The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-02


petely surrounding the city and hemmng the democratic
forces 10 the plaza, thwared with most gratifying
success IL not accomplished, however, without
long and fierce firing at the enemy from all four OF the
corners OF the plaza.
The northwest held by Col Don Bruno Natz-
mer and Maj 0Nei with their command, and over hun
ded dead bodies of the enemy gave signal proof Of the gal
antry of those officers and the intrepidy of their
The southwest in charge of Captains Ruder
ana Mason with their companies, and that with the ex-
ception of the position held by Lieut. Col Sanders, the
one from which the greatest danger apprehended.
Those brave officers and their rusy maintained their
ground against concealed foe with mness and cour-
age deserving Of the highest communication Some of
nohest spirits in the exhibition al this point Of fearless
and undauned courage fell martyrs in the of demoe
racy Among these should not be deemed invdious to
mention Lieut. Morgan of Gen. Walkers staff and Lieut.
Doyle, of the army of sterling herosm and
hearts as ever belonged TO humanity.
From three of the plaza constant fire main
tanned from o'clock in the morning until noon. Four
hours of unremitting service in the field following
dlous march OF more than TWO days had necessarily the
effect Of bnrdening the energies of the soldiers with ire
sstibe fatigue The enemy too, seemed to have become
wearied Of the fight and little firing for hour done
on either side, except by sharp-shooters adyenurng
chances at long distance The temporary cessation Of
violent hostiites by the enemy discovered, however
to be ru for the purpose Of secretly possessing them
selves Of the building the northeast of the plaza
whence unarmed they could pour destructive fire upon
the American troops stationed in every direction upon the
plaza This stratagem of the enemy discovered by
Lieut. Gay whose timely and yigan service doubtless
saved the lives Of many of the Ncaraguan soldiers and
terminated more speedily the sangunary conflict
information OF the movement OF the commu-
nicated by him, and volunteers solicited to make deBper
ate charge and rout the enemy from their close approx
nation to the position they coveted Ten true and fearless
men, armed with rifles and Colts revolvers all that
required, and instantly the requisite number fully
equipped for the perous expedition ready TO engage
the foe This number was composed of officers, among
whom Captains Hueston and Suffer- of General
Walkers staff; Colonel Kewen, volunteer aid to General
Walker Major Rodgers, of the commssary department
Major Webber Captains Breckenridge and Mahon, Lieu
tenants Winters, Stith, and Gay. few privates also
volunteered increasing the number to thirteen. Cross
ing the street under the fire of the enemy they pressed
through the building that sought to be pos
sessed by the foe to the far end of the corridor which
partially bsrricadsd by adobe wall breastwork
From that position they cautiously surveyed the approx
imating enemy and hastily determining the plan of ope
ration the order to charge given and with yell and
bound they rushed in the direction Of the picket fence
behind which the enemy we're cautiously making progress
The yell Immediately responded to by voley of
thirty guns but the attack sudden the dscon
certed foe unable to aim with precision and the only
damage effected was single wound inflicted upon the
his prosecution of the charge The fence gained with
any loss and thence brisk fire opened upon the
firing enemy They fled for protection behind the neigh
boring building whence with security they could
prevent pursuit 1t necessary however, that they
should be driven entirely from that vicinity and in order
get position to effect that object it necessary TO
cross street exposed to the enemy's fire.
1t hazardous experiment. as the opposition force
ascerained to be than hundred strong Moth
dauned however the thirteen essayed the perous adj
na hs was ssl lifted 6sea 81 aeoaanded The
crack Of the rifle became the desthknel of the foe The
enemy with great obstinacy sought to maintain their
ground and returned the fire with apparent zeal and ca
gerness In this Captain Hueson OF the Cen
erals staff fell mortally wounded With his parting spirit
escaped the pusaton of true and valiant heart lie was
of fine aainments, of noble and generous impulses
and exemplary herosm As stonement for the death OF
Captain Iueson not less than thirty OF the enemy were
made bite the dust The fire of the remaining twelve
disastrous for the Costa Rcan braves and they
were compelled enqush their position and seek greater
security elsewhere. They began precpilae retreat but
were hoy pursued by their assaants Foruying them
selves behind broken adobe wall they again arned upon
their pursuers and opened determined fire. In this
saut Lieutenant Gay was slightly wounded on the head
To drive the Costa Rcans from the wall and obtain posses
sion of was the object and determination of the pursuing
party The enemy, perceivng this determination, again
sought safety in fight With the oss of eight or ten more
of their number they succeeded in reaching the building
from behind where they again sought 10 repuse the ad
vance of the Americans.
In the further prosecution of the pursuit ent Gay
morally wounded and Louis, known as "Frebch Louis
was killed Lieut. Gay in the first battle of Rivas and
in all the subsequent conflicts in Nicaragua and Doaer
and more determined man never lived. lie died rom an
excess of Raanry from reckless exposure to the enemys
fire lie the protector of this assault and to him may
be attributed in great the triumph OF the day
The enemy still pursued made good their retreat and e
execution afterwards effected The fight on the plaza
had almost entirely ceased During the remainder OF the
day and until late at night there was no firing except
from few Of the enemy who throughout the conflict main
tained their eoncealment and with Mimic rifles menaced
every visible inimcal object The possessors OF these
weapons were evidently Englshmen and Germans, who
had long experience in the use OF that deadly Instrument
The majority of Americans killed fell OF tho hands OF those
foreign miscreants who have allied themselves with ser
vilism against the liberal party Of Central America
This battle of Rivasthe second one fought In that cy
| by Gen. Walker-wRs warmly contested Jhe suuRgie
was long and arduous one and the liberals were compel
led 10 fight at every disadvantage The number oi ser'
n times exceeded the liberal force and considering the
great spcuy afforded them from barcades aud forressed
Buildings il cannot but be deemed the proudest triumph
vet achieved by the liberal party Of Nicaragua The OH
GERS commanding the American force were all gallant men,
and nobly did their duty. Gen. Walker was cool firm
and sepossessed throughout the entire engagement and
for several hours tanned steadily bis position on horse
back He manifested ercitement-betrayed no uneas-
ness AZ 10 the result but exhibited sublime consciousness
of ultimate victory Coils Fry and Don Bruno Natzmer
Lieut. Col Sanders Majors Brewster Markham and oNei
10 command Of the battaons displayed degree OF he
oism and gaantry that could not fail of beneficial re-
suits They were noby supported by their subordinate ON
cors many of whom testified to their in'repdysome by
heroic and others by numerous and painful wounds
Adutsnt General Thompson, too, was ntrepdy conspcu
Gus throughout the engagement The stah OF General
Walker exhibited remarkable hrmness and daring, as the
choly deaths Of Hueson, Clinton, and Morgan give
ample testimony. Captain Sutter alone OF the regular
staff remains but baver spirit one who acted with
moro becoming gaantry, fell not on that held OF bate
Colonel Kewen the volunteer aid Of the commander-in
chef who was slightly wounded in the leg returns with
renutaton for bravery on the field equal to the best
His conduct spoken Of gallant and encouraging IN the
extreme .....1 a.,-.--- !. !, -
ts doe TO the native force TO state that they were In the
pat of the engagement IN the early part OF the
morninp ana maintained themselves with exemplary
courage The oss Of their brave and excellent commander
Col Machado affected them with profound grief but their
moro immedato officers were gallant men, and they
! tanned themselves with great honor . a. ...
i The battle of the nth Of April 1856, win long be
,be Their loss in killed alone