure and mourned his death, +which occurred on the passage from San Juan del Norte to New-Orleans. It +was only after the arrival of Dr. Israel Moses, early in February, 1856, +that the surgical staff was well organized and its duties well performed. +He gave such order and system to this department of the army that the +good effects of his administration were felt long after he ceased to act +as surgeon-general. Indeed, it is safe to say that after the appointment +of Dr. Moses few military hospitals were better administered than the +hospitals at Granada and Rivas. + +In spite, however, of the fearful ravages of disease, the number of +Americans continued to increase, most of the immigrants coming from +California until the month of March, 1856. A few, during January and +February, had come from New-York and New-Orleans, but it was not until +Goicouria arrived, early in March, that any numbers were received from +the Atlantic side. So successful had been the policy of the Rivas +administration for the introduction of the new element, that on the 1st +of March, 1856, there were upward of twelve hundred Americans, soldiers +and citizens, in the Republic, capable of bearing arms. It remains, +now, for us to see what effect this domestic policy of the Provisional +Government had produced in its foreign relations. + +Immediately on the organization of the Rivas Government, the Minister +of Relations, Jerez, sent circulars to the several States of Central +America, announcing the terms of the treaty of the 23d of October, and +expressing friendly feeling for the respective governments to which +the circulars were addressed. The State of San Salvador gave an early +reply, declaring the gratification of that cabinet in the peace secured +to Nicaragua. No replies were received from the other States, and the +silence was expressive. It was clear that the clauses in the treaty +which secured and encouraged the presence of the Americans in Nicaragua +were not acceptable to the neighboring Republics, and the journals of +Costa Rica were particularly virulent in their remarks on the course +of events in Granada. Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica, were at that +time governed by the adherents of the old servile or aristocratic party, +while San Salvador was under liberal influences. Gen. Cabañas, driven +from Comayagua by the assistance of Guatemala, had found refuge at the +mines of Los Encuentros, near the borders of Honduras and San Salvador, +and Guardiola was canvassing for the Presidency of the former State, in +place of his exiled rival, whose legal term was to expire on the 31st of +January, 1856. + +General Trinidad Cabañas was the oldest and most respected among +the Liberals of Central America. He had been the faithful companion +of Morazan in his efforts to preserve the Confederacy, and although +generally unfortunate as a soldier, none doubted his courage or his +devotion to the principles he professed. Americans who had met him +pronounced him the most honest public man within the limits of the five +Republics, and his conduct toward the Nicaraguan Democrats had certainly +been that of a self-sacrificing man. The aid he gave to Castellon was +undoubtedly the cause of his losing power in Honduras, and Walker was +easily induced, after the news of the retirement of Cabañas to San +Salvador arrived at Granada, to invite the ex-President to visit the +capital of Nicaragua. + +Cabañas arrived at Leon in the latter part of November, and when it +was known that he was on his way to Granada, Col. Hornsby was ordered +to Managua to conduct the ex-President to the capital. On the 3d of +December he was received by Walker with every mark of respect, and he +was entertained as the guest of the State. A guard of honor was placed +at his orders, and the attention due a good man in fallen fortunes +was scrupulously bestowed. But the Honduranian desired assistance to +regain his power in his own State; he asked that a body of Americans +might be given him to re-enter the capital from which he had not long +been expelled. Jerez urged that the request of Cabañas be granted; he +recalled the signal services the ex-President had rendered Castellon and +the democratic army. Rivas, however, was not disposed to hearken to the +prayers of Cabañas. He saw clearly that if assistance were given to the +exiled General-President and an American force entered Honduras, it would +be the signal for a coalition of the other four States against Nicaragua. + +Walker regarded the plans of Cabañas with the same eye as Rivas. It was +easy to perceive that sooner or later there was to be a struggle of force +between the American policy of the Nicaraguan cabinet and the other +governments by which it was surrounded. But it was expedient and proper +to make the enemies of the Americans strike the first blow. To have sent +troops to Honduras, even with the design of reëstablishing Cabañas, +would have afforded a pretext for the declaration that the Americans of +Nicaragua were aggressive in their nature. It was only necessary for the +Americans to wait in order to have their enemies move, and it would have +been unwise to hasten the struggle by seeking to restore a man, however +worthy, who had just been driven from his own State. + +Jerez admitted the reasonableness of the views of Rivas, yet he +continued to insist on the aid Cabañas sought. The ex-President was a man +of narrow mind, strong prejudices, and bitter animosities, and seemed +to have his heart set on getting back to Honduras before the 31st of +January. The very obstinacy with which he asked to be restored before the +expiration of his time, was a proof of the tendency of his mind to dwell +on unimportant points. Incapable of looking at the affairs of Central +America with general views, he seemed a Morazan federalist dwindled by +age to a Honduras official. But as his opinions had been contracted with +time they had hardened also, and with the dull perceptions of age he +had its obstinacy and its hatred of new things. Not understanding the +American movement, he was disposed to regard it as an evil unless it +could be converted to an agency for driving Guardiola and Lopez out of +Honduras. The past reputation of Cabañas, however, his long service in +the ranks of the Liberal party, together with the feeling of gratitude +for the treatment the Nicaraguan Democrats received in Honduras, wrought +on the mind of Jerez. The Minister of Relations was readily moved by +generous sentiments, and it was not difficult to lead him on a false +course through his emotions. His head, too, as one of his friends often +said, was filled with the legends Plutarch has palmed off on the world +as the lives of his Greek and Roman heroes; and Jerez was constantly +imagining somebody was plotting against the Republic, and that it was his +function to save the State. Vega, one of the leading Legitimists, soon +after the organization of the Rivas cabinet, sent to Walker a printed +paper, on the margin of which there was a sketch of all the ministers, +and the shrewd old Granadino described Jerez as a conspirator by nature. +It may be readily imagined how Cabañas would act on Jerez after he saw +that Walker was determined not to send any of the Americans to Honduras. + +After a sojourn of some twenty days at Granada, the ex-President went +to Leon accompanied by the minister, Jerez. He would wait at Leon, he +said, the final decision of the government in regard to his requests. +When Jerez returned, the mind of Rivas was fixed in opposition to the +propositions of Cabañas, and then Jerez resigned his place in the +ministry. About the same time, D. Buenaventura Selva resigned the +ministry of war, because a Legitimist, Arguëllo, was put in office. Jerez +retired to Leon; Selva went first to Rivas and San Juan del Sur, whence +he sailed for San Salvador to remain, as he said, until “hombres de bien” +were restored to power in Nicaragua. As many Legitimists had been put in +office by Rivas before the appointment of Arguëllo, it was probably the +private enmity of Selva toward the latter which led to his resignation; +and thus, by the friendship of one Minister for Cabañas, and the hatred +of another toward Arguëllo, Ferrer was, for a time, sole minister. + +It was not enough, however, that Nicaragua showed, by her course toward +Honduras, the policy she sought to follow in relation to Central America. +On the 12th of January, 1856, a circular was addressed to the several +Republics, declaring the peaceful intentions of Nicaragua, and requesting +the appointment of commissioners to discuss and arrange the terms of a +union of the separate States. The latter proposition was made because +the old serviles, who had always been against Federalism, were now +zealously discussing a union, for the purpose of affording pretexts to +interfere against the Americans of Nicaragua. It was thus made manifest +that the Rivas government, satisfied of the honor and straightforwardness +of its intentions, was not afraid of placing itself in closer relations +with the other States of the old confederation. + +The only response given to this circular was that of the Honduras +commissioner, D. Manuel Colindres, who did not get beyond Leon. He had +been sent by the government of Honduras to assure Nicaragua of its +peaceful purposes; though it is possible his secret design may have been +to watch the movements of Cabañas. On the 24th of January, however, +Señor Colindres, in acknowledging the receipt of a printed copy of the +circular, said he had no doubt his government would reply favorably to +that of Nicaragua. But no such answer as the commissioner anticipated +was ever received. After Guardiola, however, was elected President of +Honduras, he showed little disposition to interfere with the domestic +policy of Nicaragua; and the thirst for war his enemies attributed to him +was not manifested in his course toward the Central American coalition. + +The most violent invectives against the domestic policy of Nicaragua +had been published in the official journal of Costa Rica. Besides this, +a large number of the Legitimists had fled to Guanacaste, and were +thence threatening the tranquillity of the Meridional Department. To +remonstrate against the presence of the Legitimists on the frontier, +and at the same time to endeavor to correct some of the errors which +had spread in Costa Rica, it was decided to send a commissioner to that +Republic. Accordingly, on the 4th of February, Louis Schlessinger and +Manual Arguëllo, accompanied by Captain W. A. Sutter, left Granada for +Virgin Bay, with instructions to proceed to San José. Schlessinger had +been selected because he was one of the few among those attached to +the American force possessed of any knowledge of Spanish; nor were his +previous career and character as well known then as afterward. In fact, +he had come to Nicaragua with excellent recommendations from people of +repute; and as he had some tact and address, it was thought he might +accomplish some of the objects of the commission. D. Manuel Arguëllo was +joined with Schlessinger because, being a Legitimist, he might remove +prejudices, and probably induce many of his old party to leave Guanacaste +and return to their homes and estates near Rivas. + +D. Rafael Mora, however, had made up his mind to act at once against +Nicaragua. Schlessinger and Sutter were, therefore, ordered out of the +Republic; and Arguëllo remained in Costa Rica only to join its army. On +the 1st of March, 1856, President Mora formally declared war against the +“filibusters,” as he styled the Americans of Nicaragua. And in order +to trace some of the causes which led to this step, it is necessary to +examine events outside of Central America. This brings us to the course +the United States and Great Britain pursued in reference to Nicaragua. + +Not long after the recognition of the Rivas government by the American +Minister at Granada, French was sent as minister from Nicaragua to the +United States. He was appointed to that office with a view of getting him +out of the Hacienda Department and out of the country. He was utterly +unfitted for the administration of the hacienda, having little knowledge +of either the principles or details of public business, and not having +either the modesty to be sensible of his defects or the patience to +overcome them. Moreover, his rapacity made him dreaded by the people +of the country, and, as a measure of policy, it was necessary for the +Americans to get rid of him. He was, however, of not less character +than Marcoleta, a Spaniard, who at the time represented Nicaragua at +Washington; for French had not been ordered out of the State Department +for pilfering papers from its archives. On his arrival in the United +States it was generally reported that the federal government would +not receive the new minister because of his previous history. After +waiting for some time French presented his credentials and was refused +recognition because it was impossible for the American Secretary +of State, Mr. Marcy, to determine whether or not the government he +represented was the government of the people of Nicaragua. When it is +remembered that Mr. Marcy, in a conversation with Mr. J. W. Fabens, +placed Nicaragua among the South American Republics, his inability to +decide whether the government of Rivas was in existence or not, need +create little surprise. His entire ignorance or wilful misrepresentation +of Nicaraguan affairs appears to much advantage in his correspondence +with Mr. Wheeler. + +From the beginning of the movement Mr. Marcy had set his face against the +introduction of Americans into Nicaragua. In one of his first despatches +on the subject he spoke of the entrance of Americans into the country as +an invasion, and with him the establishment of peace and the provisional +government of Rivas was “a successful foray of arms.” He censured Mr. +Wheeler for his visit to Rivas at the instance of the people of Granada, +and intimated that the danger he incurred was the due reward of the +minister’s efforts to act as mediator between the parties. Hence, it is +an error to suppose that the refusal to receive French was owing in any +manner to the character of that person. Nor is it more correct to assign +the interest certain parties near the President had in the Shepard and +Haley grant and in Kinney’s schemes, as the reason for the action of +the Secretary of State. At that time it was scarcely known what policy +the Rivas administration would pursue in reference to the claims on the +Mosquito shore. The causes for Mr. Marcy’s conduct were far deeper than +such as were suggested at the time, and they will probably be seen more +clearly in the sequel. + +The refusal of the United States government to recognize the Rivas +administration created great surprise in Nicaragua, and encouraged the +enemies of the Americans in Costa Rica. The public men of Nicaragua, +ignorant of the internal machinery of the federal government at +Washington, and of the secret springs controlling the actions of parties +in the United States, were unable to divine the motives of the cabinet of +Mr. Pierce. It was an enigma they could not solve; and while some of the +native Nicaraguans attributed the course of the Republic of the north to +fear of England, others resorted to the common ground on which political +action is always put when it cannot be otherwise reasonably explained, +and traced the conduct of the federal cabinet, and more particularly +of the Secretary of State, to personal prejudices and passions. All +the Nicaraguans saw, however, the effect of the Marcy policy on the +neighboring States; for while it furnished them with an excuse for +withholding diplomatic intercourse it also encouraged them to take active +and decided measures against the Rivas government. + +But while the policy of the United States appeared inexplicable +to the people of Central America, that of the British government +excited no surprise. From long familiarity with British diplomacy the +Spanish-American States are generally able to divine what its course +will be, though they scarcely take the trouble to analyze its motives or +to arrive at the objects of its policy. Before examining, however, the +course of the British cabinet toward the Rivas administration, it may aid +us to ascertain, if we can, the motives of English policy in reference to +all the Spanish American States. There is a unity in this policy which +must spring from a simple motive. + +The English policy is as old as the time of Elizabeth, and sprang +immediately from the contests of that sovereign with Philip the Second. +The privateers, in the habit of plundering the towns of the Spanish main, +were the first fruits of the policy. England, shut out from a large +portion of America by the jealous colonial regulations of Spain, sought +to make profit out of these countries by the double means of buccaneering +and of contraband trade. This system continued during the whole time of +the Spanish dominion on the continent; and traces of it yet remain in the +settlements at Balize—named after the freebooter and smuggler Wallis—and +in the relations of England to the Indians on the Mosquito shore. The +object of the policy was not to acquire colonies, but to acquire trade; +hence the wood-cutters at Balize were not colonists, but mere floating +settlers, with a right to cut mahogany and dye-woods, yet without the +right to organize for themselves a society or a government. And in the +same manner it was sought to raise the roving tribes of the Mosquito +shore into a community claiming, as did the wood-choppers at Balize, the +protection of the British crown. The settlers at Balize, and the Indians +and Zambos of the Mosquito shore, might be called, in one of the elegant +cant phrases of the day, “squatter sovereigns.” + +When the Spanish colonies declared their independence, the relations +between Spain and England were vastly different from what they had been +in the time of Elizabeth; and the Peninsula, just emerging from the +struggle with Napoleon, supposed her alliance with Great Britain would +secure the neutrality of her old rival in the contest between herself and +her rebellious subjects. But England, true to her traditional policy, +favored by all possible means the independence of the colonies. British +arms, British soldiers, and British counsels, were freely furnished to +several Spanish-American States, and their independence was speedily +acknowledged by the British crown. Then British merchants flocked to the +new fields opened to their enterprise, and organized everywhere the old +system of the buccaneers and smugglers. They found the new governments +fit tools of their system. Open and general bribery of custom-house +officers supplanted, it is true, the plain and less corrupt smuggling of +former times, and British men-of-war, sent to collect British claims for +advances made to revolutionary governments at most usurious rates, took +the place of the old buccaneers; but in reality the substance of things +was the same as before. + +By this system England derives from the Spanish-American States all the +advantages of trade she receives from her colonies; and yet she has not +the expense or the trouble of governing them. And it is her interest +to keep them in this condition. Now they furnish her with an excellent +market for her fabrics; and, through her merchants, scattered over the +central and southern portions of the continent, she manages to control +the distribution of the products of these countries. Thus her shipping +is swelled, her sailors educated, and an opportunity is offered for +scattering her men-of-war like sentries along the coasts of both oceans, +from Mexico to Patagonia. Her aim is to maintain the _status quô_, for +she could scarcely hope to better herself by any change that might be +attempted. + +The British consul at Realejo, Thomas Manning, was a type of the class of +English merchants in the Spanish-American States. Arriving in Nicaragua +without means—a sailor, it is said, on a merchant vessel—he had married +a woman of the country, and soon built the foundations of a fortune. +Without any education, or any habit of regarding political events in the +light of principle or of fixed policy, he yet had that keen instinct for +property and his own interests which enabled him to use British power +to aid his trading adventures. He sometimes lent money to the Republic, +only, however, when it was in great straits and promised extravagant +interest; and when the principal and interest had accumulated to a +suitable sum, he would call on the British fleet to blockade the ports +of the States until the debt was paid. As early as 1849, Manning had +foreseen the danger of Americans passing in numbers through Nicaragua; +and while the Californians were crossing the Isthmus, on their way to +and from the land of gold, he had written to Lord Palmerston that unless +England averted the calamity, in ten years the country would be “overrun +by North American adventurers.” It is wise for England to make her +merchants consuls, and to intrust them somewhat with diplomatic business; +the sting of self-interest keeps the sentry from sleeping on his post. + +Manning had houses both at Leon and at Chinandega, and his commercial +and social relations were mainly with the residents of the Occidental +Department. Hence, in the revolution of 1854, he naturally favored +Castellon and his adherents, though his notions about government, if he +could be said to have any, inclined him more toward the Legitimists. +Besides, however, his personal relations with some of the leading +Democrats, the all-subduing sense of interest led him with the Leoneses. +The rivalry between the towns of Leon and Granada was a rivalry of trade +and of interests as well as of social and political power. True, the +political principles prevalent at Granada naturally led to high tariffs, +while those of Leon tended to free trade; but the geographical position +of the two towns did most to beget the commercial contest between them. +Granada received its goods from the Atlantic, by the way of the lake and +San Juan river, while Leon was supplied from vessels obliged to pass Cape +Horn. It was difficult, however, to carry on smuggling by the river, +while the facilities for contraband on the Pacific side were great. Thus +Leon was able to compete with Granada by making up in smuggling what she +lost by the voyage round the Horn. It may thus be readily conceived how +the British consul’s interests induced him to wish for the success of the +Leoneses, not only in the Occidental Department but throughout the State. +Their success would necessarily aggrandize Leon and depress the trade of +Granada. + +Of course Manning’s relations with the Castellon government were +intimate, and especially with the Minister of Hacienda, D. Pablo +Caravajal. It was through the officers of the hacienda that all +arrangements had to be made for landing goods at Realejo; and the +interests of the minister might sometimes be opposed to the interests of +the government he served. So, too, it was with the hacienda Don Tomas—as +the people called Manning—treated, when he was so kind as to advance a +little money at the rate of one and a half or two per cent. a month. And +as Caravajal was the minister who countersigned the first contract of +Castellon with Cole, and none besides himself and the director knew its +character, he was probably obliging enough to drop a copy of it where +Don Tomas might find it. At any rate Manning heard of the Cole contract +soon after it was made, and he immediately remonstrated with Castellon as +to the policy he was pursuing. The director, however, had been in England +to negotiate on the part of Nicaragua concerning the Mosquito coast, and +was sagacious enough to perceive the drift of British policy and the +subjection in which it sought to retain his country. The remonstrances of +Manning were, therefore, of little avail. + +It is then probable that the British cabinet was, from the beginning, +well informed as to the American movement in Nicaragua. While the +government of the United States had merely newspaper reports of events +in Nicaragua, previous to the surprise of Granada, Lord Clarendon was +undoubtedly receiving minute and detailed statements from official +sources. Hence, when we can get at the facts, it is not strange to +see that Lord Clarendon is deeply interested in the events of Central +America, and that, by act as well as words, he is urging Costa Rica to +make war on the Americans in Nicaragua. + +The sources of information on this subject are exclusively Costa Rican, +and the only published facts are those contained in certain letters +taken from the English mail for San José, in the month of March, 1856. +Among this intercepted correspondence was the copy of a note from +the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. E. Hammond, to +E. Wallerstein, consul-general for Costa Rica at London. The note is +dated from the Foreign Office, February 9th, 1856, and acquaints +the consul-general that Lord Clarendon has been informed by the War +Department “two thousand smooth bore muskets (Witton’s), which are not +so highly finished as the Line pattern muskets of 1842, can be supplied” +to the government of Costa Rica, “at £1, 3s. each; or, if it should +be preferred, two thousand of the Line pattern muskets of 1842 can +be furnished at 56s. 8d. each.” Then a letter from Wallerstein to D. +Bernardo Calvo, Minister of Relations for Costa Rica, advising him of the +offer of Lord Clarendon, says: “I have written a private letter to the +secretary, entreating him to send me an order to examine the two kinds. +After seeing them I will still consider if it is proper to take the +muskets without positive instructions from his Excellency, the President; +but, in the meantime, I am persuaded his Excellency will see, in the +promptness with which H. B. M.’s government has complied with my request, +a strong proof of its sympathy and good will toward the Republic. Nothing +is said, it is true, about the time the money should be paid; this shows +it is for your government to decide that point.” And while writing +officially to his chief in the cabinet, Mr. Wallerstein does not forget +to send a private letter for his esteemed friend, D. Juan Rafael Mora. +After telling the President, “The pleasure I felt was such, on receipt +of Mr. Hammond’s letters, I could not sleep at all that night;” the +complacent consul-general goes on: “I have letters from Guatemala and San +Salvador, requiring me to request from this government help and succor; +but what can be done for republics or people who cannot help themselves? +When I was telling Lord Clarendon Costa Rica had already an army of eight +hundred men on the frontiers, he was much pleased, and said that was a +right step; and I am persuaded my having made that intimation is the +reason for their giving us the muskets.” + +Through these letters we can perceive the prudence and yet the decision +with which the British cabinet acted in reference to the Rivas +administration. There is no doubt or hesitation in its conduct, because +it acts in accordance with a traditional policy. England does not desire +firm and steady government in Central America, because her merchants +would thus be restricted to the common profits of legitimate trade; and +she is, above all, opposed to the establishment of such governments there +by American influences, for fear other goods than her own would be thrown +into the markets of those countries. + +Urged on, therefore, by Great Britain, tacitly encouraged by the United +States, Costa Rica declared war against the Americans in the service of +Nicaragua. Mora is careful to make the issue clearly and distinctly. +He does not declare war against the Republic of Nicaragua, but against +certain persons in her service. And as the manner in which the war is +declared defies the restraints of public law, so the way in which it is +to be waged points not to the rules adopted by Christian nations. The +same day war was declared, a decree was published ordering all prisoners +taken with arms in their hands to be shot. Yet there have been found +Christian people unblushing enough to praise the conduct and the policy +of Juan Rafael Mora. And in the blindness of party passion Americans have +not been ashamed to support the man who distinctly enounced the principle +that they were to be excluded from Central America, and if venturing +there against his will, they should be shot. + +On whom, then, rests the responsibility of the war which for more than a +year drained the resources of Nicaragua and made her fields the scenes +of deadly conflict rather than of abundant harvests? Not surely on those +who exhausted every effort in order to maintain peace and bring about a +diplomatic discussion rather than armed arbitrament of the questions at +issue. Costa Rica scorned to discuss the right of Nicaragua to employ +Americans in her military service. Mora refused to listen to the voice of +reason, and defiantly seizing the clarion, blew the note of war. If it +is permitted, however, to anticipate events not yet narrated—if we may +“see the future in the instant,” in order to gather therefrom a lesson +of justice and of right—it may not be inappropriate to say that Costa +Rica has derived nothing from the war except a scarcity of labor for her +fields, a heavy debt to embarrass her treasury, and the prospect of civil +commotions to disturb her industry. Mora, too, reaps in exile the fruits +of his policy; but let us pass Mora in exile, as Ugolino in hell, afar +off and with silence. + + + + +Chapter Sixth. + +THE COSTA RICAN INVASION. + + +On the first of March, 1856, the regular American force in the service of +Nicaragua was about six hundred men. It was organized in two battalions, +one denominated the Rifle and the other the Light Infantry Battalion. The +first was commanded by Colonel M. B. Skerrett, with E. J. Saunders as +lieutenant-colonel and A. S. Brewster as major. The light infantry was +commanded by Colonel B. D. Fry, with J. B. Markham as major. Nearly all +the rifle companies were then stationed at Leon, a single company under +Captain Rudler being at Rivas, where Major Brewster acted as commandant. +The light infantry was at Granada. Since the appointment of Colonel P. +R. Thompson as adjutant-general early in February, more system and order +had been given to the army organization. The medical staff was well +directed by the surgeon-general, Dr. Moses; and Colonel Thomas F. Fisher +had charge of the quarter master’s department. W. K. Rogers had been +recently appointed assistant commissary-general with the rank of major, +and was then at the head of the commissariat. Colonel Bruno Von Natzmer +was inspector-general; but was, at that time, stationed at Leon, having +general and indefinite powers to regulate the civil administration there +and to see that the wants of the American force were properly provided +for. His knowledge of the people in the Occidental Department made his +services valuable, inasmuch as there were constant rumors of trouble and +difficulties on the part of the natives at Leon. + +During the four months which had elapsed since the establishment of +the provisional government, the Americans had been, for the most part, +stationed in Granada. But the sickness prevailing there, as well as the +partial necessity for a force elsewhere, had caused small bodies to be +sent in several directions through the Republic, thus familiarizing the +people of the remote districts with the appearance of the Americans, and +furnishing the latter with a knowledge of the roads and local prejudices +of the inhabitants. Thus Colonel Fry, with a party of voltigeurs, +had spent several weeks in the neighborhood of Matagalpa, proceeding +even as far as Juigalpa in order to quell certain disturbances the +Legitimists were creating among the Indians. It would have been better +for the discipline and spirit of the troops if they had remained less +and in smaller bodies at Granada; but this being the depot of arms and +the seat of government by the terms of the treaty, the disposition of +the Legitimists of the town made it necessary to keep a strong force +in the place. The quantity of liquor there, and the fondness of many +officers for drink, not only injured the health of the troops, but tended +materially to prevent its growth in military virtue. + +In addition to the regular force of the Americans there were more than +five hundred men capable of bearing arms engaged in civil business either +at Granada or along the line of the Transit. At the capital there were +numbers of Americans employed in the civil offices, besides the laborers +engaged in building a wharf at the old fort; and at Virgin Bay and San +Juan del Sur, the Transit Company had scores of persons engaged in the +construction of their works at these two places. Some of these were +organized as volunteer companies, and at Virgin Bay a company of this +description, with a good uniform, and commanded by George McMurray, had +nearly fifty members. Many persons supposed these men could be relied +on, in case of disturbance, with as much certainty as the regular force, +and hence it was estimated that in the event of invasion nearly twelve +hundred Americans could be brought into action for the defence of +Nicaragua. + +A few days afterward, on the 9th of March, the regular force was largely +increased by the arrival at Granada of more than two hundred and fifty +men, under the direction of D. Domingo de Goicouria. The night before +these recruits arrived a bearer of despatches from San Salvador, Col. +Padilla, had reached Granada; and on the morning of the 9th, dressed in +a ludicrous uniform, and wearing a cocked hat he had brought all the +way over the mountains from Cojutepeque, he sallied forth on a visit to +the general-in-chief. The new men had just reached the Plaza, and were +drawn up so as to show their numbers to the best advantage, when Padilla +entered the general’s quarters. The surprise of the San Salvadorian, at +the sight of so many strange-looking men, was equal to the amazement the +Americans found in his long, lank person, run into trowsers too short for +his legs, and with the chest and arms tightly encased in a small military +coat, buttoned up to the throat, and obstinate in the habit of slipping +its lower edges above the pit of the stomach. As Padilla had brought +despatches from the Minister of Relations at Cojutepeque, Señor Hoyos, +asking why Americans were being introduced into Nicaragua, the arrival of +Goicouria and his recruits was not inopportune. + +Schlessinger had, in the meanwhile, returned from Costa Rica with an +account of his treatment there. Manuel Arguëllo, for whose sake Selva +left the cabinet, remained with his Legitimist friends near Mora, and +his conduct was a sample of the actions of the old Granada faction. On +the 11th, therefore, the new recruits were organized in a battalion +of five companies, under the command of Schlessinger, and Capt. J. C. +O’Neal was raised to the rank of Major, and attached to the corps. The +same day a proclamation was issued by the general-in-chief, closing +with the order to the troops to assume and wear the red ribbon. The +object of the proclamation was to secure the zealous co-operation of the +Nicaragua Democrats as well as of the liberals of the other States in +the war immediately impending, and the cause assigned for resuming the +red ribbon was the course of the Nicaragua Legitimists. “The self-styled +Legitimist party of Nicaragua,” so the proclamation ran, “has repelled +our efforts at conciliation. They have maintained communication with +their fellow serviles in the other States. They have, by all means in +their power, attempted to weaken the present provisional government, and +have given aid and encouragement to the enemies of Nicaragua outside of +the Republic.... They owe us for the protection they have had for their +lives and property—they have paid us with ingratitude and treachery.” + +A few hours after Walker wrote this proclamation he received the Mora +decree of the 1st of March, declaring war against the Americans in +Nicaragua. As soon as this decree was read, the Provisional President +published a proclamation of war against Costa Rica, and on the 13th the +general order was issued: “The Supreme Provisional Government of the +Republic of Nicaragua having formally declared war, by decree of March +11th, 1856, against the State of Costa Rica, the army will be held in +readiness to commence active operations.” + +Col. Schlessinger, after organizing his battalion and receiving muskets +for the several companies, was ordered to prepare for marching. He +proceeded with his command to Virgin Bay, and, according to instructions, +sent the weakest of his companies, under Lieut. Colman, to Rivas, +while Capt. Rudler, with Co. F of the Rifles, was ordered to report to +Schlessinger. The four full companies of the new battalion were commanded +respectively by Capt. Thorpe, Capt. Creighton, Capt. Prange, and Capt. +Legeay. The companies of these two latter officers consisted entirely the +one of German and the other of French, and Schlessinger’s familiarity +with the languages of these companies, no less than his acquaintance +with Spanish and with the Department of Guanacaste, was the cause of +his selection for the service on which he was about to be sent. After +Rudler’s company reported, Schlessinger’s command numbered about two +hundred and forty men. + +Walker ordered Schlessinger to march with this force into the Department +of Guanacaste. His object was to strike the first blow of the war on +the territory held by the enemy, and also to have a strong outpost at +some distance south of the Transit, to guard against any surprise on the +line of American travel across the Isthmus. With the same view companies +were occupying Castillo and Hipp’s Point, at the mouth of the Serapaqui. +It was necessary to hold the Transit with more tenacity than any other +part of the State, not only because the property there had more need of +protection than any other in the Republic from the foreign enemy, but +also because of the new arrangements made it was from the Transit the +Nicaragua force was to be fed and supplied with new troops. As there are +very few people between the Transit road and the line of Guanacaste, +the necessity for a corps of observation toward the south was the more +urgent. The greatest difficulty in war, that of knowing accurately +your enemy’s movements, is increased in Central America by the want of +facilities for communication, and by the habit frequent revolutions have +begot of spreading the most exaggerated reports about most trifling +facts. You can always get some facts, however, from any report; so that, +all things considered, it requires more labor to get facts from thinly +settled than from populous districts. + +On the 16th, Schlessinger marched from San Juan del Sur toward the La +Flor, a small stream which separates Guanacaste from the Meridional +Department. Before leaving he had much irritated Major Brewster, who was +commanding at Rivas, by the numerous irregularities he practised, but +with natural reluctance that officer was slow in reporting such facts +at headquarters. The march to the La Flor and beyond it to Salinas was +characterized by the same irregularity which marked the command while +on the Transit; and so great was the disorder that the surgeon of the +command, a new-comer, and ignorant of the grave fault he was committing, +left the force and returned to Granada with letters from Schlessinger. +This fact, all too late, revealed the weakness of the commander who +had permitted his only surgeon to leave at a time when he might any +day engage the enemy. With such ignorance of duty, on the part of both +commander and surgeon, it was necessary to carry on the war in the best +manner possible. This instance of Schlessinger and his surgeon, one out +of many, illustrates a difficulty which beset the Americans during the +whole war. + +It was not until late at night on the 20th that Schlessinger arrived +at the country-house of Santa Rosa, the men hungry and exhausted by +the long and weary march. The guard seems to have been properly posted +during the night, and the next morning mounted men were sent to get news +and, if possible, guides. An inspection of arms had been ordered first +for two and afterward for three o’clock in the afternoon; and the men +were lounging in all directions in and around the camp, when, shortly +before the inspection was to take place, the alarm was given and the +cry of “Here they come,” was uttered by a mounted rifleman as he rode up +to the main building where the colonel was quartered. Schlessinger was +taken entirely by surprise, and, in the confusion, could not be found +by the adjutant. Capt. Rudler with his rifles seized a corral near the +main house with a view of protecting the American flank; but the fire +of the advancing enemy soon forced him to leave it. In the meanwhile +Capt. Creighton, aided by Major O’Neal, had formed his company, its +right resting on the house, and fired a few volleys at the Costa Ricans; +but the German company had broke and left the field, while the French +under Legeay retired from the hilly, broken ground, they had attempted +to occupy. In five minutes, the whole command, led by its colonel, was +in full and most disorderly retreat. Major O’Neal, with several other +officers, strove in vain to turn the men and carry them back toward the +enemy; but the panic was such that they found few willing to listen or to +follow. + +The Costa Rican force attacking at Santa Rosa was the advance guard +of the whole army, then on its march toward the northern frontier. It +consisted of about five hundred men, and among its officers was Manuel +Arguëllo, the Legitimist. They wore the red ribbon, with the view both +of deceiving the Americans and of conciliating the Nicaraguan Democrats. +After the main body of the army, with the President, Rafael Mora, at its +head, reached Santa Rosa, the Nicaraguan prisoners, many of them wounded, +were tried by court martial and ordered to be shot. The cruel sentence +was too faithfully executed. + +After wandering for some time between Santa Rosa and the lake of +Nicaragua, the disorganized remains of Schlessinger’s force arrived at +a point near Tortugas, whence they found their way to Virgin Bay. They +came to the latter place by squads rather than by companies, some without +hats and shoes, and some even without arms. In their flight many had been +torn by the thorns through which they had been forced, and it was days +and even weeks before straggling men of the expedition ceased to arrive. +The depression of spirits was great, and some of the soldiers, in order +to diminish the shame of their retreat, were but too ready to exaggerate +among their comrades the disciplined air, fine military conduct, and +excellent arms and equipment of the enemy they so hastily saw at Santa +Rosa. + +Meanwhile Walker was concentrating the American force at Granada, and +preparing for the war in which, it was probable, the other three Central +American States would join Costa Rica. The Rifles were ordered from Leon; +and about the time they entered Granada, a company of recruits arrived +from San Juan del Norte under the command of Capt. Mason. With this +company came Turnbull and French; but both those persons, finding their +services were not required, soon left the Republic. While the Rifles were +marching into the capital, the general-in-chief was in bed with a violent +attack of fever; but thanks to good medical attendance and a strong +constitution, he was able, on the next day, Sunday the 23d, to go to the +dinner-table. Scarcely able to sit up, he had a note from Major Brewster +put in his hands, bearing the first hasty news of the reverse at Santa +Rosa. The same evening he managed to get aboard the steamer, and was, on +the morning of the 24th, at Virgin Bay. The news of the stragglers from +Santa Rosa was a better tonic than a cold bath. The necessity for mental +and moral action has a wonderful effect in driving the reluctant body to +perform the tasks the will imposes. + +The disaster in Guanacaste made Walker determine to move the main +strength of the Americans to Rivas. He did not know what effect the +rout at Santa Rosa might have on the native Nicaraguans, or how far it +might shake their confidence in the ability of the Americans to protect +the State from its enemies. Orders were given accordingly; and in the +meanwhile arrangements had been made for removing the government to Leon. +Rivas was anxious to fill the vacancies in his cabinet; and Jerez had +intimated that if the President would go to Leon he might resume his +place in the government. Before leaving Granada, however, the President +issued a decree whereby the Oriental and Meridional Departments were put +under martial law, and the general-in-chief was invested with absolute +power over these portions of the Republic. The Minister of Public Credit, +Ferrer, remained at Granada as commissioner, to co-operate with the +general, as far as the latter might require, in supplying means for +carrying on the war, and for ministering to the wants of the army. + +The day Walker established his headquarters at Rivas, Schlessinger +arrived to report in person the incidents of his march and retreat. He +urged the inexperience of the men, and their want of disciplined courage +as the cause of his misfortune; and he forthwith proposed to organize +a new force for the occupation of Guanacaste. But the officers of the +expedition who began to arrive all agreed as to the incapacity and +cowardice shown by their late commander. Some, indeed, hinted that he had +sold his command; but such conduct was not suited to his timid nature. +Had he sold his men, he would never have returned to Nicaragua. The +charges, however, made against him required a court of inquiry; and the +report of the court of inquiry led to his arrest and trial before a court +martial on the charges of neglect of duty, of ignorance of his duties of +commanding officer, and of cowardice in the presence of the enemy. To +these was afterward added the charge of desertion. + +The movement of the army from Granada to Rivas by Virgin Bay had +developed the necessity for more vigor in its means of transportation. +Therefore C. J. Macdonald was appointed quartermaster-general with the +rank of colonel; but this office he held only a few days for causes which +will soon appear. Up to the 30th, the re-organization of the men who had +returned from Costa Rica was going on, and efforts were being made to +increase in several respects the efficiency of the army. But a general +depression seemed to pervade officers as well as men. Applications were +constantly made for furloughs to return to the United States; and the +spirit of the troops was yet more depressed by the Americans outside +of the army thronging to headquarters in order to get passports to +leave the country. Two or three ladies—Mrs. Thompson, the wife of the +adjutant-general, and Mrs. Kewen, the wife of Mr. E. J. C. Kewen, a civil +officer of the State—aided to keep up the courage of the men by the +cheerfulness with which they met all forms of fatigue and danger. But the +sphere of such influences was necessarily narrow, and it was requisite to +infuse some enthusiasm into the army or let it dissolve from the effects +of one shameful panic. + +Accordingly, on the afternoon of the 30th, the force in Rivas was paraded +on the main Plaza, and the general-in-chief addressed them a few minutes +in such words as he could find for the occasion. He endeavored to place +before them the moral grandeur of the position they occupied. Alone in +the world, without a friendly government to give even its sympathy, much +less its aid, they had nothing to support them in the struggle with the +neighboring States save the consciousness of the justice of their cause. +Maligned by those who should have befriended them, and betrayed by those +they had benefited, they had to choose between basely yielding their +rights and nobly dying for them. Nor did their general seek to hide from +them the peril in which they stood; but from the urgency of the danger +arose the greater necessity for becoming conduct. The words were few and +simple, and drew little force from the manner of him who uttered them; +but they had the desired effect and created a new spirit among the men. +It is only by constant appeals to the loftier qualities of man that you +can make him a good soldier; and all military discipline is a mere effort +to make virtue constant and reliable by making it habitual. + +On the 1st of April the arrival of the steamer Cortes from San Francisco +at San Juan del Sur was announced. W. R. Garrison had come as passenger +with a view of making arrangements for the new transit; but no men had +come for the service of Nicaragua. Soon after news reached Rivas of the +arrival of the steamer, Walker received intelligence that she had again +put to sea, towing out the coal-ship then in the harbor. The up-going +steamer of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company had spoken the Cortes +before she entered the port of San Juan, and had borne to her commander +the orders of his principals in New-York. Captain Collens, of the Cortes, +had, however, left Mr. Garrison ashore; and the latter, when he got to +Rivas, informed Walker that this sudden movement of the old company had +not been provided for, and that it might be several weeks, at least +six, before another steamer would come from California. Thus one motive +for holding fast to the Transit was, for the moment, taken away. Thus, +at the very outset, the new contractors, Morgan and Garrison, by their +timidity—to use no harsher word—jeoparded the welfare of those who had +acted on the faith of their capacity and willingness to fulfil their +agreements. + +At the same time that Garrison and Morgan were embarrassing Walker’s +communications with the United States by the hesitation and weakness of +their conduct, Rivas was writing that news every day reached Leon of +an intention on the part of Guatemala and San Salvador to join in the +war against Nicaragua. It was clear that the people in the Occidental +Department began to shake at the idea of an invasion from the northern +States. As the Transit was, for the time being, made useless by the +action of persons having an interest in the property on the line of +travel, the general-in-chief decided to move northward so as to restore +confidence to the Leoneses. He was not then aware of the large force +Mora had on the frontier. Scouting parties of the enemy had come as +far as Peña Blanca, a point on the southern boundary of the Meridional +Department; but these were not of such force as to indicate the presence +of the numbers Mora was leading through Guanacaste. + +Just as orders were being issued to prepare the army for its movement to +Virgin Bay, Col. Macdonald resigned the office of quartermaster-general. +At the time, Walker attributed this act to the projected departure of the +troops from the Transit, Macdonald then being on the Isthmus to watch +the interests of Garrison and Morgan. But after events showed that his +conduct was more the result of mortification at the apparent bad faith +of his principal at San Francisco, than of any disaffection toward the +cause of the Americans in Nicaragua. His resignation was, however, a loss +at the time; for his clear head and energetic action were much needed in +the coming crisis. At that time the general-in-chief knew something of +the value of Macdonald’s head; but it was only at a later period that +he had the opportunity of discovering other admirable qualities the +sturdy Scotchman possessed. With the Highland blood, he had the Highland +loyalty; but his dogged tenacity of purpose was that of the Lowland +borderer. + +After Macdonald’s resignation, D. Domingo de Goicouria was appointed +intendente-general with the rank of brigadier-general. He was a Cuban, +and had been engaged with the patriots of that island in some efforts +to gain its independence. Before going to Nicaragua, Goicouria had +sent a pure-hearted and devoted son of the island, Lainé, to negotiate +with Walker for future assistance against the Spanish dominion. And the +latter, while pledging his personal efforts to the Cuban cause, had been +careful not to involve the relations of Nicaragua by such promises. On +his part, Goicouria had promised much help in the way of money, arms, +and clothing; and his manner and conversation, more mercantile than +military, were calculated to make you imagine him capable of inspiring +capitalists with confidence in his commercial ability. As many persons +concurred in representing Goicouria’s credit to be good, his desire for +rank was gratified by the appointment, and it was hoped thus to secure +some recompense in the shape of shoes, jackets and equipments for the +soldiers. The duties of the quartermaster’s department were devolved +on the intendencia; and the chief, Goicouria, recommended for first +and second assistants Fisher and Byron Cole—who had lately returned to +Nicaragua—with the ranks respectively of colonel and lieutenant-colonel. +These appointments were accordingly made. + +The intendencia, thus hastily organized, received immediate orders to +prepare transportation for the whole force then in Rivas, with all the +property of the army there, to Virgin Bay. Walker himself repaired to +the latter point to see that everything was ready to embark the troops +on one of the lake steamers. After reaching Virgin Bay he was called up +about midnight by the new intendente-general, who had rode all the way +from Rivas to propose that he should be left with a few Americans and +some native troops in charge of the Meridional Department. The conceit +of Goicouria, excited by his new rank and title, had turned his head; +and although he had scarcely been a month in the country, he foolishly +presumed to thrust his opinion unasked on his general-in-chief. Of course +he got a short answer; and Walker began to think the shoes and shirts +might be too dearly purchased by the appointment of Don Domingo. + +By the evening of the 5th of April, all were at Virgin Bay, and the +embarkation was commenced. Most of the American residents about the +Transit road, thinking from the preparations that the Meridional +Department was to be abandoned, flocked with the troops aboard the San +Carlos. When all were on the steamer she was ordered to the San Juan +river, and the morning of the 6th found her off San Carlos Fort. Captain +Linton’s company stationed at that point was embarked, and the steamer +proceeded down the river to Toro Rapids. A company intended to garrison +Castillo Viejo was sent down to relieve the force previously there; and +when the returning company had reached the San Carlos, she was ordered +to Granada. On the morning of the 8th, the steamer anchored off Granada, +and the troops were rapidly disembarked. Thus the movement northward was, +for a time, concealed from the people of the Meridional Department, among +whom the enemy had numerous spies, and the impression was temporarily +created, that the Americans intended to move either out of the country or +toward San José. The enemy seems to have adopted the former opinion. + +It seems that Mora, after his success at Santa Rosa, was pressing on +toward the frontier; but hearing Walker had occupied Rivas in force, +he stopped to watch his adversary. Then seeing the preparations for +abandoning the department, he allowed the embarkation of the Americans +almost in his very presence. Of course, with the Legitimists in and +about Rivas, it was far easier for Mora to get reliable news than for +the Nicaraguan general. As no villages or even country-houses were to be +passed, it was not difficult to bring a force of three thousand men to +the neighborhood of the Transit road, without its being at all known in +the department. Walker had no sooner left Virgin Bay, than Mora moved +forward with a view of occupying Rivas and the Transit road. + +Early on the morning of the 7th, according to the testimony of sworn +witnesses, examined by the American minister, Mr. Wheeler, the Costa +Rican troops entered Virgin Bay and surrounded the office of the Transit +Company. The officer in command gave the order to fire, and nine American +citizens, mostly laborers in the service of the company, and all of them +entirely unarmed, were killed or wounded by the first volley. The wounded +were immediately run through with the bayonets of the soldiers and +swords of the officers. Then the doors of the building were broken open, +the trunks stored in it were rifled, and the persons of the murdered +Americans were robbed of the money, watches, and jewelry, found on +them. Nor were the brutal passions of the invaders satisfied with these +acts. They afterward set fire to the wharf the Transit Company was just +completing, and declared their intention to exterminate every American +on the Isthmus. They commenced the work of destruction by burning to the +water’s edge the wharf which American capital had constructed for the +use and advantage of Nicaraguan labor and Nicaraguan products. + +To San Juan del Sur and to Rivas, the entrance of the Costa Ricans +was more orderly. At Rivas, particularly, Mora made every effort to +conciliate the people of the country. A prefect was appointed, and D. +Evaristo Carazo, who for several years had been accumulating a fortune +from the transit of Americans across the Isthmus, accepted the office. +Orders were also issued prohibiting the impressment of men for military +service; but urgent invitations were made to the people to join those +who professed to have come for their liberation from the yoke of the +Americans. Few, however, if any, accepted the invitation; and the +President of Costa Rica did not fail to express his disappointment at +the backwardness of the people to join his ranks. He had trusted too +much to the partial representations of the Legitimists, and he afterward +complained bitterly of the deception practised on him. + +An hour or two after Walker landed at Granada, on the morning of the 8th, +an American from the Transit came to inform him of the events occurring +there. At the same time the letters from Leon indicated that the alarm +there had subsided. Hence orders were at once issued to have the whole +marching force then in Granada, with the exception of two companies to +garrison that place, ready to move the next morning by daylight. + +The American force had been sensibly diminished by the expedition to +Santa Rosa, and after the return from that disastrous field the French +and German companies were disbanded and all who could not speak English +were discharged from the army. Thus, on the morning of the 9th, not more +than five hundred and fifty men marched out of Granada toward Rivas. +The men were, however, in good spirits and went at a brisk pace, so +that early in the afternoon they were halted for dinner a league to the +southward of Nandaime. Here they met Col. Machado, a Cuban, who had been +left at Rivas with a few native troops when Walker marched the American +force thence. The officer commanding at Rivas was José Bermudez, who +remained and took service under Mora, but the rank and file of the native +Nicaraguans forsaking Bermudez had followed Machado, and left Rivas +some hours before the Costa Ricans entered. Thus was it generally in +Nicaragua; the people adhered to the Americans; the _calzados_, those +wearing shoes, deserted to the enemies of the Republic. + +After rest and dinner, the command strengthened by Machado’s men, +marched to the Ochomogo, where it encamped for the night. Then it was +ascertained that Mora had entered Rivas the day before with a large +army, the woman, who brought the story, saying at least three thousand. +But as the ideas of the people of the country about numbers are rather +vague, not much confidence was put in the report. On the 10th, the march +was slow and toilsome, owing to the heat of the day and to the long +stretches of dry and dusty road without any shade to protect the men +from the fierce tropical sun. During the morning a native from Rivas was +taken, carrying proclamations from Mora to his Legitimist friends about +Masaya, and, after some threats, much information was educed from the +messenger concerning the position and strength of the enemy. As the force +approached the Gil Gonzales, a body of rangers, under command of Capt. +Waters, was sent on to the point where the main road to Rivas crosses the +river, and there exchanged shots with an outpost of the enemy placed near +Obraje. The main body of the Americans, however, left the high road half +a league from the river, and taking a trail to the left struck the Gil +Gonzales some distance below the point where Waters had encountered the +enemy. About sunset Walker camped for the night on the south bank of the +Gil Gonzales, and due silence was kept in order to prevent the enemy from +perceiving his presence there. + +Just before reaching camp a herdsman, hunting cattle for the Costa +Ricans, had been made prisoner, and the soldiers had scarcely reached +the several points in the camp assigned to them, before a man, found +skulking near the river, was brought to the general-in-chief. At first +he denied all knowledge of the enemy at Rivas, but a rope thrown around +his neck and cast over a limb of the nearest tree brought him the use of +his memory, and he gave an accurate and detailed account of the several +points at which the Costa Ricans were posted. He stated the houses +in which Mora and the principal officers quartered, the place where +the ammunition was stored together the quantity of it, not forgetting +two pretty little pieces of artillery commanding some of the streets. +Unfortunately for himself, he let out the fact that he had been sent to +gather news of the Americans, and hence was punished as a spy. But his +information was so full, and, after severe cross-examination there was +so little contradiction in his story, that Walker formed his plan of +attack on the facts thus obtained. The result showed that the statements +of the spy were entirely accurate. The fear of death had so discomposed +his mind that he could not invent a lie. + +Before retiring for the night, Walker sent for the principal officers, +and explaining the plan of attack for the next day, assigned to each his +separate duty. Lieut.