Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-01-31
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For the Register.
GRANADA, Republic de Nicaragua,
August 3lst, 1886.

/
My DEAR SlR.-You will probably
think that have become quite negligent
and lazy since have been in Nicaragua,
simply, because have net complied with
my promise implied in Wy last note, writ
ten on The eve Of my departure from New
Orleans. The reason did not wIite
sooner was just ms have enjoyed
such excellent Gealth since | have been
in the Cour:tv, and beng Soldier in
gooa he" .th, was kept constantly on duty,
whic' deprived me Of the pleasure of VIII
tirs to any of my friends. But now as
nave faithfully served out my time, and
am discharged soldier, resting upon my
honors, shai' devote few leisure hours
in addressing few lines TO You.
1t is not NY intention TO give you de-
tailed account of this great, and mnch
written aheut County, because | deem
that altogether useless, for any one that
intends 10 come to this country will come
whether the reports from here be good or
bad What | know Of the country Is
from what have seen,--aad | travelled
I Tie greater part Of il,-and, therefore, |
report iayorabIy. The land is well adapt
ed to agricultural purposeS--the soil, Ter
lie and prolific, the climate saiuDnouS.
Some portions Of the State is unhealthy,
but generally speaking it may be sci down
as healthy country. | find the coun-
try beautifully diversified with mountains,
hills, valleys, plains, lakes, rivers, &c,
&C., which is found i'll all new countries.
The country is very prolific, and the
principal products are cotton, sugar, col
fee, cocoa from which Is manufactured
chocolate.) tobacco, corn, and also al! Tie
tropical fruits are here 10 be found while
ogwood, rosewood and india rubber trees
'are indigenous To the country. Nature
seemed 10 have let herself out the bounds
of reason when she began on This coun'
try. The woods abound in all sorts OF
game, while monkeys innumerable serve
I" amusc the traveller along the roadside.
So much for the country. will now
merel ~ narrate, in as brief manner as pos
sible, my own adventures and observa-
tons.
When left New Orleans did not in
tend to come here as Soldier, but as an
American citizen but soon found out,
before | landed at GreytOwn, that II
wouldn't pay TO come as intended and
SO thought the best Thing could do
would be TO ascertain what the other
young men intended to do--there being
some Is others on board The Steamer Jus 4
in theIsame situation after consultation
and due deliberations we concluded to
organize and Independent Company Tor
our mutual protection.
Gen. Hornsby and Col. Moncossis be-
ing on board with some 800 new recruits
for Walker, we made overtures 10 them To
receive our services as mounted men, on
certain specified conditions. The Col.
sanctioned our prajcc! and promised us
various important and advantageous
things, winch we took plenty Vi tine to
consider upon, before we "pilched in"
Coming up the San Juan river the Col
very politely asked us TO take charge OF
The arms. that we might defend ourselves
and also his mcn-as we expected 10 be
attacked at several points on the river. Il
was with some reluctance that We took
the guns-as there Was such tang as
pressing men with servce-and we
though, that we might bc selling ourselves,
but the Col. assured us, oil lis word OF
honor, that it was lar, from lis Intention
TO take such advantage Of us-lhat he re-
QueSled il OF US as favor. SO We took
charge OF the arms and when we arrived
at Castillo. we gave up the guns. The
Col. thanked us very kindly, and gave Us
proof that he was Soldier and gentle
man of unimpeachabie verarlly. lie
made us board at the Hotel and treated US
far beyond what we expected. But we
were not unmindful Of such unexpected
generosity, and would not allow IL TO pass
unnoticed. so, by way of reciprocity, we
volunteered our services 10 Stand picket
guard for him-as we were expecting dal'
Nv an attack from the Costa Rlcans. II
was then, for the first time in my lie thai
| tasted Of the glory and honor OF Sol
UIel NE. lie IloSl d. "S0i wv w.
was about a mile from the quarters-s lIn-
aled in Ieep, dense chapparel on the
margin of San Juan tue night was dis
mally dark, and on all sides was trees,
vines and bushes, while the wafer kept
constant ru,lling. which was by no means
musical, and made my situation none the
most enyiabe. Then and there | stood
terminating upon the Pride, Glory and
circumstance Of war ever and annon re-
fleeing upon the happy past-present
was very gloomy-and wished were
Boy again )" thought of the ''old Folks
a, Home" of all who was near and dear
10 me 10 fact, | thought upon all had
ever seen, felt or heard, and eUen upon
the 'gaI left behind me-" 'Phancy
nv Pheelns" in such horrible situation.