The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-12-24
TERNs OF SUBSCRIPTION:
Walker in Nicaragua.


Walker in Nicaragua.
1t is very evident that Walker is in des-
perate strait, and the next arrival may
bring us an account Of the entire annihlation
of his forces. All the Central American States
are combined in most deadly hostility against
him. To retain Nicaragua he must conquer
all the other States, who have exhibited more
energy and resources than they have had
credit for heretofore, and their courage and
enthusiasm increases as Walkers strength
wanes. Walker does not hold a foot Of terri
tory, but that on which his forces stand, and it
i unsafe for his men to stop beyond their lines
Dr. Derrickson, volunteer surgeon in Walk
er's army, has returned to New York and
gives the following which is the most intelli-
gable account OF the last operations Of Walker
we have seen:
The first battle fought after was in the
army, was between 400 of Walkers troops
under Gen. Hornsby, and 100 Costa Rlcans,
on the transit route, between Virgin Bay and
San Juan del Lux. 1t ended in the partial
defeat of the Costa Ricans; they were driven
from the first barricade, but succeeded in hold
ing the second. Walkers loss was two killed
and seven or eight wounded that of the enc
my must have been much greater. Hornsby
then retreated to Virgin Bay. Leaving his
force there, he proceeded with haste to Gra-
NADIA, by the steamboat Virgin for reinforce
ments Walker himself came down with two
hundred riaemcn, who constituted the most
efficient part of his army With these he
marched out and met the Costa Ricans, and
after short and spirited battle succeeded IN
driving thea. from the second barrcade. The
Costa Ricans relreoted, one half OF them to
Costa Rica. the others to Rivas, where they
fortified themselves. Walker marched to
San Juan, and the next day aiser the battle
from thence to Virgin Bay; during tho sue
ceeding night he left for Granada with MS
r;Hemen, leaving a battalion of infantry under
Col. Jaoues to hold Virgin Bay and protect
the transit route A few hours after arriving
at Virgin Bay, Walker marched from Granada
to Massaya with seven hundred men, where
he attacked two thousand Guatemalans ano
Costa Ricans, and succeeded alter two days
fighting, in taking all the town except th'
main plaza.
He made several unsuccessful attempts L
take that but finding himself unable to, hi
retreated to Granada, having lost about twen
ty killed and forty wounded. This was,
think. about the Goth of November. Sool
after his arrival he gave orders, know no
from what cause, to burn the town OF Grana
da. Two thirds of the town was destroye
next day. On the second day, or the 2znd
the rest of the town was destroyed, excep
the main plaza and church situated ON tn
road to the Lake Of Nicaragua. On the thlr
day he embarked his sick and wounded me
amounting to about two hundred and nifty
also the women and children, and sent ther
to Ometepe Island, which Is situated shoi
distance from Virgin Bay. On the fourth da
NOV. 24) the remainder OF the army, who
consisted of healthy men, and numbered aboI
three hundred and fifty, with about one hui
dred citizens, were attacked and surrounde
nv two thousand five hundred of the combil
ed Central Americans, consisting OF Costa X
cans. Gautemalians, San Salyadorlans an
some twenty Americans who deserted fro
General Walker The American forces tht
besieged are the elite of Walkers army.
They are under the command of Brig. &c
Henningsen the commander OF artillery. N
thing has been heard from them since the
were surrounded; they are entirely cut on fro
Walker and his remaining forces. Ihey
hemmed in, in every direction, by superior al
constantly decreasing forces. Seven canno
being all Walkers artillery except one how
ger. are with them, and at least halt OF |
appear to be able to save
A straight road leads from Granada to La
Nicaragua, from which it is not far dlstal
and wharf and old fort were situated on t
shore of the lake. at the end of said road.
the time the Central Americans attack
Granada, Walker was in steamboat on t
lake. and twenty-nine men, called polcemt
were on the wharf, having been left to qua
something placed there for shipment |
Central Americans attacked Granada by
yancing between the lake and the city, the
.by cutting off the retreat of the besleged, a
preventing Walker from succoring or comm
nicating with them from the lake. The tW'
-ty nine policemen on the wharf were thus,
course, cut off, and suffered the first attack
Five hundred men advanced upon them
were driven back time after time, with tel
BILE loss | was on the steamboat with wa
.er at; the time and could see 1t ALL tho'
we could not communicate with or AID tn
For two days these twenty-nine men h
their own against such desperate odds,
would not have yielded then if there had
been traitor among them. On the sec
.day. one, Cuban, informed them of the n
ber and condition of the twenty eight,
showing how an energetic and continued
.sault would at once take the place. The
nrayed but too successful; the bold fell
were taken, and every one of them massac
except five, who threw themselves into
lake and attempted to swim to General \
ker on the boat four of them were shot
Drowned; one only succeeded IN reaching
mt,anboat The Central Americans then
troyed not only the fort, but the wharf,
hunros and everything that would tacll