-Col. Sanders, with four companies of Rifles, was to +enter by the streets running along the north side of the Plaza, and was +to keep his men in full charge, if possible, until they reached the house +where Mora was quartered, about eighty yards from the main square. Major +Brewster, with three companies of Rifles, was to enter by the street +on the south side of the Plaza and was, also, to attempt to reach the +headquarters of the enemy. As Walker expected to surprise Mora, he hoped +to get possession of his person before he could escape; and at any rate +as his headquarters were opposite the magazine, the occupation of the +former would command the latter. Hence the object in ordering the Rifles +to strike for the house Mora was known to occupy. Col. Natzmer, with +Major O’Neal and the Second Rifles—as his command was called—although +then armed with muskets, was to pass to the extreme left of the town thus +threatening the right of the enemy and yet being within easy distance of +Brewster. Machado with the natives was to pass by a road which enters the +Plaza from the north, and would thus find himself on Sanders’ right. Col. +Fry was to hold his companies of light infantry as a reserve. + +Between two and three o’clock in the morning, the several companies were +formed and the march toward Rivas began, Dr. J. L. Cole acting as guide. +Owing to the darkness of the night and the obscurity of the trail, the +march was for a time slow and interrupted by frequent halts; but when day +broke, and the command fell into the road through Potosi, the pace of +the men became brisk and lively. The quick yet firm step of the soldiers +showed that their spirit was good, and the dust of the road, though thick +and heavy, affected them little. The deep silence of the expectant ranks +was only broken by the low voice of one asking his comrade for a drop +of water from his gourd; and the bark of the watch-dogs, common in the +huts along the roadside, was passed unheeded, save with the half-uttered +hope that the noise of the brute might not give the enemy notice of their +approach. Soon after they passed Potosi the sun rose in all the splendor +of his southern skies, and when the Americans, making a detour toward the +lake, fell into the road from San Jorge to Rivas, about a mile from the +latter place, it was near eight o’clock. + +Not more than half a mile from the edge of the town Walker met some +market-women, who told him the enemy were not aware of his approach; +they had left the Plaza only a few minutes previously, and the Costa +Ricans—_hermaniticos_, as the San Jorge women called them—were as +careless and indifferent as if they were in their own country. A short +halt was made at the Cuatro Esquinas to give the rear time to close up; +and when the rear-guard appeared the order was given for the several +divisions of the force to advance in the manner indicated the night +before. + +Sanders, being in the advance, drove in a small picket near the edge +of the town, and proceeding at a double quick step, entered the Plaza +and rushed up the street toward Mora’s quarters. The enemy, taken by +surprise, had scarcely commenced to return the fire of the Rifles when +the latter reached a small brass gun standing in the street, about half +way between the Plaza and the magazine of the Costa Ricans. Sanders’ +men, shouting over the gun they had taken, carried it to the Plaza; +but in the meantime they had given the enemy time to recover from the +first shock and the Costa Ricans’ fire now became galling. Brewster had +succeeded also in clearing his side of the Plaza of the enemy, and, with +Captain Anderson’s company in front, was urging his command on toward the +houses occupied by the Costa Ricans. A few sharp-shooters, however, of +the enemy, French and Germans, got possession of a tower in front of the +Rifles, and so annoyed them that they were finally forced to seek cover. +Natzmer and O’Neal got possession of the houses on Brewster’s left and +were doing good execution, keeping their men well protected and pouring a +sharp fire into the enemy’s ranks. While Machado, leading on his natives +in the most gallant manner, had himself fallen; and his soldiers, after +his death, took small part in the engagement. + +Thus, in a few moments, the Americans had possession of the Plaza and +all the houses around it, while the enemy shutting themselves up in the +buildings in the western part of the town, kept up an irregular fire from +the doors and windows, as well as from the loop-holes they soon began +to cut through the adobe walls. As for the Americans, after the first +enthusiasm of the attack had died away, it was impossible to get them to +storm the houses where the Costa Ricans were hiding from the deadly aim +of the riflemen. Many of the men, exhausted by the first charge, actually +set their muskets against the walls, and throwing themselves on the +ground, could scarcely be driven to any active exertion. When Col. Fry +came up with his reserve an effort was made to get them to charge down +the street to Mora’s house; but Fry and then Kewen—who as volunteer aid +acted gallantly during the day—urged the men in vain to the attack. The +depression of the companies, blown by the first onset, had its effect on +the fresh men; and it was impossible to get any portion of the force to +renew the attack with the vigor which marked its commencement. + +The few Rangers, under Captain Waters, had dismounted early in the action +and had taken part in the conflict. Young Gillis, an impetuous lieutenant +under Waters, had already fallen; while the captain taking possession +of the tower of the church, on the east side of the Plaza, was able to +observe to advantage the movements of the enemy and to annoy them with +his rifles. Some of Sanders’ men were also placed on the roofs of the +houses to the west of the square, and were able to do execution from this +position. It soon became evident, however, that it might require days to +drive the Costa Ricans from the houses they occupied after their first +surprise was over, especially as the Nicaraguan force had no artillery, +and would have to depend on the pick and crow-bar for working through +the thick adobe walls of the town. Mora, it was clear, was closely +pressed, for at different times during the day the Costa Rican troops +from San Juan and Virgin Bay were observed entering Rivas. The president +had concentrated all the strength he had in the department to repel the +attack of the Americans. + +But when the enemy saw the Nicaraguans made no advance, they assumed the +offensive and undertook to get into a house to the north of the Plaza, +whence they might pour a destructive fire into the American flank. This +movement was defeated by Lieutenant Gay with a number of others, officers +principally, who volunteered for the service. The gallantry of those +who went with Gray was, in its spirit, more like that of the knights of +feudal times than of the officers and soldiers of regular armies. Among +those with the young lieutenant were Rogers of the commissary department, +bearing the rank of major, Captain N. C. Breckenridge and Captain Huston. +There was no thought of rank, but each one went forth with his revolver, +ready to do the part of a true man in the fray. Not more than a dozen +went out to drive away upward of a hundred, and their charge swept the +enemy completely away. Gray and Huston fell, and Breckenridge received a +slight wound in the head; but the remainder of the party came off unhurt. + +During the afternoon the enemy set fire to some of the houses held by +the Americans, and the fire of their rifles from a tower, in front of +Brewster’s command, interfered somewhat with free communication between +the east and west sides of the Plaza. As night, too, approached, the fire +from both sides slackened, each apparently exhausted by the excitement +and strife of the day. In the meanwhile, Walker was preparing to +withdraw, and after dark the wounded and disabled were moved over to +the church on the east side of the square. Then the several companies +were gradually gathered toward the same point, a few men being still +left in the burning houses to keep the enemy from embarrassing the +American movement. The surgeons examined the wounded, and those declared +mortally hurt were left in the church near the altar, while the others +were provided with horses for the march. It was past midnight when all +arrangements were completed, and the command slowly and silently defiled +from the town, the wounded in the centre, and Major Brewster commanding +the rear-guard. + +Soon after daylight, the little force, weary and foot-sore, ragged, but +resolute, crossed the Gil Gonzales near Obraje, and halted for a short +rest. Their guide, Dr. Cole, and Macdonald, who had gone to Rivas as +a volunteer, were missing, although they had left the town with the +command. Nor was Captain Norvell Walker anywhere to be found. The rear +guard had been well commanded by Brewster, and his coolness and firmness +conduced much to the orderly character of the march. It was not until the +Americans were some miles beyond the Gil Gonzales that Captain Walker, +marching by himself, overtook the rear-guard, and showed by his story +that his absence was not due to any laxity of the guard in keeping up +stragglers. He had fallen asleep in the tower of the church on the Plaza +at Rivas, and not waking until daylight, was surprised to find himself +alone in a town occupied by the enemy. But the Costa Ricans had not, up +to the time he left, discovered that the Americans had retired: hence he +was able to escape with safety. Cole and Macdonald, overcome by fatigue, +wandered into a bye-path near Rivas to take rest. Finding themselves +separated from the Nicaraguan force they sought and obtained refuge from +a poor native, who kept them hid near San Jorge for a week. They did not +re-appear in Granada until ten days after the action. + +On the night of the 12th the camp was again on the banks of the Ochomogo. +Col. Natzmer was sent forward to Granada with orders to have all the +disposable horses and mules, together with some provisions, brought to +Nandaime; and about noon of the 13th the force had reached the latter +village. Here the first report of the losses at Rivas was made by the +adjutant-general. The official report showed 58 killed, 62 wounded, and +13 missing. Most of the latter afterward came in; so that the whole loss +may be put at 120. A very large proportion of both the killed and wounded +were officers. Among the former were Captains Huston, Clinton, Horrell +and Linton, Lieutenants Morgan, Stoll, Gray, Doyle, Gillis and Winters; +of the latter were Captains Cook, Caycee and Anderson, Lieutenants Grist, +Jones, Jamieson, Leonard, Potter, Ayers, Latimer, Dolan and Anderson. The +loss of the enemy is difficult to determine: for the Central Americans +never, even to their own officers, state their losses accurately. But +there were probably near six hundred of the Costa Ricans put hors de +combat; two hundred killed and four hundred wounded. Their force at the +beginning of the action was upward of three thousand; and their losses +may be estimated by the wounded they afterward took away from Nicaragua. + +From Nandaime to Granada the march was long and wearisome, in spite of +the additional facilities of transportation. Hence, it was near midnight +when the shattered forces of the Republic entered the capital. The +friends of the government in Granada were, however, awake, in order to +receive the force with every demonstration of respect and confidence. The +bells rang forth a joyful peal, rockets were sent up into the air, and +all appeared thankful for the services the army had rendered the State. +Although the Americans had not succeeded in driving the Costa Ricans +from Rivas, they had struck a blow which paralyzed the enemy. Mora was +surprised by the suddenness and the force of the attack made on him; +and the sight of the crowded hospitals at Rivas depressed the spirits +of his soldiers, new to the trials and sufferings of war. The people, +too, of the Meridional Department, as well as those of the Oriental and +Occidental, seeing the Americans were not intimidated by the numbers +brought against them, regained their confidence, somewhat lost by the +disgrace of Santa Rosa. + +While Mora had marched into the Meridional Department, a body of 250 +Costa Ricans had been sent to the Serapaqui in order to cut off Walker’s +communications by the San Juan river. Capt. Baldwin, a vigilant and +intelligent officer, was at Hipp’s Point when he ascertained the enemy +were cutting a road toward the river. He did not wait for the enemy to +reach him; but, ascending the Serapaqui, he vigorously assailed the +Costa Ricans while they were cutting the road, and drove them back with +large loss and in extreme confusion. He himself lost one killed, Lieut. +Rakestraw, and two wounded; while the enemy left more than twenty dead on +the field. This affair of the Serapaqui took place on the 10th of April; +and the routed Costa Ricans did not stop in their flight until they had +fallen back to San José. + +Immediately on reaching Granada the general-in-chief wrote to the +President at Leon a detailed statement of the action at Rivas; and a +day or two afterward he sent Mr. Fabens with letters to Don Patricio, +suggesting the appointment of Father Vigil as Minister to the United +States. The President replied to the letter concerning the engagement +with the Costa Ricans, thanking the army, in the name of the Republic, +for the courage and the conduct it had shown in the attack on the +invaders of Nicaragua; and Mr. Fabens brought back with him the +credentials and instructions of Vigil as Minister. The latter forthwith +got ready to leave for San Juan del Norte in company with Mr. John P. +Heiss. The priest agreed to leave his easy home in the tropics for the +purpose of explaining properly to the cabinet at Washington the nature of +the events occurring in Central America. + +During the absence of the main body of the army on the expedition +to Rivas, Schlessinger had been left at Granada on parole. He had +an opportunity to regain, to some extent, his lost character, by +volunteering to march with the Americans against the enemy. But he +did not take advantage of the occasion; on the contrary, he remained +to acquire, if possible, new infamy by adding desertion to his former +crimes. The court martial which was ordered to try him, found him guilty +of all the charges brought against him; and he was sentenced to be shot, +and to be published throughout the civilized world. He afterward joined +a body of the Legitimists acting against the Americans, and in such +society he sank, by the way he permitted himself to be treated, beneath +the contempt of the lowest soldier in even a Central American army. He is +now fallen so far that it would be an unworthy act to execute on him the +sentence of an honorable court. + +After the return of the Americans to Granada an enemy fiercer and more +malignant than the Costa Ricans began to ravage their thinned ranks. +The fever which had before carried off many, re-appeared in an even +aggravated form. Major Brewster was one of its first victims; and few +could have been more missed than he. He had the calmness of spirit no +danger disturbed; and it was only in the hour of trial and misfortune +his full value could be known. It was the loss of officers—dying just as +they began to be formed, and as their character and value began to be +known—which prevented the American force from acquiring the discipline +and steady virtue it might otherwise have attained. During the earlier +as well as the later stages of the war in Nicaragua, it was the officer, +ambitious of gaining a knowledge of his profession, and zealous in the +pursuit of duty, who was most apt to seek the post of danger, and was +therefore most likely to fall by the bullets of the enemy; and at times, +too, it seemed as if disease also seized on such with more avidity than +it did on others who might have been better spared. + +New-comers, however, began to arrive to take the place of those cut off +by battle and disease. On the morning of the 21st of April the steamer +arrived at Granada with about two hundred men in charge of General +Hornsby, who had been absent on business in the United States. As the +Americans had been re-organized after the 13th in two battalions, one +rifle, the other light infantry, the new recruits were formed into a +second infantry battalion, with Leonidas McIntosh as major, and James +Walker and James Mullen as captains. Upward of twenty men had come at +their own expense to Granada, and they were enlisted for four months, +and put into the rangers under Captain Davenport. This addition to the +numbers of the army of course re-animated the old troops—for some of +them, considering the services they had seen, might with propriety be +called old troops; and after the arrival of the new men all were as eager +as ever to march against the enemy at Rivas. + +And while the Nicaraguan force was increasing, that of Costa Rica was +rapidly sinking from the double cancers of cholera and desertion. + +When the Americans retired from Rivas, the Costa Ricans were encumbered +with so many dead that instead of regularly burying the bodies they threw +them into the wells of the town. Their surgical staff, too, was weak; +and the hospitals being crowded and ill-regulated, the festering sores +of the wounded soldiers tended to produce disease even if the cholera +had not appeared. The epidemic which began to prey on their camp soon +after the 11th of April, was probably the same _colerin_ that attacked +the Democrats at San Juan del Sur the year before, and afterward troubled +the Americans at Virgin Bay. The spasms of this form of disease are not +so violent as those of the Asiatic cholera, nor does the patient sink so +rapidly. Its fatal effects were increased in the Costa Rican camp by the +general depression of spirits which pervaded the officers as well as the +men after they saw the results of the first conflict with the enemy they +had come to drive, as they imagined, by easy marches, and by the mere +force of their numbers, out of Central America. + +Walker soon heard, through the people of San Jorge, the condition of the +Costa Rican camp. Far from receiving recruits from the Nicaraguans, all +fled the infected town. Mora began to build barricades as soon as the +Americans retired; and this of itself showed fear of another attack. +But when cholera and desertion supervened, the invader lost the hope of +holding his ground even behind the adobes of Rivas. Nor was it possible +for the Costa Rican officers to conceal from the soldiers the fact +that the Americans were receiving reinforcements. Increased depression +followed the growing apprehension of attack; and the pestilence found +its victims each day yielding more readily to his deadly grasp. Then, +too, there were vague rumors of movements in Costa Rica against the rule +of the Moras. The people, beginning to feel the burden of the war, were +asking why it was made; and the party which had for years been banished +from the business of the State, was heard to raise its voice against the +unjust war an ambitious executive was waging for the increase of his own +personal power. D. Rafael Mora saw he must leave Rivas and return to San +José; so, placing his brother-in-law, General José Maria Cañas, in charge +of the army, with orders to lead it back to Costa Rica, the troubled +President mounted his horse, and almost alone took the road to Guanacaste. + +It was no part of the Nicaraguan general’s plan to waste his strength on +an army which was being effectually destroyed by other causes; so he did +not move from Granada until he heard the Costa Ricans were preparing to +abandon Rivas. Then putting the rifle and light infantry battalions on +the lake steamer, he proceeded with them to Virgin Bay. The battalions +were landed as quickly as the charred and ruined state of the wharf +admitted; and the order was given to advance along the familiar Transit +road toward San Juan del Sur. But the force had gone not quite a league +when a breathless messenger rode up to inform the general that Cañas was +already marching with rapid and disorderly steps toward the La Flor. +At the same time the messenger bore a letter addressed to “Wm. Walker, +General-in-chief of the Nicaraguan Army,” signed “José Maria Cañas, +General-in-chief of the Costa Rican Army,” and couched in the following +terms: “Obliged to abandon the Plaza of Rivas, on account of the +appearance of the cholera in a most alarming form, I am forced to leave +here a certain number of sick it is impossible to carry away without +danger to their lives; but I expect your generosity will treat them with +all the attention and care their situation requires. I invoke the laws of +humanity in favor of these unfortunate victims of an awful calamity, and +I have the honor of proposing to you to exchange them when they get well, +for more than twenty prisoners who are now in our power, and whose names +I will send you in a detailed list for making the exchange. Believing +that this, my proposal, will be admitted, according to the laws of war, +I have the honor of subscribing myself, with feelings of the highest +consideration, your obedient servant.” It is needless to add, that the +surgeons immediately received orders to take charge of the sick of the +enemy wherever found. + +Such, then, was the conclusion of the first act in the war of +extermination. Had the Nicaraguan chief been a proud man, or one capable +of rejoicing in the humiliation of a foe, he might have been excused for +some elation of spirit at receiving the letter of Cañas. The enemy which, +not two months before, had declared war against the “filibusters,” and +ordered all taken with arms in their hands to be shot, now supplicated +the commander-in-chief of the Nicaraguan army to spare the lives of the +suffering soldiers left behind at Rivas. The victims of the murderous +court-martial at Santa Rosa, the bayonet stabs inflicted on the wounded +prisoners found near the altar of the church at Rivas, the insults to the +bodies of the brave dead who gave up their lives on the 11th of April, +for a country theirs only by adoption, were to be avenged by mercy, and +care, and attention, bestowed on the sick and wounded of those who had +done the wrongs. It was a revenge such as the Americans might well be +proud of—not unworthy either of the cause they advocated, or of the race +from which they sprang. + +It is scarcely necessary to follow the Costa Ricans in their sad and +dreary march from San Juan to San José. The path to the La Flor was +blocked with the bodies of stragglers who had fallen behind when the +fatal spasms seized them, and prevented them from returning with their +comrades. Nor did the scourge cease to pursue them when they entered the +territory of Guanacaste. It tracked them to San José, and so well was its +work of destruction done, that not more than five hundred of the brave +array which had gone forth to exterminate the “filibusters,” returned to +the capital of the Republic. Then the pestilence turning from the army it +had almost wholly devoured, sought its prey among the peaceful families +of the land. Young and old, women and children, succumbed to the disease, +and some estimate that as many as fourteen thousand died from its +effects. Probably, however, the more moderate estimate of ten thousand +might cover all the loss to the population of the State. + +While the Costa Ricans were occupying Rivas, it was reported that the +Legitimists were attempting to raise men in the District of Chontales, +and in the departments of Matagalpa and Segovia. Goicouria was sent with +Captain Raymond’s company to scour the hills of Chontales; and meeting +a small collection of the old Granadinos at Acoyapa, he scattered them +in the course of a few moments. Then traversing the greater part of the +district, he returned to Granada, and reported all quiet on the other +side of the lake. Valle, who was military governor of Segovia, readily +dispersed the Legitimists who made some show of a movement near Somoto +Grande; while Mariano Salazar, sent by the government as commissioner +to Matagalpa, pacified the Indians of that region, and returned with his +command to Leon. Thus, in a few weeks, order and quiet were restored to +the whole Republic, and the commands of the provisional government were +respected in all parts of the State. + +In the Meridional Department it was necessary to make examples of some +Legitimists who had marched with the Costa Ricans from Guanacaste to +invade the Republic. A principal one of these was Francisco Ugarte, who +had been married to a sister of Dr. Cole’s wife. The general-in-chief +heard that Ugarte remained in the department after the departure of the +enemy; and a detachment sent in search of the traitor, found him and +brought him to headquarters. He was tried by a military commission, and +ordered to be hung. This mode of punishment for such offenders being +unusual in the country—shooting being resorted to rather than hanging—the +execution of Ugarte made a strong impression on the people, and infused +a salutary dread of American justice among the plotting Legitimists. As +there had been some questions concerning the guardianship of Ugarte’s +children, and the administration of their mother’s estate between him +and his connections, the natives generally attributed the arrest of the +criminal to information derived from his wife’s brother-in-law, Dr. Cole; +and the prevalence of the suspicion indicates that the people were not +unaccustomed to see adherence to a party, or proposed devotion to the +public interests, made the stalking-horse for the gratification of family +feuds and personal passions. + +For two or three weeks after the departure of Cañas from Rivas, the +main body of the Americans were kept at Virgin Bay, detachments being +constantly sent to different points of the department, with a view of +restoring confidence in the strength of the Rivas administration. The +fever was fierce at Granada, carrying off many of those who had lately +reached the country. After some days, too, the cholera or colerin +appeared at Virgin Bay, and numbers died from it there. Nor were the +resident Americans or the soldiers the only victims of fever and +cholera at this time. The owners of the Transit not having made proper +arrangements for their line, the passengers for California who had come +to San Juan del Norte, in April, were obliged to remain in Nicaragua +a whole month. Many of these passengers being destitute of means, and +irregular in their course of life, readily yielded to the fever then +prevailing at Granada; and the reports they gave of the country, thrown +into it as they were without any of the common comforts of civilization, +prevented many from going thither. It was not until the 19th of May, +that the steamer arrived at San Juan del Sur, and gave these suffering +passengers a chance to go to San Francisco. + +In spite, however, of the sickness which prevailed among the Americans, +their spirits were good and their hopes high. To the casual observer the +political elements appeared at rest, and all seemed more tranquil than at +any time since the treaty of the 23d of October. The common people, with +their strong religious instinct, thought that Providence had sent the +cholera in order to drive the Costa Ricans from the soil. The Americans +with that faith in themselves which has carried them in a wonderfully +short period from one ocean to another, regarded their establishment in +Nicaragua as fixed beyond the control of casualties. But to him who knows +that great changes in states and societies are not wrought without long +and severe labor, the difficulties of the Americans in Nicaragua might +appear to be only beginning. To destroy an old political organization is +a comparatively easy task, and little besides force is requisite for its +accomplishment; but to build up and re-constitute society—to gather the +materials from the four quarters, and construct them into an harmonious +whole, fitted for the uses of a new civilization—requires more than +force, more even than genius for the work, and agents with which to +complete it. Time and patience, as well as skill and labor, are needed +for success; and they who undertake it, must be willing to devote a +lifetime to the work. + +At that time there was one man at least in Nicaragua who saw that the +path of the Americans was even then beset with thorns. Edmund Randolph, +who since the beginning of April, had been in the Occidental Department, +came down to Virgin Bay to take passage for New-York. During his stay +at Leon and Realejo he had been very ill, almost dead at one time, +from an affection of the liver; but in the intervals of his painful +sickness, his quick eye had seen an under-current in the affairs of the +provisional government. On the 20th of May, just before leaving for San +Juan del Norte, he told Walker there was something wrong at Leon; but +that confined as he was to his bed he had not the means of ascertaining +precisely what was the nature of the evil. + +Nor was the information given by Randolph unsupported by other facts. A +day or two before the Costa Ricans evacuated Rivas, a courier from Leon +had been brought to Granada, and on him were found letters directed to +His Excellency, D. Juan Rafael Mora. Walker, on opening these letters, +was surprised to find them signed by Patricio Rivas; and one was an +official communication from the government stating that it desired to +send a commissioner to treat for peace. Of course the general-in-chief +detained the courier and the letters, he well knowing that Mora was about +to abandon the town of Rivas. The Provisional President in his letters to +Walker from Leon, said nothing about these communications with the enemy +for some days; and the fact that he had sent such letters to Mora without +advising with the general-in-chief was suspicious. + +It became, therefore, highly important for the Americans to ascertain +the state of affairs at Leon. Hence as soon as the mails for California +and the Atlantic States had been despatched, Walker determined to repair +to the Occidental Department. The events which transpired at Leon in +consequence of that visit present another and a new phase of the war in +Nicaragua. + + + + +Chapter Seventh. + +THE DEFECTION OF RIVAS. + + +One of the avowed objects of Jerez in desiring the Provisional President +to remove to Leon was to establish friendly relations with the states +to the north and particularly with San Salvador. Accordingly, even +before the departure of Rivas from Granada, commissioners were sent to +Cojutepeque for the purpose of explaining to the cabinet of San Salvador +the actual condition of affairs in Nicaragua. But the commissioners +met with a cold reception; and on the 7th of May the government of San +Salvador sent a communication to the Provisional President declaring that +the presence of the Americans in Nicaragua threatened the independence +of Central America. The tone of the communication was so insulting that +D. Patricio Rivas refused to make any reply. After, however, the retreat +of the Costa Ricans from Rivas was known at Cojutepeque the news from +San Salvador became more pacific; but soon came news that Guatemala +was preparing troops to march against Nicaragua. So frequent and so +circumstantial did these reports become, that on the 3d of June Rivas +published a proclamation to the people declaring that the troops of +Carrera were marching against the State, and calling on all to take up +arms for the Republic. + +On the 31st of May, Walker, accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson in +command of two hundred Rifles, and by Captain Waters with two companies +of Rangers, left Granada for Leon; and Gen. Goicouria, who fancied +he understood native character because he spoke Spanish, joined the +general-in-chief in the excursion to the north. Not far from Masaya the +party was met by D. Mariano Salazar, who came to inform Walker of the +authenticity of the reports from Guatemala and of the necessity for a +portion of the American force to protect the northern frontier. Salazar +represented that the people of the Occidental Department were bitter in +their hostility to the troops of Carrera and might be depended on for +resisting their entrance into the State; but as the Guatemalan force was +said to be large and well organized, it was necessary to have some of the +Rifles at Leon ready to meet it. + +Walker arrived at Leon on the 4th of June, and was received in the most +enthusiastic manner. At the entrance to the town, he was met by all +the dignitaries of the government and of the department. The streets +through which he passed were filled with crowds of the people, shouting +a welcome to their deliverers, as they styled the Americans; and the +doors and windows of the houses were thronged with women dressed in all +the colors of the rainbow. A feast had been prepared for the occasion; +but before taking his seat at table the general-in-chief was called +to the court-yard of the house where he was quartered, and there had +gathered the women of every age and every condition to thank him for +the protection the Americans had given to their homes. In the evening +the musicians came to sing songs in praise of American valor, and the +local rhymsters of the place—of whom there were not a few—poured forth +the sonorous sounds of Castilian verse in glory of the strangers who +had delivered Nicaragua from the oppressions of her enemies. All seemed +to vie with each other in their demonstrations of respect and good-will +toward the Rifles and Rangers. + +But in the midst of the general joy, it was easy to see that some +of those connected with the government were not well pleased at the +enthusiasm shown by the people. The face of Jerez had a cloud over it, +and he appeared anxious and nervous; nor did Rivas seem as much at ease +in the presence of Walker as he had formerly been. The threatening +attitude of San Salvador and the rumored march of the troops of Carrera +alarmed the Provisional President, and it was evident that Jerez did +not strive to diminish the apprehensions of Rivas. Soon after Walker +reached Leon the President told him the cabinet of Cojutepeque had +proposed the reduction of the American force in the service of Nicaragua +to two hundred men, and had intimated that if the proposal were accepted +relations would be established with the provisional government. The +manner in which Rivas spoke of the proposal indicated that he was not +averse to the plan, but the reply of Walker that such a proposition +could be entertained only when the State was ready to pay the men it +discharged, showed the President he need not expect the general-in-chief +to co-operate in the policy suggested by San Salvador. + +During the month of April an election had been called for president as +well as for senators and representatives. An election had taken place +at different times during the month of May, in several of the districts +of the State, but the irregularity in the voting had been such and the +condition of the Republic was so disturbed that all parties considered +the election as invalid. Little or no attention was paid to it, and as +quiet now prevailed throughout the State, the propriety of a decree for +a new election was being discussed at the time Walker left Granada for +Leon. The votes polled in May were mostly in the Occidental Department, +and were divided between Jerez, Rivas, and Salazar. The Granadinos, +alarmed at this and fearful that the seat of government might be +permanently fixed at Leon, were speaking of Walker as the fit person for +the presidency, while the Republic was threatened with invasion by the +adjacent States. When the general-in-chief reached Leon the question of +calling an election was also discussed there, and he was surprised to +find the President and Jerez, who had a few weeks before insisted on an +election, now hostile to the measure. The only minister who seemed at all +friendly to the proposition for a new election was D. Sebastian Salinas, +then holding the portfolio of Relations. Walker urged the President +to call the election, for he saw that Don Patricio was frightened +by appearances in the north, and could not be relied on to face the +coalition preparing against Nicaragua, and he thought it prudent to have +the election called while the State was comparatively quiet and before it +was more seriously menaced. + +While this decree was being discussed news reached Leon of the +reception of Father Vigil by the United States government as Minister +from Nicaragua. At the same time the arrival of Col. Jaquess at Granada +with about one hundred and eighty men, was announced. Hereafter it may +be necessary to examine the manner of Vigil’s reception and the causes +which led to it; at present the fact is merely stated in order to show +the effect it had on the deliberations at Leon. Of course it strengthened +the American influence in Nicaragua, and while it tended to make the +prospect of hostilities from San Salvador more remote, it gave an +additional reason for fixing the government on affirm basis by an appeal +to the popular will; attended, too, by an addition to the numbers of the +Americans, it made the friends of the election stronger than before. + +Several circumstances, in the meanwhile, occurred to show the +disaffection of many of the principal men toward the Americans. D. +Mariano Salazar, as Walker ascertained after reaching Leon, had made +a sale of some brazil-wood he owned to the government, on terms +advantageous to himself, and tending to diminish the receipts of the +customs at Realejo. In the actual condition of affairs it was necessary +for the State to get every cent of revenue possible; and hence it was +reprehensible for a friend of the government, and especially for a +military officer, to speculate on the necessities of the Republic. Under +the army regulations derived from the old Spanish service, it was not +permitted for an officer to contract with the State, unless with the +permission of the general-in-chief. Hence Walker, to rebuke the act +of Salazar, put him under arrest, and kept him in his house for some +hours. Several of the leading persons of the city came to intercede for +Salazar during his short arrest, and endeavored to excuse his act as +not unusual in the country; and it was easy to see that they were not +at all favorable to an authority which aimed to protect the State from +contractors and speculators. + +The Sunday after reaching Leon, Goicouria proposed to call together +the chief persons of the city and converse freely with them about the +state of affairs. He constantly labored under the delusion that he +knew the natives, whereas he always under-estimated the capacity of +the leaders and the virtues of the people. But he got a number of the +prominent politicians together, and gave them a rambling discourse on his +ideas—most crude they were—of re-organizing the country. He touched on +the ecclesiastical authority, and suggested an application to the Pope +for the appointment of a Bishop who might be free from the metropolitan +of Guatemala. The suggestion was innocent enough in itself, but D. +José Guerrero, a wily intriguer who once, while Director, had got up a +revolution against his own government as an excuse for prolonging his +authority, distorted Goicouria’s suggestion into such a shape that it +was soon reported through the city the Americans aimed to draw Nicaragua +from the jurisdiction of the Roman See. Goicouria expected to influence +the ambition of the higher clergy, by placing before them visions of +the mitre and the crosier, but a more dexterous politician than himself +managed to turn his suggestion to his own disadvantage. The fact is, +the natives disliked Goicouria because they took him for a Spaniard, +and the Nicaraguans hate the Spaniards more than they do any other +foreigners. Of course the general-in-chief knew nothing of Goicouria’s +suggestion until after it was made; his policy had always been to leave +the church entirely to the management of its own affairs. But it was easy +for the disaffected to make Goicouria’s speech appear the inspiration +of his commanding officer; and the reports circulated about this silly +meeting showed Walker that there were many in Leon desirous of exciting +popular passions and prejudices against the Americans. Those, too, +whose loyalty to the Americans was beyond doubt, were every day telling +the general-in-chief that certain agencies were at work to destroy the +confidence of the people in the naturalized Nicaraguans. Valle, who was +rather superciliously treated by the educated leaders, because he could +not read or write, insisted that no faith was to be put in the friendly +professions of many who owed power to the will of the general-in-chief. +D. Nasario Escoto, also, who had succeeded Castellon in the provisional +government, previous to the treaty of peace, said no reliance should be +placed on the firmness of the persons then directing the government. In +fact, all things tended to show that, in case Nicaragua were invaded by +San Salvador and Guatemala, the Americans might find the machinery of +the government they had created and sustained turned against themselves. +Hence, unless disposed to carry off Rivas as a prisoner—and thereby the +whole moral force of his government would have been lost—it was necessary +for the welfare of the Americans that a new election should be called. + +Finally, after much deliberation, the decree calling an immediate +election was drawn up in full cabinet session, and was signed on Tuesday +the 10th of June. Walker proposed to leave for Granada early on the +morning of the 11th. The evening before his departure he was visited +several times by Jerez, who had an anxious and nervous manner not unusual +with him. Three or four times he called in the course of as many hours; +and there was much conversation between him and the general-in-chief +relative to another minister to the United States, as it was thought +Father Vigil would prefer returning to Nicaragua. Jerez himself had been +spoken of for the place, and Walker mentioned to him that if he desired +it the appointment might be urged on Don Patricio. Afterward the minister +remarked, “My visit to the United States is then decided on;” but in +such a tone as intimated it might be an excuse to get rid of him. The +immediate reply was, his appointment should be pressed only in case he +desired it. This incident serves to show the temper of Jerez, and points +out the influences which wrought on the pliable mind of Rivas. + +Early on the morning of the 11th Walker left Leon escorted by the +Rangers and leaving Anderson’s Rifles with Col. Natzmer in the city. +The President and many others of the chief citizens of the department +accompanied him several miles on his journey; and at parting Don Patricio +affectionately embraced the general-in-chief, remarking with moist eyes +that he might be depended on in every emergency. Salazar, in spite of +the arrest, was also of the party; but Jerez was absent. All cordially +saluted the general; and the latter proceeded to Managua where he +remained over night, and the next day arrived at Masaya early in the +afternoon. + +Walker had not been many hours at Masaya before he received letters from +Col. Natzmer relating strange events at Leon. On the morning of the 12th +the military governor of the department, Escobar, had asked a detail of +Americans to guard the _Principal_—a strong building on the Plaza where +the arms and ammunition were stored—and no sooner was the sentry from the +Rifles posted than a singular movement was perceptible in the town. The +President and the Ministers hastily left the government house near the +Principal, and Mariano Salazar on horseback rode through the streets, +proclaiming that the Americans were about to make Rivas prisoner and to +assassinate the Ministers and chief men of the city. The excitement soon +became intense; the barriers of San Felipe, one of the most turbulent +quarters of the town, began to send forth its unquiet residents, some +of them armed and all endeavoring to increase the popular ferment. +Then it was reported Rivas had left the city; and the women, regarding +the movement as a revolution and the signal of war, commenced packing +their trunks and closing their doors and windows. Natzmer, seeing the +threatening aspect of the men at the barriers, called the Americans to +the Plaza and placing them under arms, prepared for defence. + +At once a courier was despatched to Chinandega with orders for Lieut. +Dolan—who was there with a company of Rifles—to march immediately for +Leon. Dolan was but a short distance on his march, when he met Rivas +and Jerez riding toward Chinandega. The singularity of the fact made +him suspect something was wrong, and he thought of arresting them on +their way; but the surgeon with him, Dr. Dawson, who had lived for many +years in Nicaragua, suggested that it would not be proper for a simple +lieutenant to arrest the President and one of his Ministers. Dolan, +therefore, marched on without molesting them, and soon joined Anderson in +the Plaza. + +As soon as these tidings reached Walker, he ordered Col. Jaquess, then +in Masaya with his command, to prepare for a march; and Jaquess with the +Rangers was in a short time on the road to Managua. Couriers met Walker +every few hours on his way toward Leon; and when near Nagarote he was met +by Ferdinand Schlessinger—a man to whom Rivas had given a commission to +fortify the harbor of Realejo. Schlessinger told the general-in-chief, +that Rivas and Jerez were at Chinandega, barricading the town, and +pressing natives into military service; also, that they had given him +orders to stop the works at Point Ycaco, and in consequence of his +suspicions he had made good his escape. At the same time, letters from +Natzmer informed Walker that Jerez, as Minister of War, had issued orders +to him to disoccupy the towers of the cathedral, where riflemen had been +placed, in order that troops of the country might be stationed there. +Natzmer forwarded the order to Walker, awaiting his instructions on the +subject. + +As soon as Natzmer’s letter reached Walker, he sent the order to obey the +command of Jerez, and to withdraw the whole American force from Leon to +Nagarote. The designs of Rivas and Jerez were now apparent to everybody; +and they had, on their arrival at Chinandega, gone so far as to send a +commissioner to invite the troops of Carrera into the State, and to urge +their immediate approach to Leon. Jerez had given the order to Natzmer, +supposing it would not be obeyed, thereby hoping to make the movement +against the Americans turn on their disobedience to a lawful authority. +But Walker was not disposed to have the coming struggle occur on any such +issue. He determined to have the contest made on more formal grounds. +Not knowing, either, how far the defection of the native leaders had +spread, he was anxious to concentrate his force scattered on a long line +from Leon to Castillo; therefore military no less than political reasons +led him to await with Jaquess at Nagarote the arrival of Natzmer and +Anderson, and then to march with the united force toward Granada. + +A number of the native residents about Leon and some families accompanied +the Rifles to Nagarote, and among them were D. José Maria Valle and +D. Mateo Pineda. The latter was a man of rare truth and fidelity for +a Central American—in fact, his virtues would make him remarkable in +any country. With a name so pure that it has escaped the malice of +his enemies during all the civil disturbances of Nicaragua, he stands +almost a solitary example, in that distracted land, of spotless faith +and unshaken loyalty. He has required no defence save his high honor and +stainless character to protect him from the persecutions of political +enemies; and if other proofs were lacking of the devotion the Americans +in Nicaragua yielded to right and justice, they might find ample evidence +in the single fact that Mateo Pineda adhered to their fortunes in each +extremity of good and evil. + +When the Rifles reached Nagarote they, with the Rangers and the new +infantry battalion, took up the line of march for Masaya. At Managua they +found the commandant of the post, José Herrera, firm in his faith to the +Americans, and he remained true until death, in spite of a brother’s +efforts to seduce him from the path of military duty, being executed by +the allies, under the sentence of a court-martial some time afterward, +for his adhesion