Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-12

and styled themselves the Democratic party
They commenced their operations at Realejo,
small port on the Pacific, at the northern
extremity of the State, where, with small
force, they surprised the few soldiers of the
garrison They proceeded to Chinandega, a
considerable town about six miles on the way
to Leon. Here they met but slight resistance,
the majority Of the people being favorable to
them; and with a large addition to their force
they marched towards Leon, distant about
thirty miles where they established their head
quarters, after fighting one battle in the neigh
borhood with the Government forces under
Chamorro in person, who was defeated, and re-
tired to Granada. In Leon they remained
some time recruiting their forces, before VEN
turing to attack Granada, which is the great
stronghold of the Government party.
The system adopted of recruiting is very
simple indeed. A few soldiers, with fixed
bayonets are sent out TO bring in fresh men,
or, to use their own expressive term, to "catch"
men, When the unfortunate recruit is caught"
q musket is put in his hands, ard he becomes a
soldier. Soldering is by no means popular
occupation during revolution, at the ap-
proach OF forces of either party, the peace.
loving natives, in order to escape being caught"
and forced into the service, will remain hidden
in the woods till they are nearly starved The
I
voutions, or in politics, and from troops raised
in this way, of course very valorous deeds are
not to be expected. They generally desert on
the first opportunity; but, if they do not take
their muskets with them, it is of little conse-
quence, other men are soon caught, and
made to carry them. Sometimes, however,
men become scarce, the able. bodied having
emigrated to some more peaceful locality; in
such case one. half OF q garrison is placed to
keep guard over The other half, to prevent
their running away.
There is consequently no mutual feeling Of
confidence between officers and men, During
impending danger of an attack the officers
will keep their horses sadded all night, and
sleep with their spurs on, ready to cut and
run at moments notice, and leave their men
to take care Of themselves. The men, in their
turn, when led into battle, will turn round and
desert their officers at the most critical mo-
mcnt. There exceptions, of course and
during the late revolution, many, both officers
and men, fought well and bravey none more
so than the late President Chamorro.
While the Democrats were recruiting in
Leon, Chamorro was busy collecting his forces
in Granada, and preparing to stand siege.
In all these Spanish towns is large public
square called the Plaza, in which are gene
rally the principal church, the barracks, and
other public buildings. The Plaza, in case of
war, becomes the citadel, the streets leading
into il being all barrcaded, and cannon planted
SO as to command the approaches. Chamorro
, enclosed within his barbados the Plaza, and
u considerable portion of the city immediately
surrounding it. The streets being narrow,
barrieades were soon made Of logs of wood
and "abodes," a sort of sun-dried bricks, of
which the houses are built.
, Double and triple barricades Of this sort,
eight or ten feet high, presented very effectual
resistance TO anything which the enemy had
to bring against them. The Democrats soon
made their appearance, and taking possession
OF all that part OF the city not enclosed in the
barbados they fixed their headquarters in an
elevated situation, from which they could pop
their cannon balls into any part Of the Plaza.
Neither party were well provided with ar.
tillery. They had each three or four guns,
twelve and twenty-lour FOUNDERS, with which
they blazed away at each other for nearly a
year, and between them managed to lay about
threefourths Of the city in ruins
The city was never completely invested. and
occasional skrimmages between small parties
OF the opposing forces took place outside the
town, but nothing worthy the name of an an
sault was ever attempted. The Democrats
soon became masters Of the entire country.
with the exception of the besieged portion Of
the city Of Granada occupied by Chamorro and
his party, the Ligitimists, as they called them
selves
When small detachment Of the Democratic
, army marched upon Rivas, the only town Of
importance in the part of the country through
which the Transit road passes, the inhabitants
, being mostly in favor of the Chamorro Gov.
eminent, lied en- naaSSe, taking with them all
their yaluables and movable property TO the
neighboring State Of Costa Rica, the frontier
Of which is within twenty miles.
The few who had the COURAGE to remain
were not molested, but the Democrats appro
priated TO their own use as barracks &C., what
ever private houses suited their convenience
and commenced levying contributions on the
inhabitants; but they had fled, and were
not present to respond to the call, their property
was advertised for sale, their stores broken
open, theirgoods sold, and sundry other forci.
BILE measures taken TO raise funds
The mode Of financing in time of revolution
is equally simple with that of recruiting.
When contribution, as they call it, is levied
on atown, the principal inhabitants are assessed
arbitrarily by the officers in command for as
, much as each is supposed TO be able to pay.
The unfortunate victims have then to fork out
the dollars; there is no help for them. Ifthey
refuse, or plead poverty, they are perhaps
imprisoned and kept on low diet: few DAYS
OF this treatment has wonderful effect on the
, memory, and frequently enables man to re-
! member where he has buried his cash, or to
discover some means of raising the needful, to
be handed over for the support Of the party,
! to which probably he may be opposed When
/, his own party come into power again, they
, will make hin, disgorge TO double the amount
by way Of punishment For these forced loans
he may get some sort Of debenture, worth about
as much as the paper it is written on. In
such times the people are afraid to let it be
, supposed that they have any money at all !;
they fegn poverty, burying their money Sc.
cretly, and the houses of foreign residents are
, numbered up with all sorts Of chests and boxes,
sent there stealthily by the unfortunate ma
tves, in order to keep them safe from the IA.
,, pacity Of their countrymen.
The Democrats from the first were eager to
obtain the goodwill of the American residents
and as they professed to be fighting in the
cause Of liberty and progress against TYRANNY