The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-04-04
Later from Nicaragua. +.
PUsTA Arenas. Feb. 10

| Later from Nlc1raeHa. s:..st
.-..... (From the Aspinwtll Courier.) Z
....-.... PUsTA ARENAS, Feb. - 1897.
February 18th, the steamer Texas ar wed
with 3OO men, who proceeded u3 the river
and joined Col. Anderson's force OF 200 men
The 9th was spent in cleaning arms. On
the 9th we advanced with the steamer Res
cue, and took it, losing two men killed, and
large number wounded. l' s-'
According to the eneny's report they lost
seven killed, and large number wounded.
The same day we fell back on our former DO
.sition, because it was useless to attempt any
thing on the opposite side of the river, with
| out artillery. The next morning we ran up
to point below Sarapiqui, and landed all
the force and artillery, except one company,
which we left Fort Arde' IA. There We
erected barbados and bush houses for the
men, provisions and artillery. Next day we
began cutting road and bridging the cree S
up to Cody's road, to mount our artillery on
Cody's Point, which work was completed on
Thursday night. The force thus posted was
under the command Of Col. Tons, the artille-
ry being under Gen. Wheat, the left resting
on the artillery, the right ranging up the
river, both being protected by shrubbery
along the river
On Friday morning at the break of day
Gen. Wheat opened his fire on the fort oc-
cupled by the Costa Rican Forces. At the
same time Col. Frank Anderson crossed the
river with 100 men and took position on the
point called Avarado.
They arrived there at noon without being
perceived by the enemy. eanwhie the
action had been going on mainly between
Gen. Wheat's artillery and COL Titus COM
mand and the Costa Ricans in the Sarapiqu
fort. One of their pieces was dismounted,
and another was not fired during the day,
Capt. Brantley S company of rihemen heep
ing up such destructive fire that they did
not dare to approach to load it.
Capt. Anderson's men having been posted,
opened vigorous fire on the right flank of
the enemy, driving them from their Earri-
cades to the main building up the San .Jnan
river.
From that time till dark a constant and
severe fire was kept up from Cody's and AL
varado points, which was responded to by
scattering votes from the Costa Ricans, end
we saw the enemy running away into the
woods.
The commander Of the fort at Sarapiuu,
was among the first that left at half-past
two, p. NJ.
During the day Col. Anderson's force lost
two killed and two wounded, the latter being
now able to do duty. Col. Titus lost two
killed.
The next morning Captain Brsset and a
volunteer called Kentuck, went over in a ca
noe, pulled down the Costa Rican flag and
hosted the lone star Of Nicaragua, all the
enemy having abandoned the point in the
night
Upwards of 400 stand of English Minnie
muskets were left scattered on the ground
Col. +. Anderson'S command crossed in the
steamer, and took possession, finding thirteen
dead bodies in the principal fort Fifty men
OF tins command were detached for burning
the dead Of the enemy which amounted to
80. Five pieces of artillery, four brass six
pound pieces, and one iron nine pound piece
with corresponding ammunition was found
Also $4,000 pounds of Minnie rife cartridges
IN good condition, and large lot of damaged
ammunition, clothing, provisions, and cooking
utensils
The same night the steamer Rescue took
up the force of Col. Titus and one four pound
gun to the Island of San Carlos, which was
taken without any resistance, and the boat
returned to Sarapiqui and took up all the
stores that are needed at the above post, and
then proceeded up the river in search of the
Charles Morgan, which had gone on with the
news of the Costa Ricans having left Sara
piqui. The Morgan had four hours start and
the Rescue came in sight of her just as she
went over Castillo Rapids. The Costa Ri
cans had tar and rosin on the steamers Scott
and Cachuca, and all the buildings of the
town; at the moment they saw the Rescue
they set fire to the boats and buildings, and
at the same time opened heavy fire of
round shot and grape from the fort on the
hill. The lower fort on the river was taken
by storm by Capt. Vests company Four
men jumped from the Rescue, swan against
six mile current, cut loose and saved the
steamer Scott, although the machinery was
much injured. All the furniture and bed
ding eff the National Hotel was saved. All
other houses with their contents were de-
strOyed. In taking this fort the enemy lost
forty-five, while we had only one killed. The
Costa Ricans were still fifty strong on the
high fort of Castillo, cut eff from water and
provisions and surrounded by our forces, and
on the 18th the fort was to have been taken
h,rcf