to the Americans. + +On arriving at Granada, the general-in-chief published the decree +re-constructing the provisional government by virtue of the treaty of +the twenty-third of October. That treaty guaranteed the naturalized +Nicaraguans equality of privileges with the native born; but the +President and his ministers had violated it by attempting to create +distinctions to the prejudice of the naturalized citizens. Walker had +sworn, not only to observe the treaty himself, but to cause it to be +observed. He remained the sole sponsor for Rivas before Nicaragua and +before the world; and he would have deserved to be branded as a perjured +man had he permitted Rivas with impunity not merely to excite the +passions of the people against the Americans, but to invite the foreign +foe into the State with a view of expelling the naturalized soldiers. In +addition to the duties devolved on Walker by his oath to cause the treaty +to be observed, he had been invested with unlimited authority to protect +the Oriental and Meridional Departments from the foreign enemies of the +Republic; but how could such protection be afforded if the orders of the +political power, giving the enemy free entry into the State, were to be +respected? Therefore, the commissioner for the Oriental and Meridional +Departments, D. Fermin Ferrer, was named Provisional President until the +people might select their own ruler, under the decree issued by Rivas on +the 10th of June. The same day the decree was published Walker issued an +address to the people of Nicaragua, and after reciting the acts of the +Rivas government, he concluded: “With such accumulated crimes—conspiring +against the very people it was bound to protect—the late provisional +government was no longer worthy of existence. In the name of the people +I have, therefore, declared its dissolution, and have organized a +provisional government, until the nation exercises its natural right of +electing its own rulers.” + +Under the decree of the 10th of June the election for President took +place on the fourth Sunday of the month and the two succeeding days. The +voting was general in the Oriental and Meridional Departments; but as D. +Patricio Rivas rescinded his own decree after reaching Chinandega, and +as the Guatemalans had already passed the northern frontier of the State +there were no ballots cast in the Occidental Department. A large majority +of the votes polled were for the general-in-chief; and the Provisional +President, Ferrer, declaring the result of the election by decree, +fixed on the 12th of July for the inauguration of the President elect. +Accordingly, on the appointed day, with due observances, both civil and +religious, Walker took the oath of office on the Plaza of Granada, and +was installed as Chief Executive of the Republic of Nicaragua. + +A few days after the decree of the 20th of June was published, the +Costa Rican schooner, San José, commanded by Gilbert Morton, entered +the port of San Juan del Sur. She had been purchased from her former +owner, Alvarado, by Mariano Salazar, and he had made Morton nominal +half-owner of the schooner, supposing she might thereby get the right +to carry American colors. The American vice-consul at Realejo, one +Giauffreau, gave the schooner what Morton called a sailing letter; and +the vice-consul, according to all accounts, was either so ignorant or +so neglectful of his duties as to permit the vessel to fly the American +flag and to be cleared from the port of Realejo under this pretended +sailing letter. The commandant at Chinandega, a Cuban, by the name of +Golibard, had been ordered away by Rivas because he refused to forsake +the Americans; and Golibard was aboard the San José when she arrived +at San Juan del Sur. Morton, thinking he could impose on the port +authorities with his sailing letter from Giauffreau, had not hesitated to +enter the harbor; and he, as well as Salazar, supposed they might, under +the American flag, drive a profitable trade with the schooner during +hostilities between Nicaragua and the other States. + +But the San José had not been many hours in the port of San Juan before +she was seized, the charge against her being that she was without a flag +and without lawful papers. The schooner was American-built and had passed +from the flag of the United States to that of Costa Rica. Even if she had +then been re-sold to an American citizen she could not have recovered her +original character without an act of Congress. Morton, after the seizure, +appealed for relief to the U. S. States Minister at Granada: but on a +careful examination of the subject Mr. Wheeler was satisfied that the +schooner, far from being entitled to protection by American authority, +was really amenable for an abuse of the American flag. The San José was, +therefore, condemned by a court of admiralty jurisdiction at the port +of San Juan; and being forfeited to the government of Nicaragua, she +was converted into a schooner-of-war, bearing the flag of the Isthmian +Republic. + +The Granada was armed with two six-pound carronades and was placed in +charge of Lieutenant Callender Irvine Fayssoux. This officer was a native +of Missouri, and had served for a time in the Texan navy under the orders +of Commodore Moore. He had also accompanied Gen. Lopez in his expedition +to the Island of Cuba in May, 1850; and at Cardenas he had contributed +essentially to the successful landing of the force from the steamer +Creole, by swimming ashore with a rope in his mouth when there was much +embarrassment as to the means of getting the boat up to the wharf. +His high qualities will hereafter appear when we come to relate the +history of the schooner; and it is only necessary here to say, that his +system and order were such, the Granada was ready for service in a very +short time. The men detailed from different companies of the army for +service on the schooner were soon brought under good discipline by their +efficient commander; and all of them felt they were subject to the orders +of one capable of command, and determined to have each man do his duty on +all occasions. + +On the 29th of June, Col. John Allen of Kentucky arrived at Granada +with one hundred and four men for the service of the State; and on the +6th of July about the same number were landed coming from New-York, +from New-Orleans and from California. A day or two after the latter +arrival, Major Waters, with about a hundred Rangers, marched to Leon and +reconnoitred the town. He found it barricaded in every quarter, and the +Guatemalans under General Paredes were occupying the main Plaza. On the +approach of Waters all the pickets of the enemy were drawn in, and their +whole force was put under arms for action. But no portion of the enemy +ventured to leave the barricades. After passing through the suburbs of +the city and examining the preparations of the enemy for defence, Waters +returned to Granada with a report showing the inability of the Allies—as +they called themselves—to move until they had received large additions of +force. + +After the inauguration of Walker on the 12th of July, his cabinet was +formed by the appointment of D. Fermin Ferrer as Minister of Relations, +D. Mateo Pineda as Minister of War, and D. Manuel Carrascosa as Minister +of Hacienda and Public Credit. The organization of the new government +was duly communicated to the American Minister; and on the 19th of July +Mr. Wheeler was received by the President at the government house in +Granada. The Minister opened his address to the Executive of Nicaragua, +saying: “I am directed by the President of the United States to notify +you that I am instructed to establish relations with this State.” Mr. +Wheeler thus showed himself far bolder and more decided than Mr. Pierce +had been at Washington. It is true the government at Washington had +instructed its minister “to establish relations” with the government of +Nicaragua; but at the time the order was given it was thought Rivas would +be in power at Granada. Mr. Marcy had also instructed Mr. Wheeler to ask +explanations concerning the revocation of the charter of the Accessory +Transit Company, and to request the discharge from the Nicaraguan army of +two or three boys—among them a son and nephew, I think, of Senator Bayard +of Delaware—who had run off from school and gone to Central America in +search of novelty and adventure. Of course the explanations of the decree +of revocation and the discharges of the boys could be obtained only from +Walker; and hence the minister had either to disregard the orders of Mr. +Marcy or to recognize the government of the lately-elected President. + +The message Mr. Pierce sent to Congress, touching the reception of Father +Vigil, was strongly marked with the weakness and hesitation of American +diplomacy. The whole tone of the message was apologetic; and the American +President was throughout overcome by the false idea many people in the +United States had formed as to the Nicaraguan movement being one of +annexation to the Republic of the North. The representatives of France, +Spain, Brazil, and the Spanish American States, at Washington, seeing the +weakness of the United States, combined for the purpose of driving Father +Vigil from the country. So well did they succeed, that the Minister of +Nicaragua withdrew from the Federal Capital not many days after his +reception, and thus Mr. Marcy, aided by the intrigues of the foreign +representatives, might be able to take advantage of any opportunity +circumstances afforded to relieve the American cabinet from the awkward +position in which he fancied it had been placed. Hence the vexation of +the Secretary of State may be imagined when he heard Mr. Wheeler had, in +literally carrying out his instructions, recognized the government which +displaced that of Rivas. + +Mr. Wheeler, being on the ground, and seeing the actual condition of +affairs, was never in doubt as to the policy his country ought to pursue +toward the parties contending in Nicaragua; but the Secretary of State +at Washington, remote from the scene of trouble, constantly wrought +on by the ministers of foreign countries, and dreading the effect the +new Nicaraguan movement would have on old political organizations in +the United States, was always averse to any action which might favor +the Americans in Nicaragua. Not many days, however, after Mr. Wheeler +recognized the Walker government, facts occurred showing in a strong +light the good policy of the American minister. + +Lieut. Fayssoux, as soon as he was ready for sea, received orders to +sail northward from San Juan and cruise about the Gulf of Fonseca. It +was well known that the enemy were communicating with San Salvador and +Guatemala by bungos from Tempisque to La Union, and it was hoped the +Granada might intercept letters showing the state of affairs at Leon and +the relations of Rivas with the other States. The presence, too, of the +schooner in those waters could not fail to alarm the enemy and embarrass +the reinforcements going toward Leon. It was also reported that the enemy +were preparing vessels to send after the Granada in order to capture +her, and that these vessels were being fitted out at La Union, in the +State of San Salvador. + +On the evening of the 21st of July, the schooner hove anchor and put to +sea, and on the afternoon of the 23d she was cruising off the entrance of +the Gulf of Fonseca. “At 3h. 30m.,” so the log runs, “saw a sail standing +out of the gulf: made chase. At 5h. 30m. brought her to with a shot from +the port gun. Capt. De Brissot (a passenger on the schooner) boarded her. +She proved to be the Italian brig Rostan, from La Union, bound to San +Juan del Sur. She reported two Chilian brigs and one Sardinian schooner +lying at La Union, and the French frigate Embuscade at Tiger Island. +At 7, took in flying-jib and foresail, and stood off and on, on the +lookout for a schooner that the Rostan reported due from the northward +and westward.” Then, on the 24th: “At 9h. 15m. A.M., saw a sail standing +out from La Union. At 2 P.M. light breezes from S. and W. At 4, standing +to the E., passed, on opposite tracks, the French frigate Embuscade. At +4h. 30m., saw a number of small craft to the E.: called all hands to +quarters. At 5, boarded the launch Maria, Capt. Braganda. She proving to +be French, and her papers all right, she was allowed to proceed on her +course to Tempisque. Capt. Braganda reported the same as the brig Rostan, +therefore, as there were none of the enemy’s vessels in the gulf, we +concluded to go out to look for the schooner from the N. and W.” + +Nothing, however, was seen of the vessel expected from the northward and +westward, and on the 26th, the Granada again stood up the gulf. On the +27th, a bungo, with several passengers, was captured, and on the 28th, a +large boat from Tempisque was taken, and one of the passengers proved to +be Mariano Salazar. When Salazar was brought aboard the Granada he gave +his name as Francisco Salazar, but De Brissot had seen him at Realejo, +and, although not certain of the fact, told Fayssoux he thought the +prisoner was Don Mariano. In the same bungo with Salazar were several +letters for persons in San Salvador. The day after Salazar was taken, the +Granada sailed for San Juan del Sur, whence the prisoner and the letters +were immediately, on the schooner’s arrival, despatched for Granada. + +Salazar was executed as a traitor on the Plaza of Granada late in the +afternoon of the 3d of August. It was Sunday, and the people of the town +gathered in numbers to witness the execution. They regarded Salazar as +the author of most of the misfortunes they had undergone during the civil +war. It was his money had fitted out the democratic bands which had +burnt the Jalteva, and robbed the shop-keepers of the suburbs; and they +regarded it as a special providence that he should be taken by a schooner +he had himself owned, and be executed by the Americans he had first used +and then attempted to betray. There was the same joyful feeling shown +by the old Legitimists at the death of Salazar as had been shown by the +Democrats at the execution of Corral. + +Among the letters taken in the gulf was one from Manning, the British +vice-consul at Realejo, to his correspondent at San Miguel, D. +Florencio Souza. It was dated at Leon, on the 24th of July, and is so +characteristic that the most of it deserves insertion as an instance of +British conduct and British policy. He pathetically begins: “Dear Friend; +I am here without knowing where to go, since Walker will not give us a +passport to pass through Granada. I understand the man is furious against +me, attributing to me the change. It is certain that all his acts are +rapid: and we have not passed here without great apprehensions that he +will make an attack on Leon. He came as far as Managua, and all we know +is that he returned to Granada. If this man receives forces and money, +I assure you it will not be so easy to drive him out of the State; for +as the forces come from the other States in handfuls of men nothing is +accomplished, and the expenses and sacrifices are made in vain. I am +much afflicted to think that under these circumstances no more activity +is used in so serious an affair. At the present there are 500 men from +San Salvador, 500 from Guatemala, and 800 belonging to this place, and +according to my judgment double that number is required.” Then from +public affairs the wily trader comes to business. “Altogether affairs are +wretched in Nicaragua and very distressing, and if I remain here much +longer I shall not have a shirt I can put on. Already you can suppose how +much I have suffered by these convulsions.” He prepares to make Souza +useful to himself by seeming to have a care for the interests of the +Salvadorian: “It is known,” he writes, “that a certain Fabens has sailed +to Boston with the gold quartz, and that with one Heiss he has bought the +mine from Padre Sosa. You need not be afraid but I will do all I can +for your interest in this affair with all earnestness; and you should +write to Davis in Boston via Omoa, inquiring whether the ore Fabens and +Heiss took was from the mines of Bestaniere.” At last, and like a lady’s +postscript, comes the gist of the letter: “The troops here are altogether +naked. If you have any drilling you can sell at 12½ cents per yard, I +will take ten bales. Don’t forget my request in favor of my adopted son, +Mr. George Brower, to have him appointed to represent San Salvador in +Liverpool.” Much as the vice-consul sympathized with the cause of the +allies, he could not let the chance slip of making some money from the +drilling the soldiers required. + +When the friends of Salazar at Leon heard of his capture in the gulf, +they immediately arrested Dr. Joseph W. Livingston, an American long +resident in Nicaragua, and sent a courier to Granada saying they would +hold him as a hostage for Salazar’s safety. The British vice-consul did +not disdain to write a letter to the American Minister entreating him +to save the life of Salazar in order that Livingston might go unharmed. +But the courier arrived several days after the execution of the Leonese +traitor; and Mr. Wheeler was not a man to be startled from his propriety +by the cunning devices of Mr. Manning. In his reply to the British +vice-consul the American Minister draws the distinction between Salazar +and Livingston in such words as probably little suited his correspondent. +“Salazar,” he writes, “was one—and a most prominent one—of a faction +revolting against the lawful government of the Republic, and a general in +their forces. He knew that he was liable to the penalty of treason. Dr. +Livingston is an American citizen, much loved and respected, and owes no +allegiance to the authorities of Nicaragua, much less to a disappointed +faction; nor has he ever been mixed up with the parties by any overt or +belligerent act.” At the same time he answered Mr. Manning’s letter, Mr. +Wheeler wrote to General Ramon Belloso, commanding-in-chief the Allied +forces, informing the latter that if any harm befell Dr. Livingston, the +government of the United States would promptly hold the governments of +San Salvador and Guatemala to a strict accountability. He concluded by +saying, that “if one hair of Dr. Livingston’s head is injured, or his +life taken, or that of another American citizen, your government and that +of Guatemala will feel the force of a power which, while it respects the +rights of other nations, will be ready and is able to vindicate its own +honor and the lives and property of its citizens.” Brave words these; and +they might have resulted in worthy deeds if Mr. Wheeler had controlled +the necessary force; but when read with the gloss of after events, they +are turned into a biting sarcasm on the government he represented. The +life of Livingston was, however, probably saved by the energetic words of +the Minister; though he was ordered from the State in which he had been +living for ten years. + +Some days after these events occurred, Hon. Pierre Soulé arrived at +Granada. He went thither with the object of securing some modifications +in a decree which had been published by Rivas a few days before his +flight from Leon to Chinandega. The decree authorized commissioners to +negotiate a loan of five hundred thousand dollars, to be secured by a +million of acres of the public lands. The modifications suggested by Mr. +Soulé were soon made, and S. F. Slatter and Mason Pilcher became the +commissioners to act under the decree. The bonds issued under this decree +are the only legal bonds of the Republic ever sold in the United States, +and the common impression that large quantities of Nicaraguan obligations +are afloat is altogether erroneous. + +But, although the decree for the loan was the immediate object of Mr. +Soulé’s visit, his presence in Nicaragua had other beneficial results. +His fine head and noble air made a deep impression on the people of the +country, peculiarly sensitive as they are to the charms of feature and +of manner; and then he spoke the Castilian with such lofty elegance, +and addressed the common people with so much kindness and insight into +their wants and feelings that all listened to him with mingled delight +and reverence. The docility of the native Nicaraguans, especially of the +Indians, is great, and when approached with gentleness and persuasion +they may be led in almost any direction. The influence of such words as +Mr. Soulé spoke to them remained for a long time, and often after he left +they used to ask when His Excellency, a title they give to persons they +consider of rank, would return to Nicaragua. + +During the month of August not many persons arrived in the country, +either for military service or for civil pursuits. A new and more +dangerous disease, also, began to make its appearance in the army; +desertion, more fatal than cholera, commenced its ravages in the ranks. +The first notable desertion was that of one Turley with a whole company +of Rangers. They were sent from Managua by the commandant, Capt. Dolan, +with orders to examine the road along the southwestern shore of the +lake, as far as Tipitapa. For several days Dolan anxiously awaited their +return; but news reached Granada of their being seen on the Malacatoya +river. It was not until many days, however, that their purposes and fate +were known. They appear to have deserted with the intention of proceeding +through Chontales, robbing and plundering as they went, and of finally +reaching the sea by the Blewfields river. Some circumstances indicate +that the plan was formed before Turley and his men reached Nicaragua; for +on their arrival they were very urgent in the request to remain a company +by themselves, and they had been in the service only a few weeks when +they deserted. Their plan, however, whether long meditated or the result +of sudden resolution, met with the punishment it deserved. + +Many days after Turley’s disappearance a French trader, from the mining +town of Libertad, came to Granada to inform Walker of the fate of the +deserters. When they first appeared in Chontales the people supposed they +were on duty, but their violent and rapacious acts soon betrayed their +true character. They passed into the mining district, and near Libertad +they tied up and flogged a Frenchman, in order to make him disclose the +place where he kept his gold. Then the French of the district, composed +mostly of those discharged from the army at Rivas in the March previous, +acting together, raised a number of the people of the country and +attacked the robbers. Turley’s party was, it seems, short of ammunition, +and they finally agreed to give up their arms if they were furnished with +a guide to conduct them to the Blewfields. Their arms were given up, +and soon thereafter, while they were being marched, by their captors, +toward the town, fire was opened on them, and they were all, except two, +slaughtered on the spot. + +With the exception, however, of Turley’s company, desertion among the +Americans was, at that time, rare. The desertions, though not many, +were principally confined to the Europeans in the ranks. Many of these +Europeans had gone to Nicaragua with the idea of enlisting for the mere +pay they were to get; and without the foresight or patience which might +enable them to wait for time to enhance the value of the lands they +were to receive, they became dissatisfied with the scarcity of money, +and sought means of leaving the army and the country. New-comers, also, +were frightened by the reports constantly circulated as to the number +and strength of the enemy; and it was among those who knew least of the +land that the disposition to despond was greatest. In addition to these +causes, tending to diminish the strength of the army, a large proportion +of the men going to Nicaragua at the expense of the State, were found +unfit for military service. As they could not be examined surgically in +the United States, their defects were not known until they came under +the eye of the surgical staff at Granada. Those familiar with medical +statistics, may readily imagine how many of the men were rejected for the +single disease of hernia. + +The enemy, however, were not without causes of weakness and dissension. +Some of the faults of their force arose from its allied nature. The +soldiers in Leon were drawn from Guatemala and San Salvador; and besides +these, Rivas had pressed numbers of laborers about Leon and Chinandega +into the ranks. The Guatemalan contingent was made up entirely of +Indians, and fierce was the feud between them and the Leoneses. Not +unfrequently collisions would occur between the Guatemalans and the +people of the town, at the numerous liquor shops scattered through the +suburbs of Subtiaba; and in the quarrels knives would be drawn, and blood +spilled. So pressing was the evil that the Guatemalan soldiers were +finally ordered to remain in their quarters, and it was necessary to keep +them out of the streets, in order that the insults of the people might be +avoided. The Salvadorians were tolerated by the Leoneses; but the local +authorities could not prevail on the latter to regard the former as their +deliverers from tyranny and oppression. + +The allied troops had not been many days at Leon, before fever and +cholera attacked them. The Guatemalans especially suffered from this +disease; and so great was their loss, that many among the soldiers, and +some even of the officers, attributed the malady to poisonous substances +mixed in their food. But it was easy for a medical eye to perceive +sufficient causes for the mortality of the troops in their sudden removal +from the highlands of Guatemala to the plains of Nicaragua, and in the +total want of comfort and cleanliness about the quarters and persons of +the soldiers. As Manning wrote, the troops were almost without clothing; +and this was a severe deprivation to the Guatemala Indian, accustomed to +the use of the thick woollen jacket, which protects him from the cold of +his native hills. And woollen covering at night is indispensable to the +health of the soldier in Nicaragua. The warm days, followed by the clear +cold nights, render blankets necessary at all seasons of the year; and +it was the want of care in sleeping which produced much of the disease, +not only among the Guatemalans at Leon, but also among the Americans +at Granada. When you add to these causes, the little attention Central +American officers pay to the health of their soldiers, and the small +skill of their surgeons and physicians, it is not difficult to understand +the mortality among the Allies. + +While disease was destroying the soldiers and dissensions were spreading +between the people and the troops, the leaders were not more friendly +in their feelings toward each other than were their followers: the +consequences were divided counsels and conflicting conduct. The chief +command of the allied force had been given by the provisional government +of Rivas to General Ramon Belloso, the commander of the San Salvador +contingent. But Paredes, who commanded the Guatemalans, was little +disposed to obey the orders of a man he regarded as altogether his +inferior in knowledge and capacity, and he also thought it unworthy of +his Republic to yield the control of her forces to the general of a +much feebler State. The Guatemalans consider theirs the best organized +and the leading State of Central America; and the pure Spanish race, +which maintains its supremacy at the seat of the old captain-generalcy +by the aid of Carrera and his Indians, regards, with some disdain, +the irregular governments the mixed races attempt to establish. On the +contrary, the self-styled liberals throughout Central America have a +bitter hatred toward Carrera and his minions, as they call the Aycinenas +and the Pavones, who really direct the affairs of the Republic, under +the nominal presidency of the illiterate Indian. And it was jealousy of +Guatemala which induced Rivas and Jerez to place the command in the hands +of the Salvadorian general. Paredes, however, seems to have retained the +privilege of refusing to obey Belloso whenever he thought proper, and the +latter was not in the position to enforce obedience or to dispense with +the services of the Guatemalans. + +Besides the dissensions in the allied camp, there were two authorities +in the upper part of Nicaragua claiming the supreme executive power. +At Leon, D. Patricio Rivas and his cabinet asserted their right to be +esteemed by the Allies the sovereign authority of the Republic; while +at Somoto Grande, in Segovia, D. José Maria Estrada had set up his +government, and issued orders in the name of the people of Nicaragua. +Each of these cabals ridiculed the claims of the other, and their +contentions were like to involve the allied States in new difficulties. +Estrada had sought refuge in Honduras after the treaty of the +twenty-third of October, and had published a pamphlet, claiming a right +to be chief executive of Nicaragua, because he had written a private +decree, declaring null and void the treaty made by Corral under the +absolute power he had conferred. Everybody laughed at the idea of giving +force to a decree which was unheard of until published in Honduras; but +when the defection of Rivas took place, Estrada entered Segovia under +the protection of a few Legitimists, commanded by Martinez. The latter +proceeded toward Matagalpa, in order to press the Indians of that region +into his service, while the Senator-president, as Estrada called himself, +remained at Somoto Grande. + +The Legitimist pretender was now in the way of his own party. He had not +the discretion to perceive that by thus placing himself as an obstacle to +the union of the two factions against the Americans, he made his removal +from Nicaragua an object with his friends as well as his enemies. The +idea of his being purposely left at Somoto Grande without any adequate +guard, seems not to have entered his mind. But the fact of Estrada’s +defenceless condition was soon known at Leon—known in so short a time as +almost to preclude any explanation, save that the information was sent by +some of his own adherents. Immediately, a violent Democrat, who had been +imprisoned at Granada during the civil war and was released by Walker on +the thirteenth of October, 1855, collected a band of some forty-five or +fifty armed men and hurried on toward Somoto Grande. This man, by name +Antonio Chavis, could scarcely have acted as he did without the knowledge +and assistance of the Rivas administration. Chavis reached Somoto Grande +without Estrada hearing of his approach, and while the Granadino was +indulging his dream of regaining power in the Republic, the Democrats +from Leon surprised and murdered him in the streets of the mountain +village. + +The murder of Estrada reminds us of the dark craft which marks the +history of the Italian Republics during the thirteenth, fourteenth, +and fifteenth centuries. The same causes which in Italy produced the +Carraras of Padua, the Viscontis of Milan, and finally the master-piece +of the school, Cæsar Borgia, Duke of Urbino, have brought forth the +same type of character in the politicians and soldiers of the Spanish +American Republics. It is true, there is wanting in the latter the +exalted intellect and refined taste of the former, and the mixed race +of Central and South America could never produce a Machiavelli capable +of depicting with terrible truth the principles, if such they may be +called, controlling the political action of his countrymen. But the +Spanish American is as dark, though not as deep and wise, in his craft +as the Italian. And long civil war seems to have the power of creating +this type of politicians, even among races least affected toward it; for +the English wars of the Roses produced the subtle genius of the third +Richard, who vied with the best Italian of them all in his adherence to +the maxims of the illustrious author of The Prince. + +Thus, by the death of Estrada, the old Legitimists who had emigrated +after the treaty of the twenty-third of October, were led to acknowledge +the authority of D. Patricio Rivas. Thenceforth Martinez who had, with +a few men and some arms, penetrated as far as Matagalpa acted under the +orders of the provisional government at Leon. It was easier, however, +for the leaders to settle their differences and to agree on a common +plan of action than for them to extinguish the hatreds and animosities +they had kindled and fed among their respective followers. They did not +venture for some time to place Legitimists in the same camp with the +Democrats they had either inveigled or forced into their service, and it +was necessary, during the war, for them to keep the soldiers of the two +factions as widely apart as possible. + +Toward the close of the month of August the arrangements of the Walker +administration with Garrison and Morgan, for bringing Americans to +Nicaragua, were completed. The commissioners appointed to investigate the +indebtedness of the old Canal Company to the government had reported in +July; and the dues from the company, according to the report, amounted +to more than four hundred thousand dollars. Some payments, had, however, +been made, but the report did not estimate them, because the company +had failed to appear, and the judgment against them was by default. +After deducting all payments, still the indebtedness was upward of three +hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and this was much more than the value +of all the property on the Isthmus. The property was, therefore, sold to +Garrison and Morgan, they paying therefor in the bonds they had received +for advances made to the Rivas government. In the meantime the American +minister, obeying the instructions of his chief, examined the facts which +led to the revocation of the charters of the Canal and Accessory Transit +Companies. Besides the explanations given by the Nicaraguan government, +and the facts brought out in the report of the commissioners, Mr. Wheeler +examined a number of witnesses, whose depositions he forwarded to the +State Department at Washington. The facts reported by the minister were +so conclusive as to the legality and justice of the proceedings against +the companies, that Mr. Marcy never wrote another word on the subject. + +In fact the Accessory Transit Company had itself furnished the American +government with the most satisfactory evidence of its own unscrupulous +and criminal character. On the 8th of April, while Mora was yet in +Nicaragua, Thomas Lord, the vice-president of the company, wrote to Hosea +Birdsall, authorizing him “to ask for the assistance of the commander +of any man-of-war of Her Britannic Majesty’s navy in the port of San +Juan.” “The object of the Transit Company,” so its vice-president wrote, +“is to prevent accessions of filibusters to Walker’s force, pending his +hostilities with Costa Rica, and to effect this purpose, no pains must +be spared or effort left untried.” In conclusion he adds: “Unless our +boats are seized by the filibusters on the Orizaba and Charles Morgan +they cannot get into the interior, and without large accessions Walker +must fail and Costa Rica be saved. To this result Her Majesty’s officers +in San Juan can materially contribute, by protecting American property in +the manner indicated.” It was made clear, by such acts, that the company +was afraid to trust the justice of its own government. + +It was the necessity for completing the arrangements about the Transit, +no less than the rainy season, which kept Walker from moving against the +Allies. It would have been folly to advance against Leon without having +the Transit secure and communication with the United States certain. +Leon was well barricaded, and the Americans had not numbers to spare +for an assault; neither had they artillery to aid their attack, even if +the roads had admitted of its easy transportation. Besides, disease and +dissension were weakening the Allies; and it was only after the death of +Estrada that they got even an appearance of unity. It was early in the +month of September that events occurred to encourage the Allies in an +advance toward Granada. But before narrating these events, it may be well +to mention the celebration of the 1st of September, at the capital, as it +displays an element which entered into the war in Nicaragua. + +At different times a number of Cubans had found their way to +Nicaragua; and after Lt. Col. F. A. Lainé was appointed aide-de-camp +to the general-in-chief, they were formed into a body-guard for the +President. The Cuban company consisted of about fifty members, and +their familiarity with the two languages—Spanish and English—made their +services valuable. Early in the year the Cuban element in Nicaragua had +attracted the attention of the Spanish authorities in the island; and +in June, 1856, General Morales de Rada, who naturally disliked those +called “filibusters,” because his running away from them had made him +the laughing-stock of all the Havana wits, was sent to San José for the +purpose of advising with President Mora in reference to the war against +the Americans of Nicaragua. The Cubans with Walker were well known for +their devotion to the cause of independence. Two of the aides of the +general-in-chief, Lainé and Pineda, had been engaged in revolutionary +schemes on the island, and the prefect of the Oriental Department, D. +Francisco Aguëro, was a native of the disaffected district of Puerto +Principe. Hence the interest with which Spain watched affairs in +Nicaragua. + +On the 1st of September, a mass for the repose of the soul of Lopez was +celebrated in the parish church at Granada, and the day was in other +respects observed by the Cubans in the service. The ardent minds of these +southern youths dreamed, however, more of the future than they meditated +the past; they thought more of the time when they should sail for the +island to avenge the death of Lopez and his followers, than of the +dark and painful scenes which attended their execution. And it is this +reluctance of the southern imagination to dwell on the gloomy side of +affairs which fits its possessors less for the real work of revolution, +than the robust children of the North, whose fancies do not fly from the +grave and its surroundings. + + + + +Chapter Eighth. + +THE WALKER ADMINISTRATION. + + +The policy of the Walker government was, of course, the same as +that of Rivas, so far as the introduction of the white race into +Nicaragua was concerned. But the administration of Rivas was, from +its nature, transitional. It sought to increase the American element +without inquiring what place the new people were to occupy in the old +society. Rivas and his cabinet felt that Nicaraguan society required +re-organization, but they knew not how it was to be accomplished, +nor would they have adopted the means necessary for the end even if +the proper measures had been pointed out to them. Hence, when the +re-organization, not merely of the State, but of the family and of labor, +became necessary, another executive than Rivas was not a matter of +choice. Not merely the secondary form of the crystal was to be modified, +but the primary form was to be radically changed, and for this a new +force was to be brought into play. It may be that the re-organization in +Nicaragua was attempted too soon; but those who have read the foregoing +pages may judge whether or not the Americans were driven forward by the +force of events. Sooner or later the struggle between the old and the new +forms of society must inevitably have occurred. + +The difference of language between the members of the old society +and that portion of the white race, necessarily dominant in the new, +while it was a cause keeping the elements apart, afforded also a means +of regulating the relations between the several races meeting on the +same soil. In order that the laws of the Republic might be thoroughly +published, it was decreed that they should be published in English as +well as in Spanish. The reason of this was apparent to every one; but +the object of another clause in the same decree, “That all documents +connected with public affairs shall be of equal value whether written +in English or Spanish,” was not noticed except by the careful observer. +By this clause the proceedings of all the courts, and the record of all +the deeds in the State, might be made in English. It was not necessary +to decree that all such records should be in English—the mere permission +was sufficient to accomplish the object. Lawyers will readily see what an +advantage such a clause gave to those speaking both English and Spanish, +over those acquainted only with the latter language. + +The decree concerning the use of the two languages tended to make the +ownership of the lands of the State fall into the hands of those speaking +English. But in addition to this, a decree was published declaring the +property of all enemies of the State forfeited to the Republic, and +a Board of Commissioners was named “to take possession of, direct, +determine upon, and sell all such confiscated or forfeited properties.” +The Board was given the ordinary power of courts for citation, for +examining witnesses, and for enforcing obedience to its orders. All +property declared confiscated was to be sold soon after the rendition of +the judgment, and military scrip was to be received in payment at the +sale of such property, thus giving those who had been in the military +service of the State an opportunity to secure their pay out of the +estates of the persons engaged in the war against them. + +The land titles in Nicaragua were in a very unsettled condition, and +the same system prevailed there as in other Spanish American States. +The limits of grants were indeterminate, and there was, of course, no +registry law. Accordingly, in order to fix the number of outstanding +grants from the Republic, a decree was published requiring all claims to +land to be recorded within six months, and it was further decreed that +after a certain date no conveyance or mortgage should be valid against +third parties, unless duly recorded in the district where the land lay. +This was a substitution of the English and American system for the rules +of the Roman and Continental law. The recording of titles is undoubtedly +for the public advantage, and those possessed of good titles to land in +Nicaragua would in virtue of this decree have held their possessions by +a tenure more certain than ever. But the system was fatal to the bad or +uncertain titles. It also gave an advantage to those familiar with the +habit of registry. + +The general tendency of these several decrees was the same; they were +intended to place a large proportion of the land of the country in the +hands of the white race. The military force of the State might, for a +time, secure the Americans in the government of the Republic, but in +order that their possession of government might be permanent, it was +requisite for them to hold the land. But the natives who had held the +lands for more than a generation admitted that the cultivated fields had +diminished in number and extent every year since the independence, for +the want of a proper system of labor; hence, according to the admission +of all parties, the re-organization of labor was necessary for the +development of the resources of the country. + +In order to command the labor already in the country a decree was issued +for enforcing contracts for terms of service. A stringent decree against +vagrants was also published, and this was a measure of military caution +as well as of political economy. When Martinez set about recruiting in +Matagalpa the men scattered on the farms of Chontales and Los Llaños +repaired to Granada in order to escape the press-gang. But these men had +nearly all been in the employ of Legitimist masters, and when gathered +in the city there was danger of their being used for bad purposes. Few +of them had any visible means of livelihood, and hence most would have +come under the provision of the decree concerning vagrants. As they had +little disposition for work they soon disappeared after the publication +of the decree, and thus a population which at the time might have proved +dangerous around Granada was got rid of. + +The decree of the 22d of September was, however, the measure from which +most was to be expected for organizing the labor of the country. This +was the act around which the whole policy of the administration revolved; +and as it has been much criticised it may be well to give the decree +entire. It reads: + + “Inasmuch as the Constituent Assembly of the Republic, on the + 30th day of April, 1838, declared the State, free, sovereign, + and independent, dissolving the compact which the Federal + Constitution established between Nicaragua and the other States + of Central America: + + “Inasmuch as since that date, Nicaragua has been in fact free + from the obligations the Federal Constitution imposed: + + “Inasmuch as the Act of the Constituent Assembly, decreed on + the 30th of April, 1838, provides, that the federal decrees + given previous to that date shall remain in force unless + contrary to the provisions of that act: + + “Inasmuch as many of the decrees theretofore given are unsuited + to the present condition of the Republic, and are repugnant + to its welfare and prosperity as well as to its territorial + integrity: Therefore it is + + “DECREED: + + “ARTICLE 1. All acts and decrees of the Federal Constituent + Assembly, as well as of the Federal Congress, are declared null + and void. + + “ARTICLE 2. Nothing herein contained shall affect rights + heretofore vested under the acts and decrees hereby repealed.” + +One of the earliest acts of the Federal Constituent Assembly was the +abolition of slavery in Central America; and as this, among other acts, +was repealed by the decree of the 22d of September, it was generally +supposed the latter re-established slavery in Nicaragua. Whether this +be a strictly legal deduction may be doubted; but the repeal of the +prohibition clearly prepared the way for the introduction of slavery. +The spirit and intention of the decree were apparent; nor did its author +affect to conceal his object in its publication. By this act must the +Walker administration be judged; for it is the key to its whole policy. +In fact the wisdom or folly of this decree involves the wisdom or folly +of the American movement in Nicaragua; for on the re-establishment of +African slavery there depended the permanent presence of the white race +in that region. If the slavery decree, as it has been called, was unwise, +Cabañas and Jerez were right when they sought to use the Americans for +the mere purpose of raising one native faction and depressing another. +Without such labor as the new decree gave the Americans could have played +no other part in Central America than that of the pretorian guard at Rome +or of the Janizaries of the East; and for such degrading service as this +they were ill suited by the habits and traditions of their race. + +The difference between the colonial system of the English and Spanish +Crowns explains the different results of the English and Spanish +settlements in America. The colonies of Great Britain founded their own +forms of society; they made for themselves all the rules and regulations +their new situation required, and hence they built firmly the foundation +of a peculiar and original civilization. Their institutions sprang from +their necessities, and were hence adapted to the climate and the soil +they found on the new continent. But it was far otherwise with the +Spanish possessions. The laws of the Indies were decreed by the Crown; +and the regulations, sometimes for good but oftener for evil, were +the result of monarchical will. In the case of Cuba the resolution of +Isabella was swayed by the counsels of the benevolent Las Casas; and +Spain owes her possession of the island at the present moment to the wise +philanthropy of the simple-hearted priest. Negro-slavery is, without +doubt, the cause of the present prosperity of the island as well as of +its continued colonial government; and Cuba offers a fine contrast to +Jamaica and St. Domingo, and displays to advantage the superior wisdom of +Spain when compared with the false humanity of France and England. On the +continent, however, Spain was not so fortunate as on the ever-faithful +isle. Her conquest of force was there followed by no radical and +permanent change in political organization. She carried thither the Roman +law; but it did not inform the new society or breathe a fresh spirit into +its institutions. The only real changes in Mexico and Peru, for example, +were wrought by the church. The pagans of the continent were converted +to Christianity and the mission fathers reclaimed the wild tribes from +their savageism, teaching them agriculture and the ruder arts of life. +Beyond the protection the Crown afforded the church in its labors for +the re-construction of society, the Spanish government did little for +its vast continental possessions. Slavery on the continent was not more +than what the physiologists call a “trace;” and it soon yielded to the +passions which followed the independence of the colonies. + +The men who framed the Constitution of the United States were not +beyond the control of the influences which in France led to the horrors +of Hayti and in England to the miseries of Jamaica. The wits and +philosophers of the constitutional convention—the strong reason of +Franklin and the brilliant genius of Hamilton, as well as the lofty +soul of Washington—were not unaffected by the errors of the French +reformers of the period. The mad rhapsodies of Rousseau, the sharp keen +sarcasm of Voltaire, had infected the readers of that time with a sort +of hydrophobia—a mortal aversion to the word _slavery_. Hamilton and +Washington, though struggling against French notions, were still under +the influence to some extent of the Genevese ravings about equality +and fraternity. Mr. Jefferson not only yielded to the French fashions +of thought and feeling, but actually cherished them as if they were +the fruits of reason and philosophy. While such causes operated on the +American leaders of the time, the people of the period were tainted +with the notions of the English Buxton and Clarkson. The dissenters +of Great Britain infused their opinions about the slave-trade into +their religious brethren in America; and thus, by the union of French +philosophy with English humanitarianism, the constitution of 1787 was +burdened with clauses of which the evil effect is now constantly felt by +the slaveholding communities of the United States. + +If the strong, broad minds of the constitutional convention of 1787 were +not able to resist entirely the opinions prevalent in France and England +concerning slavery, how much less were the poor, imitative creatures +Spanish policy left to her American colonies after their independence +able to withstand the prejudices of the European world. Spain had, in +fact, left them with too little slavery to preserve their social order. +Instead of maintaining the purity of the races as did the English in +their settlements, the Spaniards had cursed their continental possessions +with a mixed race. Hence it would have been little less than a miracle if +the Spanish American States had at the moment of independence decided to +retain slavery in their midst. It is only of late years that the really +beneficial and conservative character of negro-slavery has begun to be +appreciated in the United States. + +For a long time it was the fashion, and with many it still is, to +regard the Northern States of the Federal Union as the conservative +element of American society. It is true that the Northern States +are the conservative element of the federal government; because the +Union is nearly altogether the creature of their will and of their +interests. Therefore, on all occasions they have sought to strengthen +the federal power through tariffs and banks and large schemes of +internal improvement. But such conservatism as this does not touch the +organic structure of society; it merely determines its external form and +appearance. The conservatism of slavery is deeper than this; it goes to +the vital relations of capital toward labor, and by the firm footing +it gives the former it enables the intellect of society to push boldly +forward in the pursuit of new forms of civilization. At present it is the +struggle of free labor with slave labor which prevents the energies of +the former from being directed against the capital of the North through +the ingenious machinery of the ballot box and universal suffrage; and it +is difficult to conceive how capital can be secured from the attacks of +the majority in a pure democracy unless with the aid of a force which +gets its strength from slave labor. + +The Spanish American States, after their independence, aimed to +establish Republics without slavery; and the history of forty years of +disorder and public crime is fertile in lessons for him who hath eyes +to see and ears to hear. Carried away by his imagination, or rather +by his sensibilities, Mr. Clay pleaded the cause of Spanish American +independence, and anticipated good government as the result of the +movement. The policy he urged was undoubtedly wise both for the United +States and for England, inasmuch as it opened the old Spanish colonies to +other commercial nations. But the effects of independence have not been +beneficial on the people of the colonies themselves. Spain gave order, at +least, to the possessions she held in the New World; and order, attended +as it was by exaction, sometimes even by extortion, was better than the +anarchy of so-called Republican rule. In Nicaragua whole tracts which +were cultivated under the Spanish dominion have gone to waste since the +independence; and the indigo of the Isthmus, which even ten years ago was +a valuable article of export, has disappeared almost entirely from trade. + +If Spain, then, failed to leave her colonies with the internal force or +the system capable of re-organizing their independent society, the plan +immediately suggests itself of applying to them the rules which have +constructed a firm and harmonious civilization where the Anglo-American +has found himself on the same soil with one of the colored races. The +introduction of negro-slavery into Nicaragua would furnish a supply of +constant and reliable labor requisite for the cultivation of tropical +products. With the negro-slave as his companion, the white man would +become fixed to the soil; and they together would destroy the power of +the mixed race which is the bane of the country. The pure Indian would +readily fall into the new social organization; for he does not aim at +political power, and only asks to be protected in the fruits of his +industry. The Indian of Nicaragua, in his fidelity and docility, as well +as in his capacity for labor, approaches nearly the negroes of the United +States; and he would readily assume the manners and habits of the latter. +In fact the manners of the Indian toward the ruling race are now more +submissive than those of the American negro toward his master. + +Some, however, may urge that the climate of tropical America is +unfavorable to the African negro. This idea has been set afloat by +some statistics a British officer has published in reference to the +comparative vitality of the European and negro regiments in Jamaica. The +figures, as given, go to show, that the average mortality is greater +among the negro than among the European regiments; and even Dr. Josiah +C. Nott has been led to quote the statistics with approval, and to infer +that tropical America is not suited to the African. But the figures of +the British officer may be read in another sense, and probably with +a nearer approach to natural laws. It is not the climate, but the +profession of soldier, which destroys so rapidly the negro regiments +of Jamaica. No avocation of life requires so much intelligence, so much +knowledge of the laws of life, and so much resolution and self-denial in +adhering to them, as that of the soldier. The great difference between a +veteran and a raw recruit is, that one knows how to take care of himself, +and the other does not. But you never can make a veteran of the negro; +he remains always in the condition of recruit, and hence negro regiments +will have the health and vitality of regiments of recruits. No one, who +has seen the negro in tropical America, will, for a moment, allow the +accuracy of the deduction, hastily drawn from the regimental returns of +Jamaica. + +In Nicaragua the negro seems to be in his natural climate. The blacks who +have gone thither from Jamaica are healthy, strong and capable of severe +labor. They were much employed by the Accessory Transit Company on the +San Juan river and at Virgin Bay; and even on the bungos of the lake and +river, they bore the toil and exposure to the sun as well as the natives +of the country. In fact, the negro blood seems to assert its superiority +over the indigenous Indian of Nicaragua. Some of the negro and mulatto +officers in the Legitimist army were remarkable among their fellows for +courage and energy, though with these qualities were generally joined +cruelty and ferocity. + +The advantage of negro slavery in Nicaragua would, therefore, be +two-fold; while it would furnish certain labor for the use of +agriculture, it would tend to separate the races and destroy the +half-castes who cause the disorder, which has prevailed in the country +since the independence. But there are many who, while admitting the +advantage of slavery to Nicaragua, think it was impolitic to have +attempted its re-establishment at the time the decree of the 22d of +September was published. This brings us to consider the decree in its +relation with the question of slavery in the United States. + +At the time the decree was published it was clear that the Americans in +Nicaragua would be called on to defend themselves against the forces of +four Allied States. Their cause was right and just, but it then appeared +to touch themselves only. Up to that time there was no American interest +in the country, save that of the army and of the Transit Company; hence +it was expedient by some positive act to bind to the cause for which +the naturalized Nicaraguans were contending some strong and powerful +interest in the United States. The decree, re-establishing slavery while +it declared the manner in which the Americans proposed to regenerate +Nicaraguan society made them the champions of the Southern States of the +Union in the conflict truly styled “irrepressible” between free and slave +labor. The policy of the act consisted in pointing out to the Southern +States the only means, short of revolution, whereby they can preserve +their present social organization. + +In 1856, the South began to perceive that all territory hereafter +acquired by the federal government, would necessarily enure to the use +and benefit of free labor. The immigrant from the free labor States +moves easily and readily into the new territories; and the surplus of +population being greater at the North than at the South, the majority +in any new territory would certainly be from the anti-slavery region. +Besides this, the South has no surplus labor to send westward or +southward. On the contrary the Gulf States are crying out for more +negroes; and the uneasiness of Southern society results from the +superabundance of its intellect and capital in proportion to its rude +labor. It is impossible, in the present condition of affairs, for the +South to get the labor it lacks; and the only means of restoring the +balance to its industry is to send its unemployed intellect to a field +where no political obstacles prevent it from getting the labor it +requires. + +There are, however, some people in the Southern States who condemn every +effort to extend slavery, because they say, it irritates the anti-slavery +sentiment, and thus feeds and strengthens hostility to Southern society. +With them, the great cure for abolitionism, is rest and inaction on the +part of slaveholders. But such are the shallowest of thinkers. It is +impossible to keep down the discussion of the slavery question in the +United States. The question is one which touches the whole labor of the +country, and involves the vital relations of capital with labor.