Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1856-01-03
From the National Inteligencer.
Letter from Young WashingtOnian on
his Travels.

SANJUAN DEL SUD, NOVEABERZ5, 1900
Messrs. GALES & SEArON; As a great deal Of
interest is felt in this part of the world at pres
ent, perhaps a letter from me, giving some &C.
count Of late visit to the city of Granada, the
capital Of the State and headquarters Of WAL
ker's army, may prove interesting to some Of
your readers.
Our party left here on the Goth instant, and
after an exceedingly tedious ride Of about six
hours, in consequence of a road being blocked
up by the passengers from the States, we reach.
ed Virgin Bay, where we were most Hospitality
entertained by Mr.. CUSHING, the Agent of the
Nicaragua Company, while we waited the ar.
rival of the steamer which was to take US to
the capital. Marks of the alAatA AAieh was
made by the ChOmOrra party upon ia eompa-
ny's passengers are all over the buildlas Mf.
C.'s chamber particularly being full Of 'baIIet
holes. La Virgin. as the Steamer is called,
arrived in the middle of the night, and in a
short time we were all on board, where we
soon turned in, the fatigue of riding and the loss
Of sleep in waiting for the Virgin making us
careless Of the beauties of the lake scenery, al.
though they shOne to great advantage by the
full moon.
Next morning about nine o'clock we arrived
at the landing place of Granada, and after a
rather warm walk Of half mile we reached
the city, Almost the first building which we
came to was the Cathedral, an immense struc-
ture Of great strength and solidity, formerly
serving as a monastery. The view from it is
very fine, and gives the beholder much be!.
ter idea Of the size of the city than he can get
elsewhere. A few moments more brought us
to the Plaza. the scene of the fighting when
Walker invaded the capital. and also of the
execution of Gen, Corral, late Minister Of Var.
Hers, too, was our hotel, into which we were
very glad to retreat from the hot sun; and,
after bath and lounge in the cool garden in
the middle Of the hotel, we dressed to wait
upon the Minister. Mr.. WHEELER, and then sal.
lied forth.
Walking along we all remarked the great
strength Of the city, which, till Walkers at.
tack, had held out against innumerable sieges
for about forty years, so that its inhabitants
considered it as almost impregnable. can
we'll imagine their astonshment when three
Americans suddenly appeared upon the Plaza.
each armed with II long rife, and attacked
the guards there. three OF. whom fell dead at
the first Are, while none Of the others reach ed
the opposite side of the Plaza, the unerring ain
Of the Americans as they came up never fail
ing.
This attack upon Granada was almost as un.
expected TO Walkers followers as to their op-
ponents. the former having no idea when they
left Virgin Bay that their leader contemplated
attacking the Gibraltar of Central America, as
it has been called, with only niuety-fve Amer
leans, (they placing very little reliance on the
native troops, thou gh there were about two
hundred of them, but supposed he was going
to make second attack on the Rivas. When
the steamer steered for The capital, however
they began to suspect their true destination,
but il was not until they had disembarked two
or three miles below the city that they really
knew his intentions.
Our visit to the Minister was very pleasant
one, and we had the unusual treat in the coun-
try Of seeing an American lady in Mrs. WHEE-
LER. who, by the by, is daughter Of SuLLY.
the celebrated artist.
Accompanied by the Minister, we next pro-
ceeded to wait upon the President and his Cab
met. including Walker, Don Pauico Rivas
appeared to be mild amiable man, Of about
iity years Of age, with much whittier skin
than the other Dons who were with him. some
Of whom had decidedly African hair.
In entering the room where Gen. Walker
was to receive US we could hardly believe that
tho little Insignificant looking person before us
was the man who had shown such great talents
as military leader. He is below the medium
height, very spare, has straight yelowish hair
and light complexion. The only thing remark
able in his appearance are bis eyes, which are