Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-11-20
= FrOm theN 0. Crescent, Nov. 12th.)
Late and Interesting from Nicaragua.
FULL ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLES.


The steamship Tennessee, Capt. Crowell,
arrived in port last evening. She brings in
telligence of very interesting description.
In the Nicaraguense, of the 18th ult., we
find the annexed account of the great battles
and splendid victories achieved by the army
under Gen. Walker, at Masaya and Granada.
We are obliged to condense somewhat, but
shall not omit anything of paramount me-
ment.
Says the Nicaraguense, of the 18th:
As we informed our readers last week, the
Allied forces having advanced from Managua,
Gen. Walker ordered the garrison at that place,
amounting to three hundred and fifty men, to
fall back Immediately on Granada, in order to
allow the enemy 10 occupy that place This
they did; and il was the unanimous wish OF
every American in Granada that their appa-
rent success would inspire them with sufficient
courage to attack this city. Such an attack
could be followed only by one result-a most
disastrous defeat.
Bus, as the enemy would not come, Gen.
Walker, having received a reinforcement from
the United States, as well as two mountain
howitzers and shells, grape shot, ETC., advanc-
ed on to Massaya to give them battle.
On the 1lth of October, 1866, at IL o'clock,
A. NJ, Gen. Walker, accompanied by his staff,
rode across the large plaza of Granada to put
himself at the head Of the advancing columns.
The troops were formed into battalions at va
rious places AS the General passed them, he
was greeted with cheers.
On the level ground in the vicinity of the
Jalteba Church, near the quarters of the First
Rifles, he halted until the troops ordered to
march had all arrived. About twenty min .
utes only were consumed by this delay. The
First Rife Battalion was in the 'front.' As soon
as the General halted they took up their line
of march, and passed, headed by a fife and
drum. The colors of the battalion were those
that had but few days previous been present
ed to them by the mother and sister of the
Colonel commanding them-E. j. Sander
The Second Rifles and Infantry came on head
ed by the military band. On the colors of the
Second Rifles were the words, "Victory or
Death" a sentiment that might be read in the
countenances Of every soldier of the entire
force as plainly as if it was written there
The First and Second Infantry followed those,
and with the Minnies with which they were
lately armed, appeared like men who were fully
equal to any emergency.
Each soldier of tie entire command was SER
we'd with rations for three days
The order TO move forward was given; two
companies of Rangers under the command OF
Major Waters, forming the advance guard
T. j. Sanders, were next.
Immediately after the Rifles rode General
Walker aud his staff. Among his staff officers
were Gen Carrascosa and Gen. Pineda
These were followed by the body guard OF
the General, who are dstinguishable by their
sky-blue uniforms, with red facngs. In this
party were, also, several gentlemen volun-
teers.
Following the Generals guard were the
pack mules, bearing ammunition, ETC., and the
two mountain howitzers, which were in charge
of Capt. Swartz and Lieut.. Farren, with the
necessary number of men for their proper
working.
After the artillery marched the Second Ri.
fes, Col. Jack Allen; the first Light Infantry,
Col. John Markham; the Second Light Infant
'ry, COL Mcintosh. All the latter were under
the command of Brigadier- General Hornsby
On the extreme right were mounted Rangers
There was but little of interest transpired on
the march odt. 1t rained shower or two
AID the men rested about midway to take
something to eat They were all in excellent
spirits, and compared themselves to large
picnic party.
The utmost good order was observed. There
were no stragglers, nor were there any thai
appeared anxious TO remain behind. Before
entering Massaya, Gen. Walker ordered halt
in order to allow every man to rest half an
hour, and have all things put into the most
complete working order. at about 10 O'Clock
the entire force was encamped in the outskirts
of Massaya.
The hum Of voices In our camp had nearly
subsidized, and little could be heard above a
whisper, when their reveres were suddenly
disturbed by the discharge of piece of ord
nance in the possession of the enemy. Every
man was on bis feet in an instant, with his gun
In his hand-every man save one-Gen. Walk
er. He was reclining on the ground in front
of q cane house, and while we W ere all "bobbing
around" and lodging the Minnie bullets, he lay,
undisturbed, with the most provoking cool
ness. Some Of us had never been in battle
and amused ourselves, or, more probably, af-
forded amusement 10 Others, by dexterously
endesvoring TO afford no Instructions to those
missiles.
The Americans encamped on both sides Of the
road. In the centre of the street, where it was
supposed the enemy would fire their cannon, there
were not any persons allowed to remain. The FIRE
of the enemy was promptly returned, but as some
of party bad advanced, in order to take obser.
vations, close TO their position, our men were or
dered to cease their firing, less they should wound
some of our party. This random shooting was
kept up for two hours, hut there none OF the
Americans killed. -Four were wounded, one only
of whom is dangerously So
Parties of the Rangers and Lancers Of the enc.
my came in contact several times, and the latter
we're instantly repulsed with less. Once during
the night party of Lancers came up to the very
door Of the house in which a body OF Americans
were quartered, aud fired their guns. Not one
American was touched but several Of the enemy
were made to bite the dust One American bow
about fourteen years Of age, who was with the SOL
ders shot the buger Of the Lsncers in this charge
"a feat of which he felt very proud The pecu.
liar whistle OF the balls as they passed over us
proclaimed that the enemy were also furnished with
large numbers OF the Minnie rifles.
About daylight on the morning Ct the 10th the
battle began. The American forces were stations
ed on an eminence. The enemy were seen ia large
numbers at a distance OF about five hundred Yards
They fred upon us with large gun, and seemed
(it was TOO dark 10 determine their motions accu.
rately) 90 be advancing under the cover of its fire.
A bomb from one OF our own howilzers was thrown
with nice precision 10 their midst; When the smoke
cleared away there was not one Of thom in sight
Our men, who had been some time standing Ia
lines, we're ordered 70 advance. They moved on
about one hundred yards. The howltzers coutin-
ued TO throw shells Until they got sight of the
church in the upper plaza. The First Rides were
now 10 sight OF the churoh--a shell was thrown in
the plaza and the word was given to charge. With
three loud cheers and The widest enthusiasm, fhe
Rifles ran down the slope, ioloSed steadily by the
remainder Of the forces. Tue enemy, Enabled 10
resist such vigorous attack, fed ia every direc-
tons. Company O. commanded by Capt Dolan
had the good fortune TO be the first In Two OF The
Generals aids, Mahon and Gist, accompanied them.
The church aud the houses surrounding il were en-
tered 10 a minute, aud when Gist rcturned and
said, General the plaza is iaken"a loud shout Of
triumph rent The air.
il seemed impossible to have anything better