[1] And +this is the question which in all ages, and in all countries, has divided +states and societies. Hence it is idle to speak of the question being +settled; from the nature of things the contest between free and slave +labor is “never ending, still beginning.” + +In September, 1856, the canvass for the presidency was developing the +passions and the prejudices of the several sections of the Union; and +one of the great parties of the country, in convention assembled, had +declared its sympathy and pledged its support to the efforts then being +made to regenerate Central America. These promises and pledges were made +by the party which relied on the slave States for its success, and it +should have looked with favor on a measure which tended to strengthen +slavery in the Southern States. But the manner in which the free labor +democracy of the North received the decree re-establishing slavery in +Nicaragua, is a proof of the hollowness of its professions of friendship +for Southern interests. There was scarcely a voice raised in defence +of the measure north of the Potomac; though the free-labor States may +find, when it is too late, that the only way to avoid revolution, and a +conflict of force between the Northern and Southern States of the Union, +is by the very policy Nicaragua proposed to establish. + +It is true the author of the slavery decree was not aware, at the time it +was published, of the strong and universal feeling which exists in the +Northern States against Southern society. He did not know how thoroughly +anti-slavery sentiments prevail in the free-labor States; that they are +taught in the schools, preached from the pulpit, and instilled by mothers +into the minds of their children from infancy upward. But the knowledge +of such a state of feeling would have made the publication of the decree +a matter of sacred duty no less than of policy. To avert the invasion +which threatens the South, it is necessary for her to break through the +barriers which now surround her on every side, and carry the war between +the two forms of labor beyond her own limits. A beleagured force, with no +ally outside, must yield to famine at last, unless it can make a sally +and burst through the enemy which confines it. + +While the slavery decree was calculated to bind the Southern States to +Nicaragua, as if she were one of themselves, it was also a disavowal of +any desire for annexation to the Federal Union. And it was important, in +every respect, to make it appear that the American movement in Nicaragua +did not contemplate annexation. This idea constantly haunted the minds +of the public men of the Union, little accustomed to regard political +questions except from party points of view. It disturbed the mind of Mr. +Pierce, when he wrote his message at the reception of Father Vigil; it +worried Mr. Marcy, when he contemplated the future fate of the democratic +party. And it was, without doubt, the uncertainty the Secretary of State +felt in regard to the effect the Nicaraguan movement might have on party +action in the United States which prompted him to frown on the enterprise +from the beginning. Mr. Marcy was an old man, ambitious of yet higher +station than he had held under the federal government; and his long +experience enabled him to calculate with nice accuracy the weight of old +party issues in conventions and popular elections. But here was a new +element about to be thrown into the politics of the Union; and to the +distrust of new things common to age, was added the inability of the +Secretary to estimate precisely the force and direction of the Nicaraguan +movement. To show the spirit of Mr. Marcy, it is only necessary to state +when the decree repealing the acts of the Federal Constituent Assembly +and Federal Congress was published in Nicaragua, Mr. Wheeler advised his +government of the fact, and merely remarked that he thought it a measure +of advantage for the Isthmus. The despatch of Mr. Wheeler was, according +to excellent authority, discussed in a full meeting of Mr. Pierce’s +cabinet. Mr. Marcy and Mr. Cushing insisted on the immediate recall of +the minister; while Mr. Davis and Mr. Dobbin defended Mr. Wheeler, saying +he had done nothing but his duty in advising his government of the decree +published in Nicaragua, and of the effect it was likely to produce on the +country. The Secretary of State insisted on the dismissal of Mr. Wheeler +to the last; and only the day before he left office, he required of the +President, as a personal favor, that he should procure the resignation of +the minister. + +The decree of the 22d of September was intended to destroy the delusion +of the public men of the United States as to the desire of Nicaragua for +annexation. To a thinking mind it was apparent that to enter the Federal +Union would be to defeat the object of the decree; for the federal law +prohibits the introduction within the limits of its authority of any +persons held to labor for a term of years. Nicaragua could not expect to +draw her negro labor from States already complaining of the deficiency of +their own supply; and the Southern States would themselves have opposed +the annexation of a territory which might drain from them the labor they +so much need. In the heat of party passion, however, such views were +not appreciated by the politicians, of whom Mr. Marcy was a type. They +were too much absorbed in watching the currents of popular opinion and +in distributing the spoils of party warfare, to devote any time to the +consideration of the public weal or of a true and just public policy. + +So far were the politicians of the Union from perceiving it was Walker’s +policy by the slavery decree to declare his hostility to annexation, that +some of them supposed they had achieved a discovery by the publication of +certain letters instructing Goicouria as to the course he should pursue +in England. The intendente-general was authorized by Walker to proceed to +London in order to impress on the English cabinet the fact that Nicaragua +had no desire for admission into the American Union; and it was supposed +that he, being a Cuban, might more readily get the ear of the British +Ministry on the subject than a native of the United States. The letter +of Walker to Goicouria instructed him to explain that the necessities +of Nicaragua required “a republic based on military principles,” such +a republic being clearly unfit for admission into the northern Union. +The English would readily perceive that the growth of such a republic +toward the southern limits of the United States would tend to restrain +the territorial extension of the latter power. Walker conceived that by +such a policy he would promote the welfare of his native no less than +of his adopted country; for the acquisition by the United States of any +territory covered by a Spanish-American population would be fertile +of troubles and dangers to the confederacy, as well as of suffering +and oppression to the inhabitants of the new territory. Above all, the +acquisition of territory on the south would be fatal to the slaveholding +States; for it would complete the circle of free-labor communities now +girdling them on almost every side. + +In France it would have been easier than in England to make the +anti-annexation character of the slavery decree apparent. M. Ange de +St. Priest, a savant who has published a large and valuable work on +the antiquities of Mexico and Central America, accepted the office of +consul-general for Nicaragua at Paris; and it was hoped through him to +establish relations with the Imperial government. The steady policy +of Napoleon the Third has been to increase the tonnage of France, and +thereby to enlarge her facilities for educating sailors. It was hoped +that such a treaty might have been made as would lead to the employment +of French bottoms for bringing African apprentices to the ports of +Nicaragua, thus furnishing labor to the latter republic, and increasing +the trade of French ships. The Emperor has himself written a work on the +subject of the inter-oceanic canal through Nicaragua; and his familiarity +with the country would enable him to perceive the advantages of carrying +negro labor thither. Next, too, to the possession of the isthmus by +France, he would desire to have the canal route in the hands of a power +bound to the empire by strong ties of interest and trade. + +In fact it is the decided interest of all the continental powers of +Europe, to favor the policy the Americans proposed to pursue in +Nicaragua. By this policy they would secure tropical products at a much +cheaper price than at present; and Russia, particularly, needs a supply +of such articles from a country not under the control or influence of +England. Even Great Britain, if she would look beyond the immediate gains +of her grasping merchants, might perceive permanent advantages from the +security and order negro labor would give to Nicaragua. Now that the +Crown has taken the government of India from a trading corporation, +it might disdain to be moved by the narrow commercial jealousy which +sacrificed Jamaica to the East India Company. + +But, it may be said, England will never permit anything which looks like +the revival of the African slave-trade. They, however, who watch closely +the phases of British politics, know that the influence of Exeter Hall +is on the wane. The frenzy of the British public against the slave-trade +has exhausted itself, and men have begun to perceive that they were led +into error by the benevolent enthusiasm of parsons, who knew more about +Greek and Hebrew than they did about physiology or political economy, and +of middle-aged spinsters, smit with the love of general humanity, though +disdaining to fix their affections firmly on any objects less remote than +Africa. All the arguments used by the adversaries of the slave-trade +were drawn from its abuses; and the true remedy was, not to abolish but +regulate the trade. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries it +was styled “a commerce for the redemption of African captives;” and if +the old name, descriptive as it is of the true character of the trade, +were revived, many of the prejudices against the business would be +removed. + +It was the alliance of a skeptical philosophy with a purblind religious +zeal which generated the opinion of Europe in regard to the African +slave-trade. Confining their attention to the abuses of the system, the +opponents of the trade failed to raise their eyes toward any large views +of the subject. If we look at Africa in the light of universal history, +we see her for more than five thousand years a mere waif on the waters +of the world, fulfilling no part in its destinies, and aiding in no +manner the progress of general civilization. Sunk in the depravities of +fetichism, and reeking with the blood of human sacrifices, she seemed a +satire on man, fit only to provoke the sneer of devils at the wisdom, +and justice, and benevolence of the Creator. But America was discovered, +and the European found the African a useful auxiliary in subduing the +new continent to the uses and purposes of civilization. The white man +took the negro from his native wastes, and teaching him the arts of life, +bestowed on him the ineffable blessings of a true religion. Then only do +the wisdom and excellence of the divine economy in the creation of the +black race begin to appear with their full lustre. Africa is permitted +to lie idle until America is discovered, in order that she may conduce +to the formation of a new society in the New World. A strong, haughty +race, bred to liberty in its northern island home, is sent forth with +the mission to place America under the rule of free laws; but whence +are these men, imbued with love of liberty and equality, to derive the +counterpoise which shall prevent their liberty from degenerating into +license, and their equality into anarchy or despotism? How are they, +when transplanted from the rugged climate where freedom thrives to +retain their precious birthright in the soft, tropical air which woos to +luxury and repose? Is it not for this that the African was reserved? And +is it not thus that one race secures for itself liberty with order, while +it bestows on the other comfort and Christianity? + +But man, ever the dupe of his vain desires, always oscillating between +the extremes of opinion, and never fixed in the possession of truth, +was not content with the place assigned the African in the plan of +creation and of Providence. The preachers of the new gospel of equality +and fraternity were not satisfied with descanting on the horrors of the +middle passage, or of weeping over the miseries of men redeemed from the +captivity of savage masters. If the slave-trade be criminal, slavery, +which is the cause of it, should be extirpated. Therefore the trial is +made on St. Domingo, and the slave, suddenly loosed from the restraints +the law had put around him, goes forth to murder and destroy. Then they +determine on another experiment more cautiously conducted and more +narrowly watched. Slavery is abolished in Jamaica, and forthwith the +island goes to waste. The time seems to be approaching when man, guided +by a less vain philosophy, will seek truth in some other direction than +Haytian massacres or Jamaican impoverishment. + +If the views above expressed of the uses of the African in the economy +of nature and Providence be correct, slavery is not abnormal to American +society. It must be the rule, not the exception. But to keep it so +requires effort and labor. The enemies of the only original form of +American civilization are many and powerful. They are resolute in their +determination not merely to limit but to extirpate slavery. The man who +leads the free-labor myriads of the United States—he, whose firm will +and far-reaching mind do not quail either at the doctrines or the acts +to which his political philosophy logically conducts him, has already +declared that he hopes to see the time when the foot of not a slave shall +press the continent. Yet the sluggards of slavery say, “a little more +rest, a little more folding of the arms to slumber.” Strafford sleeps +though the axe of the headsman is whetted for his execution. + +The contest between free and slave labor in the United States not only +touches the interests and destiny of those immediately engaged in the +struggle but it affects the fate of the whole continent. The question +involved is whether the civilization of the western world shall be +European or American. If free labor prevails in its effort to banish +slave labor from the continent, the history of American society becomes a +faint reflex of European systems and prejudices, without contributing any +new ideas, any new sentiments, or any new institutions, to the mental and +moral wealth of the world. The necessary consequence of the triumph of +free labor will be the destruction, by a slow and cruel process, of the +colored races which now inhabit the central and southern portions of the +continent. The labor of the inferior races cannot compete with that of +the white race unless you give it a white master to direct its energies; +and without such protection as slavery affords, the colored races must +inevitably succumb in the struggle with white labor. Hence a Nicaraguan +can not be an indifferent spectator of the contest between the two forms +of labor in the United States; and deeper yet must be his interest in the +matter if born and educated in a slave State of the Union, he revolves in +his mind the results which will ensue to the home of his childhood, and +the firesides of the friends of his youth, in case victory smiles upon +the soldiers of free labor. Do not, therefore, men of the South, deem +it the voice of a stranger, or of one without a stake in your country’s +welfare, which urges you to strike a blow in defence of your honor, no +less than of your hearths and your families, ere the blast of the enemy’s +bugle calls upon you to surrender your arms to an overwhelming force. + +The tongue of truth and friendship is not that of undue praise or fawning +flattery, and the soft songs of the suitor too often woo to danger and +destruction. Therefore, be not displeased, sons of the South—for it is +to you I now speak—if the criticism on your acts and policy appear harsh +or severe; but examine your conduct and that of your public servants for +the last three years and see whither it has led you. It is now but little +more than three years since you elected the President of your choice, and +in your simplicity you thought this success a great victory. What fruits +have you reaped from it? Where are the rewards of your campaign? In what +triumphs of policy have all your toils and all your efforts ended? + +Your President—for he is the work of your hands—went into office pledged +to your policy in Kansas and in Central America. He attempted to deceive +you in Kansas, and your leaders drove him to the course he was forced to +pursue. Like sheep to the slaughter he and his Northern friends were led +to the support of Southern policy in Kansas; but what has resulted from +their sacrifice, or from all the efforts the Southern leaders made to +drag them to the altar? Was Kansas admitted into the Union? Did you have +even the empty pleasure of boasting over a barren victory? The Kansas +contest was made, as all admitted, for an abstract right. Your leaders +were true to you, because you were true to yourselves, when contending +for an “abstract right”; let us see whether you and they were equally +faithful to your honor and your interests when contending for a right not +abstract. + +The President was pledged to your policy in Central America even +more explicitly than to your Kansas measures. The resolutions of the +Cincinnati Convention on the Central American policy were drawn by no +trembling or unsteady hand.[2] They were not couched in the Delphic +sentences behind which timid politicians shrink when they seek the +support of their constituents. Clear, distinct, and unmistakeable, they +could not be read in a dozen senses by the jugglers, who fancy all +political wisdom consists in deceiving the people with words which seem +other than they are. Have the pledges given at Cincinnati been redeemed? +Have those words, so full of meaning and of resolution, taken shape in +acts; or have they died into the sobs and sighs and moans of a party +which aspired to greatness yet dared not its accomplishment? + +It needs no new word to tell you how basely the pledges made at +Cincinnati have been violated. It was not enough to trample under foot +the promises made, in the name of a party, to the country; it was +necessary also to disregard all the principles of public law, and to +proclaim before the world that the end justified the means. Violated +faith excused violated law: and when the message of the President, +excusing the acts of Commodore Paulding at Punta Arenas, in December, +1857, was sent to the senate, Mr. Seward might well say, in a double +sense, that his Excellency had become a convert to the “higher law” +doctrine. + +And how did the leaders of the South act in the emergency? It was just at +the time the news of Paulding’s act at Punta Arenas reached Washington +that the adoption of the Lecompton Constitution was ascertained. Then the +President besought the men who were driving him on the Kansas question +not to press him on the Central American policy, and the Southern +leaders, giving up the substance, fled in pursuit of the shadow.[3] The +Lecompton Constitution would not give another foot of soil to slavery, +and the movement in Nicaragua might give it an empire; yet the latter was +sacrificed to the former, and the insults of Paulding and the President +have gone unrebuked by the South up to the present time. + +Is it not time for the South to cease the contest for abstractions +and to fight for realities? Of what avail is it to discuss the right +to carry slaves into the territories of the Union, if there are none +to go thither? These are questions for schoolmen—fit to sharpen the +logical faculty and to make the mind quick and keen in the perception +of analogies and distinctions; but surely they are not such questions +as touch practical life and come home to men’s interests and actions. +The feelings and conscience of a people are not to be called forth by +the subtleties of lawyers or the differences of metaphysicians; nor can +their energies be roused into action for the defence of rights none of +them care to exercise. The minds of full-grown men cannot be fed on mere +discussions of territorial rights: they require some substantial policy +which all can understand and appreciate. + +Nor is it wise for the weaker party to waste its strength in fighting for +shadows. It is only the stronger party which can afford to throw away +its force on indecisive skirmishes. At present the South must husband +her political power else she will soon lose all she possesses. The same +influence she brought to bear in favor of the position she took in Kansas +would have secured the establishment of the Americans in Nicaragua. And +unless she assumes now an entirely defensive attitude, what else is +left for the South except to carry out the policy proposed to her three +years ago in Central America? How else can she strengthen slavery than +by seeking its extension beyond the limits of the Union? The Republican +party aims at destroying slavery by sap and not by assault. It declares +now that the task of confining slavery is complete and the work of the +miner has already commenced. Whither can the slaveholder fly when the +enemy has completed his chambers and filled in the powder and prepared +the train, and stands with lighted match ready to apply the fire? + +Time presses. If the South wishes to get her institutions into tropical +America she must do so before treaties are made to embarrass her action +and hamper her energies. Already there is a treaty between Mexico and +Great Britain by which the former agrees to do all in her power for +the suppression of the slave-trade, and in 1856 a clause was inserted +in the Dallas-Clarendon Convention, stipulating for the perpetual +exclusion of slavery from the Bay Islands of Honduras. This clause +was suggested (as the writer was informed by the person himself who +proposed it) by an American, for the purpose of securing the support of +England to a projected railway across Honduras; and thus the rights of +American civilization were to be bartered away for the paltry profits +of a railroad company. And while Nicaragua was to be hemmed in by an +anti-slavery treaty between England and Honduras on the north, Costa +Rica made an agreement with New Granada that slavery should never be +introduced within her limits. The enemies of American civilization—for +such are the enemies of slavery—seem to be more on the alert than its +friends. + +The faith which Walker had in the intelligence of the Southern States +to perceive their true policy and in their resolution to carry it out, +was one of the causes which led to the publication of the decree of the +22d of September at the time it was given forth. Nor is his faith in +the South shaken; though who can fail to be amazed at the facility with +which the South is carried off after chimeras? Sooner or later, however, +the slaveholding States are bound to come as one man to the support of +the Nicaraguan policy. The decree of the 22d September, not the result +of hasty passion or immature thought, fixed the fate of Nicaragua and +bound the Republic to the car of American civilization. For more than two +years the enemies of slavery have been contriving and plotting to exclude +the naturalized Nicaraguans from their adopted country. But as yet not a +single additional barrier has been interposed; and the South has but to +resolve upon the task of carrying slavery into Nicaragua in order that +the work may be accomplished. + +If other appeals than those of interest are required for stimulating the +Southern States in the effort to re-establish slavery in Central America +they are not lacking. The hearts of Southern youth answer to the call of +honor, and strong arms and steady eyes are waiting to carry forward the +policy which is now the dictate of duty as well as of interest. The issue +between slavery and anti-slavery has been made in Nicaragua, and it is +impossible for slavery to retire from the contest without losing some +of its courage and character. Nor is the issue one of mere words. It is +not a tilt of sport, a joust of reeds; but the knights have touched the +shields of their adversaries with the points of their lances, and the +tourney is one of mortal strife. And may fortune most favor them who best +do their duty in the fray. + +Something is due from the South to the memory of the brave dead who +repose in the soil of Nicaragua. In defence of slavery these men left +their homes, met with calmness and constancy the perils of a tropical +climate, and finally yielded up their lives for the interests of the +South. I have seen these men die in many ways. I have seen them gasping +life away under the effects of typhus; I have seen them convulsed in the +death agony from the fearful blows of cholera; I have seen them sink to +glorious rest from mortal wounds received on honorable fields; but I +never saw the first man who repented engaging in the cause for which he +yielded his life. These martyrs and confessors in the cause of Southern +civilization surely deserve recognition at its hands. And what can be +done for their memories while the cause for which they suffered and died +remains in peril and jeopardy? + +If there, then, be yet vigor in the South—and who can doubt that there +is—for further contest with the soldiers of anti-slavery, let her cast +off the lethargy which enthrals her, and prepare anew for the conflict. +But at the same time she throws aside her languor and indifference, +let her, taught by the past, discard the delusions and abstractions +with which politicians have agitated her passions without advancing her +interests. It is time for slavery to spend its efforts on realities +and not beat the air with wanton and ill-advised blows. The true field +for the exertion of slavery is in tropical America; there it finds the +natural seat of its empire and thither it can spread if it will but make +the effort, regardless of conflicts with adverse interests. The way is +open and it only requires courage and will to enter the path and reach +the goal. Will the South be true to herself in this emergency? + + + + +Chapter Ninth. + +THE ADVANCE OF THE ALLIES. + + +In the beginning of September, 1856, the army of Nicaragua was organized +in two battalions of Rifles, two of Light Infantry, one of Rangers, and +a small company of Artillery. The First Rifles was the fullest as well +as the best corps of the army, and it scarcely mustered two hundred +effective men. The Second Rifles was a mere shadow of a battalion, +and its discipline was almost entirely neglected. The Light Infantry +battalions were larger than the Second Rifles, and some companies of +these, as, for example, the company of Capt. Henry, of the Second +Infantry, were in good order and condition. The Rangers consisted of +three small companies, under the command of Major Waters, and were +capable of effective service. Capt. Schwartz, with a few artillerymen, +had shown capacity for organizing his corps, and possessed knowledge in +his profession, he having served for some time as an artillery officer +in Baden during the revolutionary troubles of 1848. The whole effective +force scarcely amounted to eight hundred men. + +Gen. Hornsby was in command of the Meridional Department, having his +headquarters sometimes at San Jorge, sometimes at Rivas, and sometimes at +San Juan del Sur. He had with him some companies of the First Infantry +and the artillery squad—it could scarcely be called a company—of Capt. +Schwartz. The First Rifles were at Granada, while the Second Rifles, +under Lieut.-Col. McDonald, were at Tipitapa. The Second Infantry were +at Masaya, and, in the absence of Col. Jaquess, it was commanded by +Lieut.-Col. McIntosh. Capt. Dolan had been in command of a company of +Rifles at Managua, but about the middle of September, Major Waters +was sent thither with his Rangers. The principal depot of commissary, +quartermaster, and ordnance stores, and all the work-shops of the army, +were at Granada. The San Juan river was guarded by two companies of +infantry, and Lieut.-Col. Rudler was placed in charge of that frontier. + +The main strength of the enemy was at Leon, under the orders of Gen. +Belloso, and in the month of August Martinez began to collect men in +Matagalpa, and even as far down as Chocoyas and Trinidad. The troops +under Belloso were kept closely about Leon, and Rangers from Managua were +in the habit of scouting beyond Pueblo Nuevo without meeting any signs of +the enemy. Martinez, however, was collecting the herdsmen and servants +attached to the Legitimist owners of cattle-estates in the upper part +of Chontales and Los Llaños, and these being familiar with the country +were easily able to provide their chief with any news in that region +of country. A large proportion of the cattle used by the Americans was +drawn from these districts, and they were generally driven to Granada +by native officers, accompanied by small detachments of riflemen mounted +for the occasion. One of the most efficient of these native officers was +Ubaldo Herrera, whose services during the civil war have been heretofore +related. + +In the latter part of August, Herrera, with a few Americans, was sent to +one of the cattle-estates of Los Llaños, and while carelessly driving +cattle toward Tipitapa he was attacked and slain by a small band of +Legitimists. This incident occurred not many miles from Tipitapa, and +in consequence of it Lieut.-Col. McDonald received orders to cross the +Tipitapa river, and marching toward Los Llaños, to ascertain whether any +traces of the enemy were to be seen in that direction. The roads were, +at the time, difficult, and all movements were necessarily slow and +uncertain, owing to the heavy rains of the season. McDonald, however, +with Capt. Jarvis, and about forty men, proceeded in the direction of San +Jacinto, a large cattle-estate a few miles east and north of Tipitapa. It +was reported that some of the enemy were quartered at the country-house +belonging to the estate, and McDonald, arriving near the house before +daybreak, postponed a nearer approach until he might be able to see the +strength of the enemy. Soon after daylight he drew up his force for an +attack, but while proceeding at a quick pace he was received by such a +sharp, steady fire that he deemed it prudent to withdraw. Capt. Jarvis +was brought off mortally wounded, and McDonald had ascertained that the +enemy were in larger numbers than he expected, and strongly barricaded +behind adobes. + +The presence of the enemy at San Jacinto was a serious inconvenience to +the commissariat, and when it was known at Granada there were numerous +volunteers who proposed to drive the Legitimists from the house they +occupied. The state of the roads made it almost impossible to send +artillery against San Jacinto, even had there been the round shot or +shell requisite for rendering a gun useful in an attack on adobes. There +was a general impression at Granada that McDonald’s Rifles had retired +too soon, and the impression was due to the utter want of discipline +in the corps. Seeing the enthusiasm of some officers and citizens, and +desirous of ascertaining more exactly the strength of the enemy beyond +Tipitapa, Walker consented that volunteers should be engaged for an +attack on San Jacinto. + +The volunteers were principally Americans who had been in the army, and +who had been discharged or had resigned; and these had their numbers +swelled to about sixty-five or seventy by the officers at Granada and +Masaya. Among the officers who joined the expedition were Major J. C. +O’Neal, Captains Watkins, Lewis, and Morris, and Lieutenants Brady, +Connor, Crowell, Hutchins, Kiel, Reader and Sherman. They left Granada +on the afternoon of the 12th of September, and passing through Masaya +reached Tipitapa on the morning of the 13th. At Tipitapa they offered +the command of the party to Lieutenant-Colonel Byron Cole, who had been +visiting several points in Chontales with a view of procuring cattle for +the army, and Cole agreed to accept the offer. Wiley Marshall, a citizen +of Granada, was named as second in command. The spirit of adventure +which controlled not only these men but many others in Nicaragua can +be judged of by the fact that under this improvised organization Major +O’Neal consented to receive orders from a simple citizen, Marshall. + +Cole and his command arrived before San Jacinto about 5 o’clock, on +the morning of Sunday the 14th of September. They found the house well +situated for defence on a gentle elevation commanding all the ground +about it. Near the house was a corral, the sides of which afforded +protection against rifle or musket balls. Cole halted a few minutes to +arrange his plan of attack; and dividing his small force into three +bodies, placed the first in charge of Robert Milligan, an ex-lieutenant +of the army, the second under Major O’Neal, and the third under Captain +Watkins. The attack on the enemy was to be made at three several points, +and the weapons to be used principally were revolvers. These arrangements +being made, the order to charge simultaneously the points assigned to +each division was given. The order was gallantly obeyed, and Cole with +Marshall and Milligan had already gained the corral when they were struck +down by the well-directed fire of the enemy. O’Neal was more fortunate, +receiving only a wound in the arm, while Watkins was disabled by a shot +in the hip. Thus, almost at the same instant, and when the men were +within a few rods of the house, all of the leaders and nearly one third +of the whole force were either killed or wounded. Then the others, seeing +nothing was to be accomplished with their numbers, withdrew, carrying +off their wounded; and in a few minutes they were in full retreat toward +Tipitapa. + +Thus in the bold but fruitless charge he made on San Jacinto perished +Byron Cole, whose energy and perseverance had done so much toward +securing the presence of the Americans in Nicaragua. It was the first +opportunity he had for being under fire; and he had scarcely seen the +flash of an enemy’s musket before he met his fate. For months preceding +the arrival of the Americans at Realejo, he had travelled and toiled in +their behalf; and the only reward of all his labor and anxiety was death +on the first field where he met the foe of the principles he had aided to +advance. Nor was Cole the only loss of note on that fatal day. Marshall +died of his wounds after reaching Tipitapa; and among the missing was +Charles Callahan, who had been appointed collector of customs at Granada. +The latter was correspondent of the New-Orleans Picayune newspaper, and +his genial nature secured for him a large circle of friends who regretted +his untimely loss. The thirst for action led him to exchange his business +in Granada for the excitement of the attack on San Jacinto; and he never +returned to fill the duties he had so well begun a few weeks previously. + +The retreat of the volunteers from San Jacinto was irregular and +disorderly; and on such a command as that of McDonald at Tipitapa the +arrival of the defeated party had an alarming effect. So great was +the panic that the bridge across the river was torn up to prevent the +expected enemy from using it. But no enemy appeared and the alarm +gradually subsided. The news, however, of the defence at San Jacinto +encouraged the Allies greatly; and soon after the news of the affair +reached Leon, Belloso, urged on by some of the more resolute of his +officers, determined to advance toward Granada. + +A few days after the affair at San Jacinto, about two hundred men +arrived at Granada from New-York for the Nicaraguan service. They were +soon organized into companies; but they showed from the beginning how +worthless they were for military duty. A very large proportion of them +were Europeans of the poorest class, mostly Germans who cared more for +the contents of their haversacks than of their cartridge-boxes. With the +exception of Captain Russell and Lieutenants Nagle and Northedge, the +officers were as trifling as the men; and these New-York volunteers, as +they called themselves, had not been in the country ten days before they +began to desert in numbers. The promise of free quarters and rations +seemed to have carried the most of them to Nicaragua; and the idea of +performing duty could scarcely have entered their minds when they left +the United States. Of course such trash as these men proved to be were +far worse than no men at all; for their vices and corruptions tainted the +good materials near them. + +While these recruits were arriving at Granada, Belloso, having received +reinforcements from San Salvador and Guatemala, was marching from Leon +toward Managua with a force of about eighteen hundred men. He was +accompanied by General Zavala, the second in command of the Guatemalan +officers, Paredes remaining sick at Leon. Jerez also followed the allied +camp; nor was he unattended by such Leoneses as Mendez and Olivas, eager +for any disorder which held out the prospect of plunder. Valle, having +ventured back to the Occidental Department after the June changes, with +the view of raising the people against the Rivas authority, was arrested +and afterward kept under the eye of the police. He waited at Chinandega +hoping for the turn in affairs which might render his presence there +useful to the Americans. By remaining in the Occidental Department he +aided to keep the people of that region from joining in the crusade the +Allies preached against the “filibusters.” + +Major Waters watched closely the advance of the Allies, and by the firm +front he showed at Managua delayed them for several days on the road +between that place and Leon. When, however, Belloso approached within a +few miles of Managua Waters received orders to fall back to Masaya. At +the latter place, Lieutenant-Colonel McIntosh was commanding, and the +garrison consisted of about two hundred and fifty men; these had been +increased in numbers, though not much in strength, by the Second Rifles +from Tipitapa. Subsistence for many days was collected at Masaya, and the +commandant began to build barricades and other defences near the main +square of the city. While these works were going on, Captain Henry, who +had been confined to his bed for many weeks from a painful wound received +in a duel, came out, and by the skill he evinced inspired the soldiers +with confidence in his judgment and sagacity. The commanding officer, +Lieutenant-Colonel McIntosh, was sadly deficient both in knowledge and +force of character; and the effect of his irresolution was such that it +was clear the force at Masaya could not be depended on for holding the +town against the advancing enemy. Had Henry been in command the condition +of the garrison would have been far different; and it was unfortunate +that his long confinement had prevented his capacity from being known +until the last moment. As will be seen hereafter, his disposition to get +into danger, kept him on the list of wounded nearly the whole time he +was in Nicaragua. During the war in Central America, there was no better +soldier engaged in it than Henry; and by reading and study, as well as +by practice and habit, he was familiar, not only with the details of +military administration, but also with the deeper and more difficult +principles of the art of war. + +After halting a short time at Managua, Belloso continued to advance; +and at Nindiri, a league from Masaya, he was joined by Martinez and his +followers from Chontales and Matagalpa, thus swelling the allied force +to twenty-two or twenty-three hundred men. The moral condition of the +command at Masaya was such that McIntosh received orders to retire on +Granada; and the state of his men may be judged from the manner in which +they left Masaya. Such was the haste and confusion that Capt. Henry +was left behind, and his safety was the result of accident, being due +to the good-will of the women who attended him during his illness. A +brass six-pounder was left on the road, about three miles out of Masaya, +and the enemy afterward got possession of it. McIntosh might have been +deliberate, even slow in his movement with entire safety; for Belloso did +not enter Masaya for some hours after it was abandoned by the Americans. + +Walker, had he desired it, might probably have prevented for a time, or +at least much embarrassed the junction of Martinez with Belloso. But a +war against scattered guerillas was more exhausting to the Americans +than a contest with the enemy gathered in masses. The Allies were less +formidable when united than when acting in detached bodies at several +distant points. Hence, no obstacle was put in the way of Martinez +in his march toward Belloso. In fact, the best manner of treating a +revolutionary movement in Central America, is to treat it as a boil, let +it come to a head, and then lance it, letting all the bad matter out at +once. It was an object for the Americans to let all the dissatisfied +elements in Nicaragua gather about the Allied force, so that the question +at issue might be decisively determined. The accession of Martinez really +added little, if any, to Belloso’s military strength. + +Meanwhile the force in Granada was increased by the arrival, on the +4th of October, of Col. Sanders, with Capt. Ewbanks, and about seventy +recruits from California. Three days after, Col. John Allan landed with +nearly one hundred fresh men; and at the same time two twelve-pound +mountain howitzers, with a small supply of shells, and four hundred +Minié rifles were received from New-York. By some blunder, however, the +carriages of the howitzers did not accompany them; and several days +elapsed before Capt. Schwartz was able to have temporary carriages +prepared. The arrival of the howitzers and shells had been anxiously +expected, since it was hoped with their aid to drive the enemy more +readily from the towns they were in the habit of barricading with +adobes, thus making it difficult to carry them by assault, unless with +the loss of large numbers of men. + +General Hornsby, with his command, was ordered from the Meridional +Department to Granada; and thus nearly the whole force of the Republic +was concentrated at this point. The effective strength was about a +thousand men, including those employed in the several departments of the +army, as well as those in the line. A very large proportion of these, +however, were newly arrived in the country; many of them had no military +training whatever and still more had never seen an enemy during the whole +course of their lives. Nevertheless it was necessary to strike a blow at +the Allies, if for no other purpose than to show them that the Americans +were not thrown entirely on the defensive. Accordingly, as soon as the +howitzers were mounted on their rather clumsy carriages, and the new +men, suitably armed and equipped, were distributed in the several corps, +orders were issued for a march. + +On the morning of the 11th October, Walker marched to Masaya with about +800 men. It was near midday when the First Rifles formed in the Jalteva +and thence proceeded along the middle road to Masaya. In advance of the +Rifles was Major Waters, with two companies of Rangers, and in their rear +was the Cuban body-guard of the general-in-chief. Next after the guard +came Capt. Schwartz with the howitzers; then the ammunition mules. The +Second Rifles followed; and after them were the two Infantry battalions, +under command of Gen. Hornsby. A small body of Rangers brought up the +rear. The march was quiet and uninterrupted; and a little after nine +o’clock in the evening the force encamped on the edge of the town of +Masaya, occupying the high ground flanking each side of the Granada road +as it enters by the plazuela of San Sebastian. Some irregular firing took +place during the night, between mounted scouts of the enemy and some of +the American pickets, but the skirmishing was slight and unimportant. +Soon after daybreak on the 12th, Capt. Schwartz threw a few shells into +the plazuela of San Sebastian, and then Capt. Dolan, with his company +of rifles, proceeded at a brisk pace, to occupy the square, finding it +entirely abandoned by the enemy. Belloso had withdrawn his whole force +into the houses near and around the main Plaza; and the mouths of all the +streets leading into the large square were strongly barricaded. After the +main body of Nicaraguans had reached the plazuela of San Sebastian, a few +sappers and miners who had been hastily organized by a civil engineer, +Capt. Hesse, were ordered to cut through the walls of the houses on both +sides of the main street leading from the plazuela to the Plaza. Hesse +worked quite vigorously, supported by the Rifles on the right side of +the street and by the Infantry on the left. From time to time Capt. +Schwartz tried to throw shells into the midst of the main Plaza, but the +fuses were too short-timed, and the shells, for the most part, burst in +the air. Besides the unfitness of the fuses, one of the howitzers was +dismounted after a few discharges, and the carriage of the other was +ill-adapted for its purposes. + +The Rifles and Infantry, however, preceded by the working party, +steadily advanced toward the Plaza, sometimes encountering the enemy +in their progress through the houses, and always driving them back. +Capt. Leonard, with Capts. McChesney and Stith, were the foremost and +most active among the Rifles; while on the left of the street, Dreux, +of the Infantry, took and kept the lead. By dark the houses fronting +on the Plaza were all that divided the Americans from the enemy; and +then the men, tired out by their labors of the day were obliged to +suspend work until morning. In the meanwhile, also, the Rangers on the +Granada road reported heavy firing in the direction of the lake, and +it became necessary to ascertain the meaning of it. Col. Fisher, the +quartermaster-general, accompanied by Lieut.