The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-12-17
FROM NICANAGUAs

The United States Inspector OF customs ~ gan
Ju.n del Sud, under date OF November 2, 8 r. M,
vr,,es letter, of which extracts are given below.
:, !. not improbable that Walker may be Ia the
.;tua,ion described by the unfavorable news re-
ceived per steamer Isabel The account says:
The Costa Rcan army, under General Cana,
numbering about 500, entered San Juan del Sud
and took possession Of the town. They encamped
about four miles out on the mountain, where they
erected strong barbados In we'll selected posi-.
tions.
On the 9Th, they were reinforced by about three
hundred Guatemalians.
On the 9th. General Hornsby, who was stationed
At Virgin Bay, attacked the frst barricade, from
which he drove the enemy by q flank movement.
He had about two hundred and fifty men with him,
aud had he followed up his success he could have
driven them before him like sheep, but his orders
10 keep possession Of Virgin Bay were imperative,
and he had to return to that place. fearing an at
tack In his absence from other portions of the enc
my stationed In that vicinity
The number of the enemy killed and wounded
In this fight was about fifty.
On the 10th, General Walker arrived at Virgin
Bay from G sanads, and with two hundred and fifty
men drove the enemy from their barrcades to San
Juan del Sud, from whence they fled to Rvas.
Few of the enemy were killed in this fight, the
battle of few days previous having SO completely
inundated them, that they fled on Walkers ap-
proach, with but little resistance.
On the morning of the 18th, General Walker re.
turned to Virgin Bay, leaving one hundred and
seventy-fve men to Garrison San Juan del Sud.
On the 18th, Walker marched from Granada to
Massays. When in the vicinity of Massaya be
received intelligence that Herez had left for Rvas
at the head of seven hundred men, Col Jacques
At the head of two hundred and fifty men, was
immediately dispatched to protect the Isthmus,
which was deemed to be In danger. On his arrival
at Virgin Bay, he Immediately threw up barri-
cades around the town, made from wood cut for
the use OF the Company g steamers
After two and half days fighting, Walker
abandoned Massaya, his forces not being sufficient
to take the place. He retired upon Granada. He
left on the 10Th, with his staff, for Virgin Bay,
sending most of the sick with the women and
children to the Island of Ometepe for safety.
Having determined to burn and destroy Grana-
da, he left the LIST rifles and I'd infantry to accomp
sh this purpose and the result had not been heard
at Virgin Bay when the steamer left for San Juan
del Sud. General Walker was anxiously awaiting
recruits to attack Rvas.
On the 23d November, a most brilliant naval en-
gagement took place between the Ncaraguan
schooner of war Granada, of 20 tons carrying two
six pound cannon. % men, under G. j. Fayssoux,
Lieut.. Commanding, and the Costa Rican brig Of
war 18th April, PA tons, carrying six nine pound
cannon, ia men, all well armed with Minnie ri
f1es, &c The engagement lasted over two hours,
when q shot struck the brig in the stern carrying
away and causing her magazine to explode.
Lieut.. Fayssoux Immediately sent off his boats
to rescue the sufferers and ucceeded in taking
from the water and off the brig before she sunk,
forty four persons whom he brought into San Juan
del Sud the following morning Thirteen of them
were horribly burnt, among whom were the Cap
tain, second mate, Padre, second Lieutenant, and
not more than four of them wi9ive. The balance
of the prisoners were sent by order of General
Walker to Virgin Bay, when, with few excep
tions, they were liberated. Too much praise can.
not be awarded to Fayssoux for his gallant achieve
ment, and the humanity displayed in his endeavors
to save life, regardless of securing the prize ere
she sunk Fayssoux lost two and has three
wounded. The Costa Rican brig had ninety rifle
men on board, with a large amount Of clothing for
her army, provisions, and S25, 900 in specie.