Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-02
From .he CharIeston Standard, Aprn Is.

of President mOra-Lctter from Minis.
ter wheeler.
From the Charleston Standard, April %
By the arrival of the Isabel, last night, we
received copy of EI NjcaragueneSe, of the
18th inst, from which we take the following
account Of the recent battles in that country,
and the present situation of affairs there:
Second Battle Of RiUas-60O Costa Ricans
RjtLed-AmericaR Loss 30-IOtGL Route o.
the Enemy.
Rivas has again been the field of a bloody
conflict. On the morning of the 9Th intelli-
gence reached Grenada that Immediately after
the departure of the American troops from
Rivas force of 1000 or 1000 Costa Ricans
entered and took possession of the city. As
the information was authentic, there was no
time to be lost on the part of Gen. Walker in
making ready to repuse the enemy. BY day
light on the 9Th inst, force of 500 men, in
Guiding 100 native troops, were on the march
from Grenada to engage the presumptuous in
vader. Gen. Walker, in person, was at the
head of the army. The force under his com
mand enoamped the night of the 10th, within
nine miles of Rivas, and in the meantime it
had been ascertaned beyond doubt that the
city was held and fortified by 1000 Costa Ri
cans and Chanorietas. Early on the morning
of the 11th, the march was resumed, with the
prospect ahead of a lively engagement. Evil
IDENTIFY to the surprise of the enemy, the Dem
ocratic force instead of entering the city by
the usual route from Grenada, came in by the
road leading from San Jago or Virgin Bay.
The troops without halting were assigned
their respective positions, and instructed AS to
appropriate points of attack. The battalion
under command of Col. Sanders, was ordered
to enter by the street leading along the west
side of the Plaza, and the east side was to be
charged by the force under command of Col
Fry. With whoOp and a yell, rush was
made for the Plaza, and as the troops were
discovered by the enemy ascending the emf
nenco which concealed the approach to the
city, they were saluted with volley of mus
kerry, which gave indication of a firm and
obstinate Resistance. On both sides of the
PlaZa brisk and incessant fire was kept up
by the enemy, but the fearless and undaunted
forces of the Democracy charged them with
So much rapidity, that in less than five minutes
the Americans were in entire possession OF the
Plaza The Costa Rlcans, stunning an open
attack, precipitately betoOk themselves TO the
barricades and fortressed houses, aud from
their places of protection and cOncealment,
continued an unremitting FIRE. Their cannon,
too, with laundering voice, gave testimony OF
the efficiency of the preparations for defence.
To prevent the destruction that must inevita-
bly, ensue from SO fatal an engine Of war, the
determination was instantly formed and car
ried into execution by Lieut. Dol. Sanders, Of
taking it from the possession of the enemy.
The order to charge was given, and the gal.
liant Colonel, followed by his intrepid soldiers,
rushed, needless of peril, into the face Of dan.
ger, and, with the loss of tour men only, sue
ceeded 10 capturing that essential weapon of
war 1t was Immediately brought and sta
toned at the northeast corner of the Plaza,
aud placed under the control of Capt. McCar-
die, most excellent and intrepid artilerist.
The ammunition belonging 10 it was also seiz-
ed, and few minutes only elapsed before the
weapon that was destined for the destruction
Of the Democratic forces, was pouring fatal
fire upon the Costa Ricans. Enraged at the
loss of their gun, they made several bold at
tempts TO repossess il; but its laundering tone,
rapidly followed by the deadly discharges OF
the Mississippi rifle, inundated their endeay-
ors, and drove them back To their place of
couceament. In the meantime, 10 or 20 rifle
men stationed themselves on the roof of a
building, from which they could plainly dis.
cern q large body of the enemy on the back
street. A continuous fire was kept up by these
gallant fellows, and al least hundred of the
enemy fell from their destructive aim. The
I conflict became too fierce for the enemy, aud
500 of them were discovered making their ra-
lid retreat in the direction OF San Juan del
Sur. Following the retreat Of these, about IL
o'clock the enemy received reinforcement OF
$50 men from Virgin Bay. Ospt. Waters, OF
the Rangers, who held possession Of the tower
surrounding the unfinished cathedral on the
north side OF the plaza, Immediately cummn-
nieated 10 Gen. Walker information OF their
approach, aud body Of men was sent TO pro-
tect that portion OF the town. ln the mean
time, Capt. Waters and his Rangers, from their
convenient position, opened upon them with
their rifles, aud did most signal execution.
The intention of tie enemy OF surrounding
the city and hemming In Walkers forces IN
the Plaza, was thwarted with the most graft
fying success The northwest corner was held
by Col. Don Bruno Natzmer and Maj. O'Nell
with their command, and over hundred dead
bodies of the enemy gave signal proof of the
galantry Of these officers and the intrepidity
Of their men. The southwest corner was IN
charge Of Captains Rud!er and Mason, with
their companies, aud that, with the exception
OF the position held by Lieut. Col. Sanders,
Was the one from which the greatest danger
was TO be apprehended. Those brave officers
and their brave Inen maintained their ground
against ae0noealed ire with 6rmnsss and
courage deserving Of the highest oommenda-
ton. Some Of our noblest spirits, In the ex-
hibltion 0f this point Of feeling and undaunt-
ed courage, fsll martyrs IA the cause Of demoo-
racy. Among them, Il should not be deemed
inyidions 10 mention Lieut.. Morgan, OF Gen.
Walkers sIstf, and Lieut. Doyle, Of the army,