-Col. Lainé and Major Rogers, +with an escort of Rangers, was sent to Granada in order to procure some +stores, and also to ascertain whether or not the road was clear of the +enemy. Not long after midnight Rogers returned, with the report that the +enemy had attacked Granada, and were occupying much of the town, with the +hope of getting entire possession of the place. + +It seems that when Zavala, who, with his Guatemalans and some +Legitimists, was occupying Diriomo, a small village between Masaya and +Nandaime, heard of Walker’s march from Granada, he determined to attack +that place, supposing it to be left entirely defenceless. Gen. Fry had, +however, command at Granada; and although the regular force under his +orders was small, the citizens of the town, and the civil employees of +the government, brought the number of the Americans to about two hundred. +The force of Zavala was not less than seven hundred when he entered the +town, and it was probably swelled to nine hundred before the morning +of the 13th. Among his followers was a renegade named Harper, who, in +the previous April, had fled from Granada to join the Costa Ricans, +because his known character of pardoned convict from the California +penitentiary had prevented him from securing the position he expected in +the Nicaraguan army. + +When Walker heard of the attack on Granada he immediately ordered his +whole force to prepare for marching, and early on the morning of the 13th +he was proceeding with rapid steps to the relief of Fry and his little +garrison. Not long after nine o’clock, A.M., the returning Americans +heard frequent volleys of small arms in the town; and, on approaching +the Jalteva, they found a strong body of the enemy, with a small brass +gun, occupying both sides of the barricaded road. Colonel Markham, with +the First Infantry, was in advance; and the fire of the Allies was so +sharp and well-directed that, for a time, it arrested the progress of +the Infantry. In a few minutes, however, the Americans were brought to a +charge, and then the enemy disappeared, scattering in all directions and +leaving their gun behind them. Then the main body of the Nicaraguan force +proceeded rapidly toward the main Plaza, where they saw their flag yet +flying, and the town was soon cleared of the Allies. Zavala left another +piece, besides the one taken at the Jalteva, behind him: and the streets +were strewn with the bodies of his dead. Several prisoners of rank and +some wounded remained in the hands of the Nicaraguans. + +After Walker reached the Plaza, he ascertained that Zavala had attacked +the town early the day before, and that the little garrison had been +fighting the Allies for nearly twenty-four hours. The citizens of the +place acted with commendable courage, and some of them received wounds +they will carry to their graves in defence of their new homes. Major +Angus Gillis, acting recorder of the Oriental Department, had gone to +Nicaragua to revenge the death of a noble son who fell fighting at Rivas +on the eleventh of April; and while with all the vigor of youth he was +acting against the hated foe which had robbed him of his son, he received +a severe and painful wound in the face, injuring permanently the sight of +one eye, if not of both. John Tabor, the editor of the _Nicaraguense_, +had his thigh broken while defending his right to print and publish +his opinions in Central America. Douglass J. Wilkins had defended the +hospital, threatened almost every instant with assault, and he had +infused something of his own unquailing spirit into the weak and wasted +forms of those stretched on the beds and gathered up in the hammocks of +the several wards. The officers, too, attached to the several departments +of the army had been very serviceable in repulsing the attacks of the +Allies. Colonel Jones, paymaster-general, had directed the defence of +the government house on the corner of the Plaza; while Major Potter, of +the ordnance, was serviceable at many points, and particularly at the +guard-house near the church. It was on this occasion, too, that Captain +Swingle first displayed the skill and courage which made him so useful in +future operations. + +Nor did those, whose usual avocation was to preach peace, deem it +unworthy of their profession to strike a blow in defence of a cause +reviled and persecuted of men, but just and sacred in the eyes of those +familiar with the facts of the contest. It may not appear singular that +the judge of the Court of First Instance, Thomas Basye, used his rifle in +defence of the authority by which he held his commission; but the conduct +of Father Rossiter, a Catholic priest who had lately been appointed +chaplain of the army, is more likely to attract attention and inquiry. +But when we ascertain the acts of the Allies on their entrance to the +town, it will not surprise us to see even a priest of the church arm in +defence, from the attacks of those who acted like savages. This brings us +to some incidents which occurred during the attack on Granada, indicating +the character of the war the Allies were waging. + +Among the old American residents at Granada was John B. Lawless, a +native of Ireland but a naturalized citizen of the United States. He had +been for a number of years engaged in trade on the Isthmus, principally +in the purchase of hides and skins for export to New-York. Of a mild +temper and inoffensive manner he had conciliated even Granadian jealousy +by the honesty of his dealings and the integrity of his character. +During the first weeks of the occupation by the Americans he had been +of much service to the Legitimists by bringing their little grievances +and complaints to the attention of the general-in-chief; and his +intercessions were uniformly in favor of the native race, and in order to +protect them from the thoughtless conduct of the new-comers. So entire +was his faith in the good will of the Legitimists toward him, so perfect +was his confidence in the protection of his American citizenship, that +he refused, when opportunity offered, to repair to the Plaza to seek +the safety afforded by Nicaraguan arms. He remained in his house when +the soldiers of Zavala entered the town; and he was in the very act of +unfolding the American flag before his door, when the Guatemalans tore +him from his house, took him to the Jalteva, and there riddling his body +with bullets, vented their savage passions in stabbing the lifeless body +with their bayonets. + +Nor was Lawless the only victim of their violence. An agent of the +American Bible Society, Rev. D. H. Wheeler, was taken from his house and +murdered after the same fashion as Lawless. Rev. Wm. J. Ferguson, also, +a preacher of the Methodist denomination, was torn from the arms of his +wife and daughter, and met the same fate as Lawless and Wheeler. Not +satisfied with murdering these harmless persons, the brutal soldiers of +Carrera had robbed them of their clothes and thrown their naked bodies, +like dogs, into the public places. And in the house where Father Rossiter +was quartered, a crime even darker still was committed by the followers +of Zavala. When the Guatemalan troops entered the town the children of an +Englishman, who had lately arrived at Granada from New-York, were seated +at dinner. The group at the table consisted of a boy six years old, two +girls one four and the other two years old, and their nurse. A soldier +passing by the window pointed his musket at the innocent party, and +firing deliberately, killed the boy instantly. The nurse saved the girls +by flight to the next house, while the soldiers were forcing the doors +and windows of the room, where the dead boy lay. + +These injuries were done to persons claiming the protection of the +American flag; but that flag itself was the scoff and scorn of the +soldiers an unlettered savage had let loose on the plains of Nicaragua. +The American Minister, when the Allies attacked the town, lay nigh unto +death from the effects of a sudden illness, which had seized him a few +days previously. The ladies and other non-combatants had been sent to +the Minister’s house at the first moment of alarm; but it was well that +a small body of riflemen was also sent to protect them. The Minister was +not in a condition to take charge of the helpless persons at his house; +but his flag was waving its ample folds in front of the door, and this +was deemed sufficient protection from the Guatemalans. When the enemy, +however, got possession of the houses near the American legation, they +began firing at the “star-spangled banner,” and called on Mr. Wheeler to +come forth into the street. All the choice phrases of Spanish ribaldry +were poured over the name of the _Ministro filibustero_—the filibuster +Minister; and no epithet of hatred or contempt for the race of the North +was left unuttered by the old Legitimists of Granada. It was well for Mr. +Wheeler that the American Secretary of State about this time gave him +leave to return to Washington in order to report the condition of affairs +in Nicaragua—a civil way of telling the Minister his government had no +further need of his services. + +The loss of the Americans during the action of the 12th and 13th at +Masaya and Granada, was something upward of a hundred—twenty-five killed +and eighty-five wounded. The loss at Masaya was very slight: most of +the casualties occurred at Granada. A few were missing, principally +those belonging to the party Col. Fisher had taken from Masaya on the +evening of the 12th. Fisher returning toward Masaya by a different road +from that Walker took on the morning of the 13th, was surprised when he +reached the outskirts of the town to find himself in the presence of a +large detachment of the enemy. Hastily taking a side path toward Diria +and Diriomo he succeeded for a time in evading the enemy; but it was +not long before he again fell in with them, though not in such force as +previously. Then the Rangers and officers with Fisher found that the +heavy night-dew had made the Sharp’s carbines they carried unreliable, +the moisture getting in between the chamber and the barrel. Finally +the party separated, some soon finding their way to Granada, while it +was several days before others returned. Lieutenant-Colonel Lainé, +aide-de-camp to the general-in-chief, was taken prisoner by the Allies +and shot. As soon as his execution was certainly known at Granada two +Guatemalan officers, Lieutenant-Colonel Valderraman and Captain Allende, +were there shot in retaliation. + +The loss of the enemy at Granada was heavy. On the night of the 12th they +probably buried their dead of that day, as many new graves were found in +the neighborhood of the houses the Allies occupied. In addition to these, +nearly a hundred bodies were buried by the Americans after Zavala retired +to Masaya. The reports also stated that there were large numbers of +wounded not only carried from Granada but also of those hurt at Masaya on +the morning and afternoon of the 12th. + +The lake steamer, La Virgen, was lying near the wharf at Granada during +the action of the 12th and 13th; and late in the evening of the 13th +she left for Virgin Bay, carrying several officers who were returning +to the United States, and also Father Vigil for San Juan del Norte. The +curate of Granada was wiser in the ways of Central American warfare than +the Bible Society’s agent, Mr. Wheeler, or the Methodist preacher, Mr. +Ferguson: for as soon as he heard the Guatemalans were in the Jalteva he +fled into a swamp near the town and remained hid away until the retreat +of the enemy was entirely certain. Late in the afternoon of the 13th he +came to congratulate the general-in-chief on the victory obtained over +the Allies; and his congratulations ended in a request for a passport +to go aboard the steamer about to leave for Virgin Bay. Nor did the +good father feel easy until he was safely on the steamer beyond, as he +thought, the reach of the dreaded _Chapines_. + +A few days after the action of the 13th, the army received a valuable +accession in the person of Col. C. F. Henningsen, who arrived at Granada +in charge of arms and ordnance stores from New-York. When not more than +nineteen, Col. Henningsen had commenced his military career under the +Carlist leader, Zumalacarregui; and his service in Spain was well fitted +to qualify him for war in Nicaragua. Although an Englishman by birth, he +had spent most of his life on the continent of Europe; and after the +death of Zumalacarregui he had resided for some years in Russia. Finally +in 1849 he espoused the cause of Hungarian independence and came about +the same time as Kossuth to the United States. A day or two after he +reached Granada he was appointed brigadier-general, and charged specially +with the organization of the artillery and with directing the practice +with the Minié musket. Much dissatisfaction was evinced by many officers +at the rank given to Henningsen; nor were efforts wanting to create +prejudices against him because he was not an American. But his own worth +and merits soon overcame most of these prejudices, though in the breasts +of some officers jealousy lurked to the last. Walker, however, never +had reason to regret the confidence he early placed in the capacity of +Henningsen. + +The efficiency of the new brigadier-general was soon felt in the +organization of two companies of artillery and of a company of sappers +and miners. Full and detailed instructions for the use of the Minié +musket were written by Henningsen, and practice with this arm was carried +on for some days under his supervision. He had much to combat in the +idleness and indifference of the officers, too many of whom valued their +rank more as an excuse for indulging their ease than as an incentive +to difficult and arduous duty. He was more successful in the artillery +practice than with the new rifle-muskets; for among the officers of +artillery were several who had much pride of profession. The skill and +experience of Major Schwartz have been mentioned, and besides him, Capt. +Dulaney and Lieut. Stahle deserve mention. Capt. Ferrand had courage and +little else; his laziness was intolerable. Stahle was particularly useful +in the practice with howitzers and cochorn-mortars. The proper carriages +for the howitzers having arrived they were more fit for service than +before, and the mortars, being light and easy of transportation, carried +the same shell as the howitzers. The practice with the mortars was much +simplified by always using the same charge, and determining the distance +the projectile was to be sent entirely by the angle of elevation of the +piece. + +Meantime the Meridional Department was unprotected save by the schooner +Granada, lying in the port of San Juan del Sur. During August and +September Lieut. Fayssoux had been cruising first about the gulf of +Fonseca and then in the gulf of Nicoya, and finally off Realejo; but +he had not been able to see anything with a hostile flag. The presence +of the schooner at several points on the coast had kept the enemy in +constant fear, and the Granada had, in many ways, embarrassed the action +of the Allies. As the time, however, for the arrival of the steamer +from San Francisco approached it became necessary to send a guard for +the specie across the Transit and also to afford protection for the +passengers on the Isthmus. Hence Gen. Hornsby was, on November 2d, sent +from Granada to Virgin Bay with one hundred and seventy-five men. He +reached the Transit just in time to guard the specie brought down by the +Sierra Nevada. + +It was known that a detachment had been sent from Masaya for the purpose +of occupying Rivas; while the reports of a fresh force from Costa Rica, +with a view of co-operating with the Allies in the Meridional Department, +were frequent and continued. Therefore Hornsby was ordered to remain at +Virgin Bay with a view of holding the wharf, so that a force from Granada +might at any moment be landed; while Fayssoux remained in the port of +San Juan del Sur to keep the enemy uneasy in case they attempted the +occupation of that place. The log of the Granada shows how she performed +her part. On the 7th of November, “At 4.30 P.M.,” so the log reads, +“received a notice, dated 4 P.M. at one mile from San Juan, and signed +José M. Cañas, commanding vanguard of Costa Rican army, to surrender the +post without firing a shot; if I did so the citizens should be protected, +if not, no protection would be given; to which I paid no attention. At 5 +P.M. Mr. G. Rozet—United States inspector at San Juan—came on board with +a message that Gens. Bosque and Cañas were in the Plaza with six hundred +Costa Ricans; that they demanded the surrender of the schooner without +my firing a shot; if I did not the citizens would not be protected. I +replied I would not surrender, but not having the power to drive them +from the town I thought it would be prudent to run out of the harbor. +At 5.45 P.M. cast loose from the buoy, ran out and lay off the harbor.” +Then on the 8th the log proceeds: “Lying-to off the harbor. At 3.30 +P.M. received letters from the officer in command of San Juan, Guardio, +offering protection to all citizens that would deliver up their arms to +him, and from Mr. Rozet praying me not to come in, that if I did all +Americans would perish. My answer to Rozet was that I did not intend +to come in and for him to say to Guardio that I would not communicate +with the enemy. The persons who came off to me reported that the Costa +Ricans were looking hourly for a bark and two brigs, the latter armed and +carrying troops, the former with provisions and troops.” On the 10th: “At +12 M. close in the mouth of the harbor. Saw a number of mounted men, and +apparently about one hundred and fifty foot soldiers leave the town.” The +cause of their departure will appear by returning to the movements of +Gen. Hornsby at Virgin Bay. + +Although the nominal numbers of the infantry at Virgin Bay was 175, +their real strength was much less; and when, on the 10th, Hornsby +was reinforced by Sanders with 150 rifles and a howitzer under Capt. +Dulaney, he was not able to march against the enemy with more than 250 +men. Cañas had taken up a position on the hill over which the Transit +road passes about a mile beyond the Half-way House toward San Juan del +Sur. Just beyond the Half-way House there is a deep cut in the road, and +some hundred and fifty yards farther on there is a slight bridge thrown +across a deep ravine. The enemy had barricaded near the bridge, and thus +commanded a long stretch of the road, flanked on one side by rising +ground and on the other by the ravine. Captain Ewbanks, with a detachment +of Rifles, turned the right flank of the Costa Ricans defending the +bridge; and thus Hornsby was enabled to reach the foot of the hill where +the main body of Cañas was posted. When, however, the American general +reconnoitred the hill the Costa Ricans occupied, and saw the effect +produced on his men by the fire they had just passed through, he deemed +it prudent to retire without hazarding an attack. He therefore withdrew +to Virgin Bay, and repairing to Granada reported in person to Walker the +result of his march against Cañas. + +It was all-important to keep the Transit clear of any formidable force of +the Allies. The enemy were well aware of its importance to the Americans +when they styled the Transit the “highway of filibusterism.” Accordingly, +on the 11th, Walker repaired with 250 Rifles to Virgin Bay, taking also a +howitzer, a mortar, and a squad of sappers and miners. General Henningsen +accompanied the force with a view of directing the new corps which had +been formed under his supervision. The Artillery had not acted well on +the 10th, and the general was anxious for it to redeem its character. + +Walker landed on the afternoon of the 11th; and marched the same night to +the Half-way House, which he reached just before daybreak. After a short +rest, the advance resumed its march and had proceeded as far as the cut +in the road when the enemy opened fire from the same barricades near the +bridge they had occupied on the morning of the 10th. Captain Ewbanks, +being familiar with the ground, was ordered to make a large detour to the +left, and he thus succeeded as before in dislodging the Allies from their +barricades. The whole column then pushed forward without interruption +to the foot of the hill where Cañas held his whole force, probably 800 +strong. + +The enemy, chiefly Costa Ricans, occupied the very ground on which the +Democrats, a little over a year previously, had awaited in ambush the +approach of Corral from Rivas toward San Juan del Sur. Colonel Natzmer, +acting as aide to Valle in September, 1855, was therefore acquainted +with the sides of the hill on which the Democrats had then been placed. +Accordingly he was ordered to take the sappers and miners along the +hill-side to the right of the road and cut a path toward the top of +the hill and in the rear of the first barricades of the enemy. Captain +Johnson, with a company of Rifles, followed and protected the working +party. Captain Green was also sent in the rear of Johnson’s company; but +getting separated from those in advance, Green lost his way in the thick +undergrowth and was not seen for several hours afterward. + +The movement of Natzmer was covered by advancing the howitzer toward the +curve in the road fronting the first barricades of Cañas, and by sending +several shells into the works of the enemy. The fire of the allies was, +however, so fierce and well-directed as to make it prudent to withdraw +the howitzer, under cover, after a few rounds. On this occasion, the +artillerymen behaved with commendable coolness, and recovered, by their +steadiness under fire, some of the reputation they had lost on the 10th. +In the meanwhile, the Costa Ricans kept up an irregular fire of musketry +and rifles—for they had a number of riflemen with them—and Capt. Stith +lost his life by exposing his tall person for a moment in the middle of +the road. + +In the course of an hour and a half Col. Natzmer had succeeded in +reaching the point at which he aimed; but in the meantime the enemy, +becoming aware of his movement and fearful of its effects, prepared for +retreat. When Johnson and the Rifles reached the barricades, they were +already deserted, and Cañas was on his way toward San Juan del Sur. The +Americans then pushed on in pursuit, and as some of the Rangers were +well mounted, they, acting under the orders of Henningsen, pressed on +the rear of the enemy. Cañas conducted his retreat with deliberation +as far as San Juan, taking advantage of several points in the road to +delay the progress of the Americans; but, finally, near where the little +stream that runs into the sea on the edge of the town crosses the Transit +road, Henningsen, followed by Capt. Leslie, Lieut. Gaskill, and a few of +the Rangers, charged on the retreating foot soldiers and breaking them +completely, drove them at a rapid pace through San Juan and across the +river up the coast trail to Rivas. The enemy were so scattered after +passing San Juan that further pursuit would have been fruitless. + +Numbers of the Costa Ricans had, in the confusion of the retreat, escaped +from their ranks and taken the road to Guanacaste. Thus Cañas reached +Rivas with a force not only thinned by deaths and desertions, but also +discouraged and demoralized by defeat. It was evident, therefore, that he +could not soon take any measures to trouble the Transit; he could scarce +venture to show himself out of the barricades of Rivas. Hence Walker was +anxious to return immediately to Granada and again attack Belloso, while +Cañas was calling on him for aid in the Meridional Department. On the +13th, then, Walker marched from San Juan to Virgin Bay, and embarking +his force on the lake steamer, arrived the same night at Granada. Col. +Markham, with the First Infantry, was left at Virgin Bay. + +On the morning of the 15th, the Americans were again on the road from +Granada to Masaya. The force consisted of Sanders’ Rifles, and a company +of 2d Rifles, together with Jaquess’ Infantry, a body of Rangers, under +Waters, a few sappers and portions of the two companies of Artillery. +The whole strength was about 560 men. The Artillery consisted of a +twelve-pound howitzer, two small brass pieces, taken from the Allies, +and two of the small mortars. As the train of pack-mules, carrying the +ammunition, was long, and the day hot, the march was slow and fatiguing; +nor had the force passed over more than half the distance to Masaya, when +Walker ascertained that Jerez had marched toward Rivas with seven or +eight hundred men. In consequence of this information Jaquess, with his +Infantry, was ordered to return to Granada, and take a lake steamer for +Virgin Bay. Thus Walker reduced his own strength to less than 300 men. + +Major Henry, although scarcely able to walk, had mounted his mule and +followed the column marching on Masaya. Two or three miles from the edge +of the town he and Col. Thompson succeeded in passing the advanced guard, +and coming on a picket of the enemy charged it at full gallop. The picket +fled like deer, one of them leaving his hat, with a hole made by a bullet +from Henry’s revolver, and the blood sprinkled over the coarse straw of +the crown. This incident, while it shows the excess of courage animating +some of the officers in Nicaragua, also proves how difficult it was to +restrain their valor within the limits of order and regularity; though it +is probable Henry and Thompson were not aware of the fact that they had +passed the guard, owing to the neglect of the officer in charge of the +advance to perform his duty. + +As the Rangers in front approached the small huts on the edge of Masaya, +the enemy opened a heavy fire of musketry, and Waters drawing his men to +the right of the road, in order to cover them with the heavy tropical +vegetation, gave room for the Rifles to pass. In entering by the plazuela +of San Sebastian, the road passes through a cut, on each side of which +are scattered small reed huts, in the midst of plantain patches. The +Allies, posted in the plantain patches, poured a most destructive fire +into the Rifles as they advanced. Sanders, however, contrived to move +toward the plazuela, deploying his men on each side of the road; while +Henningsen, pushing the howitzer close to the enemy, poured into them a +rapid rain of canister. For several minutes the fighting was furious; +but finally the firing became less and less, and the enemy falling back +into the main part of the town, left the Americans in possession of the +suburbs. + +But the ground had not been gained without severe loss. The Nicaraguans +had lost more than fifty-six killed, and more than forty wounded. Lieut. +Stahle, a valuable officer of artillery, had fallen beside his gun, +and Major Schwartz had been wounded. Besides this, several of the best +officers of the Rifles had been severely hurt. Capt. Ewbanks and Lieut. +C. H. West had received painful and dangerous wounds; and Col. Natzmer +was struck down by a spent ball hitting him back of the ear. The approach +of night, too, no less than the nervous state of the command, exhausted +by the excitement and heavy loss, made it expedient to encamp on the high +ground abandoned by the enemy. Hence orders were given to unpack the +mules, and post the pickets for the night. + +In the condition, however, of the force, it was far easier to issue +orders than to have them executed. Owing to the darkness, it was some +time before the wounded could be got together near the centre of the +camp, and the surgeons had some difficulty in dressing their wounds in +the dark. As the general-in-chief passed from one point to another, in +order to see his commands executed, he found so many of the officers +in such a state of languor and exhaustion, that they were incapable of +controlling their men. Some of them during the long march had taken a +great deal of liquor, and this, as well as the excitement of the conflict +dying out, left them utterly deprived of moral strength. It was only by +his personal exertions that Walker obtained any security for the camp; +and never, during the whole time he was in Nicaragua, did he find it so +difficult, as on that night to have his orders executed. The will of the +force seemed to be momentarily paralyzed by the fierce fire through which +it had passed. + +The night was long and tedious; but finally day broke, and the men +somewhat refreshed by the short and interrupted sleep they had procured, +were again ready for action. Major Schwartz, with admirable accuracy, +threw a few shells from the howitzer into the houses near the plazuela +of San Sebastian; and then Major Caycee advancing with a few of the +Second Rifles, got possession of the little square apparently just +abandoned by the Allies. Soon the wounded were comfortably quartered in +the small church of San Sebastian; and after the troops had taken a +hearty breakfast, their spirits were as good as ever. The sappers began +their work cutting through the houses on each side of the street running +into the right-hand corner of the main Plaza as you approach from San +Sebastian. The cuts made through the adobe houses, during the attack of +the 12th of October, were also found serviceable. + +The work of the sappers was, however, slow; and while they were advancing +in front under the protection of a company of Rifles, it was several +times necessary to defend the plazuela from the attacks of the Allies. +But the enemy, after several repulses with loss, seemed to conclude that +they were exhausting their strength fruitlessly by these demonstrations +against the rear of the Americans. Then, too, the front having got so far +toward the Plaza that it was inconvenient to keep up communications with +San Sebastian, Walker pushed his whole available force close up to the +enemy, burning the houses behind him so as to protect his rear. Moving +thus during the 16th and 17th, the Americans had on the evening of the +latter day, got within twenty-five or thirty yards of the houses on the +Plaza held by the enemy. + +General Henningsen had established a mortar battery in a hut near the +enemy, and a few shells thrown from it were quite effective. But the +fuses were, as before noticed, too short-timed, and the shells at the +disposal of the Nicaraguans were too few to justify any lavish use of +them. This, in fact, was a main reason for the small effects produced by +the mortars and howitzers (when shells were used in the latter) during +the whole campaign. In addition to the defective fuses, and the small +supply of shells, the effects of three days’ labor and fighting were +seen in the lassitude of the men and the almost utter impossibility of +having guard duty properly performed. Although the Allies were clearly +disheartened by the approach of the Americans, it would have required +some time longer to drive them from the town; and Walker, anxious about +the Transit, resolved to retire to Granada, preparatory to an abandonment +of the Oriental Department. + +Accordingly, near midnight of the 17th, after a few hours’ rest in the +early part of the evening, the Americans silently abandoned the houses +they held and took up the line of march for Granada. In the darkness +of the night the force was divided for a little while, but it was soon +re-united and pursued its way toward the lake. The loss during the +three days was nearly a hundred—one third of the whole number which +attacked Masaya; and the long line of the wounded mounted on horses, +necessarily impeded the march to Granada. But in spite of the exhaustion +of the command, the march was regular and the force was kept compactly +together. General Henningsen, with a howitzer, kept the rear well closed +up, and secured it from any annoyances the enemy might have attempted. +The Allies, however, did not trouble the retiring Americans; they were +probably glad enough to be rid of such troublesome neighbors. On the +morning of the 18th, Walker again entered Granada; and he soon after +announced to Henningsen his determination to abandon the place. + + + + +Chapter Tenth. + +THE RETREAT FROM GRANADA. + + +The obstinate resistance of the Allies at Masaya was due mainly to the +fact that they had received a reinforcement of about eight hundred +Guatemalans the very day they were attacked. It was these Guatemalans who +had been placed in the plantain patches a few hours after they reached +Masaya; and ignorant of the effects of American rifles they had kept +their ground longer than any other portion of the allied force would have +maintained it. During the three days’ fighting, however, the fire had +been taken from the new men of Belloso; and his losses had been such that +it was supposed he would scarcely be able to move without fresh troops. +Hence Walker imagined the evacuation of Granada might be effected without +any interruption from the enemy. He had, however, determined to destroy +as well as abandon Granada; and as this duty required skill and firmness, +he decided to intrust the task to Henningsen. + +Preparations for the retreat from Granada were begun on the 19th. +The sick and wounded in the hospital were placed on a steamer for +transportation to Omotepe Island. In order to make the movement as rapid +as possible, both the lake steamers, the San Carlos and La Virgen, were +engaged for the service. On the 20th Walker repaired to Virgin Bay with +the view of having all ready for a march to San Jorge or to Rivas, after +the destruction of Granada. He supposed that the government property and +stores would be at Virgin Bay on the 21st or the 22d, at latest: but +several causes delayed the movement. There was a great deal of property +scattered through Granada, belonging to officers and soldiers, and each +one tried to save everything he owned. Besides, as soon as the idea got +abroad that the town was to be destroyed the work of plunder began, and +liquor being abundant, nearly every man able to do duty was more or +less under its influence. Henningsen found it impossible to restrain +the passions of the officers, and these, in turn, lost all control over +their men. On the 22d, however, Fry had removed the women and children, +as well as the sick and wounded, to the island, and had with him a guard +of about sixty men. Henningsen had removed most of the ordnance stores +to the steamer, and was proceeding with the destruction of the city. As +the burning went on the excitement of the scene increased the thirst +for liquor, and soldiers thought it a pity to waste so much good wine +and brandy. In spite of guards and sentries, orders and officers, the +drunkenness went on, and the town presented more the appearance of a wild +Bacchanalian revel than of a military camp. Of course, Belloso soon knew +the state of affairs at Granada, and on the afternoon of the 24th the +town was attacked by the Allies. + +At Virgin Bay the Infantry of Markham and of Jaquess were in a very +disorganized condition. It being the close of the rainy season there +was much fever in the camp; and the contrast between the quarters at +Granada and at Virgin Bay, as well as the scarcity of vegetables in the +rations at the latter point, depressed the spirits of the officers no +less than of the soldiers. There were some choice men who seemed more +cheerful at the prospect of difficulty and danger and privation; but such +organizations are rare in every time and among every people. They are, +unfortunately, the exceptions and not the rule. + +To add to the general gloom, on the morning of the 23d, news came from +San Juan del Sur that the schooner Granada had gone out of the harbor to +engage a Costa Rican brig, and the people of the town had watched the +fight by the flashes of the guns, until a broad bright light, accompanied +by a loud noise as of thunder, led them to suppose one of the vessels had +been blown up. Couriers arrived at Virgin Bay from time to time during +the night of the 23d, announcing it as the general impression at San +Juan that Fayssoux had blown up his schooner rather than let her fall +into the hands of the enemy. This report, while it shows the opinions +held by the people as to the inevitable result of a conflict between a +vessel of the size of the Costa Rican brig and the little schooner, also +indicates the idea they had formed of the character of the commander of +the Granada. The failure of the schooner to enter the harbor during the +night confirmed the impression of the townspeople; and at Virgin Bay few, +besides the general-in-chief, doubted the correctness of the conclusions +drawn from the light and the explosion. + +On the morning of the 24th, however, the schooner was seen coming into +port, and although her deck seemed covered with more than her complement +of men, she cast anchor as usual in the harbor. In a little while the +news spread that it was the enemy’s vessel which had been blown up the +night before. The log of the schooner for the 23d tells the story thus: +“Commences with light breezes from the N. and E., and pleasant. At 4 P.M. +saw a sail off the harbor; hove up anchor, and stood out to her. At 5h. +45m. she hoisted Costa Rica colors. At 6, within four hundred yards of +her; she fired round shot and musketry at us. At 8 we blew her up. At 10 +we had taken from the sea her captain and forty of her men. Her name was +Once de Abril, Capt. Antonie Villarostra; crew, 114 men and officers; +guns 4, 9 lbs. calibre. The captain states that he was about surrendering +when she blew up. All were lost and killed but those that I picked up. I +had one man, Jas. Elliot, killed; Mathew Pilkington dangerously wounded, +Dennis Kane seriously, and six others slightly. Light breezes; stood in +for the harbor.” + +The simplicity of the narrative reveals a feature in its author’s +character; but it needs the commentary of the schooner’s size, and +crew, and armament, to make its fall force felt. The Granada was about +seventy-five tons burden, and had on board during the action with the +Once de Abril twenty-eight persons all told, and among them were a boy +and four citizens of San Juan. She carried two six-pound carronades, +and had not more than 180 rounds of ball and canister. No wonder the +people on shore imagined that a fight of two hours at close distance (for +they knew, they said, Fayssoux would bring the brig to close work), had +disabled the Granada to such an extent as to induce her commander to blow +her up. + +The destruction of the brig was caused by a ball fired into her from the +schooner, the shot probably striking some iron or caps in the magazine. +The Costa Ricans, however, and the people of Nicaragua, imagined it was +effected by some new missile the Americans had invented. Many of the +prisoners were badly burned; and they appeared grateful and somewhat +surprised at the care the surgeons bestowed on their wounds. The captain +was badly hurt, but after some time his burns were healed, and passage +was given him on the steamer to Panama. The prisoners who could walk +were soon released, and passports were given them for Costa Rica. When +they reached home their reports did much to correct the prejudices the +Moras had created against the Americans; and the released prisoners were +finally silenced by the orders of the government. None of them, however, +could ever be forced to march to Nicaragua. + +The day after the action with the Once de Abril, Fayssoux was promoted to +the rank of captain, and the estate of Rosario, near Rivas, was bestowed +on him for the signal services he had rendered the republic. The result +of this first sea-fight with the enemy, the disparity of numbers and +guns, as well as the decisive character of the contest, gave new life to +the men at Virgin Bay. Even the mean quarters and scanty rations of the +village were, for a while, forgotten in the new glory the Granada had +won for the red star flag of Nicaragua. And when, late in the evening of +the 24th, news came that Henningsen was attacked at Granada, it did not +interrupt the cheerfulness inspired by the success of the schooner off +San Juan. + +About three o’clock in the afternoon of the 24th the Allies attacked +Henningsen at three points almost at the same moment.[4] One body of the +enemy appeared in the Jalteva, another on the side of the San Francisco +church, while a third body attacked the Guadalupe church on the street +leading from the main Plaza to the Playa of the Lake. Major Swingle with +a few cannon-shot soon caused the force in the Jalteva to disappear; +while O’Neal resisted the advance of the enemy on the side of San +Francisco. At the Guadalupe, however, the Allies were more successful. +They not only gained possession of the church of Guadalupe, but also +commanded the church of Esquipulas, about half way between the former and +the Plaza. Thus a small body of men at the fort and on the wharf engaged +in sending freight aboard of the steamers were entirely cut off from +Henningsen and the main body of Americans. + +Soon after the enemy appeared around Granada Lieut. O’Neal had fallen; +and his brother Calvin, half frantic from the loss, called on Henningsen +to permit him to charge the enemy forming near the church of San +Francisco. The Allies were between four and five hundred strong; but +O’Neal, in his fury, thought not of numbers, and every other feeling +was drowned in grief for a brother’s death. At a convenient moment the +general gave him thirty-two picked Rifles and let him loose on the enemy. +O’Neal, barefooted and in his shirt sleeves, leaped on his horse, and +calling on his Rifles to follow, dashed into the midst of the Allies as +they formed near the old church. The men, fired by the spirit of their +leader, followed in the same fierce career, dealing death and destruction +on the terrified foe. The Allies were entirely unprepared for O’Neal’s +sudden, dashing charge, and they fell as heedless travellers before the +blast of the simoom. The slaughter made by the thirty-two Rifles was +fearful, and so far were O’Neal and his men carried by the “rapture of +the strife” that it was difficult for Henningsen to recall them to the +Plaza. When they did return it was through streets almost blocked with +the bodies of the Guatemalans they had slain. This charge well closed the +fighting on the first day of the attack. + +At daybreak on the 25th, Henningsen had concentrated his force and was +able to ascertain his real strength. He had only 227 men capable of +bearing arms, and was encumbered with 73 wounded and 70 women, children, +and sick persons. Twenty-seven had been cut off on the wharf, while Capt. +Hesse with 22 men had been lost, either killed or taken prisoners, at +the Guadalupe church. Henningsen had also seven guns and four mortars; +but his supply of ammunition for these was so short as to make them of +much less service than they might have been. This force was, during the +night of the 24th, concentrated near the Plaza, and it held the adobe +houses on each side of the principal street leading from the main square +by the churches of Esquipulas and Guadalupe to the lake. A breastwork was +built from the parish church on one side of the mouth of this street to +the guard-house on the other side; and the Americans were also partially +protected from the enemy by the burning buildings around and near the +main Plaza. + +During the 25th, Henningsen, while repelling the advances the enemy were +constantly attempting to make, pushed on toward the Esquipulas, driving +the Allies from the huts and small houses of the neighborhood; and in +the afternoon he succeeded in getting possession of the church. The hot +embers had prevented the enemy from occupying Esquipulas; but they had +loopholed several huts near, and thus, for some time, kept the Americans +from getting possession. After a second charge, however, the Allies were +driven from their barricades in the brush as well as from the huts they +held; and thus the way was open for the advance of the Americans toward +Guadalupe. The losses during the day were small; and the wounds slight. + +On the 26th, all the houses on the Plaza were destroyed, except the +church, the guard-house, and one or two others. Still the operations were +delayed by the too free use of liquor; and it was difficult to get work +done at the time and in the way it was ordered. The general commanding +found himself unable to keep together a sufficient force to aid in the +attempts he made against the Guadalupe church. In the efforts to gain +this point much of the slender supply of shot and shell were exhausted +without making any impression on the defences of the enemy; and the +Americans, on the contrary, were somewhat discouraged by the success of +the Allies in knocking away the works they hastily built. About sunset +Henningsen gave up the attempt on Guadalupe, with a loss of sixteen +killed and wounded. In addition to this loss several officers had been +hurt during the day at different points; and Col. Jones had received a +wound which kept him on his back for many weeks afterward. Fortunately, +after this, the supply of brandy in the American camp was scanty; and the +allied soldiers having got some of the liquor left in the town, it is +probable, that Belloso found difficulty in managing its distribution. + +Soon after giving up the attempt on Guadalupe, Henningsen heard heavy +firing, as he supposed toward the north; and then prolonged shouts coming +apparently from the same direction. He fancied, at the time, it might +be a relieving force, which had been landed to the north of the town; +but it was really the firing and shouts of the Allies at the attack they +made on the men at the old fort, which had been partially destroyed for +the purpose of building a wharf. This point was held for two days by +the captain of police, Grier, assisted by some twenty-five of his men +and of other civil employees of the government. On the evening of the +25th, Walker hearing no news from Granada after the attack, took the +steamer San Carlos, which anchored off the wharf early on the morning +of the 26th. The general-in-chief seeing the red-star flag flying on +the parochial church, and the smoke of the burning houses constantly +rising in new directions, inferred that Henningsen, not having completed +the destruction of the town at the time of the attack, was delayed on +the Plaza more through choice in the complete execution of orders, than +by any necessity the Allies had imposed. But perceiving the importance +of holding the fort for Henningson’s ready communication with the lake, +Walker sent to the wharf in order to ascertain the state and the wants +of its defenders. Grier sent word that his men were in good spirits, +confident of holding the position, and that all they wished was, after +a while, some provision and ammunition. At dark, a boat was sent from +the San Carlos to the wharf with the articles required; but then the +aide, who went in the boat, reported, on his return, that the spirits +of the men were failing. The change was due to the desertion of a young +Venezuelan, Tejada, who had been released from chains by the Americans, +on the 13th of October, 1855. The consciousness that their exact number +and condition were reported to the enemy by Tejada, made the men nervous +of an attack on the fort. By their courage and skill in the use of their +weapons they had given the Allies the idea, that they were much stronger +than they really were; but now, the deserter, by destroying the delusion +of the enemy, also destroyed the confidence of drier and his men. + +Scarcely had the aide-de-camp returned to the San Carlos before the heavy +firing Henningsen heard on the evening of the 26th was also heard aboard +of the steamer. The frequent flashes of discharging small arms formed +a circle of fire around the wharf, and the deep, prolonged volleys of +musketry, so distinct from the short, sharp crack of the rifle, told +that the enemy were doing most of the work; nor were the shouts from +the shore such as come from the lusty lungs of defiant or triumphant +Americans. In a short time, too, a man swam to the steamer, and saying he +had escaped from the wharf, told the story of its capture by the allies. +The deserter, Tejada, had not only given the number of Grier’s men to +the enemy, but had also pointed out how the wharf in the rear of the +Americans might be reached with a large iron launch on the beach. At the +same time Grier was assailed in the rear, a large force attacked him in +front, and, paralyzed by the combined assault as well as by the number +of the enemy, the Americans were nearly all killed or wounded, and taken +prisoners without a serious struggle. Well does the conduct of these men, +before and after the desertion of Tejada, illustrate the oft-repeated +remark of the great captain, “that in war the moral is to the physical as +three to one.” + +On the 27th, Henningsen moved his wounded from the parochial church, and +the difficulty with which the labor was begun shows the indisposition of +his force to do any work except fighting. Some of the Jamaica negroes, +who had been at work on the lake steamer, and were caught in the town +accidentally, were of service for fatigue duty; nor were prisoners from +the guard-house entirely useless. After the wounded had been removed, a +few hundred pounds of damaged powder were put under one of the towers of +the church, and all the houses remaining on the Plaza were fired. The +enemy tried to press on the Americans as they left the main square, +but they were kept back by a few riflemen in the church towers until +Henningsen was ready to withdraw. When all was prepared, the Americans +abandoned the Plaza, and as they retired put a match to a train reaching +the damaged powder under the church. The fire reached the powder, blowing +the tower high into the air just as the too eager enemy were crowding +into the Plaza, of which they had so long strove to get the mastery. + +The town was now almost entirely destroyed, and Henningsen having got +his force completely together, determined to make another attempt on +the Guadalupe church. He was now able to control sixty good men for the +assault, and the spirits of his command were raised by the success of +previous operations. Besides the sixty riflemen for the attack, there +were twenty-four artillerymen at the three six-pounders, and after seven +rounds from each of the guns, rapidly fired into the Guadalupe, the +Rifles rushed to the assault. But the enemy had abandoned the church +before the Americans reached it, and thus the most important point +between the Plaza and the Lake was carried without the loss of a single +man. Immediately the wounded, ammunition, stores, and guns, were moved +to the Guadalupe, and Major Henry was ordered, with twenty-seven men, to +take possession of two huts in the low ground between the church and the +lake. + +Henry forthwith executed the order, and soon reported that, from +appearances, he expected an early attack by the enemy. He also advised +the abandonment of one of the huts, adding that he could hold the other +during the night. Henningsen urged him to hold the single hut as long as +possible, and promised reinforcements; but the confusion of the move to +the Guadalupe not being yet over, only ten riflemen, with Col. Schwartz +and his howitzer, could be sent to Henry’s assistance. Nor was it long +after dark when the enemy, under the shade of the thick plantain walks +and mango trees, crept up toward the huts, with the hope of surprising +the Americans. But a vigilant eye was watching their movements, and +Henry, sending a few rifle shots among them, discovered their position +and strength by the answering volleys of musketry. Then the howitzer +threw its canister into the allied ranks, spreading death and confusion +among the numerous body attacking Henry’s position. The enemy were driven +back with severe loss. + +After this repulse of the Allies Henningsen re-organized his force and +found it stronger than he had supposed. He formed forty of the best men +into a main guard, holding them in reserve for immediate and urgent use. +A company of fifteen were detailed to guard the doors and windows of +the Guadalupe church; while twenty were selected for the defence of the +enclosure in the rear. Ten men were assigned to each of the six guns +at the church, and besides these it was found there were yet thirty to +spare. The latter were formed into a lower main guard and sent to report +to Henry at the hut in the low ground. It will thus be seen that the +fighting men, then for duty, numbered two hundred and ten. + +Nor was the increase of strength by the new and more efficient +organization the only added force Henningsen now had. The men recovering +from the effects of debauchery in the town and seeing the necessity for +laborious effort were more willing to work than they had hitherto been. +During the night of the 27th, they worked with a vigor which surprised +their commander, and by daybreak of the 28th, they had finished an +adobe breastwork the general had scarcely hoped to see completed. Major +Swingle, by his industry and intelligence, did much to forward the labors +of the men, and it would have been difficult for Henningsen to find a +man more capable than Swingle of directing the execution of any orders +he might issue. But the concentration of the force at the Guadalupe, +while it enabled Henningsen to complete an organization whereby his +men were more readily handled, had its inconveniences and dangers. The +crowding together of more than three hundred persons, many of them sick +and wounded was calculated to affect the health of the camp; and the +exposed nature of the ground where Henry was posted, commanded as it was +by several points in the hands of the enemy, made it impossible to move +non-combatants thither until it was properly entrenched. + +On the 28th the enemy, under cover of a flag of truce, sent into the +American camp a renegade by the name of Price, together with an aide +of Zavala, bearing a letter to “the commander-in-chief of the remains +of Walker’s forces.” This letter invited the commanding officer, for +humanity’s sake, to surrender himself and soldiers prisoners-of-war, +promising them safety and passports to leave the country. Price, too, +at his entrance into the camp urged the men to give up their arms +as they were surrounded by three thousand of the Allies, but Price +was immediately arrested and silenced, and a defiant reply to their +insulting invitation was forthwith despatched to the leaders of the +hostile forces. The aide was evidently sent as a spy, for he entered +without being blindfolded or duly introduced, and Henningsen showed his +contempt for the Allied leaders by telling the officer he might pass +through his camp and observe all his defences. + +The enemy, finding it was necessary to use more vigorous means than +words in order to get the Americans out of the positions they held, made +several efforts to regain the church of Guadalupe. At three o’clock in +the afternoon of the 28th, they tried to storm the church, but were +repulsed with severe loss. Then at eight the same evening they attempted +to surprise the position. The night was dark, and a large force got +within eighty yards of the breastwork in the rear of the church before +they were discovered. Major Swingle with two six-pounders poured canister +rapidly into the approaching columns, and the blaze of the enemy’s +musketry showing their position, the guns were used with deadly effect. +In a short time the Allies were again repulsed, and without the waste of +rifle caps, now becoming scarce in Henningsen’s camp. Several other faint +attacks were afterward made on the church, but it was clear that the +officers of the Allies could not drive their soldiers to an assault. + +The entrenchments near Henry’s position were not sufficiently advanced to +admit of the removal of the sick and wounded until the 1st of December. +In the meanwhile cholera and typhus broke out in the Guadalupe. The +crowded state of the church, the numbers of sick and wounded, and the +bad air from the decaying bodies of the enemy’s dead, tended to produce +sickness; and the tendency was increased by the exposure to night air +and rains. The camp was now subsisting on mule and horse meat with small +rations of flour and coffee; but this diet, sufficiently wholesome, had +little to do with the disease which appeared. The Allies also perished +in large numbers by cholera and fever; yet they had an excellent quality +and great variety of subsistence. Among the allied officers who died of +cholera was the commander of the Guatemalan forces, Gen. M. Paredes. His +death left Zavala in command of the Guatemalan contingent. + +The cholera was a more fearful enemy to the Americans than any by which +they were surrounded. Hence it was important to hasten the removal of +the sick and wounded to the entrenchments in the low ground; and after +they left the Guadalupe disease diminished and the cholera almost +entirely disappeared. About seventy men remained in the church; but its +garrison was gradually reduced to thirty rifles under the command of +Lieut. Sumpter Williamson. His steady courage and cheerful spirits made +him competent, even with the small force at his disposal, to hold the +position against any attempts of the enemy; and it was always easy for +Henningsen, in an emergency, to strengthen him with fresh men. + +But the cholera did not leave until it had taken off some of the most +useful persons in the American camp. Among these was Mrs. Bingham, the +wife of Edward Bingham, the actor. While the disease was worst in the +Guadalupe, she had been constantly employed in the care of the sick; +and her unwearied kindness and attention had probably enabled many to +overcome the fatal epidemic. But she was herself finally seized and +carried off by the disease in a few hours. + +After moving the main part of his force to Henry’s position, Henningsen +endeavored to work his way to the lake while keeping open his +communications with Williamson in the church. For several days the enemy +strove constantly to interrupt these communications. But all their +attempts failed; and while the Americans held their ground against the +enemy, the ordnance officers were increasing the supplies of ammunition. +Major Rawle, one of the original fifty-eight, was possessed of untiring +industry; and Major Swingle was fertile in resources and most ingenious +in all mechanical contrivances. They made round shot by piling up small +pieces of iron in sand hollowed on a six-pound ball, and then pouring +lead over the iron pieces so as to hold them together. Thus the effective +strength of the artillery was much increased; and the general was enabled +to count on it as a means for breaking through the enemy’s lines in case +such a step became necessary or advisable. + +On the 8th Zavala sent another letter to Henningsen, imploring him to +surrender, and saying that he need expect no assistance from Walker, +as the steamers had arrived at San Juan del Sur and San Juan del Norte +without bringing any passengers for Nicaragua. But the Nicaraguan general +did not condescend to give a written reply to the Guatemalan officer. +He merely sent the message that he could parley only “at the cannon’s +mouth.” The men now began to be discouraged at the frequent appearance +of the steamers on the lakes without the landing of a relieving force; +and the enemy not moving it was necessary to send the Americans to +attack some indigo vats on their right to keep them from dwelling on the +condition in which they were placed by the Allies. The provisions were +nearly exhausted; and the men had commenced discussing among themselves +the necessity of breaking through the enemy’s lines, when, on the morning +of the 12th, the steamer, La Virgen, again appeared off the port. + +While the retreat from Granada was thus embarrassed by the large and +constantly recruited force the Allies had brought against Henningsen, the +troops in the Meridional Department were not prepared to relieve their +beleagured comrades. Walker was almost constantly on the lake, watching +the progress and attempting to