Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1856-05-01
Nicaragua.
A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST.

Many persons-perhaPs majority o'
newspaper readers-have but q vague ano
indistinct notion of things in Nicaragua,
and do not understand exactly what bust
ness Walker had in that republic, or what
he effected by his expedition. 10 such, a
very succinct retrospect of an event which
is probably the precursor of an enduring
Anglo.Sa1on nationality in Central Amer
lea will not be unacceptable. We con-
dense the facts from an exceedingly care
full, and perfectly fair account published in
the March number Of Blackwood's Maya.
CINE.
Since the dissolution of the Central Amer
lean confederacy the various States COM
posing it have been constantly engaged
either in sanguinary strife with one anoth-
er, or torn by civil connections. Nicara-
aqua, which has been particularly favored
by nature, possessing soil of unrivaled
fertility, a climate generally healthy, and
immense mineral wealth, has suffered more
from intestine troubles than the others
There are, or rather were, two parties in
the State, styling themselves Democrats
and Legitimists. At the head of the for
mer was Francisco Castillon, a man of
ability and superior education the latter
recognized as their chief Don Fruto Cham
orro, who in 1854 was President of the re-.
public. Chamorro evinced energy and de-.
termination, but was despotic and imperi.
GUS to an intolerable degree. His con-
duct in issuing decree declaring himself
President for four years more than the
usual term, precipitated the revolution
which eventually called Walker into the
country. The outbreak occurred nearly
two years ago. The town of Leon, hav-
ing population of rather more than 10000,
was the head quarters of the Democrats;
the Legitimists were entrenched at Gran
ada, the chief city Of the republic. The
Democrats took the field, defeated Cham.
orc near Leon and marched to Granada, to
which they laid siege. In few months
they became masters of the entire country,
with the exception fthe beleaguered por-
ton of Granada, where Chamorro and his
Legitimists had fortified themselves.
The Democrats then proclaimed Castil.
ian President, and organized regular
government. Meanwhile the Legitimists
maintained themselves in Granada, which,
though besieged, had never been regularly
invested, and at length Castillon's army
finding it impossible to reduce them, broke
up their camp and withdrew to Leon. The
Legitim;sts issuing forth from Granada,
overlook them, and bloody fight ansued,
in which some three hundred men were
killed. The Granada party now regained
possession of the Southern part Of the
State, while the Democrats continued to
hold Leon and all the Northern portion.
While the war was raging, Castillon had
engaged the services of few Americans,
whom he had picked up in San Juan del
Sur and Virgin Bay. The fighting quail.
ties Of our countrymen, and especially
their expertness with the rifle, created a
favorable impression Of their prowess.-
Walkers daring expedition to Sonora had
been much talked Of and accounts of this
intrepid fillibuster had reached Nicaragua.
1t was not long, therefore, before rumors
prevailed that negotiation had been con-
cluded between Walker in San Francisco,
through his agent in Nicaragua, and the
Democratic Government, whereby large
tracts Of land and other privileges were
granted him, on condition he would repair
to the help Of the Democrats with Ger.
tain force.
In the month Of May last. Walker, with
fiity.six men, arrived At Bealejo, and
marched to Leon to join the Democratic
army. The Legi.imists, hearing Of his ar.
rival, made great preparations to resist
him Walkers first expedition was against
the town of Rivas, then in the hands of
the Legitimists. At the very first volley
the native troops, to the number of 200,
ran away and left Walker, with his Sc
Americans, to bear the brunt of the contest
against an opposing force of about four
hundred. Walkers men occupied house,
from which their rifles poured out death
upon the foe. The Legitimists after losing
seventy soldiers, set fire to the house, com.
polling the Americans to abandon it, and
cut their way through the enemy, which
they accomplished with a loss Of six men,
and retired unmolested to San Juan del
Sui, and thence 10 the Bealejo. Shortly
before these events, Gen. Chamorro died,
and was s,lcceeded m General, in. Chief nj