Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-05-01
THE CENTRAL AMERICAN WAR.

We received last week IN account Of the total
rout and disgraceful retreat Of the Nicaraguan
force under Col. ScnLEssIyoER; butas the state
ment was accompanied by many and evident e1-
aggerations, of the most improbable kind, we pre-
ferred to abide the coming of more reliable ad-
vices. By the Isabel, We have at length been put
in possession of true version of the affair, which,
we regret to say, confirms the previous reports in
every essential particular. On the goth of March,
the command of Col. ScHLEssINoER, numbering
$50 men, halted at the hacienda Of Santa Rosa,
and while off their guard were attacked by body
of Costa Ricans, variously estimated at from six
hundred to one thousand men, and utterly routed
with loss of about fifty men, portion of whom
were taken prisoners and shot. The Nicaragaense
newspaper gives the following account Of the af-
fair
Our troops had stopped at the hacienda of Santa
Rosa for dinner, and Mt the time of the attack,
were engaged in eating No picket guard was
detailed, nor any other precaution adopted TO
avoid an attack. Suddenly on alarm was given
and before the confusion in our camp subsided,
the enemy poured in destructive volley. The
troops were thrown into momentary panic, when
Col. Schessinger gave an order to the German
and French Companies to fall back to receive
better position. This command was misconceived
as an order to retreat, and accordingly, rapid
flight commenced by these companies.-the Col
onel following, as he says, to rally the fngitives.
but his movement was continued into flight, and
soon the rout became general. Our troops fed in
every direction, scattering themselves widely over
q barren and mountainous country, with the topo-
graphy of which they were wholly unacquainted.
Fearful Of passing along the road lest they might
be captured by scouting parties Of the enemy they
broke up in small parties, and after fearful jour
ney, over mountains, through thick chapparal,
without food or water, the poor fellows arrived
at Virgin Bay, in struggling parties, worn down
with fatigue, ragged bare foot and almost starved.
The indignation of the army at the loss Of the
unfortunate sufferers. 4 loud and indignant
expression was uttered against the commander
by no other person stronger than by the men and
officers, who had failed under him. Liable as
humon actions are to be misconstrued, liable as
all men are to rest, under untoward fortunes, we
shall Withhold any censure Of our own until the
Court martial, at present inquiring into the mat
ter, shall render its decision.
Subsequently the tide Of victory turned in favor
ties they have more than regained the ground lost
by this ignominous defeat. One Of these battles
took place at Arcopoka, between IA Americans,
under Capt. BALDWIN, and 100 Costa Ricans, in
which the latter were badly beaten with loss Of
80 killed; while Capt. BALDWIN lost but two men,
The other was fought on the 10th instant, at the
town Of Rivas, on Lake Nicaragua, between the
Costa Ricans, numbering two thousand men, and
force commanded by Gen. WALKER in person, FIVE
hundred strong. 1t was a severe battle, testing
thoroughly the strength Of the armies Of the two
republics, and vindicating the superiority Of the
Young American courage. The city was taken,
and the Costa Ricans retreated, having lost over
ak hundred men while WALKERS loss does not
count up more than 30 killed and the same mum.
Der wounded "This battle Of Rivas," says the
statement, "the second fought in that city by Gen
Walker, was warmly contested. The struggle was
n long and arduous one, and the Liberals were
compelled to fight at every disadvantage. Take
it all in ALL it cannot but be regarded as q glo-
rious victory. We have lost, indeed, some good
und gallant men, but their deaths have been a.
toned for in the blood of numerous sacrifices. -
The enemy are disheartened at their defeat and
although they have again returned to the field of
their disaster, they are impoverished Of zeal and
destitute Of confidence"