ascertain the position of Henningsen; and +when, at intervals, he returned to Virgin Bay, he usually found the force +there nervous and apprehensive of an attack from Cañas and Jerez who +then held Rivas. Jaquess, commanding at Virgin Bay, had more knowledge +of tactics than of other branches of the military art more important +in the operations of irregular war; and he permitted the most alarming +reports as to the strength and resources of the enemy to be circulated in +his camp. His men were worn out by heavy guard duty, and all the spirit +was taken out of them by being kept in a state of constant anxiety and +watchfulness. + +Nor was the camp at Omotepe, whither the main hospital of the army had +been temporarily removed, in a less uneasy mood than the Infantry at +Virgin Bay. Fry had some sixty men capable of duty, and there were with +him several efficient officers. It was impossible for the enemy, in any +numbers, to reach the island, even if they had been able to spare the +force from the position they held. But there were constant rumors of +barges passing from San Jorge to Omotepe with arms for the use of the +Indians on the east side of the island. Knowing well that but few of +the Indians on Omotepe could be used against the Americans, even if the +Allies had been able to furnish them all with arms, Walker felt confident +that no serious attack could be made on the little village where the +hospital had, for the time, been fixed. + +On the morning of the 2d of December the general-in-chief went aboard +of the lake steamer, with a view of visiting Granada. Just before the +anchor was hove, a courier from San Juan del Sur announced the arrival +of the Orizaba with eighty men for Nicaragua. The steamer was getting +under weigh when a small canoe, with three men in it, approached the +vessel from the direction of Omotepe. The men from the canoe were taken +aboard the steamer, and they reported that the Americans on the island +had been attacked the night previously by a large body of Indians. The +tale of these three persons was indistinct, but as they had been out +during the night and were shivering from exposure to the damp, chilly +air, it was more charitable to impute the confusion of their story to +cold than to fear. The steamer was forthwith ordered to the island, and +the general-in-chief took the most intelligent of the three fugitives to +the cabin and dosing him with a half-tumblerful of whiskey, tried to get +out of him the true state of affairs at Omotepe. All he could get out of +the man was that every soul on the island, sick and wounded, women and +children, had probably been murdered. The cowardly fellow was not ashamed +to live and tell the tale. + +As the steamer approached the island one of the large iron launches +used by the Transit Company for loading freight and passengers was seen +drifting in the lake, without sail or rudder, and filled with a crowd +of men, women, and children, in all varieties of dress and humor. It +was some comfort to see that everybody on the island was not killed; +though the forlorn condition of the launch’s passengers was well fitted +to excite pity and compassion. Among them, two or three ladies who had +been delicately brought up, bore their trials and sufferings with more +patience than the stoutest men; while some of the women, viragos in +appearance, as soon as they were safely aboard the steamer, loosened +their tongues and gave free play to their long-restrained feelings. Soon +the steamer anchored off the village where Fry was quartered; and he +immediately reported that the Indians had attacked the Americans merely +to get a chance of rifling their trunks, and that they had disappeared +not long after daylight. Some of the men capable of bearing arms, and +even some officers, had disgraced themselves by deserting women and +children, as well as the sick and wounded, at the first alarm. Two or +three of these men, as they might by courtesy be called, escaped to the +main land before the passengers by the Orizaba left Virgin Bay; and thus +the report was sent to the United States that all the people of Omotepe +had been massacred by the Indians. + +Leaving the island and going to Granada, Walker remained there only long +enough to see that Henningsen had reached the huts half way between the +Guadalupe and the lake; then, returning to Virgin Bay, he proceeded to +organize the new men who had arrived from California on the Orizaba. The +spirits of Jaquess’ men had been revived by the arrival of these fresh +recruits; and in a short time the main portion of the troops at Virgin +Bay were ready for a march to San Jorge. On the afternoon of the 3d +December, the Americans occupied San Jorge, without any opposition from +Cañas, then at Rivas with some seven or eight hundred men. The sick at +Virgin Bay, as well as the army stores and government property collected +there, were carried to San Jorge on the lake steamers; and the fine +air of that village, together with the improved quarters and rations, +diminished the sick list and increased materially the effective force of +the several companies. + +When nearly the whole American strength in the Meridional Department had +been concentrated at San Jorge, the hospital at Omotepe, together with +the women and children there, were removed to the main land. Many of +the native women and families had followed the army in its retreat from +Granada, and many of these were supplied with quarters and rations by +the proper officers of the Nicaraguan forces. The trunks and chests of +most had suffered from the foray the Indians made on the island; but the +delightful air of the isthmian December rendered the loss less severe +than might be imagined. + +In the meanwhile the steamer from New-Orleans arrived at San Juan del +Norte with nearly two hundred and fifty passengers for Nicaragua. On +the afternoon of the 6th these persons reached Virgin Bay; and on the +morning of the 7th they arrived at San Jorge. They were mostly under +the direction of Lockridge, who had gone to the United States during +the previous summer to encourage emigration to Central America. A small +company of these men, commanded by Captain G. W. Crawford, was assigned +to the Rangers; while the remainder were organized into a new corps, +called the Second Rifles, (the old Second Rifles being dissolved,) and +placed under the command of Major W. P. Lewis. Crawford’s company were, +for the most part, supplied with saddles and revolvers they had brought +from the United States; and the rifle, commonly called Mississippi, was +issued to them. Major Lewis’ men were armed with Minié muskets. + +Lockridge had brought to San Jorge about 235 men; and these, together +with the men from California, raised the number of recruits to more than +300. The men from California were, for the most part, distributed into +two companies, commanded respectively by Capt. Farrell and Capt. Wilson. +Farrell was ordered to report to Waters for duty with the Rangers; while +Wilson was attached to the new command of Lewis. These fresh men were in +good spirits, and all anxious to see some fighting. Nor had they long to +wait for active service. Sanders was ordered to take Higley’s company, +the strongest of Lewis’s command, and proceed to Granada with a view of +ascertaining Henningsen’s position. It was supposed that Henningsen had +probably been able to reach the lake; and if such were the case, Higley’s +company would suffice to aid his embarkation. But Sanders returned and +reported that Henningsen appeared not to have advanced further than the +position he held between Guadalupe and the beach on the 2d; and it was +certain that he was altogether unable to communicate with the lake shore. +Rumors also came by the way of Nandaime, through native channels, to the +effect that the Americans were suffering from disease and famine in the +church of Guadalupe. + +Accordingly on the 11th, Higley’s and Wilson’s companies were ordered +to report to Waters; and these, together with Leslie’s, Farrell’s, and +Crawford’s companies of Rangers, formed a body of 160 men. Waters soon +had his men embarked on the steamer La Virgen; and the general-in-chief +accompanied the command. Besides the Rangers and the two companies of +Rifles, several volunteers requested leave to act under Waters. Lockridge +appeared anxious for action; and although no definite rank was assigned +him, he was, for the occasion, placed next in command to the chief of +the Rangers. Early on the morning of the 12th, the steamer was anchored +off Granada, out of range of the enemy’s shot; and the officers were +instructed to keep the men carefully concealed in the lower part of +the vessel. During the day, the positions of the enemy were as far as +possible observed; and the anxiety of the Allies to prevent a landing, +was proved by their parading soldiers in numbers along the beach. These +soldiers would march and counter-march; and the effort was manifest to +arrange them in such a manner as to make them appear more numerous than +they really were. + +Between eight and nine o’clock in the evening, the steamer quietly and +with all her lights covered, moved up the lake to the same point where +the Democrats landed on the night of the 12th of October, 1855. This +point was more than a league from the fort and wharf of Granada; and the +depth of water was such as to allow the steamer to approach near the +shore. The disembarkation was immediately begun; and when the first boat +reached the beach, a picket of the enemy fired a single volley and fled. +In about two hours the whole force was ashore; and Waters received orders +to proceed to the relief of Henningsen, keeping as close as possible +to the beach, in order not to lose his power of communicating with the +general-in-chief who remained aboard the steamer. Then the La Virgen +withdrew, and resumed as nearly as possible the anchorage she held during +the day. + +Not long after the steamer anchored off the wharf, and near midnight of +the 12th, the long lines of fire from small arms followed by the reports +of heavy volleys of musketry and answered by quick and angry retorts +from the rifles announced that the conflict of Waters with the enemy had +begun. Then the flashes and the reports ceased; but in a short time the +fires again appeared and the sounds yet louder and more distinct told +that the bold chief of the Rangers was driving the enemy before him. For +several minutes the flashes and the reports were even fiercer and heavier +than before; but they soon ceased, and their sudden cessation again told +the tale of the yet advancing Americans. Soon after the last firing +was heard, a noise from the water, crying as if for help, announced a +messenger with news. A small boat was let down, and in a few moments a +dusky form was seen scrambling over the rail of the steamer. At first +Walker was apprehensive the news might be from Waters, and, it being dark +and the messenger not a white man, the general-in-chief commenced his +questions in Spanish. But the answer was English, and spoken in the thick +broken accents of a Kanaka boy who had come to Central America on the +Vesta in 1855. Kanaka John had been for several hours in the water, and +bore, in a sealed bottle, a note from Henningsen, giving information of +the state of his force and indicating certain signals to be made in case +a landing was attempted. The signals were made as soon as the note was +read; but they were not seen by those for whom they were intended. + +After landing Waters proceeded along a narrow strip of land with the lake +on his left and a lagoon on his right. As he approached a point where the +lagoon reaches within thirty or forty yards of the lake, he was fired on +by the enemy, who were stationed behind a barricade they had built from +one body of water to the other. The heaviness of the volleys showed that +the Allies were in force; and the Americans for a moment wavered. Waters +had ordered Leslie to assault the barricades with his company; but his +men hesitated, and some confusion arising, Leslie took the first who +offered and leading them up to the barricades drove the enemy from their +position. The march toward Granada was resumed; but when Waters reached +a place called the “coal pits” he was again arrested by a large body +of the Allies. The numbers of the enemy were greater than at the first +barricade; the position, however, was not so good and they were soon +driven from it by the vigorous charge of Higley and his company. + +Waters, as he approached the town, turned to the right in order to gain +the Tipitapa road which passes over higher ground than that nearer the +lake. About daybreak he had gained the suburbs and was approaching some +small cane huts when he again received the fire of the Allies. The enemy +were behind strong barricades; but Capt. Crawford, passing with his +company to some rising ground on the right, was enabled to turn the left +flank of the Allied lines. A prisoner taken at this point gave Waters +such information as decided him to proceed at once to the Guadalupe. +He was encumbered with thirty wounded and it became an object to join +Henningsen without further loss. Leslie was, therefore, sent in advance +to advise Henningsen of Waters’ approach; and thus early in the morning +of the 13th the Americans in the Guadalupe were strengthened by the +entrance of the force landed the night previously. + +It was well for Henningsen that Waters arrived; for the commissary stores +of the former were nearly exhausted, and, as fearful a plague as cholera, +desertion, had begun to thin his enfeebled ranks. Even after Waters’ +arrival, the difficulties of Henningsen’s position were not slight. But +the vigorous fighting of the Americans during the night had impressed +the Allies with an exaggerated idea of their strength; and Belloso +was discouraged by the fierceness with which his barricades had been +assailed. He began to think that wood and earth were no safe protection +from the soldiers who had carried three well-defended positions in the +course of almost as many hours; and the movements of his force soon +showed his weakness and irresolution. The fort was abandoned, and the +sheds built on it were set afire. Of course, as soon as Henningsen +discovered the fort was given up by the enemy he took possession of it; +and thus, without further difficulty, communication with the steamer was +established. + +Preparations were immediately made for embarking the whole command on the +La Virgen. The number of sick and wounded made the movement slow; and the +men for duty were exhausted, some by their long fatigues and exposures, +and others by the march and actions of the previous night. Of the 419 +under Henningsen when Granada was surprised, 120 died of cholera and +typhus, 110 were killed or wounded, nearly 40 deserted, and 2 were made +prisoners. Of Waters’ force, 14 were killed and 30 wounded. Leslie was +unfortunately shot in the head after he reached the Guadalupe, and his +death was a loss not easily repaired, for his services as a scout were +inestimable. Lieut. Tayloe, who was absent, by leave, from his post at +San Carlos, had obtained permission to march with Waters, and he fell at +one of the barricades outside the town. + +It was near two o’clock on the morning of the 14th before everything +was aboard the steamer. At leaving, Gen. Henningsen stuck up on a lance +the words “_Aqui fué Granada_”—“Here was Granada”; and these were well +calculated to re-kindle the passions of party, not yet extinct among the +old Legitimists and Democrats. While the voice of one party was that +of wailing and woe, at the loss of its cherished city, the other party +could not suppress its feelings of triumph and exultation. Nor has the +destruction of Granada failed to call forth censure elsewhere than in +Central America. It has been denounced as an act of vandalism, useless in +its consequences to the authority which ordered it. As to the justice of +the act, few can question it; for its inhabitants owed life and property +to the Americans in the service of Nicaragua, and yet they joined the +enemies who strove to drive their protectors from Central America. They +served the enemies of Nicaragua in the most criminal manner; for they +acted as spies on the Americans, who had defended their interests, and +sent notice of all their movements to the Allies. By the laws of war, the +town had forfeited its existence; and the policy of destroying it was as +manifest as the justice of the measure. It encouraged the Leonese friends +of the Americans, while it gave a blow to the Legitimists from which they +have never recovered. The attachment of the old Chamorristas to Granada +was strong and peculiar. They had for their chief city a love like that +of woman; and even after years have passed tears come to their eyes when +they speak of the loss of their beloved Granada. And well did it become +them to have such affection for the town; because it furnished them with +the resources which enabled them to maintain power, and to keep under +the excitable passions, as they called them, of the Leonese Democrats. +The destruction of Granada was, therefore, a long step toward the +destruction of the Legitimist party; and thus the Americans of Nicaragua +were able to cripple their most bitter and consistent foe. + +As the steamer left her anchorage a strong north-easter rose, and the +vessel was obliged to seek the shelter of Omotepe, and to lie for several +hours under the lee of the beautiful volcano which springs, as it were, +from the waters of the lake. When the wind fell the La Virgen ran across +to San Jorge, and everything was soon got ashore. The enemy at Rivas, +hearing of the relief of Henningsen, and fearful of the artillery now +at the disposal of the Americans, stealthily abandoned the place, and +marched hastily to join Belloso at Masaya. On the morning of the 16th the +Americans were again in possession of Rivas. + + + + +Chapter Eleventh. + +OPERATIONS ON THE SAN JUAN. + + +In the retreat from Granada much of the type and printing materials, as +well as the paper belonging to the office of the _Nicaraguense_, had +been destroyed or lost. Hence, a few days after the headquarters of the +army were moved to Rivas, the sub-secretary of Hacienda, Rogers, went to +San Juan del Norte for the purpose of purchasing the materials necessary +for the publication of the suspended newspaper. A number of officers, on +leave of absence, went down the river on the same steamer with Rogers. +Lockridge also, who had shown himself active in procuring emigration to +Nicaragua, was aboard the steamer on his way to New-Orleans. He seemed +anxious to serve the cause of the Americans in Nicaragua, and as there +was no place in the army he could suitably fill, he was sent to the +United States with the hope that he might be useful there. Emile Thomas, +too, and his brother Carlos, repaired to San Juan del Norte at the same +time. + +As these passengers for the mouth of the San Juan steamed down the river +they saw some suspicious looking rafts floating out of the San Carlos, +and Emile Thomas, a watchful and discreet man, familiar with the country +and its people, advised a scrutiny into the meaning of the singular +appearance. Some have sought to place on Rogers the whole blame of the +neglect to follow the advice of Thomas, and there were not wanting +persons who attributed the negligence to design. But whatever may have +been the previous faults of Rogers, it must be admitted that he served +the cause of Nicaragua with a singleness of purpose and honesty of action +which might have shamed the conduct of those who spoke evil of him. And +on this occasion there were aboard the steamer officers whose duty it was +to ascertain the meaning of the rafts, whereas such was no part of the +duty specially pertaining to Rogers’ office or orders. The responsibility +of neglecting the rafts must rest on other shoulders than those of the +sub-secretary of Hacienda. + +It was not long after the steamer passed the mouth of the San Carlos +before the meaning of the rafts became apparent. On the 23d of December, +while the company stationed at the mouth of the Serapaqui were at +dinner, they were surprised by a body of Costa Ricans about 120 strong, +led on by a man named Spencer. When Thompson, who commanded at the +Serapaqui, was attacked by Spencer, he had no sentries posted, and the +arms of the men were at some little distance from the place where they +were dining. Spencer had got to the rear of the American camp, and by +placing a soldier in the top of a tree he was able to know accurately +the state of Thompson’s camp. The surprise was complete, and most of the +Americans were either killed or wounded. Thompson was made prisoner; his +conduct and courage were praised by the Costa Ricans, and he himself was +liberated soon after being taken to San Juan del Norte. Well might the +Costa Ricans afford to laud Thompson, for it was his criminal neglect +of duty which enabled them to get possession of the point at the mouth +of the Serapaqui, and thereby secured the success of their subsequent +operations. + +Spencer had marched with his Costa Ricans from San José to a point on +the San Carlos river, some miles above its mouth, and had thence floated +his men on rafts down to the mouth of the Serapaqui. In addition to the +force which attacked Thompson on the 23d, a large body of soldiers had +been marched to the San Carlos, under the orders of General José Joaquin +Mora, brother of the President, Juan Rafael Mora, and commander-in-chief +of the Costa Rican army. The march was very difficult from the nature +of the country through which it was made, the region between San José +and the San Carlos being entirely uninhabited, and wholly destitute of +subsistence. The road over which Mora marched was a mere trail, and his +soldiers had at times to cut their way with machetes through the thick +undergrowth. The results of the march depended wholly on the success of +Spencer’s efforts to get possession of the river San Juan and of the +boats plying on it, and Spencer, as we have seen, owed his first and most +important success to the gross and criminal negligence of Thompson at the +Serapaqui. + +After the surprise of Thompson, Spencer again took to his rafts and +floated to the harbor of San Juan del Norte. He reached there during the +night of the 23d, and on the morning of the 24th he had possession of all +the river steamers at Punta Arenas. The United States commercial agent +at San Juan del Norte called on the commander of the English forces off +that port to protect American interests from the soldiers of Costa Rica. +To this request Capt. Erskine of the Orion replied that “he had taken +steps, by landing a party of marines from one of Her Majesty’s ship, +to protect the persons and private property of Capt. Joseph Scott, his +family and all citizens of the United States of America;” but as regards +the capture of the steamers he adds: “To prevent all misapprehension, I +think it, however, right to state that the steamers and other property +belonging to the Accessory Transit Company being at this moment the +subject of a dispute between two different companies, the representatives +of which are on the spot, and one of them authorizing the seizure, I do +not feel justified in taking any steps which may affect the interests +of either party. With respect to the participation of a force of Costa +Ricans in the seizure and transfer of the steamers alluded to, I must +observe that these steamers having been for some months past employed +in embarking in this port and conveying to the parties with whom Costa +Rica is now carrying on active hostilities, men and munitions of war, it +appears that as a non-belligerent I am prohibited by the law of nations +from preventing the execution of such operations by a belligerent party.” +Of course it was a mere act of comity for a British officer to protect +American property at Punta Arenas; but the subtlety of distinguishing +between American property in dispute and that not in dispute, was a +convenient invention for the occasion. If Capt. Erskine desired to +protect American property his plain course was to maintain those in +possession. As to the question of the right of Costa Rica to seize the +steamers it will more properly come up when we inquire why the United +States had, at this time, no naval force at San Juan del Norte. + +When Spencer had secured the river boats in the harbor of San Juan he +proceeded to the mouth of the San Carlos and communicated to General +Mora—then at the embarcadero, some miles up the latter river—the success +of the operations below. As the small steamer Spencer sent up the +San Carlos approached a picket of Costa Ricans posted on a raft, the +soldiers, frightened by the noise and appearance of such a boat as they +had never before seen, plunged into the river and were drowned in their +efforts to reach the shore. At the embarcadero Mora had, according to +Costa Rican accounts, eight hundred men, with a rear guard of three +hundred more expected each moment to arrive. To supply this force with +subsistence six hundred men were employed in carrying provisions from the +capital to the river. Much of the transportation between those points was +done on the backs of men, as the trail is difficult for even mules. + +Castillo was forthwith occupied by the Costa Ricans; and Spencer, +taking the steamer which runs over the Toro Rapids, easily succeeded, +by concealing his men, in getting possession of the lake steamer, La +Virgen, then lying at the mouth of the Zavalos, awaiting the return +of Rogers from San Juan del Norte. Then proceeding to Fort San Carlos +he lured aboard the steamer Capt. Kruger, commanding that post. The +first-lieutenant of Kruger had been sent to headquarters on business +connected with the garrison at San Carlos; and his second lieutenant, +Tayloe, had been killed at Granada, while marching as a volunteer under +Waters to the relief of Henningsen. Hence, after Kruger’s capture by +Spencer, the post was in charge of a sergeant, and Kruger so far forgot +his duty as to permit Spencer, under a threat of death, to extort from +him an order directing the sergeant to surrender the post to the enemy. +The sergeant, taken by surprise, was less to blame for obeying the order +than was the captain for signing it. + +Thus the Costa Ricans were in possession of the San Juan river from +Fort San Carlos to the sea, and they also held the smallest of the lake +steamers, the La Virgen. On the latter steamer they had also taken some +arms and ammunition intended for the service of Nicaragua. But the +occupation of the river and the seizure of the La Virgen would have been +comparatively useless to them and harmless to Walker without the capture +of the steamer San Carlos. The loss of the river might have been easily +repaired by the force then at Rivas, but the loss of the control over +the lake was a much more serious event. Spencer well knew that he could +not venture on the lake with the La Virgen as long as the larger and +faster steamer remained in the hands of the Americans, and, therefore, he +prevailed on Mora to keep his Costa Ricans quiet until the San Carlos got +into the river with passengers from California for the Atlantic States. + +Early in the afternoon of the 2d of January, 1857, the Sierra Nevada +arrived at San Juan del Sur from San Francisco. Her passengers were +in a few hours aboard of the San Carlos ready to cross the lake. Some +anxiety had been felt at Rivas on account of the long delay of the La +Virgen in the river, but it was easy to imagine causes why she had not +yet returned to Virgin Bay. Therefore the steamer San Carlos, with the +passengers aboard, unsuspectingly approached Fort San Carlos and passed +into the river without seeing any cause for alarm on shore. But when the +steamer had passed the fort, Spencer, who was aboard a river boat with a +force of Costa Ricans, hailed the San Carlos, demanding her surrender. +There were a number of Nicaraguan officers on the San Carlos, going to +the United States, but in the midst of the confusion, created by the +surprise, Spencer got aboard of the lake steamer and soon had possession +of her. The captain of the San Carlos, a cool, bold Dane, proposed to +run the steamer back into the lake under the guns of the fort, and the +movement might have been made without any great danger or loss of life. +But Harris, jointly interested with his father-in-law, Morgan, in the +transit contract across Nicaragua, happened to be aboard the steamer, and +he refused to permit Capt. Ericsson to make the attempt. By the surrender +of the San Carlos the Costa Ricans got control of the lake, and thus +they were enabled to communicate rapidly and readily with the Allies at +Masaya, while Walker was cut off from any direct communication with the +Caribbean sea. + +It is clear that the success of Mora’s movement to the San Juan river was +due to the skill and daring of Spencer. The march to the San Carlos with +all its expense and all its fatigues would have been useless without +the aid of the bold hand which got possession of the river steamers. +And the success of Spencer was the reward of a rashness which, in war, +sometimes supplies the place of prudent design and wise combinations. The +fortune which proverbially favors the brave certainly aided Spencer much +in his operations. Mora afterward Attempted to depreciate the value of +the services Spencer rendered him; and the brutality of the man toward +the soldiers soon made it an object for the Costa Rican General to get +rid of him. But it would be difficult to overestimate the advantages +the Allies derived from the services of the base and murderous man who +did not scruple for the sake of lucre to imbrue his hands in the blood +of countrymen straggling to maintain the rights of their race against a +cruel and vindictive foe. + +Unfortunately for the honor of human nature, Spencer was not the only +American who co-operated with the Costa Ricans for the purpose of robbing +the naturalized Nicaraguans of the rights they had in Central America. As +to Spencer’s immediate employers their conduct need not excite surprise; +for gain is the god of their idolatry, and at Ephesus they would have +persecuted the Apostle to the Gentiles for teaching a religion which +destroyed their trade in shrines. From such as these he is but a fool +who expects aught high in principle or unselfish in action. But we are +entitled to expect loftier sentiment and nobler actions from the men who +aspire to govern states and control policies. As Spencer’s operations +closed the American transit across Nicaragua, it is not unimportant to +ascertain if any public persons besides the Moras of Costa Rica and +their Allies in Central America are directly or remotely responsible for +the act. Especially is this becoming in view of the fact that no less a +person than the President of the United States[5] has, in a grave annual +message to the Houses of Congress, declared with most indecent inaccuracy +that the Transit was closed in February, 1856, by the revocation of the +charters of the Ship Canal and of the Accessory Transit Companies. + +As early as the month of April, 1856, the American Secretary of State, +Mr. Marcy, had been advised by the Costa Rican government that it +meditated the seizure of the river and lake steamers and the consequent +destruction of the Transit. At that time Mr. Marcy replied such an +act would not be regarded with indifference by the United States. The +language of the Secretary implied that the American government would deem +it a duty to prevent such acts. And such a position was worthy of an +American Minister. Undoubtedly Costa Rica, at war with Nicaragua, had a +right not only to prevent the latter from using the property of neutrals +for the purpose of transporting military persons and stores; and she +might also take possession of such property and use it, as lawfully as +Nicaragua, for the conveyance of her own troops and military equipments. +But this did not involve the right of Costa Rica to confiscate the +property of neutrals used by her enemy for purposes of transportation. +Neutral ships at sea are liable to capture by a belligerent if they are +found having aboard military stores or persons belonging to the enemy; +for at sea, such an act on the part of a neutral is one of choice and +not of compulsion. But on land, or within the territory of a country at +war, where the property of neutrals is entirely under the control of +the belligerent sovereign, the involuntary act of the neutral certainly +cannot subject him to the loss of his property. Hence Mr. Marcy was right +when he told Costa Rica, to all intents and purposes, that the use of +American property by Nicaragua did not make it forfeit if taken by the +enemy; and still less could it justify the destruction of a franchise, +such as the Transit across the Isthmus, held by the owners of the lake +and river steamers. When Walker saw the declaration Mr. Marcy made to +the Costa Rican Minister, he felt assured the Allies would not attempt +to interrupt the Transit and thus risk a rupture with the United States. +Nor, in the face of this declaration, is it probable that Costa Rica +would have attempted to break up the Transit without assurances of the +act not provoking active hostilities from the American Republic. + +Heretofore we have seen the decided opposition of the Secretary of +State to the American movement in Nicaragua. But he was reluctantly +compelled to give way to the President in reference to the reception of +Father Vigil. Mr. Pierce was, in May, 1856, seeking the nomination of +the democratic party for a re-election; hence he was able to resolve +on a policy displeasing to his chief minister. After the Cincinnati +Convention, it was easier for the Secretary to manage the President; and +the departure of Father Vigil from Washington having been procured, +Mr. Marcy was relieved from the presence of a Minister of Nicaragua. He +immediately ordered Mr. Wheeler to demand the causes of the revocation +of the Accessory Transit charter; but in August he was disappointed at +a reply which entirely justified the act of the Rivas administration. +If, however, Mr. Wheeler proved not pliant to the purposes of the +Secretary, it was easy to secure British aid for getting the Americans +out of Nicaragua. And if Mr. Marcy would silently permit British power to +accomplish this object, he might hope for a strong interest in the city +of New-York to aid his ambitious schemes. + +It is difficult to imagine that an American Secretary of State would +thus connive at a plan for driving his countrymen from the Isthmus; but +pride of opinion and desire for office were Mr. Marcy’s leading passions, +and one of these had been hurt by the reception of Father Vigil and the +other was pleased at the hope of conciliating a strong influence in his +own State. The evidences, too, of this connivance, are too palpable to +escape the notice of the least observing. By the middle of September, +1856, the British had stationed off San Juan del Norte a strong fleet, +of eight vessels, carrying several hundred guns, and evidently with a +view of influencing the result of the war in Central America. No United +States vessels were sent thither to watch the movements or ascertain +the intentions of the British fleet. The objects of the fleet had been +foreshadowed in the previous April by the attempt of the British vessel +Eurydice to prevent the passengers of the Orizaba from going up the +river. At that time the commodore of the American squadron in the +Caribbean had been instructed to show the United States flag at San Juan +del Norte; and if it was expedient for the American flag to be displayed +when only a single British man-of-war was in the harbor, how much more +pressing the necessity when several hundred British guns were pointed at +the Isthmian transit. + +Not only did the American Secretary of State quietly permit a strong +British fleet to take its station off San Juan del Norte and there await +a favorable opportunity to act against the naturalized Nicaraguans; but +he was also advised by Costa Rica of her intention to close the transit +if she had the requisite military force. On the first of November the +President of Costa Rica published a decree, declaring in its second +article: “The navigation of the river San Juan del Norte is prohibited +to all kinds of vessels while hostilities against the invaders of +the Central American soil continues.” And the fourth article of the +same decree orders: “The officers and military forces of the Republic +will carry out this decree, using for that purpose every means within +their reach.” Here was a public and explicit declaration to Mr. Marcy +notifying him that if he desired to keep the Transit from being closed +during the hostilities between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, he must have +United States vessels at San Juan del Norte to resist force with force. +The United States had a consul in Costa Rica to advise it of the acts +of the government there; and so well aware was her Britannic Majesty’s +consul, Allan Wallis, of the movement against the Transit that with +evident reference thereto he published, at San José, on the 26th Nov., +the following notice: “All persons residing in this Republic, claiming +to be British subjects, are requested to send into this office with as +little delay as possible, and not later than the 20th prox., their names, +professions or occupations and places of residence, with the names of +the members of their family, if any.” Singular, too, as it may seem, the +Secretary of State did not, after the order of Mora’s decree of the first +of November was executed, take any steps to re-establish the Transit or +protect those who were aiming to re-open it from the interference of the +British naval forces. These facts, together with others to be hereafter +related concerning the acts of American naval officers on the Pacific +coast of Nicaragua, lead irresistibly to the conclusion that Mr. Marcy +co-operated with the British government in its Central American policy. + +An insight into the policy of the American Secretary of State is +necessary to a due understanding of the events which followed Spencer’s +operations on the San Juan river. The Costa Rican soldiers who +accompanied the passengers from California to Punta Arenas were scarcely +able to leave on their return up the river before the steamer Texas +arrived in the port of San Juan del Norte with nearly two hundred men for +the service of Nicaragua. But these men not having been received by the +State could not act in the name of the government. Hence Mr. Harris, the +agent of the owners of the lake and river steamers, selected Lockridge, +who was at San Juan del Norte, as a proper person to regain possession of +their property for the Transit contractors. As before stated, Lockridge +had been ordered to New-Orleans on special duty; and had the task of +re-opening the Transit been a strictly military enterprise, the duties +of command would naturally have devolved on Lieut.-Colonel Rudler, the +senior officer present at San Juan del Norte, and lately charged with the +defence of the River frontier. Rudler had a leave of absence to visit +the United States; but he had only to tear up his leave and resume his +right to command on the river in order to have full authority over any +expedition attempted in the name of Nicaragua. But merit is modest and +unobtrusive, while pretension is forward and presumptuous; therefore, +Lockridge was put in command of the men who were expected to clear the +river of the Costa Ricans, and Rudler left for New-Orleans. In addition +to the men by the Texas, General C. R. Wheat, and Colonel Anderson, with +some forty others from New-York, arrived at Punta Arenas on the ninth of +January by the James Adger. Arms and ammunition were not wanting for the +whole of Lockridge’s command; and the supply of provisions was abundant. + +Lockridge remained for some days at Punta Arenas, engaged with Joseph N. +Scott in fitting up one of the old disused river steamers for purposes +of transportation. But he was not allowed to work without interruption +by the British naval officers. On the morning of the 16th of January, +Capt. Cockburn, of H. B. M.’s ship Cossack, went ashore at Punta Arenas, +and inquired for the commander of the armed men occupying the point. On +meeting Lockridge, Capt. Cockburn informed him he had received orders +from Capt. Erskine, of Her Majesty’s ship Orion, and “senior officer +of Her Majesty’s ships and vessels employed on the coasts of Central +America,” to offer protection to any British subjects who might be +detained and compelled to bear arms against their will. In accordance +with his instructions, Capt. Cockburn demanded a list of all the men at +Punta Arenas, and required them to be paraded in his presence, that he +might read to them the orders of Capt. Erskine. The men were accordingly +drawn up on the beach, and Cockburn read to them the order of Erskine. +The concluding sentences of the order were: “Should any of the party in +question claim protection as British subjects, and their claims appear to +you to be well founded, you will acquaint the officer commanding, that +these men must be permitted to withdraw from their present position; +and you will (in the event of his acquiescence) either give these men +a passage to Greytown, or take them on board Her Majesty’s ship under +your command, to await my decision as to their disposal, as they may +desire. In the event of the aforesaid officer resisting such a course +as I have pointed out, you will inform him that, in the first place, +no person whatever under his command will be permitted to leave their +present position, to proceed up the river or elsewhere, until my demands +shall be complied with; and, secondly, that I will adopt such measures +to enforce the rights of British subjects as I may think best adapted +to the purpose.” Ten men claimed and received protection under the +order of Erskine, and were taken from the point in Cockburn’s boat. The +instructions of Her Majesty’s government must have been indeed stringent, +when they induced honorable officers to degrade themselves to the work +of inciting men to desert a cause they had voluntarily embraced; for +Cockburn, not satisfied with reading Erskine’s orders, had also advised +the whole of Lockridge’s command of the dangers they ran in attacking the +large force the Costa Ricans had concentrated on the river. + +Thus the demoralization of Lockridge’s men was commenced before they +left Punta Arenas. The Americans—at least the good men among them—were, +of course, indignant at the course the British pursued; but all the +Europeans were more or less affected by this English interference. Nor +is it in the nature of men long to respect those claiming authority +over them, when they see such persons humbled by the actions of others. +Hence it was all-important for Lockridge to get beyond the reach of +British interference. Not only was he daily losing men by the policy the +British practised; but the effectiveness of those remaining with him was +constantly diminished. Finally the small steamer was got ready for going +up the river, and Lockridge moved his whole force to a point several +miles below the mouth of the Serapaqui. + +On the morning of the 4th of February the Texas again arrived from +New-Orleans at San Juan del Norte, having aboard H. T. Titus, known in +Kansas as Col. Titus, in charge of about one hundred and eighty men. +Many of the persons with Titus had been his companions in Kansas, and +probably most of them were made of better stuff than their leader. But +his swaggering air had imposed on many people; and the contest in which +he was said to have been engaged, gave him a sort of newspaper notoriety, +thus making his name familiar as the leader of the “border ruffians.” +Lockridge organized Titus and his men in a separate body, and soon a +jealousy rather than rivalry sprang up between the new-comers and those +acting under Anderson. Attached to the command of the latter was Capt. +Doubleday, formerly of the Nicaraguan service; and several others who +were yet in the service, acted under Anderson’s orders. All of Titus’ men +were entirely new to the country. + +Soon after Titus arrived, Lockridge, by a sharp skirmish, got possession +of Cody’s Point, a piece of high ground just opposite the mouth of the +Serapaqui; and Wheat thence opened a cannonade on the defences the Costa +Ricans had built on the opposite side of the San Juan river. But the +fire of Wheat’s guns was not of such a character as to make a serious +impression on the enemy; and it was only after Col. Anderson had crossed +the river and succeeded in harassing the Costa Rican flank and rear with +riflemen, that the Americans drove the enemy from the Serapaqui, and +got possession of both sides of the river. The Costa Ricans left behind +a number of killed and wounded, besides two guns, some small-arms and +ammunition, and a supply of military clothing. A yet more important +portion of the articles captured were certain letters from General Mora +detailing the condition of his force on the San Juan, and urging the +necessity for fresh troops, in order to hold his position on the river. + +The Costa Ricans were driven from the mouth of the Serapaqui on the +morning of the 13th of February; and the next day Titus, with some +hundred and forty men, ascended the river on the little steamer Rescue +with the view of attacking Castillo. Anderson was placed in charge +of Hipp’s Point; and the contest between him and Titus, as to rank, +had increased the disorganization and disorder already existing in +Lockridge’s command. Desertions were frequent, and were, of course, +encouraged by the protection and assistance the English gave to the +deserters. The heavy rains made camp life disagreeable, and its duties +arduous; and much labor was necessary in order to protect the men from +the weather. Thus the movements were impeded; and much care was necessary +to keep the ammunition in a state fit for use. Numbers were sick with +fever; but considering the exposure and fatigues to which the men were +subjected, their health was not bad. + +On the other hand the difficulties of the Costa Ricans were not slight. +After getting possession of the San Juan and of the lake, Mora had +communicated with the Allies at Masaya; and movements were undertaken +which will be more particularly described hereafter. Suffice it to say +here, that these movements entailed heavy draughts on the force Mora held +on the river; and in addition to this the Costa Ricans coming from the +high lands about San José, suffered much with fever when they reached the +low country on the San Juan. Thus by the necessities of the Allies for +troops in the western part of Nicaragua, and by the effects of disease +in the force occupying the river, the garrison at Castillo was reduced +to a trifling figure; and when Titus appeared before the fort Cauty, an +Englishman commanding at Castillo, had, according to some, twenty-five, +and according to others, fifty men. + +When Titus landed near the fort of Castillo Viejo, he found the houses +of the village in flames, and the small steamer Machuca also rapidly +burning. He succeeded, however, in cutting loose the steamer J. N. +Scott, and although her machinery was somewhat damaged, it was easily +repaired in the course of two or three days’ work. Soon after he appeared +at Castillo, Titus sent to Cauty a demand to surrender the fort; and +the reply was a proposal for an armistice of twenty-four hours, with +a promise of surrender in case the garrison were not relieved by the +expiration of that time. Strange to say the proposal of Cauty was +accepted; and it was not difficult for him to send a courier to Fort +San Carlos with news of his position. Of course, before the armistice +expired, reinforcements for Cauty were landed a short distance above the +fort; and on the appearance of the fresh Costa Ricans, Titus retreated +in great disorder and confusion. The retreat was made before the number +of the relieving party was even approximately ascertained; and the fact, +that the Americans were able to escape without any protection to their +rear, shows the enemy did not arrive with much force. + +After the Americans withdrew, or rather fled, from Castillo, they +halted at San Carlos Island, a few miles below the fort. On this island +Lockridge threw up some works for defence from the enemy, and also built, +with much labor, sheds for protection from the weather. The repulse at +Castillo, shameful in its character, added to the demoralization of the +whole command on the river, and desertions accordingly increased. Such, +too, was the feeling against Titus that he gave up his command and left +for San Juan del Norte, with the intention of going by Panama to Rivas. +When he arrived at San Juan del Norte his insulting language to one of +the British officers led to his arrest and detention for a few hours. At +the same time Titus was arrested the steamer Rescue was detained; but she +was soon released when the U. S. sloop of war Saratoga was seen coming +into port. This single fact shows how different might have been the +conduct of the British naval forces had there been a few United States +vessels stationed off San Juan del Norte. + +In the latter part of February Walker sent an aide, Major Baldwin, +from Rivas by Panama, to Lockridge, confirming the latter in his +command on the river, and also informing him of the importance of early +communication either around or across the lake. The orders sent to +Lockridge were, if he found it impossible to take Castillo and San Carlos +without great sacrifice, to cut a road from the river either to Chontales +or the southern shore of the lake, and march by land to Rivas. The cause +of these orders will hereafter appear; and it is sufficient here to say, +that one chief reason for Walker’s holding Rivas was, the apprehension +that Lockridge, reaching the Meridional department, might be placed +in an awkward position by finding the town in the possession of the +Allies. Baldwin arrived at San Juan del Norte about the middle of March, +and nearly at the same time with some hundred and thirty fresh men, +principally from Mobile and Texas, and directed respectively by Major W. +C. Capers and Captain Marcellus French. + +With this reinforcement under Capers and French, Lockridge’s numbers +had been so reduced by desertion and sickness, that his effective force +scarcely reached four hundred. The men, however, were for the most +part of excellent quality, and in other hands might have accomplished +much. French’s command particularly was, by general consent, composed +of fine materials. But these men arrived too late; and they met on the +river bands which had been disorganized by bad conduct and ill fortune. +Lockridge, however, determined to make another effort to get possession +of Castillo Viejo; and with this purpose he prepared nearly his whole +command for an attack on the fort. + +Landing his force a short distance below Castillo and out of sight of +the enemy, he led his men by a trail through the woods to a position +near an elevation, known as Nelson’s Hill. This elevation commands the +fort, and the Costa Ricans having entrenched it were occupying the +summit. Along the sides of the hill they had cut some trees and formed +a sort of chevaux-de-frise; and by clearing away the undergrowth for +some distance around the summit, they had made the approach difficult +and dangerous. After reconnoitring the position of the enemy, Lockridge +deemed it imprudent to hazard an attack; and calling the principal +officers together and asking their opinions, he received the concurrence +of all as to the expediency of retiring without engaging the enemy. The +resolution was wise, for defeat would almost inevitably have been the +result of an attempt on the Costa Rican defences. The opportune moment +for taking Castillo had been lost through the incapacity of Titus, and +with a month to prepare for a second attack, the enemy had not been +idle. Even if the Costa Ricans had been less strongly posted, the moral +condition of Lockridge’s force was not such as to warrant ordering them +on any hazardous service. + +After Lockridge retired from Castillo the men began to discuss plans +for the future, and all appear to have agreed on the propriety of +abandoning the river. It was clear that the effort to re-open the +Transit had entirely failed, and the leader of the enterprise drawing +up the men informed them that he proposed to try to reach Rivas by the +Isthmus of Panama, and called on all who wished to follow him to step +from the ranks. Near a hundred persons agreed to take this course; and +the remainder of the men were deprived of their arms and virtually +discharged. Then the disarmed men sought means to reach the mouth of the +river. Not waiting for the steamer they took the boats they could put +their hands on, and some floated on logs to the harbor of San Juan del +Norte. The panic-stricken crowd thought the Costa Ricans were hot in +pursuit; and each over-anxious for his own safety added to the fright of +his fellows. + +The men who had agreed to go with Lockridge to Rivas descended the +river more leisurely than the fugitives; but ill luck pursued them to +the last. On the way to San Juan del Norte, the steamer J. N. Scott was +blown up, and several of those proposing to go to Panama were killed and +others were painfully and dangerously scalded. This accident entirely +discouraged the men who yet adhered to Lockridge, and forthwith the idea +of crossing the New-Granadian Isthmus was abandoned by them. It was an +absurd plan at any rate; for it was folly to suppose, under the existing +circumstances, that known enemies of Costa Rica, either armed or unarmed, +would be permitted in numbers to cross the territory of a neutral State, +or rather of a Republic, hostile to those called “filibusters.” + +Of course the English were glad to furnish means to all the men who +reached San Juan for leaving Central America. Accordingly a large number +of the destitute and disappointed expeditionists were sent to New-Orleans +on H. B. M.’s steamer, Tartar; and the passages of others were paid with +drafts drawn by Capt. Erskine who held the arms of Lockridge’s command +to secure himself against the loss on the drafts. In a few days nearly +all the remains of Lockridge’s force had left the shores of Nicaragua; +and most were bitter in their expressions concerning the weakness and +incapacity of the man who attempted to lead them up the river. It may +not be amiss, however, while concluding the narrative of Lockridge’s +operations on the San Juan to say that Walker refused to listen to the +censure passed on the unfortunate commander until he heard fully the +facts of the case; and it was not until he heard from Lockridge himself +the story of his undertaking that Walker formed an opinion as to the +merits of the leader of the San Juan expedition. + +During the attempt of Lockridge to open the Transit the efforts of the +friends of Nicaragua in the United States were more active and fruitful +than at any previous period. The Southern States, satisfied of their +inability to carry slavery into Kansas, were then prepared to concentrate +their labors on Central America; and not only were the men who went to +the San Juan of good quality, but they were also furnished with excellent +supplies and equipments. Had the same effort and expenditure been made +three months earlier, the establishment of the Americans in Nicaragua +would have been fixed beyond a peradventure. + +Since the failure of Lockridge numerous agencies have been employed to +re-establish the line of American travel across the Isthmus of Nicaragua: +but all without avail. At the very time American youth was engaged in +the attempt to force open the Transit for the benefit of those holding +the Rivas grant of the 19th of February, 1856, these parties were +treacherously dealing with the government of Costa Rica and attempting +to secure the franchise from a power having no shadow of a right to +bestow it. There have been rumors of grants from Costa Rica and grants +from Nicaragua; and the authorities of the latter republic have actually +made bargains with several different companies to re-open the Transit. +The persons in Nicaragua who desire to keep the Americans out of the +country are well aware of the importance to them of keeping the “highway +of filibusterism” closed; and all their negotiations for transit grants +are “a delusion and a snare.” Often, too, it has been semi-officially +announced that the United States government was determined to force open +the road across Nicaragua; but as no justification for so violent an act +on the part of the United States has been presented, it must be presumed +that such declarations are intended merely for popular effect. In fact +the American authorities, by an arbitrary act of force, interrupted the +only effort which, since December, 1856, has promised successfully to +restore the passage across Nicaragua to citizens of the United States. In +December, 1857, Col. Anderson, at the head of forty-five men, took the +river boats and one lake steamer from the Costa Ricans and restored them +to the agent claiming for the American owners; and but for the acts of +the United States naval forces the transit across the Isthmus might have +been re-established in thirty days. It was the enemies of the naturalized +Nicaraguans who closed the Transit; and it is they also who keep it +closed. + +But it is time for us to return to Rivas, and follow the course of events +on the Pacific side of the Isthmus. + + + + +Chapter Twelfth. + +THE DEFENCE OF RIVAS. + + +On the 20th of December, 1856, nearly the whole body of Americans in +Nicaragua was concentrated at Rivas, and the health and moral condition +of the troops were favorably affected by the movement thither. The +hospital was established in a large building, situated on a slight +elevation near the edge of the town, known as the house of Maleaño. Under +the efficient administration of Dr. Coleman, acting surgeon-general, the +wards were kept clean, and the surgical attendance was good. The diet of +the patients was of the best sort, and although the number of wounded was +large, no disagreeable results followed from placing them all in the same +building. The supplies of medicine and surgical instruments were ample, +and the strength of the surgical staff was far greater than usual in any +armies either of the eastern or western continent. The fictions which +have been published concerning the want of medical and surgical attention +to the inmates of the hospital were created for the purpose of pandering +to a morbid public opinion, and of excusing the faults and crimes of +those who deserted their countrymen in Central America. The quarters of +the troops were comfortable, the subsistence varied and abundant, and the +spirits of the force were cheerful and buoyant. + +The reports from the enemy also tended to increase the confidence of +the Americans. After the retreat of Henningsen from Granada was so +triumphantly achieved, Belloso sullenly retired to Masaya, and there +attempted to gather the remains of the shattered force which had +attempted to cut off the troops charged with the destruction of the +Legitimist stronghold. But the other Allied generals were no longer +willing to act under Belloso. Defeated in their efforts to destroy +Henningsen, the chiefs of the Allied army were naturally inclined to +throw the responsibility of their discomfiture on the Salvadorian +general. They accused Belloso not only of want of skill, but also of want +of courage; and they intimated that his hasty withdrawal toward Masaya, +soon after Waters reached the Guadalupe, was due to an over-anxiety for +his own personal safety. The dissensions which thus arose in the Allied +camp promised in a short time to dissolve the whole force, and the +charges then made against Belloso were afterward examined by a military +commission in his own State of San Salvador. + +These dissensions were also increased by the disheartening effects on the +Allied officers of the great losses they had sustained in the campaign +against the Americans. It is difficult to estimate the numbers the Allies +had actually brought into the field before the retreat from Granada was +accomplished, but it is certainly no exaggeration to place the troops +they had employed from the beginning of October to the middle of December +at seven thousand. In addition to the losses at Granada on the 12th and +13th of October, on the Transit road, by the affairs of the 11th and +12th of November, and at Masaya, during the three days fighting there, +the Allies must have lost near two thousand men by the attack they made +on Henningsen. Reports concur in the fact that Belloso had not more than +two thousand under his command after he retired to Masaya. Thus, even +placing the deserters at fifteen hundred—and you must place these at a +high figure, considering the forced character of the service in Central +America—the enemy must have lost thirty-five hundred in killed and +wounded during the ten weeks immediately succeeding their march from Leon. + +Nor did Belloso entirely escape the cholera after he reached Masaya. +Hence fear of the pestilence as well as of the deadly rifles of the +Americans, stimulated desertion among the Allies. So disorganized +did Belloso’s force become, that the propriety of a retreat on Leon +was discussed among the chiefs of the several contingents; and the +Salvadorian troops, particularly, were disposed to withdraw from the +contest. The Salvadorian cabinet were, it seems, not well pleased with +the censures some of the generals of the other States had passed on the +commander-in-chief; and a large portion of the Liberal party of that +State, unmoved by the passions which prompted Cabañas’ friends to revenge +themselves on the Americans for the refusal to re-establish his power +in Honduras, consistently refused to support the war waged against the +naturalized Nicaraguans. + +Such was the general condition of the respective parties on the 2d of +January, 1857, when the steamer San Carlos, as heretofore narrated, +crossed the lake with the passengers from California to the Atlantic +States. The morning report of the troops at Rivas on the 3d will give an +accurate idea of the American force at that time. The total, including +those employed in the several departments, is reported at 919. Of these, +25 were employed in the ordnance department; 15 in the quartermaster’s +department; 20 in the commissary’s and 12 in the band; thus leaving +an aggregate in the line of 847. Of the aggregate 8 were of the post +and division field and staff, while 1 captain and 29 privates were on +detached duty; 3 captains, 3 lieutenants, and 2 privates, on furlough; +and 2 privates absent without leave. Thus the aggregate present was +reduced to 788; and of these 60 were on extra duty, and 197 sick. The +number for duty, officers and men, was 518; but many of those reported +sick had only chigoës in their feet, and were fully able to aid in the +defence of the town. Laziness and a disposition to shirk duty placed many +on the sick list, who in an emergency might have proved among the best +fighting men in the garrison. + +Henningsen had been promoted to the rank of major-general, and Sanders +to that of brigadier; so that O’Neal had command of the First Rifles, +with Leonard as lieut.