Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-12-20


The Battle of Xassdga-Ths Killed and Wounded
VIRGIN, Nov. 81, 1855
Friend Pic.-About Q o'clock-A. NJ. Gen. Walk
er arrived here, on board the steamer La Virgin,
bringing with him all those that were wounded az
the battle of Massaya, description of which / will
first proceed to give you.
In my last gave you the total plumber of troops
that marched from Granada, but deduct the ID In.
fanTy that were ordered to return, and you will
see that the total force OF the General was not
500 men, and with this small force he determined
to march on and attack the enemy and reached
the vicinity Of Masssya about shutdown.
When within about mile Of the city, he was
attacked by q force Of aboCt 800 or 600 men in
ambuscade; sharp fire was Immediately opened
and the battle began in earnest. The rifles were
ordered to advance and charge the enemy on each
side Of the road, which they did in gallant style
driving the enemy back at all points, and slaugh.
tering them in large numbers, aud they were
driven back the Artillery rapidly advanced and
opened upon them a severe and CALLING FIRE Of
grape and canister.
The ambuscade was well planned, but the enc
my cannot Withstand the mpetuosity of our troops,
and the unerring aim Of our rifles. We had, un>
fortunately, ten men killed, and about forty wound
ded, in this gallant effort TO drive the enemy back
Il is almost impossible 20 give correct account OF
the loss OF the enemy. They have a singular fac
uty Of dragging their dead after them, aud hiding
them in the bushes; but when the men who were
detailed to bury troops arrived on the field in
the morning, they counted over fifty bodies OF the
enemy lying on the road, AID indications of many
more having been dragged of
The troops lay upon their arms during the night
on the outskirts OF the city waiting for daylight TO
renew the attack. Several heavy showers fell dur
ing the night, and unfortunately damaged some OF
the larger guns. Several OF the shell did not ex-
plode owing to the fuse being also affected by the
weather. This rendered the artillery during the
latter pert OF the fight less effective than it would
have been.
As soon as there was light enough TO dstins
guish objects, our troops were again on the move
aud Immediately proceeded 70 take possession OF she
two small plazls without the loss OF a single man.
and forced their wagon to the main psza, where
the entire strength OF the enemy was concentrated,
and In order TO prevent the enemy from attacking
him 10 the rear or hankng him, the General order
ed all the hoases in the rear be burnt intending
by this that if the enemy advanced, they sh ouId
do so IN open field, and Lot from behind adobe
walls.
The Superior force Of the enemy induced them
10 attempt surround our army, bul their 6rst Al
tempt wns SO promptly met and defeated that they
did not try again during the three days the battle
lasted. Their frat banking movement was made
by a. least 800 men. They made a very determined
attack, bat were promptly met by portion of the
first rides and part Of the artillery. After several
vMn efforts, they were driven back With loss OF
some 50 killed and wounded. Our ioss 10 this at
tack was t~o killed and about eight sounded.
Ca the third day the enemy made charge In
large 5ode on mortar bsuery, erected by order oi
Gsn. Henningseu, aud which was giving then great
anuoyance. They we're resisted bs Gals two CON.
psRieg OF rides, who poured iuto them such yell
directed v0ilay, that they bseke IN CONFUSION and
did not attempt another charge dnsing the fight
After arriving At the main plaza, Gen Walker
positively recessed 70 allow his officers 10 lead their
mea IN charge Oh the ehurca which staads in
The ceHtre Of The plaza, the enemy bcing Ia very
strong fosce, AID he not wishing % lose Any more
men; theJ bein2 OF more service 10 him than tie
possession OF church plaza and ieeliag satisfied
that the sans ends might be accomplished by
throwing them lew shells. which MAS dane 20 Ell
IeeEivey that the bodies Of the enemy we're stFewn
about 10 al directions
Gen. Walker, wishing to have The wounded ven
rared for, Issued orders, aeoss o'clock on Tnes-
Gag Bight ios the army % retire 10 Gsanada which
they dad, arriving Ia Gssnaaa on the leih, bring
ng back al shff csauon. merisrs. SC, hmmani-
Iioa horses. males, and 81 the sick and wounded;
Ihs enemy makiag % atsemps ~ prevent sha srmy
hen Feiifing. The enemy $ supposed 20 have
nsen 81 least 2. 90 strong. ghsy made shFee sep.
IFsts sltacks upon OR iroopa-tAe ambascaae. the