The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-12-24

the embarkation or Decentralization OF troops,
or the landing OF boats and vessels. There
were two brass cannons-one an eighteen
FOUNDER Both being unfit for service had
been carried down to the wharf for the pur-
pose of shipping to the United States and sell
| ling there for old brass. to obtain smaller guns
with the proceeds. They were said to be
worth seven hundred dollars apiece. The
Central Americans took these pieces, mounted
them and fred them, using six pound balls,
against Walkers steamboat which consequent
ly is compelled to keep mile and half from
shore, though the guns are anything else but
accurate; but Walker fears stray shot.
On the oath Of December, the day General
Hunningsen and his three hundred and fifty
men were surrounded in Granada by the al
lied troops, the former destroyed the buildings
around the main plaza, and fought their way
down half mile to a stone church in the di-
rectlon of the lake, and about one hundred
yards from it. There they barricaded them
selves and fortified the church, and were still
holding out when | left. They had then
been fighting eight Gays, surrounded by two
thousand five hundred OF the enemy, which
number was constantly increased by reinforce
ments. The sixth day of the siege the allies
made grand assault which lasted two hours.
tivity and courage, and after repulsing the en-
Iemy they mounted the barricades and waved
the Nicaraguan flag to General Walker. 1t is
supposed the loss of the enemy must have
been very great. The exact conditions of the
Americans cannot be told; they must be suf-
fering to some extent from cholera. The at
mosphere is fearfully contaminated-the dead
bodies can be smeled on board Walkers
steamboat. The only hope Of the besieged is
in their commander, General Henningsen, who
is considered the ablest military officer in Cen
trail America; he is far superior to General
Walker. Henningsen is perfectly cool under!
every circumstance, in the hottest fight, and
lin the most critical conditions-he is OCCASION
ally slow, but always sure; hence it is sup
posed he will ultimately succeed in saving the
men, ammunition and artillery. But he is in
a desperate strait.
! If he succeeds in retreating to the wharf,
there are no boats; the enemy prevent the
approach of Walker, there are no means OF
cnbarking the artillery or men; if boats could
be brought to the shore, the Americans could
not embark their artillery first, as nothing
would be left to defend the artillery with,
which by all means should be prevented from
falling into the hands of the enemy. General
Walker leaves Granada and steams down to
Il his head quarters at Virgin Bay, almost every
dav. After remaining there an hour or two,
he returns to watch the operations at Granada.
/ At the time left, Walker had four hundred
men at Virgin Bay, including the one hun
Idred recruits which had just arrived from
ICtlifornia.
i We met reinforcements from the States on
the San Juan river; the New Workers at Cas-
!, tillo rapids, and those from New Orleans
about twenty miles below. 1t was stated
/, there were three hundred and fifty recruits
In all, Walker will have, if his recruits arrive
without counting the men at Granada, eight
| hundred men-with those at Granada, thou
] sand If he has eight hundred he can take
t possession Of Rivas and make that his head
quarters; and if he gets five hundred recruits
/ la month, may succeed in maintaining his posi-
], ltion. Walker appears to be in good spirits
t for rather, you cannot tell anything about him
e for he is always as cold as ice. not feeling the
| loss Of his dearest friends; but from what
n have seen Of him don't think he really is il
:. good spirits. His officers are enthusiastic-a
q least some of them are His men are not en-
t thuslastic, but generally in good fighting
Y spirits. Some are friendly and some hostil
h to him; but they all fight well, for they know
It it is matter of life and death with then t
i succeed. Want OF health is the greatest draw
d back to their efficiency
l. --@