-colonel, and Dolan as major, while Jaquess was in +command of the Infantry, and Lewis of the Second Rifles. The Artillery, +as well as the Rangers were very much thinned by the hard service +through which they had passed; and Col. Schwartz, being in bad health, +soon after reaching Rivas, obtained leave of absence to visit California. +Col. Waters kept the small companies of Rangers under his command, riding +constantly in search of supplies and information. + +In a few days after the San Carlos left Virgin Bay with the passengers, +uneasiness was felt on account of the non-arrival of the steamers from +the river. There were several causes which might be assigned for their +detention, one being the misunderstanding between the two agents of +the company, Scott and Macdonald. The improbabilities, too, of all the +steamers falling into the hands of the Costa Ricans were so many, that +in the event of the enemy’s appearance on the river, it was supposed +some news of the fact would soon reach Rivas. It was many days before +the steamers finally appeared on the lake, and then their movements +indicated that they were in the hands of the Allies. In the meantime, the +steamer Sierra Nevada, which had been waiting at San Juan del Sur for +the passengers, sailed for Panama; and it was not until her return on +the 24th of January, that Walker heard definitely the events which had +transpired on the river, and of Lockridge’s presence at Punta Arenas, +with a body of immigrants for Nicaragua. + +Previous to the return of the Sierra Nevada from Panama, Capt. Finney +had been sent with about fifty Rangers as far as Nandaime, in order +to ascertain what news the people near Masaya had in reference to the +steamers; and also to learn whether or not the enemy were making any +movements of importance. Finney returned, reporting that he had gone as +far as Nandaime without seeing the enemy or hearing any news indicating +either an advance of Allies or a knowledge on their part of the capture +of the steamers. The country between Nandaime and Rivas was quiet; the +people were engaged in their usual domestic pursuits, and had not been +troubled by detachments of the Allies. + +In the meantime Rivas was prepared for defence. Soon after occupying the +place, in December, Walker had given orders to Henningsen to strengthen +the natural advantages of the position, so that a small garrison might +be left there without risk to the military and other stores gathered in +the town. In fulfilment of these orders, Henningsen had burnt most of the +small huts on the edges of the town, and had cut away the thick tropical +undergrowth which might conceal and protect an attacking foe. The nature +of the ground in and about the place was well ascertained, and the +numerous trails and by-paths of the neighborhood were examined. Strobel +was, at the same time, engaged in surveying a more direct road than the +one usually travelled from Rivas to Virgin Bay; and for this service he +principally employed natives, who, with their machetes, are able to clear +away rapidly the dense brushwood of that luxuriant soil and climate. + +A small schooner, which had once belonged to the chief of the Mosquitos, +was brought up the river and across the lake during the month of +December; and having been purchased by the government, this vessel was +undergoing repairs at the time the steamers made their appearance at +Omotepe. On the 16th of January, Walker sent for Fayssoux to come to +Rivas, in order to have his opinion as to the feasibility of using the +schooner for re-taking the steamers. Fayssoux, although suffering at +the time from fever, reached Rivas a few hours after he received the +message; and on his arrival he said he thought the schooner would be of +very little use for such a purpose. Afterward the vessel was burned, to +prevent her from falling into the hands of the enemy; to hold the vessel +securely it would have been necessary to keep a strong garrison at Virgin +Bay. + +Of course, the knowledge that the enemy held the river and the lake, +diminished greatly the spirits and confidence of the troops at Rivas. +But, although difficulties appeared to gather about the Americans in +Nicaragua, they never for a moment relaxed their resolution to maintain +strict order and discipline wherever they held sway. An extract from the +log of the Granada for the 19th of January, shows the assistance her +commander gave to a vessel of the very power which in a few short weeks +manifested its gratitude for such services by capturing the Nicaraguan +schooner. The log reads: “Crew employed on ship’s duty. Sent five men and +an officer to assist the civil authorities to place the mutinous crew +of the Narraganset (an American ship) on board of her. Lent her four +hand-cuffs to iron them.” The fact may appear trifling, but, when read by +the light of after events, it becomes instructive and characteristic. + +After Mora had secured the San Juan river and the lake steamers, he +established his headquarters at Fort San Carlos. Some days elapsed before +he communicated with the Allies across the lake. His object, probably, +was to get all the force he could command to the river, and so secure +his communications between San Carlos and San José, previous to taking +any step which might give Walker an opportunity of ascertaining the +occurrences on the San Juan. When, however, he had, as he supposed, put +the river in a proper state of defence, he crossed to Granada, and there +met the chiefs of the allied forces. By the success of Costa Rica on the +San Juan, she had obtained a preponderating influence in the counsels of +the confederates, and hence there was little difficulty in having Cañas +placed in command of the army at Masaya. The possession of the lake and +river, and the closing of the Transit, gave new life to the leaders of +the allied troops, and they determined to advance into the Meridional +Department. + +On the 26th of January Walker received news of the advance of the Allies +toward Obraje, a small village on the south side of the Gil Gonzales, +and about three leagues distant from Rivas. The same afternoon O’Neal +with his Rifles, about 160 strong, and with a twelve-pound howitzer +and a small four-pound brass piece, went to meet the enemy, reported +as numbering 800 or 1,000 men. A company of Rangers also accompanied +O’Neal; and Finney riding to the edge of Obraje came suddenly on a strong +picket of the Allies and received their fire, himself mortally wounded, +almost before he was aware of their presence. When O’Neal ascertained +that the enemy held Obraje he halted for the night about a mile from the +village. The next morning he sent forward a skirmishing party to feel the +strength of the Allies, and the latter came out to meet the skirmishers +in such force that O’Neal judged it prudent to recall his riflemen. In +the skirmishing with the enemy O’Neal lost several men; and when his +report of the apparent strength and confidence of the Allies reached +Rivas, Henningsen was sent to Obraje to reconnoitre the position of the +enemy. After a short time Henningsen reported the Allies occupying the +principal square of the village, strongly barricaded and also protected +by earthworks; and that the place could not be carried without a loss +entirely disproportionate to its value and importance. On the receipt of +Henningsen’s report Walker ordered the Rifles to fall back to Rivas. + +The enemy remained in Obraje during the morning of the 28th; but about +nightfall of that day some Americans from San Jorge brought the news of +small bodies of the Allies being seen in the outskirts of this village, +situated near the lake shore and about two miles to the east of Rivas. +By eight o’clock in the evening Cañas was in San Jorge, and his force +was busily engaged in building barricades and other defences. The +rapidity with which Central American troops throw up barricades is almost +incredible, and long practice has made them more expert at such work than +even a Parisian mob. Hence, in a few hours, all the streets leading into +the square of San Jorge, as well as the houses around the Plaza, were +strongly barricaded. The secrecy, however, of the march from Obraje, no +less than the rapidity with which the barricades at San Jorge had been +built, showed that the Allies were not disposed to meet the Americans +in the open field or to come to a decisive action. It was clear that +they desired to hold San Jorge in order to communicate with Mora on the +lake, and thus to secure more strength for future offensive operations. +Therefore, Walker determined to attack them at once. + +On the morning of the 29th, Henningsen marched to San Jorge with the 1st +and 2d Rifles, Jaquess’ Infantry, some Rangers, a twelve-pound howitzer, +and a six-pounder. Next in command to Henningsen was Sanders. They soon +succeeded in driving the enemy behind the barricades of the Plaza; but +by some misunderstanding of Henningsen’s orders, Sanders, with a part of +Lewis’ Rifles, became separated from the rest of the command, and reached +a position to the north of the main square and near the road leading to +the lake. Confusion ensued; and as the Americans had suffered rather +severely from the enemy’s fire, they were drawn off to gain time for new +dispositions. It appears that several of the officers had taken too much +liquor during the morning, and did not apprehend clearly the purport of +the orders they received. Besides this, there was a jealousy on the part +of Sanders toward Henningsen, and the latter averred that the former +afterward admitted he had done all in his power to frustrate the attack +on San Jorge. It is certain Sanders was of a jealous disposition; and +though he denied having made the admission above referred to, there can +be little doubt that he was not altogether displeased at any incidents +which tended to diminish the confidence of the general-in-chief and of +the army in the skill and capacity of Henningsen. + +After getting his force as far as possible out of the enemy’s fire, +Henningsen reconnoitred more exactly the position of the Allies with a +view of another attempt to carry their defences. Early in the afternoon, +and before Henningsen had prepared for a second attack, the enemy sallied +in strength from the barricades and made a vigorous effort to drive the +Americans out of some plantain patches they were occupying. The number of +riflemen among the plantains was not large at the time the Allies came +suddenly and rather unexpectedly upon them; but the 12-pound howitzer was +on the spot, and its discharges of cannister were very destructive to the +enemy. Nothing can be more effective than this arm for brushing away a +harassing foe from the plantain fields scattered around the edges of the +towns and villages of Central America. On the occasion of the sortie the +enemy made at San Jorge, the howitzer did the service—to make a moderate +estimate—of at least fifty riflemen. + +The repulse of the enemy among the plantains raised the spirits of the +men; and late in the afternoon Henningsen again attacked the barricades. +Lewis was to attempt to get a foothold on the north and east side of +the Plaza, near the church, where the enemy kept its ordnance and other +stores, while Jaquess with the Infantry was to try to effect a lodgment +on the south side near the road leading toward Virgin Bay. Lewis’ men +could not be brought to advance nearer than within eighty or a hundred +yards of the barricades; but the Infantry made a gallant effort, though +an unsuccessful one, to perform the part assigned it in the general +assault. The Infantry had hitherto lacked opportunities for meeting the +enemy; and some jests had been passed at their expense among the other +corps of the army. Therefore Jaquess was now put on his mettle. He, +followed by Major Dusenberry, led the men up toward the barricade with +more courage than conduct; and for several seconds the Infantry received, +without wincing, a most galling fire from the Allies. Jaquess was struck +down by a ball in the loins, while Dusenberry fell at about the same +moment mortally wounded. Thus losing their chief officers, the Infantry +were checked at a critical moment and were obliged to retire, leaving +several killed near the barricades and bringing off a number of wounded. + +From the reports Walker received he was led to suppose that the ill +success of the attack on San Jorge might be due in some degree to the +want of cordial co-operation on the part of Sanders and other officers +with Henningsen. There was always some little prejudice against the +latter because of his European birth and education; and it is impossible +even with the aid of long military habits to conquer or destroy such +prejudices. Therefore Henningsen was recalled; but as Walker had little +confidence in the capacity of Sanders for independent command, Waters +was sent to San Jorge with orders which gave him the real control of +the troops there. Soon, however, Waters reported that he thought it +impossible to carry the place with the force then before it; and Sanders +was accordingly ordered to return to Rivas. + +The loss of the Americans on the 29th January was about eighty killed +and wounded. Captains Russell and Wilkinson, both valuable officers, +were killed; while Major Dusenberry died in a short time after he was +brought to Rivas. Jaquess’ wound made him unfit for duty for many +weeks; and Lieut. Col. Leonard was confined to his bed for months from +the effects of that day at San Jorge. The loss of the enemy was also +large, especially in the plantain patches where they met the howitzer. +But it was difficult to get even an approximative report of the losses +of the enemy. They kept their wounded carefully out of sight, sending +them to Omotope and other points, and scattering them so as to make the +numbers seem less than they were. So, too, when inquiries were made for +men who disappeared, instead of letting it be known they were killed, +the officers would represent that they had been ordered to some distant +point. Thus the lake steamers were very serviceable to the Allies by +enabling them to keep their wounded out of sight, and to prevent their +large losses from affecting the spirits of those who escaped the American +rifles. + +On the afternoon of the 30th, Walker marched with the 1st and 2d +Rifles (about 250 men in all) and a 12-pound howitzer to San Juan del +Sur, with the double view of inspiring the troops with confidence by +showing them that the Allies feared to meet them in the open field and +of communicating with the steamer Orizaba, expected in port about the +first of February. The march to San Juan was made in good time and with +cheerful spirits, and no signs of the enemy appeared on the road. On the +evening of the 1st of February the Orizaba arrived from San Francisco, +bringing Captain Buchanan and some forty others for Nicaragua. The vessel +was coaled, as usual, by men in the service of the State; and without +aid from the government it might have been difficult for the steamers to +get labor at reasonable rates. A marginal note in the log of the schooner +Granada, written by Captain Fayssoux, shows whether or not American +commerce had reason to be thankful to the authorities then at San Juan. +In the body of the schooner’s log for the 2d of February we read, “Eleven +of the crew employed coaling the Orizaba;” while in the margin we find +the note: “M. Mars being drunk on board the Orizaba, and urging our crew +to strike for higher wages, which they did, the captain and he got into a +fight; I separated them, and sent Mars on shore, and persuaded the men to +go on coaling.” + +About 4 o’clock in the afternoon of the 2d, Walker marched from San Juan +to Virgin Bay. At the latter place he ascertained that Cañas had been +there with some four or five hundred men, and had retired as soon as he +heard of the approach of the Americans. Early on the morning of the 3d +the steamer La Virgen appeared off Virgin Bay, and the troops then in the +village were carefully concealed, with the hope that the steamer might +come up to the wharf. When, however, she got within a few hundred yards +of the wharf, she stopped her engines, yet did not drop anchor, as if +regarding the aspect of affairs on shore. After a while several tried to +strike her pilot-house with the Minié musket; but their efforts were not +very successful; and in a short time the steamer turned away from the +wharf and proceeded toward San Jorge. Then the Americans resumed their +march and reached Rivas about midday of the 3d. + +On their return to Rivas the Rifles were ordered to get as much rest as +possible during the afternoon and the early part of the night, since +their services might be required before daybreak of the 4th. Not long +after midnight of the 3d, Walker marched with about 200 of the Rifles +toward San Jorge; and near a mile from Rivas, taking a road to the left, +he entered the village, where the enemy lay, at 4 o’clock on the morning +of the 4th of February. The Allies were taken entirely by surprise, and +a select corps of volunteers, led on by Dr. McAllenny, penetrated to one +of the main barricades of the Plaza and fired over its top at the enemy, +running hither and thither across the square. But the main body could +not be brought to sustain the advancing party before the enemy recovered +from their surprise. Then it was too late to carry the barricades without +great loss, and the Americans were drawn off to the edge of the village +beyond the reach of the enemy’s small-arms. During the assault on the +barricade Lieutenants Blackman and Gray were mortally wounded; and +while the Americans were on the edge of the village O’Neal received his +death-wound. By eight o’clock A.M. on the 4th, the Americans had returned +to Rivas. + +During this attack on San Jorge, Jerez was wounded in the face, and +for some days there were reports of his death; but the hurt was less +dangerous than represented, and he soon recovered from its effects. The +loss of O’Neil was a more severe blow to the Americans than any they +inflicted on the Allies. Young and enthusiastic, he was not without +the quick perception and rapid decision which fit a man for command in +moments of danger. He was almost a boy in age, not twenty-one, at the +time of his death; but the mind matures rapidly on the battle field, +and he had by nature the true sentiment of the soldier which tells him +that it matters little whether death comes soon or late, so it finds +him in the performance of duty. He lingered for several days after he +was carried back to Rivas, and probably his gallant spirit would have +preferred to go forth from the world amid the storm of battle. But +anxious eyes watched over his last agonies, and there was none in camp +who was not saddened when the news of his death spread through the town. + +It was while Walker was at San Juan del Sur that printed proclamations +from Rafael Mora—promising deserters protection and free passage to +the United States—were first scattered in the suburbs of Rivas. At the +same time letters were addressed to Americans, signed by those who +had deserted from Granada and elsewhere, urging officers and men to +desert Walker and go over to the enemy. This was an entire change in +the policy of Costa Rica. Not a year before, Mora had declared a war of +extermination against the “filibusters;” now he attempted to make the +war one against a single person, and besought the Americans to desert +their leader. This change of policy, while it tacitly admitted that the +war had failed in its objects, was also indicative of new counsellors in +the cabinet of Costa Rica; it proved that other than Central American +heads were busy in plotting the removal of the naturalized Nicaraguans +from their adopted country. All Americans, however, are interested in +having the names of these counsellors remain in the obscurity their deeds +deserve. + +While barricades were being built at Rivas and the town was more +thoroughly prepared for defence, Col. Swingle was engaged in labors which +added much to the efficiency of the artillery. The mechanical genius +of Swingle was extraordinary. Besides the well-organized work-shops he +established at Rivas, he got a small engine from San Juan del Sur and +succeeded in producing a blast of air which enabled him to smelt iron, +and thus he cast the first cannon-balls ever made in Central America. The +scanty supply of balls had been a serious obstacle to the employment of +the artillery, and for some time it was necessary to use such as could +be moulded with lead. As the supply of lead was limited, it would not do +to put a great deal of it into the shape of cannon balls. A number of +bells had been gathered from the towns and villages of the Meridional +Department, and from these Swingle cast round shot, more effective, +though also dearer, than those made of iron. + +On the morning of the 7th of February, a supply of round shot having been +procured, Henningsen, supported by the Rifles, proceeded to San Jorge +to give the enemy a cannonade. He prepared some empty musket-boxes in +order to construct a breastwork rapidly and without annoyance from the +enemy. While it was yet dark he reached a point about six hundred yards +from the lines of the Allies, and before daybreak his work was so far +complete as to enable the men to proceed without interruption by the fire +from the Plaza. The breastwork being finished, the six-pounders were +fired rapidly and with much accuracy. The impression made on the Allies +was apparent, though they affected to say that the balls did small +damage. None of the Americans was hurt, and they returned to Rivas in +good spirits at the work which had been done with so little expense. The +object of these frequent attacks on the enemy was to keep them in a state +of constant alarm, and besides the actual loss of the Allies in killed +and wounded, the confusion into which they were thrown by the appearance +of the Americans always enabled a few of the soldiers to desert. It was +important, also, for Walker—while waiting the result of Lockridge’s +effort to open the Transit—to let his troops see that they were not +thrown entirely on the defensive. + +It was necessary to inspire the Americans with confidence in their own +strength, and to show them the weakness of the enemy in order to cure, +if possible, the fearful epidemic—for it is a disease—of desertion which +had begun to demoralize the force at Rivas. Early in February a number +of Rangers, with a commissioned officer, deserted and took the road to +Costa Rica, carrying off their horses, saddles, and arms. The morning +report of the 6th of February shows twenty desertions in twenty-four +hours; that of the 8th of the same month shows six. Desertions at that +time were the result of pure fright and restlessness; for the subsistence +was unexceptionable, a large supply of flour and other provisions having +been received from California during the month of January. Besides, the +Rangers were then passing in bodies of ten and twelve through most parts +of the Meridional Department and were able to bring in supplies of corn, +tobacco, and sugar, for the troops. The spirit of desertion was rifest +among those who had been in California; and the wandering habits there +engendered made them restive under the restraints of military life. +Americans, too, are accustomed to discuss public affairs with entire +freedom; and it is difficult to cure them of the habit—most dangerous +in camp—of expressing their opinions about public acts and events. Such +discussions may often be fatal to the safety of an army; and thus, the +habits of freedom, while they add to the courage of the citizen, may also +diminish the fortitude unlicensed speech too often shakes. Foolish speech +and the spread of absurd reports did more to foster desertion among the +troops at Rivas than all the promises of the enemy or any privations to +which they may have been subjected. Unfortunately, many officers were not +much wiser than the men in this respect, and their discouraging remarks +produced most pernicious effects. Such military faults, too, on the +part of officers are hard to deal with; for the punishment of them may +increase the evils they produce. + +On the 6th of February, the United States sloop-of-war St. Mary’s, +Commander Charles Henry Davis commanding, cast anchor in the port of +San Juan del Sur; and a few days thereafter, on the 10th, Her Britannic +Majesty’s steamer Esk, Commander Sir Robert McClure commanding, also +anchored in the same harbor. On the 11th the log of the Granada reads: +“At 9 A.M. the commander of the English ship sent on board to know my +authority for flying a flag. He was answered by the authority of our +government. At 6 P.M. he again sent on board using threats that he would +take me prize or sink me if I did not proceed on board of him with my +commission, which I refused to do. After making me three visits and +threatening everything, the lieutenant insisted on my making a friendly +visit to the commander, which I did.” As soon as the conduct of Sir +Robert McClure was known at Rivas, orders were sent to Fayssoux not to +hold or allow any of his officers or men to hold communication with +the English commander, his officers or crew, and not in any manner to +notice the presence of the Esk in port. In a few hours Sir Robert was in +Rivas; and when informed that his conduct should be properly reported +and brought to the attention of Her Majesty’s government, he was profuse +in his apologies, saying he had not intended any insult to Fayssoux or +his flag. After his apology, the order to Fayssoux was revoked. In the +schooner’s log for the 13th we find: “At 11 A.M. Capt. Davis of the +American sloop-of-war paid us an official visit. At 12 M. Capt. McClure +returned my friendly visit.” The course of Sir Robert McClure illustrates +the conduct of the British naval officers toward Nicaragua. Whenever they +were properly met and resisted in the first instance they would draw +back from their arrogant demands; but if they found only hesitation and +concessions they pressed their interference with more determination after +each successful act. On the 19th the Esk left for Punta Arenas. + +Commander Davis, having sent word that he desired to visit Rivas on +business, an escort was ordered to conduct him to the town, and on the +18th he arrived at headquarters. He spent the afternoon and night in +Rivas, and in his conversations with Walker studiously addressed him +as President. During his stay the officers who accompanied him passed +freely through the camp, and seemed surprised at the cheerful aspect +of the place. The commander stated to Walker that the captain of the +Narraganset, a coal-ship at San Juan, would require her small boats, then +in Rivas, before going to sea. These boats had been brought from the +Transit some weeks previously, with a view of using them on the lake, +but as they were now useless for this service, Walker told Davis he did +not object to return them to the Narraganset. At the same time Walker +mentioned to Davis that the lake and river steamers, belonging to the +American owners of the ocean steamships between Nicaragua and the United +States, were precisely analogous to the boats of the Narraganset, and +if he asked for the latter he should also demand the former from the +Allies. Morgan and Garrison could no more carry on their business of +transporting passengers between the Atlantic and Pacific ports of the +United States without the property then in the hands of the Allies, than +the Narraganset could go to sea without her small boats. Davis appeared +to see the analogy of the cases, and said he would visit San Jorge after +leaving Rivas, and speak with the Allied general on the subject. + +From Rivas Davis went to San Jorge; but if he mentioned the lake and +river steamers it must have been casually, and it was certainly without +any result. He demanded to know from the Allied general whether the +Americans on the small steamers were held against their will, for such +was the current report through the country at the time. But he was +satisfied with the simple assurance that these men served the Allies +voluntarily. Of course any one familiar with the character and morals +of Spanish-American officers, know that such assurances are readily +given and really mean nothing. Davis, however, took no farther steps +to ascertain the facts in relation to the Americans on the steamer, +and this, with other facts, led Walker to see that the United States +commander was more desirous of pressing demands against him than against +the Allies. Hence, when the lieutenant of the St. Mary’s came up for the +Narraganset’s boats, Walker told him he could not give them up unless +Davis treated both parties to the war alike, and pressed his demands +against the Allies with as much vigor as those he might make on the +Nicaraguans. + +During the latter part of February there were several encounters between +the Rangers and small parties of the enemy. A few riflemen, too, would go +out at night and alarm the camp of the Allies by firing on their pickets, +and the enemy would, in the same manner, scatter small parties through +the plantain patches and fire up the streets of Rivas. The Rangers in the +employ of the commissary (of whom at one time there were about thirty) +had some skirmishes with the Allies while the former were collecting +subsistence for the Americans, and on the afternoon of the 4th of March +the enemy took two wagons, several carts, and a number of oxen which had +been sent out, in charge of the Rangers, for corn. This capture was made +not more than a mile from Rivas, and on an estate belonging to the family +of an officer in the Allied army. + +On the evening of the 4th of March, Caycee, with some forty Rangers, was +sent to San Juan del Sur as an escort to Col. Jaquess, Mrs. Dusenberry, +the widow of the major mortally wounded at San Jorge, and others going +to the United States. They arrived at San Juan without seeing the enemy; +but on the 5th, as Caycee was returning to Rivas, he found himself +unexpectedly in the presence of 200 of the Allies, just after he passed +the Half-way House, and was about to leave the Transit road. The enemy +took Caycee by surprise, and he lost six of his men, four killed and +two wounded, before he was able to extricate himself from the fire of +the Allies. He fell back to San Juan, and remained there until the 7th. +In the meantime, Walker having learned, through a native boy, that a +Costa Rican force had left San Jorge, and was on the way to the Transit, +ordered Sanders to get the Rifles ready for marching. The boy who brought +the information to Walker had seen the Costa Ricans pass along the +hill-side while he lay hid in the bushes, and he had thus been able to +count almost every man. He reported them about 200 strong, and Sanders +was sent out to join Caycee with 160 of the Rifles. In the afternoon of +the 5th, Sanders, while on the march toward the Transit, met the enemy +near a league from the Jocote farm. The Rifles were much scattered when +the Costa Ricans first appeared, and Captains Conway and Higley were +engaged in deploying their companies on either side of the road when +they received the enemy’s attack. The Costa Ricans came on briskly and +with confidence; the Rifles, on the contrary, hesitated, and in spite of +the efforts of their officers began to give way. Waters, who was with +Sanders, made several ineffectual attempts to check the disorder into +which the Americans fell, but he could not get the Rifles to make head +against the Costa Ricans, and the latter continued to press the rear of +the Americans until they reached the point where the road forked—one +fork leading to Rivas, the other to San Jorge. The enemy took the road +leading to San Jorge; and no doubt the idea that they were cut off from +their main body, and the necessity of forcing their way back to Cañas, +increased the vigor of their attack, and made them fight with more +appearance of courage than was usual to them. Sanders’ loss was 28, of +which there were 20 killed and 8 wounded. The large proportion of killed +is explained by the fact that a number of the wounded were left on the +field, and the enemy killed these when they came up. Higley and Conway, +both excellent officers, were among the killed. For many hours there were +numbers both of men and officers missing, but the most of these came into +Rivas during the next day. + +The Allies, elated by the result of the conflict with Sanders, marched a +strong body into the plantain patches, to the east of Rivas and near the +Plaza, about ten o’clock P.M. of the 5th. A deserter, who was with them, +called out to the sentry not to fire as “they were Rangers;” but the +fellow’s over-anxious tone betrayed his plans and the alarm was given. +Some rounds of canister fired among the plantains soon scattered the +allied force stationed there; and though the bugles continued to sound +the charge, the spirit of the enemy did not seem equal to the attempt. +The fire into the town had been short and rambling; but a musket-ball +struck Dulaney, of the Artillery, in the throat, inflicting a painful +though not dangerous wound. + +On the afternoon of the 7th Caycee returned to Rivas with his Rangers +and 70 footmen from California, in charge of Capt. Stewart. Arms had +been furnished to the new men from the supply aboard of the Granada; +and the steamer which brought these immigrants from California, also +bore a quantity of arms and ammunition for the service of Nicaragua. +Stewart’s men were formed into a corps called the Red Star Guard, and +they were put under the command of Major Stephen S. Tucker, formerly +of the U. S. Mounted Rifles. Tucker was an excellent officer, punctual +in the discharge of his duties, and rigid in exacting from others +the performance of theirs. The captain of the Guard, Stewart, was +a noisy, talkative man, whose ideas about public affairs had been +derived principally from grogshop assemblies in the mining villages +of California; and Tucker’s ideas of discipline and duty were quite +distasteful to a man whose habit it was to fawn on people in order to +secure their good-will and favor. From the beginning, Tucker was strict +with his men, and aspired to make them the best soldiers in Rivas. For a +time he succeeded admirably; and it is probable he might have done more +with the Guard in the end, had it not been for the foolish talkativeness +of its captain. + +The day after Stewart and his men arrived, the whole force in Rivas was +paraded on the Plaza, and Walker addressed them with a view of raising +their spirits after the depression of Jocote, and Caycee’s mishap on the +Transit. He reviewed the course the Costa Ricans took in the opening of +the war, and contrasted it with the policy the Allies had since adopted, +thereby showing that they had been humbled in their conflict with the +Americans. He also alluded to the efforts made to seduce the troops from +their allegiance to the flag, by representing their chief as selfish and +ungrateful. It was, he said, an insult to Americans to suppose, that they +served a chief; they served a cause and not a man; and when the Allies +asked, what reward they had received or what thanks had been bestowed for +the sufferings at Rivas, at Masaya, and at Granada, they recalled names +that should fill the souls of soldiers with devotion and enthusiasm to +the cause in which they were engaged. The address was brief; but it had +an effect on those who heard it, and for several days the spirit of the +garrison was better than it had been. + +On the 13th, Caycee, with his Rangers, went to San Juan for the purpose +of bringing to Rivas the letters and papers brought by the Sierra +Nevada from Panama. Titus was a passenger on the steamer, and had been +intrusted, so Lockridge afterward said, with the official report of +events on the river; but Walker did not get this report until many days +after Titus’ arrival at Rivas, and then in the shape of duplicates by the +next vessel with mails from San Juan del Norte. Hence, for some time, the +chief information as to affairs on the San Juan was derived from Titus, +and this, as may be readily imagined, was of very inaccurate character. +This person, Titus, had not been at Rivas long, before his reports were +regarded as wholly worthless; for, during the sickness of one of Walker’s +aides, Titus was requested to act, for the time, on the staff of the +general-in-chief. The first duty on which he was sent, required him to +approach a point where the Allies and Americans were in presence of +each other; and Titus, not venturing within range of the enemy’s fire, +received a statement from a soldier and brought it to headquarters as +a report of facts. A moment after Titus’ return, Henningsen rode up, +and reported to Walker a state of facts entirely the reverse of Titus’ +report. Of course, the services of Titus were immediately dispensed with. + +From the first, Walker placed no confidence in the statements of Titus +about affairs on the river. No commission was given to Titus; on the +contrary, when he requested to be sent to the United States with +authority to act for Nicaragua, his application was refused. Although +possessed of some plausibility, he could lead only superficial observers +astray as to his real character. He had too much the air of the bully, to +gain credit for either honesty or firmness of purpose. His future conduct +will hereafter be related; and from it may be learned something of the +man who, when he left New-Orleans, boasted that in not many days the San +Juan river would be open to the Americans. + +At two o’clock on the morning of the 16th, Walker marched for San Jorge, +with about 400 effective men, two iron six-pounders, one twelve-pound +howitzer, and four small mortars. Henningsen accompanied the force with +the view of directing the operations of the artillery. The force of the +enemy had been swelled to upward of 2,000 men, by fresh troops from +Guatemala and Costa Rica; and only the day before a body of 400 or 500 +had been carried on the lake steamer from Tortugas, about ten leagues +south of Virgin Bay, to the camp at San Jorge. By daybreak, however, the +Americans had possession of a small church, about six hundred yards from +the Plaza, where the enemy lay. Soon after the position was secured, the +six-pounders opened on the Allies, men being stationed in the trees so +as to watch where the balls struck; for the dense vegetation about the +town made it impossible to get an open view of the square, and thus the +pointing of the guns was to some extent conjectural. Twelve-pound shells +were also thrown from the mortars; and had there been a larger supply of +shells, the fire of the mortars would have accomplished much. Even the +small number of shells thrown were not without effect on the enemy. As +one of the characteristic incidents of the day, it may be mentioned, that +while the artillery firing was going on, Col. Henry, who had been left in +bed at Rivas, rode up on his mule, and received another bullet from the +enemy before the day was over. + +While the artillery was engaged in pouring round shot and shell into the +Plaza, Tucker, with the Red Star Guard, was throwing up a breastwork some +seventy or eighty yards to the left, and in advance of the church Walker +occupied. The ground where Tucker was at work touched the road leading +straight into the Plaza; and he was preparing it for the reception of +a gun which might thence have told with much effect on the Allies. The +enemy, however, observed Tucker’s men, and before the breastwork was +complete, several hundred of the newly-arrived Costa Ricans sallied from +the Plaza, and advancing through the plantain walks, fell with fury on +the Red Star Guard. Tucker fought fiercely for several minutes, his men +showing fine spirit, and doing good work with their Minié muskets. But +the strength of the enemy was such, as to force him to retire to the +church, after the loss of several killed and wounded. + +The several roads and bye-paths in the rear, and on the flanks of the +American main position at the church, were well watched and guarded +by the Rangers, as well as by some companies of Infantry and Rifles. +Captain Northedge’s company on the left, was assailed about the same +time with Tucker; but he held his position, and the enemy retired. There +was more or less skirmishing on the flanks and rear, while the Artillery +was exhausting its supplies of shot; after some three hundred and fifty +rounds had been fired, it was clear that few of the enemy remained in the +Plaza, and that they were taking positions on the road between San Jorge +and Rivas, with a view of harassing, if not of preventing the return of +the Americans to the latter place. The delay in the re-appearance of some +Rangers sent to Rivas to ascertain whether the road to that place was +open, showed that the Allies were attempting to occupy it. The enemy thus +having almost entirely deserted San Jorge, and offering action along the +road to Rivas, Walker decided to accept the offer. + +Placing, then, Waters with the Rangers in front, and Henningsen with the +twelve-pound howitzer in the rear, while the wounded and the six-pounders +occupied the centre of the column, Walker took the main road from San +Jorge to Rivas. As he approached a small rise in the road, near a mile +from San Jorge, the general-in-chief found Waters engaged with the enemy, +posted some hundred and fifty or two hundred yards in advance, on each +side of a deep cut in the road. The Rangers had been engaged for several +minutes when the general-in-chief came up; and when Walker saw how the +Allies were posted, taking the nearest company, which happened to be that +of Captain Clark of the Infantry, he made a detour to the right, and +coming suddenly on the enemy’s left flank, drove them across the road, +and then from their whole position. Thus sweeping the road as they passed +over it, the Americans reached the point known as Cuatro Esquinas, near +half a mile from Rivas, without further serious interruption from the +Allies. Several times they tried to close on the rear but the resolute +and defiant air of Henningsen, kept them at a safe distance. + +While Walker was at San Jorge, Swingle remained in command at Rivas; and +the enemy had once during the day approached the barricades, thinking +they might enter the town with small risk. But Swingle was not a man +to be trifled with; and the Allies soon gave up their efforts to get a +foothold in the place. Then they occupied a house some six hundred yards +from the Plaza of Rivas, and near the road between the town and the +Cuatro Esquinas. The enemy had, during the afternoon, strongly barricaded +this house, and as the head of the American column approached it, the +Allies opened a sharp fire of musketry from the loop-holes they had cut +through the walls of the building. The Americans were, to some extent, +protected by the shelving ground between the house and the road, and +many of them thus passed without much danger from the enemy’s fire; but +several were hurt before they got under a steep bank which entirely +screened them from the balls of the Allies. Walker himself pushed on to +Rivas, and ascertaining that the road to the left from Cuatro Esquinas +was clear of the enemy, sent orders to Henningsen to have the wounded +brought in by that road. He also sent orders to have the guns brought +in the same way; but before these orders reached Henningsen, the guns +were already on the narrow road the main body had taken, and could not +be withdrawn. After the general-in-chief passed the house the Allies +occupied, Dolan, coming up with his Rifles, rode almost on to the +muskets of the enemy, calling to his men to follow. His characteristic +impetuosity carried him too far; he fell bleeding and apparently nigh +dead, from several severe wounds; and he is indebted to a remarkably +tough body for his recovery from the effects of that day’s rashness. Soon +after dark nearly all the American force had reached the Plaza of Rivas; +but it was not before morning of the 17th that the guns and mortars were +safely within the barricades. + +The loss of the Americans on the 16th of March was thirteen killed and +sixty-three wounded, four of the latter mortally. Among the mortally +wounded was Lewis, of the Second Rifles. He received a musket-ball +through the chest as he rode into the midst of the enemy near San Jorge; +and among his last words were, “Tell my mother that I died as I have +always wished to die.” Tucker was wounded in the sword hand; but not so +seriously as to prevent him from reporting for duty a few days afterward. +The Red Star Guard suffered severely, they reporting on the 17th two +killed, four mortally wounded, and nearly half their number more or +less hurt. The loss of the Allies was, according to the reports of their +own officers, five hundred killed and wounded. An Italian, acting as an +officer with the Allies, and afterward taken prisoner, put their loss at +this figure; and a Costa Rican officer, who arrived at San Jorge on the +17th, and was made prisoner by the Americans on the 11th of April, stated +that the sight of the numerous wounded being carried to the lake steamer, +as the new men from Tortugas landed, made a deep and gloomy impression on +the minds of the latter. + +On the 19th, Colonel Waters, with fifty Rangers, marched to San Juan del +Sur to communicate with the steamer Orizaba, which arrived that day from +San Francisco. The steamer brought Captain Chatfield, with twenty others, +for Nicaragua, and also some arms and five hundred 6lb. shot. Waters had +three hundred of the shot carried to Rivas; and Chatfield, with his men, +accompanied the Rangers on their return. By the Orizaba, Walker also +received letters from his California correspondents, more than intimating +doubts of Garrison’s fidelity to his contracts and compromises. The +regular day for the sailing of the Orizaba was the 20th of March; and +the friends of Nicaragua in San Francisco had made their arrangements +expecting she would sail at that time. Two or three days, however, before +the 5th of March, letters were received from Morgan and Garrison by their +agents at San Francisco, ordering the Orizaba to be despatched two weeks +in advance of her regular day. The change was damaging to the plans of +Walker’s friends in California; and the inference was that the Transit +contractors were about to play false with the men who had risked much to +advance their interests. + +The day after the action at San Jorge and along the road between that +town and Rivas, the Allies received fresh troops, and also brought +across the lake one of the old 24-pound pieces the Spaniards left in the +country. They took a position on a slight eminence, about 1,200 yards +from Rivas, just beyond the Cuatro Esquinas; and, on the 22d of March, +planting the twenty-four pounder there, they opened a scattering and +irregular fire on the town. The 24-pound balls were, at long intervals, +sent into the place, doing, however, little or no damage. They were +picked up by the men and carried to the arsenal; and Swingle afterward +melted them into 6-pound balls and sent them back to the enemy. But the +cannonade—if such it might be called—of the 22d, was preliminary to an +attack the Allies made early on the morning of the 23d. + +On Monday, the 23d, just before daybreak, a body of some four or five +hundred of the enemy crept under the thick shades of the cacao walks, +behind the Maleaño house, and getting almost to the back gate of the +hospital before they were discovered, made a vigorous attempt to get +within the building. But Dr. Dolman, with a few half-sick men, resisted +the enemy with