The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-12-30
WAR NICARAGUA.
Four Great Bataes Eough!..

81
with S27O, 900 in treasure, and 500 passen-
gers. The steamship Texas for New Or
leans the same day.
The news from Nicaragua is of the most
exciting and thrilling character since our
last dates. Series of battles have taken
place between the American forces and the
combined forces of Central America, i'll all
of which the Americans have been entirely
successful. On the 10th ult., an engage
ment was had at t. place called Halfway
House, on the Transit road, between 200
Americans, under Brig. Gen. Hornsby. and
100 of the enemy, under the Costa Rican
General Canas.
The enemy were well fortified, but not
withstanding their superior number of men,
were Immediately routed with great loss
The loss on the American side was two kill
ed and eleven wounded that of the enemy
about two hundred killed Among their
killed was Gen. Caraca. After the enemy
had been dispersed, Gen. Hornsby came
up to Granada. The next day Gen. Wal
ker started from Granada with two hundred
men for Virgin Bay. where he arrived on
the 18th inst. The enemy having learned
the smallness of the force under Gen. Horns
by which had dispersed them, again collect
ed their scattered forces, and again occu-
pied their former position. Gen. Walker
marched to attack them. The enemy hear
ing that Gen. Walker commanded in per-
son, fired a few rounds and Immediately re-
treated. They were Immediately pursued
to San Juan del Sur, and from that point
along the coast until dispersed throughout
the country. About $50 of them broke
away from the army and fed into Costa
Rica.
The loss of the enemy could not be as
certained, they were continually being shot
as they were found along the road; proba-
bly, about 100. The American loss was
killed and wounded slightly. Immedi-
atelv after the victory Gen. Walker return
ed to Granada in order to take reinforce
ments and march upon Massaya, where
about 1900 of the enemy remained. lie
took his line of march on the 18th ult.. with
$50 men but hearing that a number of the
opposing army had marched towards the
relief of those who had been beaten on the
Isthmus, he ordered the I'd Infantry, under
command of Col. jacques, to return to
Granada, thence to the Transit by steamer
San Carlos, to repulse such forces as may
be found.
The remainder of the force marched on
until ear the city of MaSaya, when they
were attacked by six hundred of the enemy
in ambuscade, where a sharp fight took
place, and the foe was scattered in all direc-
tons. 1t was ascertained, on entering
the town, that the enemy had possession of
Il church and a little plaza, which were i'm
mediatcly attacked, and in few minutes
gained possession of the church and plaza,
with an abundance of fresh provisions and
excellent water, without the loss of single
man.
The enemy would not fight, except be-
hind a wall, and Gen. Walker, after due
consideration, concluded to storm the
stronghold and give them nothing for a
shield, which was accordingly done. The
larger and more valuable part of the city
was destroyed, and after four days fighting
tie enemy were entirely vanquished.
After this was accomplished, Gen. Walk
er returned to Granada to execute further
plans, which were well considered, namely,
that Granada being very sickly place, it
was disadvantageous for the troops to re-
turn there, and he had long since conclud
ed to make Rivas the capital, and knowing
upon an evacuation of Granada that the
town might be occupied by the enemy with
advantage, he determined to burn the place,
and accordingly gave three days notice to
all persons to remave all goods and valua-
bles, and at the end of the time he fired the
town-nOt leaving a vestige of a single
building-rcmoving all his stores with pro-
visions and inhabitants to Virgin Bay. He
will thence remove to Rivas, which he has
made the capital. 1t is supposed that dur
ing all the battles since October the enemy
have lost 1000 men.
y terrific battle took place off San Juan
del Sur between the Nicaraguan war-steam-
er Granada. 80 tons, "a men and ? six
Founders, Capt. c. J. Fayssoux and the
Costa Rican brig ONO de Abril, $50 tons
ia men, and carrying nine-pounders.
The battle lasted two hours, and after hard
fighting, the Nicaraguan steamer succeed
ed in blowing up the Costa Rican brig, and
destroyed all on board of her except seven
teen. who were fearfully wounded.
The brig had orf8bard arms, ammuni-
ton and provisions, together with $4,000
in specie, all of which were lost
DEATH OF THE CELEBRATED DIR. PUsEY.
by the arrival of the City of Baltimore,