Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1855-11-14
RALEIGH N0RTHCAR0IINA WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER Ia, 1855
| NICARAGUA-COL. WHEELER IMPRISONED !!

The steamship Star of the West of the Nicara-
guam line reached New York on Saturday afternoon,
having on board three hundred and twenty passen-
gers and two hundred and seventy two thousand six
hundred and ffty.one dollars in gold. The news
from Nicaragua is of more than ordinary Importance.
The steamboat San Carlos had been fired into
while lying to off the fort at the junction of the river
San Juan and Nicaragua lake, whereby lady and
child instantly killed. On the night of the 10Th
of October the Government forces of Nicaragua at
tackled the returning California passengers at Virgin
Bay, killing four of them and wounding eight Others
Both these acts said to have been instigated by
spirit of revenge for the success of Col. Walker,
who has now complete possession of the country
The movements of this illibuser from the period of
his first invasion of Nicaragua to the present time
We find thus chronicled.
accompanied by sixty-two men, Colonel, now
styled General, Walker left San Francisco on the
4th of May, for the purpose Of forming junction ,
with the revolutionary party in Nicaragua, then, and
for long time previous, in arms against the Gov
crnment. Walker reached Rea'eo in June, and
soon after proceeded with his followers to Gilman
daga where he joined by one hundred and
twenty native insurgents Thus reinforced, he re-
turned TO Reaejo embarked OH board the brig Nesta
and landing his troops on the shore OF Ell Gigantic
Bay, marched upon Rivas On the evening OF the
Tola five miles from Rivas, drove out Nicaraguan
picket guard of cavalry, and quartered themselves
in the town for the night. The following morning
they proceeded to Rivas, and routing the advance
guard of the enemy who disputed their entrance
into the city, entered the main street, where they
encountered seven hundred Ncaraguan troops, who
speedily dispersed Walkers allies, and after consid
erabe random street fighting, compelled the Ameri-
cans to take position in two houses, one immedi-
atey opposite the other, where they were at once
surrounded. Having kept up fire until dark, Wal
ker ordered a retreat to San Juan del Sur, which
was reached the following evening, with a loss to
the Americans, during the battle OF ten men, killed
and wounded.
Seizing the next day the schooner San Jose then
lying in port, Walker with the remainder of his
company, sailed i'll search of his brig In four hours
they on board; and the schooner being trans
ferred to its owner the adventurers set sail for Re
| alejo At this point they remained two weeks,
marched thence to Chinandaga, ant subsequently
to Leon, the finest city in Nicaragua, and the head
quarters of the revolutionary party. Returning to
i Realejo, they there reinforced ON the 9Th OF
| August by one hundred and fifty natives, under
| General Vale. Two days subsequently they set sail
for San Juan del Sur, where they remained until
the I'd of September. On that day, with his force
| considerably recruited from among the native pop
ulation, Walker marched to Virgin Bay, where, OH
the morning of the Sd, he gained victory over the
government troops, with loss to the latter, IN Kill
| ed and wounded of one hundred and thirty men.
On the 10th of October, reinforced at San Juan by
! thirty Californans under Lieutenant Colonel Gill
man. Walker again marched to Virgin Bay, and en-
barking the following evening on board the steamer
! Virgin steamed across the lake for Granada, the
capital of the Republic of Nicaragua. Landing on
the shore at midnight, at point distant about four
miles from the city, they proceeded III the darkness
by road cut through the Intervening forest, sur
prised the slumbering guards, and took possession
of the city almost without even show OF resistance
The fort in the city next stormed, and the gar
rison driven out; and thus far the conquest of Mica
ragua was completed
met in convention and adopted resolution rendering
Walker the Presidency of the Republic. The latter
declined the equvocal honor in favor OF Genera
Corral, at that time in command of the government
forces in the neighborhood of Rivas. COMMITTED
of citizens consisting partly of the clergy OF the cap
ital. and partly of the Secretaries of War and For
cign Relations, then waited on Col. Wheeler tn
United States Minister, and entreated him to opel
negotiations with General Corral. AT first he de
clined, but finding himself urged by the genera
voice to attempt settlement OF the existing oiin
cu,ty. he finally consented. On reaching Rivas, ii
the absence of General Corral, but with his know
ledge and consent, Col. Wheeler arrested ant
detained prisoner. He succeeded, however, II
communicating with his friel.ds at Virgin Bay, VIII
at once engaged Captain Scott, commanding the stea
mer Virgin, to proceed to ST. George, and threate
an attack upon Rvas, unless Col. Wheeler was in
mediately released from custody. This threat back
ed by the iring of four cannon heavily shotted, pre-
duced its intended effect. The Governor made ou
a passport for Wheeler, and sent him to st. George
under an escort of one hundred men, where he ell
barked on board the steamer, and sailed ior FlrGl
Bay. His return was followed by an exchange
letters between General. Corral and Col. w heele
in which the former protested against the co'opcr'
ton of the American Minister with the enemies
the republic of Nicaragua, and Wheeler defende
his course ION the ground that he was influence
alone by the friends of Corral the chief citizens an
clergy of Granada the tears of Corrars sisters an
| daughters, and by the pledge OF the Secretary
l | War that his mission should be respected Wh
, | further explanations and negotiations ensued "
are not vet informed but We learn that, on the y
of October General Corral commander-in- n-chlef
the army of Nicaragua, surrendered to walker
Granada and that treaty of peace having bee
formally signed and ratified by the late contendii
| parties the civil war was at an end.
, In condensing this narrative from the New Yo1
comment Whatever By rendering the provision
government to General Corral the chief in commar
d of the opposing forces, Walker relieves himself
: | some measure from the odium which we have bee
dsposed to attach to his previous career, though
doubt very much whether the treaty ofpeace, whl'
= is said to have been signed by the chiefs OF the
posing factions will lead to the permanent estabs
: ment of peace and good order in that weak and Ill
tracted republic What Walker S real designs al
- and to what extent he is supported by the natl
t population or by American sepeculators and sym
n atflzers at home, time alone will show AT Prese
II we leave him in Granada, enjoying all the honors
conqueror, but subject at any moment, as we thli
, to he cut off by q new rising of the people, or
~ the equally probable thrust of an assassin's knl
y Thev rarely hesitate about the means to all end
se SnaniSh Amcrca'