such firmness and composure, that time was afforded Dr. +Callaghan, who had charge of the point, to get the hospital ready for +defence. The Allies thus foiled in their efforts to surprise the Maleaño +house, were driven back with much loss and more disgrace: for they had +unsuccessfully, no less than cruelly, attacked a building occupied +almost exclusively by the sick and wounded. + +The attack on the hospital was, however, part of a general assault on +the positions held by the Americans. On the north side of the town, +Cañas, with some six or seven hundred men, tried to get up to the houses +near the barricades, but his men were driven back by the deadly fire of +the riflemen stationed behind the adobe defences. Finding the efforts +of the infantry to approach the barricades ineffectual, Cañas had a +four-pounder, in charge of an Italian, pushed within less than two +hundred yards of the American lines. This was a bolder movement than the +enemy were in the habit of making with their artillery, and it was the +result of a mistake rather than of design. The gun was fired two or three +times; but when it got within range of the Mississippi Rifles the men at +the piece began to fall rapidly, and finally abandoned it. The Italian +commanding the piece was dangerously wounded and made prisoner; and +Rogers, with a few of the native Nicaraguans, took the gun and dragged it +into the town. Cañas was forced to retire, leaving many of his wounded, +as well as a large number of his dead, on the field. + +The south side of the town was attacked by Fernando Chamorro with some +six hundred men. He succeeded in getting possession of some empty houses +not more than a square from the Plaza, and commenced with the usual +rapidity to raise barricades at the points he occupied. The Red Star +Guard was defending the portion of the town attacked by Chamorro, and +Tucker was kept busy in repelling the advances of the enemy. At one time +a company of the Allies actually got possession of a house which had been +occupied by the Guard; but though a bold, it was a mistaken movement on +their part, for the Guard cut them off from their main body, and killing +several, and wounding others, as they attempted to leave the house, +Tucker’s men took the rest of the company prisoners. With some difficulty +Henningsen succeeded with the six-pounders in driving Chamorro from the +houses he had occupied early in the day, and after this was accomplished +the fire of the enemy almost entirely ceased. + +The loss of the Americans on the 23d was slight; three killed and six +wounded was the report made immediately after the action. The loss of the +enemy must have been near 600. They left between 40 and 50 dead on the +field; and the wells about the houses Chamorro occupied were filled with +freshly-slain bodies. The wounded taken by the Americans were sent to the +hospital, and received the same attentions as the other patients. The +other prisoners were set to work burying the dead of the enemy, building +barricades, and doing the police duty of the town. + +After the action of the 23d, the Allies took possession of the house of +D. José Maria Hurtado, a fine large building, less than half a mile from +Rivas, on the road to Granada; and on the morning of the 24th, a body of +the enemy, probably belonging to the troops stationed at Hurtado’s house, +attempted to set fire to the building of Santa Ursula, occupied by some +of the Infantry. They used for this purpose some combustibles covered +with resinous matter, and stuck on a bayonet fixed to the end of a long +pole. Approaching the rear of the building, the enemy thrust the bayonet +between the tiles of the roof into the cane on which they are placed, and +thus the fire partially caught. But the Infantry drove off the troops +which applied the fire, killing several and wounding others, and the +flames were soon extinguished. + +During the afternoon of the 25th Henningsen used a safer and more +effectual method for setting fire to the enemy’s barricades, made partly +of wood and plantain stalks. He threw a number of hot shot from one of +the six-pounders into the wood-work of the barricades, and the smoke +which arose showed that the shot had been effectual. As a supply of +round shot had been received from California, and Swingle was engaged +in casting others, the Americans could afford to reply with their +six-pounders to the fire of the enemy’s guns, and yet retain a reserve +of balls for any pressing emergency. This, of course, much increased the +effectiveness of the artillery, and enabled it to keep the Allies at a +safe distance from the lines of Rivas. After the repulse of the 23d, the +enemy evidently aimed to invest the town and cut off its supplies; and, +in addition to the occupation of Hurtado’s house, they took a position +on the San Juan road. This last position was taken on the morning of the +26th, and in an unsuccessful effort made by some Infantry and Rifles, +Capt. E. H. Clark was unfortunately lost. With their ranks already +thinned by desertion, the Americans could ill afford to spare the lives +necessarily lost in driving the Allies from their barricaded positions +with small arms; and the artillery, forcing the enemy to extend their +lines, thereby prevented the investment from becoming complete. Hence +Walker had no difficulty in constantly sending native couriers through +the allied lines, in order to get the news circulating in the country. + +The Allies were, however, strong enough to prevent detachments from +bringing cattle and other supplies from a distance into the American +camp. Col. Natzmer, who acted as commissary-general after Walker occupied +Rivas in December, had been actively employed during January and +February, and had brought in a supply of subsistence which, considering +the means at his disposal, was creditable to his skill and efficiency. +The post commissary, also, Capt. J. S. West, had much aided his chief +in the duties of the commissariat; and even after the enemy had cut off +supplies from a distance, West, by his cool, deliberate courage, did +much to gather rations of plantains from the debateable and dangerous +ground between the American and Allied lines. But on the 27th of March, +it became necessary for the commissary to have two quartermaster’s oxen +killed; and these, with a slight mixture of mule meat, furnished the +rations for the next morning. The mule meat was eaten by the troops as +beef; and in two or three days none but horse or mule flesh was issued as +the meat ration. The large number of horses and mules belonging to the +Rangers and to the quartermaster, furnished full rations to the whole +camp for more than a month, and the leaves of the mango trees, many of +which grew around Rivas, furnished excellent forage for the animals. +In order not to place Lockridge in a false position, should he succeed +in reaching Rivas from the river, Walker was determined to hold the +town as long as his provisions lasted. Besides this, although Cañas, in +return for the care taken of his sick and wounded, after his retreat in +April, 1856, had been placed under obligations to see that the Americans +were treated in the same manner, Walker was averse, unless in the last +extremity, to leaving his hospital to the tender mercies of the Allied +generals. + +During the last days of March and the first ten days of April, the +enemy, having brought up another twenty-four-pound gun and placed it on +the south side of the town, kept up an irregular fire with their large +pieces, and from time to time they would fire volleys of musketry at +random, the balls dropping on the houses and in the streets of the place. +Few men were hurt by this irregular fire. Two officers, Capt. Mann and +Lieut. Moore, were killed by twenty-four pound balls, and the officer of +the day, on the 29th of March, Lieut. Graves, had his arm broken by a +Minié ball, while he was visiting on horseback the several points on the +edge of the town. The aides of the general-in-chief, Hooff and Brady, +who were constantly, day and night, passing through different exposed +quarters of the place—Brady, too, on a fine spirited white horse, which +necessarily attracted the attention of the enemy—escaped untouched. Every +now and then, small parties of Americans were sent beyond the lines, and +getting close to the enemy’s pickets would drive them in, nearly always +killing or wounding some of the sentries of the Allies. So, too, the +enemy would sometimes meet the Americans when they ventured outside to +gather plantains, and skirmishes, with more or less loss to each side, +would ensue. + +But it was not the scanty rations or the fire of the Allies which did +most injury to the American force; it was the shameful desertion which +most affected the spirits and the strength of the defenders of Rivas. +As long as the desertion was confined principally to those of European +birth, it did not so seriously sap the confidence men had in each other; +but when the fatal infection spread among the Americans, it wrung bitter +tears of agony from every true-hearted man who witnessed the shame and +dishonor of his countrymen. Sometimes the deserters left in bodies of ten +or twelve, and the sentries and pickets would leave with the countersign +for the night. Let us pass the names of these with sorrow for the +weakness of human nature, nor taint the air with the narration of their +crimes and degradation. There is shame and infamy enough in the world +without seeking for them on fields where glory should be won and honor +achieved. + +A day or two before the 10th of April the Allies received a body of +fresh troops from Guatemala, and the quiet of the enemy on the 10th led +to the surmise that they might select the anniversary of the action at +Rivas, in April, 1856, for another general attack on the American lines. +They supposed that the force in Rivas, weakened by its unusual food and +disheartened by desertions might yield readily to a vigorous assault made +on all sides at the same moment. But they underrated the spirit of their +adversaries. The Nicaraguans really hoped that the Allies would find +courage to attack them, and they were vigilant and well prepared during +the night of the 10th and on the morning of the 11th. + +As expected, the enemy came up a little before daybreak of the 11th, and +made their first dash at a house on the south side of the Plaza, occupied +by a couple of American ladies. The latter had been frequently warned of +the danger of their position, but they persisted in remaining where they +were against the remonstrances of several officers. This attempt of the +enemy to gain a foothold on the Plaza was made by a body of Costa Ricans, +and guided by a Legitimist, Bonilla, familiar with the ground, they got +close to the house and were within it before the alarm was given. But as +they opened the door fronting on the Plaza, with a view of getting to +the house next on their right, and held by some of the quartermaster’s +men, Sevier, of the Artillery, ran out a twelve-pound howitzer, not +thirty yards from the Costa Ricans, and one round of canister drove the +enemy behind the adobes. Thus the advance of the Allies was checked on +the south side, and the company in the house, fronting the Plaza, was +completely cut off by the quartermaster’s men on one flank, Williamson +with his company on the other, and by Pineda with Buchanan’s Rangers in +the rear. In a few moments Henningsen began to riddle the house with +six-pound shot, and the Costa Ricans, crouching on the ground, knew +not how to escape the danger which surrounded them. Finally Pineda, +addressing them in Spanish, called on them to surrender, and those who +escaped death were taken prisoners. + +But while the round shot were riddling the house held by the Costa +Ricans, the fresh Guatemalan troops, half drunk with aguardiente, were +driven up by their officers close to the American lines. These soldiers, +probably never before in action, and not aware of the danger from rifles, +exposed themselves without reason, at a distance of sixty or seventy-five +yards from the positions held by McEachin and McMichael. The men under +these two officers poured a deadly fire into the foolish and ignorant +Indians Carrera had sent to Nicaragua; and it was with a feeling almost +of pity for these forced levies that the Americans were obliged to shoot +them down like so many cattle. The Guatemalan officers cared no more for +their men than if they were sheep; and when they finally drew off their +troops the ground was thickly strewn with the dead and the wounded. + +The third point of attack on the 11th was the house of Santa Ursula. +Martinez directed the Allies on that side; but he was not more fortunate +than Mora—for José Joaquin Mora was now commander-in-chief of the +Allies—on the south or than Zavala on the north. The men Martinez sent +against Santa Ursula did not make as bold a dash as did the Costa +Ricans at the house on the south side of the Plaza, nor did they expose +themselves as unnecessarily as the Guatemalans in front of McMichael +and McEachin; but the number of dead they left on the field when they +retired showed that Chatfield and the men at Santa Ursula had not missed +opportunities for weakening the enemy. The repulse of the Allies was +complete on all sides; and when they fell back, it was clear that they +were much exhausted and demoralized. + +The loss of the Americans on the 11th of April was small, being the same +as on the 23d of March three killed and six wounded. The loss of the +Allies was even greater than at the previous attack. After the enemy +retired 110 of their dead were buried by the Americans; the wounded +prisoners were sent to the Allied camp under a flag of truce, and upward +of 70 unhurt prisoners retained. In addition to the dead found by the +Nicaraguans, nearly one hundred bodies were seen the day after in the +Allied camp, so that the killed exceeded 200. The whole loss must have +amounted to 700 or 800; and the weakness of the enemy for several days +was very apparent to the troops in Rivas. In addition to the prisoners +taken by the Americans, 250 small arms, many of them Minié muskets, and +some ammunition, were picked up on the field. The Minié muskets were +those which had been taken from the steamer La Virgen at the time of her +capture by Spencer; and the ammunition also was of that the Costa Ricans +had got with the Minié muskets. + +The night of the 11th, Capt. Hankins, with two native boys, was sent to +San Juan del Sur to get the correspondence brought from Panama by the +Orizaba. On the night of the 14th he returned to Rivas, and added to the +commissary stores by riding in on horseback. The letters from the San +Juan river gave the news of the arrival of Capers and Marcellus French +with their respective commands; while those from New-York too well +confirmed the surmises of Walker’s friends in California, for they gave +notice of the intention of Garrison and Morgan to cease running their +steamers. It is unnecessary to go into the reasons which induced these +men to the course they took; for it would involve an investigation into +transactions uninteresting if not positively distasteful. Suffice it +to say that their conduct was the result of weakness and timidity. As +to their treachery, Walker had expected them to remain faithful to the +Americans in Nicaragua only as long as their interests required fidelity; +he expected them, however, to show more commercial nerve and sagacity +than they displayed. Their course evinced as much folly as timidity, +and jeoparded their reputation of skilful merchants fully as much as it +damaged their character for honesty and integrity. + +From the 14th to the 23d, a number of skirmishes took place between +parties of the enemy and small bodies of the Americans who went out to +gather plantains; but none of these was serious or deserving of special +notice. One of these skirmishes occurred on the morning of the 23d; +and in the afternoon of the same day, a flag of truce brought letters +to Walker announcing that Lieut. Huston, of the St. Mary’s, was at the +headquarters of the Allies, and was ready, under the United States +flag, to conduct the women and children in Rivas to San Juan del Sur. A +letter from Mora to Walker proposed to send two of his aides with Lieut. +Huston to a convenient-point between the camps, where the United States +officer might be met by two of Walker’s aids, and be thus conducted into +Rivas. In accordance with this proposition, Hooff and Brady accompanied +the native boy who bore the letters from Mora to a point about half way +between the camps, and there halted, waiting the approach of Lieut. +Huston. While these two officers waited, a couple of deserters approached +and attempted to address them; but Hooff, drawing his pistol, warned the +fellows off under peril of their lives. Then, indignant at the Allies +for permitting such an insult as the approach of deserters to officers +bearing a flag of truce, Hooff and Brady returned to Rivas without +waiting longer the arrival of Lieut. Huston. Soon after, however, Lieut. +Huston entered the town, accompanied by a corporal of marines. + +Immediately after Lieut. Huston entered the Nicaraguan camp, he was told +to forbid his corporal to speak with the soldiers about facts or events +at San Juan del Sur. In spite of this injunction the marine told the +most exaggerated stories about the number of men the Allies had at San +Juan, and about their strength generally. Lieut. Huston remained in Rivas +during the night of the 23d, and he frequently expressed his surprise at +the cheerful and confident aspect of affairs in the place. Before leaving +with the women, he informed Walker that Commander Davis had ordered him +to say any communications he had to make to Macdonald, the agent of +the Transit contractors at San Juan, should be faithfully delivered. +Walker replied, “he did not desire to write to Macdonald”; but added +that Lieut. Huston might say to Commander Davis—and as a communication +for Macdonald—“he considered his position at Rivas impregnable to the +force at the disposal of the enemy so long as his provisions lasted; if +Lockridge did not join him in Rivas by the time his commissary stores +were exhausted, he would abandon the place and join the force on the +San Juan; and he considered himself wholly able to carry out such a +movement.” Macdonald afterward told Walker that he never received this +message. From this fact, it would appear that Davis’ offer was a mere +effort to entrap Walker into writing something which might seem to +justify the former in the course he afterward took. + +On the morning of the 24th the women and children left Rivas in charge of +Lieut. Huston and under the protection of the United States flag. Among +them were several ladies who had encountered the dangers and privations +of the camp with a courage and fortitude which might have made many +of the men blush. Their departure was a great relief to Walker, as it +removed one of the most serious obstacles to a movement from Rivas; and +it was reasonable to suppose that their absence would inspire new spirit +and resolution into the troops thus relieved of an anxious burden. Far +from this, however, desertions, which had almost ceased since the 11th, +re-commenced after the 24th; and by the 26th Johnson and Titus and +Bostwick had disappeared from Rivas. Late in the afternoon of that day +it was reported to Walker that Bell, commanding at Santa Ursula, had +not been seen for several hours; and when he did re-appear, his orders +in regard to the change of the sentries’ post, were suspicious. He was +ordered to headquarters; but soon after the aid communicated the order, +Bell mounted his mule, and riding hastily past the sentries, fled to the +Allied camp. + +But while Americans were thus proving false to themselves and false to +their countrymen, the native Nicaraguans in Rivas were giving an example +of fidelity and fortitude worthy the race which had been naturalized +in their midst. The natives in Rivas were mostly Democrats from San +Jorge, and they were there by families—fathers and sons fighting together +against the Allied foes who had violated their fields and their homes. +They bore the scanty fare of the camp with patience and cheerfulness, +saying they had not as much need of meat rations as the Americans, +who were accustomed to have beef every day. During the frequent +conversations, too, which occurred between the men at the barricades +of the respective forces, Pineda reminded the native Nicaraguans who +were with the Allies that he saw the flag of his country flying on the +walls of Rivas, while only the Costa Rican colors floated over the camp +without. Some of the soldiers would reply to Pineda that they were +“agarrados”—caught up—and were tied to their barricades; and it was +noticed that the Americans were never annoyed by the fire from the points +at which the Leoneses were stationed. On the 27th, Pineda threw among +the Leoneses an address which, while it indicates the loftiness of his +character, also shows his opinion as to the conduct of the Americans in +Nicaragua. “Born,” so the address read, “a citizen of Nicaragua like +yourselves, fond of liberty, and desirous of seeing its flag waving over +our country, I early enlisted under that standard. All the hardships +tyranny can heap upon a man, all the horrors of the civil war, which for +so many years has been our plague, I have suffered without complaint. +The scars I bear with pride are the best proof of what I say. I feel my +enthusiasm yet more strengthened by the testimony I find in my heart +that none of the heavy sacrifices I have made were made for low or +selfish interest. Never, I believe, never have I been found guilty, at +your hands, of any misconduct; and I call upon you to bear witness to +the correctness of my words. You were my fellow-soldiers, and bestowed +upon me your confidence. Under these circumstances, what other object +than your happiness and welfare could nerve me? My own happiness, my +reputation, my private feelings, and all that is mine, are involved in +this struggle for liberty. Yes, and I call upon those leaders who drag +you into this murderous war of extermination, to say if they have not +been indemnified, if they have not accumulated profits by it, while +you and I have received nothing. The flag of Nicaragua waves over this +city, and it is a painful disgrace to see it besieged by the armies of +Costa Rica and Guatemala, and you, my fellow-countrymen, assault it +with them.” Then, reminding them of the services they had received at +the hands of Walker, the address adds: “How is it that you, my friends, +should fight against him, thus giving a most striking instance of perfidy +and ingratitude? No: it cannot be. My heart is filled with gloom, and, +fellow-soldiers, believe me when I say that tears fell from my eyes on +hearing the voices of those who used to take my hand with heartfelt +demonstrations of friendship. When I see you where you are, I dare tell +you to awake from your slumber, and fly from the enemy’s ranks to the +only man who will bring us in safety to the bosom of peace and happiness, +by putting an end to this desolating war. But if you continue in your +present course, and remain the tools of barbarism, you will meet reproof, +though war may last some time and your own acts obstruct its termination.” + +Little occurred between the 27th and 30th to change the condition of the +respective parties. In order, however, to understand the events of the +30th, it will be necessary to relate occurrences at San Juan del Sur +previous to that date. Then may we perceive how efficiently the U. S. +naval forces, on the Pacific side, co-operated in the policy the British +ships pursued toward parties on the San Juan river. + +For the facts which transpired at San Juan del Sur, the log of the +schooner Granada will be principally relied on, and full extracts from +the log will furnish the clearest and most accurate narrative. On +Wednesday, the 8th of April, the schooner lying in the port of San Juan, +we find: “At 9 A.M., 100 of the enemy came into the town and fired some +few shots at the schooner and at one or two of the citizens, doing no +damage; we did not return their shots, on account of the steamer being in +range full of passengers, but slipped our chain and dropped out of reach. +Through the intercession of Captain Davis, of the U. S. sloop-of-war +St. Mary’s, we agreed to not fire upon each other, as we might endanger +American life and property. At 2 P.M. the Orizaba left for California. At +9 P.M. the enemy left San Juan.” Then, on the margin of the log for April +15th, we find: “At 9 A.M. one of the enemy came in and met Gottell.” This +Gottell was a German, claiming to be a naturalized citizen of the United +States. On the margin for the next day Fayssoux remarks: “In conversing +with Gottell he acknowledged that the above man came from the enemy’s +camp on Tuesday.” On the 17th, in the body of the log: “Made a formal +charge to Captain Davis, of the U. S. sloop-of-war, St. Mary’s, against +Gottell, for his violating his neutrality, and received his assurance +that Gottell should be punished if it occurred again. Mora requested +Davis to go up and speak to the troops at Rivas, to get them to desert +General Walker.” Then in the margin for the same day: “Captain Davis +read to me letters from Mora. Later in the day we heard that about 150 +of the enemy were in and about town. Lieutenant McCorkle, of the St. +Mary’s, came on board and said that Colonel Estrada wished the former +truce continued.” On the 18th, the log says: “At 10 P.M. received a +communication from shore, to the effect that Jerez was coming in with +200 more troops, and that they were going to fire on the schooner at +daylight; slipped my chain and dropped out of their reach.” In the +margin, for the same day: “The enemy offered Michael Mars $2,000 to place +the schooner in their hands.” On the 21st: “The enemy negotiating with +Thomas Edwards to deliver up the schooner.” + +On the 22d Fayssoux notes in the log: “I met Col. Estrada, the commander +of the enemy, on board of the U. S. sloop St. Mary’s; he expressed +great gratitude for my treatment of his countrymen that I had taken +prisoners, and offered his services to me.” On the 23d: “Saw a letter +from ex-Captain James Mullen, in which he stated that Roman Rivas wished +him to see me, and offer $5,000 if I would deliver the schooner to the +enemy. Colonel Garcia, second in command, requested an interview with +me on board of the U. S. sloop, St. Mary’s, to communicate something +of importance—I suppose another attempt to bribe.” Then, on Friday, +the 24th, we have an account of a most singular scene aboard of the St. +Mary’s. Fayssoux’s object in permitting the interview may be readily +imagined, but it is more difficult to divine why Davis should permit his +ship to be made the theatre of an attempt to seduce an officer from his +allegiance. But to the log: “I met Colonel Garcia on board of the St. +Mary’s. He stated that Jerez had written to him (by order of General +Mora), to see me and try to make some arrangement to bring the war to a +speedy close; that the schooner being in port, under General Walker’s +orders, she was much dreaded and might delay the close of the war. He +asked if I had any proposition to make; I told him that he had sought the +interview, and that I was waiting to hear for what purpose. He then said +that they wished the schooner taken from the port or given up to them. +I asked upon what terms: he said that he was not prepared to offer any, +but that a commissioner would be appointed for that purpose; that his +object was to see if I could be approached. I said that I would listen +to any proposition from General Mora; that the present interview had not +effected anything; that he had not proposed any mode of closing the war; +that we stood as we had done previously. I acted on the above occasion +with the knowledge and approval of Captain Davis and Colonel Macdonald, +and at no time lost command of my temper, although seeing the full extent +of the dishonor offered me, and the insult of their sending such a noted +thief and traitor to confer with me.” + +For the 25th, we find: “Sent word by Capt. Charles H. Davis to Col. +Estrada that if he did not discontinue erecting barricades which could +be commanded by my guns that I would fire upon him; he agreed to do so +until Lieut. Huston of the St. Mary’s should arrive from Rivas, where he +had gone to escort the American ladies who were there, to San Juan. Col. +Estrada said that in erecting barricades he had nothing in view against +this schooner, but put them up to prevent the landing of troops; that he +did it in ignorance, not meaning to violate the agreement between him and +myself. At 4 P.M. some thirty women and children arrived at the Pacific +hotel. The barricades not worked upon.” Then on the 26th: “Capt. Davis +spoke again to Col. Estrada in regard to the barricades; he said he would +not do anything on them until he heard from Rivas. Capt. Davis wrote to +General Mora asking him to confirm the truce, as the number of women +had largely increased, and that I felt it my duty to fire upon their +barricades, if in reach of my guns. The enemy mounted and brought to the +beach an old gun that they found lying in the street Capt. Davis says +that General Mora has written to him several times, appearing anxious for +him to come to him and open a treaty with General Walker.” And in the +margin: “I had to urge Capt. Davis at all times to interfere about the +barricades.” + +On the 27th: “At 10ʰ 45′ saw the enemy erecting a barricade in the +Columbia hotel; I immediately prepared to haul in shore. At the same +time I sent to Capt. Davis, and said that as the enemy were acting in +bad faith I would fire upon them. He sent First Lieut. Maury to me to +ask if I would not wait until he heard from Rivas. I replied that I +would if Capt. Davis would then go on shore and destroy them (meaning the +barricades). Lieut. Maury could not answer that question. I then told +him that if they did not stop that in half an hour I would fire. Lieut. +Maury then went to Colonel Estrada and said that Capt. Davis looked on +the truce as at an end, and that I would fire in half an hour. Colonel +Estrada wished to debate the question, and again pleaded ignorance; but +Lieut. Maury said that he had nothing more to say, that I would fire. +Estrada then agreed to let the barricade alone, and that the truce should +be observed. The first note was sent to Col. C. J. Macdonald, and shown +by him to Capt. D., who said that he would take me if I did fire, as he +thought it would be his duty. Macdonald was asked to come on board and +say that I must not fire, as Davis would take me; Macdonald asked for +that threat in writing; Davis offered to give it, but after some more +conversation on the subject, he sent the above message to Estrada. Capt. +D. acknowledged to Macdonald that it would be my duty to fire if the +enemy did not desist; his reasoning was entirely incomprehensible to me.” +And the reasoning is incomprehensible to any one, on the supposition +of Davis’ neutrality. The marginal note on the log for the 27th, says: +“Although being perfectly aware of the treachery of the enemy at all +times, and their violation of the truce in building barricades in reach +of my guns, I permitted them to go to a certain extent, hoping to turn +them to our advantage. And thinking it policy, I did not urge upon Capt. +Davis his duty to destroy those already started or completed, though I +took occasion to let his officers know my views on the subject, and that +I thought he was easily satisfied with promises which were constantly +broken; that I had had opportunities of gaining advantages, but had +scrupulously kept the truce.” + +Tuesday, April 28th: “Saw the enemy putting up a barricade on the +Transit road. Although the fact was mentioned to Capt. Davis, he did +not take any action upon it, but told me that General Mora, in reply to +a letter from him, said that though he looked upon it as a matter of +great importance to fortify San Juan, as Davis requested it, he would +not put up barricades under my guns. Lieut. McCorkle visited the enemy’s +camp, to ascertain if reports brought by a man by the name of Titus from +General Walker’s camp were true, he, Titus, being thought a traitor.” On +the 29th: “At 2 P.M. Lieut. McCorkle returned from the Allied camp. He +reports our men deserting in large bodies; that General Mora says that +General Walker will not be included in any treaty that may be made.” Then +on the 30th: “Capt. Davis visited the camp of the Allies for the purpose +of treating between them and General Walker.” + +The facts plainly and simply told by the log of the schooner show that +Davis was in constant communication with Mora, and that he was fully +aware of the value of the Granada to Walker, and of the importance the +Allies attached to her presence at San Juan del Sur. It was with a full +and thorough knowledge of the ineffectual efforts Mora had made to get +the schooner that Davis reached the headquarters of the Allies, whence on +the afternoon of the 30th, he sent a letter to Walker by an aide-de-camp +of the Costa Rican general-in-chief. The latter proposed that Walker +should abandon Rivas and go aboard of the St. Mary’s to Panama, Davis +undertaking to guarantee his personal safety. Although the tone of the +letter was offensive, Walker, thinking Davis might have some information +he did not possess, and unwilling to let slip an opportunity of gaining +knowledge as to what was passing between Davis and the Allies, replied +that the proposition of the United States commander was vague, and +suggested a visit on his part to Rivas. Davis answered that he was sorry +Walker found his proposition vague; that he proposed the latter should +“abandon the enterprise and leave the country;” that Walker might rely +on the fact of Lockridge having left San Juan river; and finally that he +had maturely considered the invitation to enter Rivas, and had decided, +unreservedly, not to take such a step. Thus did the United States +commander refuse to see for himself the state of the force in Rivas +before he determined on the course he should pursue. In reply to the +second letter of Davis, Walker proposed to send two officers, Henningsen +and Waters, to confer with the United States commander, provided they +had safe conduct from Mora. The required safe conduct was forthwith +sent, and with a short note in the handwriting of Zavala, but signed +by Davis, saying that Henningsen and Waters should proceed at once to +the headquarters of the Allies, as the commander of the St. Mary’s was +obliged to return speedily to San Juan del Sur. + +Accordingly, Henningsen and Waters proceeded to the headquarters of the +Allies, and what there passed may be best told in the words of the +written report Henningsen made to Walker on the 2d of May. The report +says:— + +“In conformity with your instructions on the night of the 30th of April, +I proceeded with Col. Waters to the enemy’s camp at Cuatro Esquinas, to +confer on your behalf with Capt. Davis of the U. S. sloop-of-war St. +Mary’s. Capt. Davis remarked that he was in possession of information, +which, in his opinion, rendered your position at Rivas untenable, and +that he had, therefore, with the view of saving further useless effusion +of blood, opened negotiations with the Allies for the evacuation of that +place, in the event of his being able to obtain your concurrence. + +“This information was, firstly, that Col. Lockridge had retired with all +your forces to the United States, leaving the enemy in possession of +the San Juan river; secondly, that the Transit Company intended to send +no more steamers to San Juan del Sur; thirdly, that you were reduced to +a few days’ provisions, and that your ranks were being rapidly thinned +by desertion. Under these circumstances, considering your position as +desperate in Rivas, he had to propose that you should surrender Rivas to +him, that you and your staff should accompany him to San Juan del Sur, +to be transported by the St. Mary’s to Panama; that the rest of the army +and citizens should be likewise transported via Tortugas and Punta Arenas +to Panama, after surrendering their arms to him, the officers retaining +their side-arms. I replied that your entertaining such a proposition +would depend on your being satisfied with regard to the evacuation of +the river by Col. Lockridge and his command, as your principal motive for +holding Rivas to the last moment was the fear that he might arrive and +find it occupied by the enemy: that with regard to your position being +desperate, it was true that you could not, from want of provisions, hold +Rivas much longer, but that you could break through the enemy’s lines +and march in any direction at present: that, if further enfeebled, you +could always cut your way to the Pacific, and embark either at San Juan +or at some other point on the coast, on your schooner Granada, which +had on board two six-pounders and a store of arms, cartridges, cannon +ammunition, powder and lead. On this Capt. Davis remarked, that he must +at once inform me that it was his unalterable determination not to allow +the schooner Granada to leave the port, and to take possession of her +previous to his sailing from San Juan del Sur, which must take place in +a few days; that he was acting on instructions from his superior—from +his commander-in-chief;[6] that, since the outgoing of the late +administration at Washington, instructions had been received from the +new, which contained nothing to induce him to alter the course which +he intended to pursue; but that he preferred I would consider all this +as unsaid, and that you would regard him as acting on his own and sole +responsibility. I remarked, that his resolution was a most important one +and would probably prove a determining fact, and therefore asked him +deliberately to repeat whether it was his fixed determination to seize +the schooner Granada. He replied that it was his unalterable resolution +not to allow the Granada to leave the harbor of San Juan, and to take +possession of her before he sailed. With regard to the evacuation of the +San Juan river by Col. Lockridge and his command, he said, that he had +entirely satisfied himself of the fact, both by the investigations of his +Lieut. McCorkle, and by perusal that morning of a contract for passage +to the United States, signed by Scott and by officers of the British +squadron, besides other corroborative evidence. I observed that he might +have been imposed upon by a forgery, and asked whether his conviction was +shared by C. J. Macdonald, agent of the Transit Company, whose experience +rendered his opinion valuable. Capt. Davis replied that Mr. Macdonald +had been satisfied of the fact by Lieut. McCorkle’s report, but that he +(Capt. Davis), fully aware of the responsibility he was assuming, pledged +himself for the authenticity of this statement. I thereupon agreed to +communicate to you this conversation, and to submit the following offers +from Capt. Davis, as the only propositions likely to be admissible, viz: +That, under the guarantee of the American flag, you should, with sixteen +officers of your selection, with their arms, horses and effects, leave +Rivas to embark at San Juan for Panama; that Rivas with its garrison, +should be surrendered to Capt. Davis; that the privates should deliver up +their arms, and, together with the officers, employees and citizens, be +transported by another route to Panama, accompanied by a United States +officer, and under guarantee of the United States flag. At 2 o’clock, +A.M., 1st May, I returned to Rivas, promising your answer at 10 o’clock, +and personally to come back, if the negotiation was not broken off.” + +In the offers thus submitted by Henningsen, nothing was said of the +native Nicaraguans then in Rivas. Walker, therefore, informed Henningsen +that he would sign nothing, or agree to nothing, unless ample guarantees +were given for the safety, both in person and property, of the native +Nicaraguans. Hence, when Henningsen returned at 10 o’clock, A.M., on the +first of May, with the draft of an agreement to be signed by Walker and +Davis, it contained a clause protecting all natives of Central America +then in Rivas. The convention submitted to Davis, and signed by him, +reads as follows: + + “RIVAS, May 1, 1857. + + “An agreement is hereby entered into between Gen. William + Walker, on the one part, and Commander H. Davis, of the U. S. + Navy, on the other part, and of which the stipulations are as + follows: + + “Firstly, Gen. Wm. Walker, with sixteen officers of his staff, + shall march out of Rivas with their side-arms, pistols, horses, + and personal baggage, under the guarantee of the said Capt. + Davis, of the U. S. Navy, that they shall not be molested by + the enemy, and shall be allowed to embark on board the U. S. + vessel-of-war, the St. Mary’s, in the harbor of San Juan del + Sur, the said Capt. Davis, undertaking to transport them safely + on the St. Mary’s to Panama. + + “Secondly, The officers of Gen. Walker’s army shall march + out of Rivas with their side-arms, under the guarantee and + protection of Capt. Davis, who undertakes to see them safely + transported to Panama, in charge of a United States officer. + + “Thirdly, The privates and non-commissioned officers, citizens, + and employees of Departments, wounded or unwounded, shall be + surrendered with their arms to Capt. Davis, or one of his + officers, and placed under his protection and control, he + pledging himself to have them safely transported to Panama, in + charge of a United States officer, in separate vessels from + the deserters from the ranks, and without being brought into + contact with them. + + “Fourthly, Capt. Davis undertakes to obtain guarantees, and + hereby does guarantee that all natives of Nicaragua, or + of Central America, now in Rivas, and surrendered to the + protection of Capt. Davis, shall be allowed to reside in + Nicaragua, and be protected in life and property. + + “Fifthly, It is agreed that such officers as have wives and + families in San Juan del Sur, shall be allowed to remain there + under the protection of the U. S. Consul, till an opportunity + offers of embarking for Panama or San Francisco. + + “Gen. Walker and Capt. Davis mutually pledge themselves to each + other that this agreement shall be executed in good faith.” + +It will be noticed that this agreement was made entirely between Walker +and Davis, and the Allies were not mentioned in it except as “the enemy.” +Nor would it be necessary, unless for the singular conduct of Commander +Davis afterward, to say that no other agreements were made or entered +into, except the one which was signed by the respective parties. + +After Davis had agreed to the terms of the convention, Henningsen +returned to Rivas, and ordered the cannon, foundry, and ammunition to be +destroyed, by breaking the trunnions, and sawing through the carriages +of the former, by breaking up the steam-engine, fan, and cupola of the +foundry, and throwing the ammunition and powder into the arsenal-yard +wells. “In this manner were destroyed,” according to Henningsen’s report, +“in the arsenal, two twelve-pounder brass howitzers, three six-pounder +iron guns, four light iron twelve-pounder mortars, four brass guns +taken from the enemy, viz.: one four-pounder, and three five-pounder +guns; in the ordnance office, fifty-five thousand cartridges, three +hundred thousand caps, fifteen hundred pounds of powder. There remained +undestroyed: fifty-five shell, three hundred and twenty twenty-four-pound +shot—fired into Rivas by the enemy—two hundred and forty six-pound shot, +of iron cast from the enemy’s shot, from bell-metal, or from lead.” + +While Swingle and Potter were, under Henningsen’s direction, executing +the orders for the destruction of the articles in the arsenal and +ordnance, Walker sent for the surgeon-general, Coleman, and informing +him of the agreement made with Davis, instructed him to remain in charge +of the hospital, and see that the sick and wounded were properly cared +for. He then made out a list of the officers who were to accompany him +on board the St. Mary’s, and notified them to prepare forthwith to +proceed to San Juan del Sur. The officers thus selected were, Henningsen, +Hooff, Brady, Natzmer, Waters, Henry, Swingle, Rogers, Tucker, Kellum, +McAllenny, West, Williamson, McEachin, McMichael, Hankins, and Bacon. +About five o’clock in the afternoon, Commander Davis, with Zavala, +arrived at Walker’s quarters; and Henningsen and Davis repaired to the +Plaza, where all the troops of the garrison were formed. The order of the +day, containing the agreement between Walker and Davis, was then read to +the troops, and the garrison was delivered to the commander of the St. +Mary’s. The state of the garrison, when given over to the United States +officer, was: Wounded and sick in and out of hospital, surgeons, and +hospital attendants, 173; prisoners, 102; officers, non-commissioned, +and privates, exclusive of the 16 going to San Juan, 148; employees of +departments and armed citizens, 86; native troops, 40. While Henningsen +was turning over the garrison to Davis, Walker, accompanied by the +officers he had selected, and by Gen. Zavala, rode out of Rivas, and took +the road for San Juan del Sur. On the night of the first of May, a few +hours after leaving Rivas, the Nicaraguan officers were aboard the St. +Mary’s. + +Commander Davis did not reach the St. Mary’s until the morning of the +2d. Soon after he came aboard the sloop he proposed to Walker that the +schooner Granada should be given into his hands without the use of force. +Of course the proposal was rejected. He then said to Walker that the +latter might keep the arms and ammunition on the schooner if he would +give up the vessel. This was a proposition to sell the Granada, with all +the glories of the 23d of November, for the paltry cargo aboard of her; +and there was not a lieutenant in the service of Nicaragua who would +not have rejected it, with scorn and contempt for the officer, so far +forgetful of his own honor as to utter the proposal. Just before dinner, +on the 2d, Davis went ashore, leaving written orders with his first +lieutenant to take the schooner. The log of the Granada, for the 2d, +says: “At 4 P.M. Lieut. Maury came on board the schooner, and requested +me to turn over the schooner to Capt. Davis. I asked why I should do +so. He answered that Capt. Davis considered it his duty to seize her if +I did not give her up, as he looked upon her as included in the treaty +between himself and Gen. Walker. I refused to give her up.” Then Maury +returned to the St. Mary’s, and requested Walker to give an order to +Fayssoux to turn over the schooner to him. Walker replied he would not +give the order, unless there was a demonstration of overwhelming force +on the part of the St. Mary’s. Maury brought the broadside of the sloop +to bear on the Granada, and then he received the order of surrender. +The log continues: “He (that is Maury) returned in half an hour, with +an order from Gen. Walker to turn her over to the United States; he was +accompanied by 100 armed men and a howitzer. At 4.30 P.M. the Nicaraguan +flag was hauled down, and the United States’ run up in its place, and my +crew sent on shore.” Finally, on the 4th of May, the Granada was turned +over to Costa Rica, and the person who received her for that republic was +an aid of Cañas, a Jamaica negro, known by the name of Captain Murray. + +This was a fit conclusion to the combined efforts of the British and +United States naval forces to get the Americans out of Nicaragua. The +descendant of revolutionary ancestors,[7] bearing, in his own name of +Irvine that of a grandsire who was a general officer in the war of +Independence—himself fitted by the purity and integrity of his character +to adorn the service of any power on either continent—was forced to give +way to a negro subject of Her Britannic Majesty holding a commission from +the Republic of Costa Rica. The poet could not have imagined aught more +striking or more characteristic. + +Thus have I, during a leisure thrust on me against my will, tried to tell +clearly and concisely the story of the rise, progress, and close, for a +time, of the War in Nicaragua. Doubtless many brave deeds and some worthy +names have escaped the notice they deserve, for I have been obliged +to write almost entirely from memory, with few papers or documents to +refresh my recollection of events now some time past. My main effort has +been to trace as distinctly as I could the causes of the war, the manner +in which it was waged, and the circumstances attending its conclusion. +As I said in the last general order published at Rivas: “Reduced to our +present position by the cowardice of some, the incapacity of others, +and the treachery of many, the army has yet written a page of American +history which it is impossible to forget or erase. From the future, +if not from the present, we may expect just judgment.” That which you +ignorantly call “Filibusterism” is not the offspring of hasty passion or +ill-regulated desire; it is the fruit of the sure, unerring instincts +which act in accordance with laws as old as the creation. They are but +drivellers who speak of establishing fixed relations between the pure +white American race, as it exists in the United States, and the mixed +Hispano-Indian race, as it exists in Mexico and Central America, without +the employment of force. The history of the world presents no such +Utopian vision as that of an inferior race yielding meekly and peacefully +to the controlling influence of a superior people. Whenever barbarism and +civilization, or two distinct forms of civilization, meet face to face, +the result must be war. Therefore, the struggle between the old and the +new elements in Nicaraguan society was not passing or accidental, but +natural and inevitable. The war in Nicaragua was the first clear and +distinct issue made between the races inhabiting the northern and the +central portions of the continent. But while this contest sprang from +natural laws, I trust the foregoing narrative shows that the stronger +race kept throughout on the side of right and justice; and if they so +maintained their cause in Central America let them not doubt of its +future success. Nor kings nor presidents can arrest a movement based on +truth and conducted with justice; and the very obstacles they place in +the way merely prepare those who are injured for the part they are to +play in the world’s history. He is but a blind reader of the past who has +not learned that Providence fits its agents for great designs by trials, +and sufferings, and persecutions. “By the cross thou shalt conquer” is +as clearly written in the pages of history as when the startled emperor +saw it blazing in letters of light athwart the heavens. In the very +difficulties with which the Americans of Nicaragua have had to contend +I see the presage of their triumph. Let me, therefore, say to my former +comrades, be of good cheer: faint not, nor grow weary by the way, for +your toils and your efforts are sure in the end to win success. With us +there can be no choice; honor and duty call on us to pursue the path we +have entered, and we dare not be deaf to the appeal. By the bones of +the mouldering dead at Masaya, at Rivas, and at Granada, I adjure you +never to abandon the cause of Nicaragua. Let it be your waking and your +sleeping thought to devise means for a return to the land whence we were +unjustly brought. And, if we be but true to ourselves, all will yet end +well. + + +THE END. + +[Illustration: COLTON’S NICARAGUA + +GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, SAN SALVADOR & COSTA RICA. + +_Revised, Enlarged_ AND PUBLISHED BY S. H. GOETZEL & Co. Mobile, Ala.] + + + + +FOOTNOTES + + +[1] It may be proper to say that these passages were written before Mr. +Seward delivered in the Senate, his masterly speech of the 29th February, +1860. However much a person may differ from the Senator’s views, it +is impossible not to approve the force and vigor of his thoughts and +language. The writer deems it a great error, on the part of Southern men, +to attempt to belittle the intellect, or depreciate the motives of the +leaders of the anti-slavery party. The higher their intellects, the purer +their motives, the more dangerous are they to the South. + +[2] The resolutions were written by Hon. P. Soulé. + +[3] Hon. A. H. Stephens was among the few public men of the South who +clearly perceived the full importance of the Nicaraguan movement. + +[4] The writer is principally indebted for the incidents of the +operations at Granada between the 24th November and 12th of December to +the “_Personal Recollections of Nicaragua,” by Gen. C. F. Henningsen, +author of “Recollections of Russia,” and “Twelve Months’ Campaign in +Spain_.” + +[5] His Excellency James Buchanan. + +[6] The commander-in-chief referred to was probably Commodore Mervine. +The latter was an old and intimate friend, as the author has been told, +of Secretary Marcy; and both he and Davis were sent to the Pacific in +January, 1857. Undoubtedly both of them received verbal instructions far +more precise and definite, than their written orders. Soon after Davis +reached Panama, direct from New-York, he took command of the St. Mary’s +and sailed for San Juan del Sur. + +[7] The paternal grandfather of Captain Fayssoux was chief surgeon of the +Carolina forces during the war of Independence; his maternal grandfather +was General Irvine, who commanded a division under Washington at the +crossing of the Delaware. + + + + +SOUVENIRS OF TRAVEL. + +BY MADAME OCTAVIA WALTON LE VERT. + + + 2 vols., 12mo., cloth, $2.00. + ” ” cloth, gilt, 2.50. + ” ” half morocco 4.00. + ” ” morocco antique 6.00. + + +SONGS AND POEMS OF THE SOUTH. + +BY HON. A. B. MEEK. + + 1 vol., 12mo., cloth $1.00. + ” ” cloth, gilt, 1.25. + ” ” morocco, gilt 2.50. + + +ROMANTIC PASSAGES IN SOUTHWESTERN HISTORY. + +BY HON. A. B. MEEK. + + 1 vol., 12mo., cloth, $1.25. + + +THE RED EAGLE. + +BY HON. A. B. MEEK. + + 1 vol., 12mo., cloth $1.00. + + +REV. DR. P. P. NEELY’S SERMONS. + + First Series. 1 vol., 12mo., cloth, $1.25. + + +The Discovery of Sir John Franklin, and other Poems. + +BY J. A. TURNER. + + 1 vol., 12mo., cloth, .60 cents. + + +THE MOBILE CITY ORDINANCES, CHARTER, &C., &C. + +EDITED BY HON. ALEX. McKINSTRY. + + 1 vol., 8vo., sheep, $4.00. + + +HORIZONTAL PLOUGHING AND HILL-SIDE DITCHING.—A PRIZE ESSAY. + +BY DR. SORSBY, OF ALABAMA. + + 1 vol., 12mo., in pamphlet form, .50 cents. + +Either of those we will send, on receipt of the price, by mail, prepaid, +to any place in the United States. + + =S. H. GOETZEL & CO., + Booksellers, Publishers and Stationers, Mobile, Ala.= + +S. H. Goetzel & Co. keep a full assortment of + +RELIGIOUS BOOKS, MEDICAL BOOKS, LAW BOOKS, SCHOOL BOOKS, AND +MISCELLANEOUS BOOKS, + +which they offer to the public and to the trade, at the very lowest +prices. + +Also, a first-rate stock of Blank Books on hand, and made to order, at +short notice. + +Also, a full assortment of + +LETTER PAPER, CAP PAPER, DEMY PAPER, MEDIUM PAPER, FOLIO POST PAPER, + +and all other sizes of Blank, Writing, and Printing Paper. + +S. H. Goetzel & Co., keep also WALL PAPERS AND BORDERS in great variety. + +Also, a fine stock of FANCY GOODS, TOYS, &c., &c., GOLD PENS, STEEL PENS, +PENCILS, &c., &c. + +They keep also, the best stock of TYPES, PRINTERS’ PRESSES, INKS, &c. + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76898 *** |