New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-05-28
NUMBER u.

NUMBER ".
,e transported, via Tortngas and Punta Arenas, to
Panama, after surrendering their arms to hinn-the
'ficers retaining their sidearns replied that your
snch proposition would depend on
your being satisfied with regard to the evacuation of
he river by Col. Lockridge and his command, as
your principal object in holding Rvas till the last
moment was the fear that he might arrive and find
occupied by the enemy. That with regard to your
position being desperate, it was true that you could
break through the enemys lines and march in any
direction at present. That if further enfeebed you
could always cut your way to the Pacific, and embark
either at San Juan or at some other point on the
two slx-pounders and store of arms, cartridges,
cannon, ammunition, powder and lead.
On this Capt. Davis remarked that he must at once
inform me that 1t was his nnalterable determination
not TO allow the schooner Granada to leave the port
and to take possession of her previous to his sailing
from San Juan del Sur, which must take place in a
few days That he was acting on instructions from
his superiors-from his commander-in-chef That
since the outgoing of the late Administration at
Washington, instructions had been received from
the new which contained nothing to induce him to
alter the course which he intended to pursue. But
that he preferred would consider all this as unsaid
and that you would regard him acting on his own
and sole responsibility. remarked that his resolu-
tion was most important, and would probably
prove determining fact, and therefore asked him
deliberately to repeat whether it was his fixed deter
d.
that it was his unaterable resolution not to allow the
Granada to leave the harbor of San Juan and to take
possession of her before he sailed
With regard to the evacuation Of the San Juan
river by Col. Lockridge and bis command he said
that he had entirely satisfied himself Of the fact both
by the Investigations of his Lieut. McCorkIe and by
perusa that morning of contract for passage to the
United States, signed by Scott and by officers Of the
British squadron, besides other corroboratve evil
dence. observed that he might have been imposed
upon by forgery and asked whether his conviction
was shared by G. j. Mcdonald, agent of the Transit
Company, whose experience rendered bis opinion
valuable? Capt Davis replied that Mcdonald had
been satisfied of the fact by Lieut.. McCorkles report
but that he Capt Davis fully aware of the respon-
sbility he was assuming, pledged himself for the
authenticity of this statement. 1 thereupon agreed
to communicate to you this conversation and to sub
nit the following offers from Capt Davis as the only
propositions likely to be admissible, viz That under
the guarantee of the American flag you should with
sixteen officers of your selection with their arms,
horses and effects leave Rvas to embark at San Juan
for Panama. That Rivas, with its garrison should
be surrendered to Capt. Davis That the prvates
should deliver up to him their arms, and, together
with the officers and citizens be transported by an
other route to Panama, accompanied by United
States officer, and under guarantee of the United
States flag
At o'clock, A. NJ, May l, I returned to Rivas,
promising your answer at 10 o'clock, and personally
to come back if the negotiation not broken off
Accordingly at 10 A. NJ, returned to the quarters
again by Col. Waters, when Capt. Davis signed the
draft of the agreement which had made out in your
presence, and to which yon acceded in view of the
determining facts that Capt. Davis declared that he
had embargoed and intended to seize the Granada,
which was therefore certain and pledged himself as
to the evacuation of the San Juan river by Col
Iockridge, which was therefore more than probable
In conformity with your instructions, not only the
agreement in question was drawn out without any
reference to the allied or rebel leaders except when
once mentioned as the enemy, !" but without commu
nicaton with them.
With Gen. Zavala interchanged courteses in the
quarters of Capt. Davis; Jerez met in the SAINT
place. after signature of the agreement, but no allu
sion made to it By either whilst being still nego
tiated or after its conclusion. l only remarked, il
reply to q remark which had been made, that shot:
were fired from both lines during the armistice; tina
| from the other side they were fired wantony, from
ours only when the enemy proited by the suspension
of arms to induce deserton or to erect barricades
which we considered and would continue to consde
act of hostility; that on the 10th ult., when re
/ turning the wounded prisoners to the enemy, b.
your direction, myself them, under cover o
the white flag, attempting to raise barrcade on tn
ST. George road. To this Gen. 2 ,vala replied tina
very different orders has been given, and that th
matter should be better looked into in future bu
gave me to understand that the commanders in on
of the enemys entrenched camps had very little COZ
| troll over the other.
Having brought back the agreement for your sigma
ture Col Waters returned with it to the Cuatro Es
/
word was sent that you were ready to evacuate tn
| place. | next ordered the cannon, foundry and am
| munition to be destroyed by breaking the trunnion
and saving through the carriages of the former, by
breaking up the steam engine fan and cupola of the
| foundry, and throwing the ammunition and powde
into the arsenal yard wells. This order was dull
executed by Lieut. Coils. Swngle and Potter re
! spectivey, at the head of the Arsenal and Ordnance
| Departments. In this manner were destroyed in the
Arsenal two 12-pounder brass howtzers, three 6
| pounder iron guns, four light iron l2-pounder NOR
tars, four brass guns taken from the enemy-yz on
4.pounder and three 5.pounder guns in the ord
Office 55 900 cartridges, 900 caps 800 lbs
of powder. There remained undestroyed, IS shell
| 800 24-pound shot fired into Rivas by the enemy
246 6.pound shot, cast of iron from the enemys shot
| from bell metal Or from lead.
About o'clock in the afternoon, Capt Davis, will
Cen Zavala, who to escort you both through his
lines to San JUAN repaired to your head quarters a
| Rivas, and proceeded from thence with Capt. Davis
and DR.. Taylor, Surgeon of the st. Marys,) to thu
lower plaza, where ordered the garrison to b
formed, and caused your general order No. So to b.
read to them. then addressed them to the etfec
that they now ty your Order transferred to tn
control of Capt Davis and to the protection OF tn
United States flag, and that expected that the.
would'yeld to him. or to any United States officer hi
should appoint the same implicit obedience, till reach
| ing Panama. as to their own commapder-in-chief.
then presented Capt Davis, who expressed to then
the hope that officers and men would assist him IL
the execution of his arduous task. He then transfer
red the command till his return the following day
to Dr. Taylor surgeon of the ST. Marys, who directed
them to deliver up their to him in the ordnance
Office. The state of the garrison, when delivered owe
to the United States officers, was as follows:
and sick in aud of hos pta surgeons and hos
|
Prisoners 10
Officers, commissioned officers and prvats exclusive
Of sixteen San Juan IA
Employees of departments and armed ctizsus
On returning to your headquarters with Capt. Da
Wis and Lieut. Col. Swingle, we found that you hal
left with your staff accompanied by Gen. lavala, TO
| San Juan del Sur where the same night joined yo
on board the st. Mary's, and verbally made to yo
this report, which, by your further order, hereb
reduce to writing and subscribe
CHARLES FREDERIC HENNINGSEN.
| Major General.
| TERMS OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN GEN. WALKED
AND CAPT. DAVIS
HEADQUARTERS THE ARMY,