Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-01-31

we a. AIDE arrangements with Gen. w alk-
er, and volunteered our services, on GER
tain specified terms for months The
General accepted our services ana mao
Us mounted as soon az possible. This
b ings me back TO where started from.
My soldering began about the hrst oil
Nav the Chamona party having gained
the ascendency in the Chontales district,
we were ordered off there 10 drive them
away, and we did it quite successfully.
There was just % of US and we chaIien-
ged 500 to fight us but the cowaIdiy
rascals Just ran from us like sheep'steaI'
inc dogs. We drove them from town 10
town, AID always succeeded, after des-
perate charge-to the great deuIment OF
The Mules-in taking the town without
ever firing gun.
After lie town became in our posses
sion, the boys would commence commit
ting sundry depredatlons on the empty
houses, searching for trophies of war, and
other vauables.
/ The next trip we took, was for cattle
and it almost cured me of soldering. AL
Ter The first day out we came 10 mud bel
~ deep to the mules. Having very or
binary mule, it was not long before lie fell
in the action, and, Of course, was com.
PEELED 10 foot it the best way | could
Thank fortune was moi alone, some
two Others being in the same unhealthy
plight. 1t was the hardest soldering |
experienced in Nicaragua every step |
took sank down to my knees, and the
water was worse than the deepness OF the
mud, for every step made in the wafer
scaldeI my feeble il known was Oare-
footed also. 1t was three long, tedious
days before obtained an animal. conse-
quenry three days had 10 soldier bare
footed, knee deep in the mud, and occa-
slondly swim wide stream Of wa,er--
pleasant soldering that ! During the bal
ance of The time. We had toIerably easy
time of ii. Unfortunately never had the
pleasure of entering The battle field, how
ever, smeIIed powder, and heard The
bullets whistle. About the lst OF July a
change took place in the affairs OF The
Government old Pat Rivas tool, it into
his head TO vamOse the ranch. This lie
did because the General wanted him 10
"Iork over" some funds TO carry on the
war and 10 pay the soldiers TO which
demand, his ETceL'ency. Pat RIvas re-
piled, that Americans ought to fight for
glory and honor--not for pay, al this the
General became incensed, gave him a
pretty severe rebuke and left LeOn--Ihe
seat of Government in double quick time.
A few days after, Rivas and the greater
part of his cabinet left Leon for Chlnen-
dago, all the Native troops there deserted
Walker. The Ist Rife Battalion was
soon ordered away from Leon, and they
had scarcely left before Leon was filed
with the Native troops, and also troops
from San Salvador and Guatemala, and
they are still there.
A few weeks after the General came
from Leon--lor reasons only known by
hlm--he ordered lAe Rangers 10 march TO
Leon. No one could imagine Why we
were eoing there it furnished tneme
for grand philosophical speculation. |
supposed, from vat observed, and from
the men that accompanied us. that we
were on a mission OF peace. We arrived
al Leon, in a half starved condition, be-
lw cen 6 and 7 o'clock, A. NJ. We en-
tered HE city slowly, by winding around
it, and thus avoiding the Picket guard,
bat the Picket fred and then such
alarms The bells rang furious y, the can-
nous roared, and tie drums beat loud, one
company was stationed just where We
came in, and they received US with vol
! ley of musketry but luckily they knew
not how TO shUut--consequenuY hIi.ed no
one. We had lhen TO charge over a BAL
ricade 4 feet high. in order 10 get into an
other shot. Al that stage OF game the
Ma or commanding stood up III his Sur
rups and, with loud voice said 10 The
men 10 stick together and follow hlm. -
Off we started, IN full speed towards the
Plaza, right in front Of a cannon that I'M
agined large enough Tor me 10 ride IN with
my mule, turn around and come out OF
/ The touch-hole. When We came within
.
one square Of the cannon,a native Gener-
al along told US TO wheel, and 60 down an
/ other street, by doing so we cut off the
company that fired upon u, and we near
! ly killed them all. The city Of Leon
was well fortified every street leading 10
The Plaza had large cannon at the head
OF II. Twas the maidea attempt Of The
Volunteer Rangers, and they proved them
selves men worthy of the STEEL. As for
myself was desperately hungry and was
fighting for my breakfast. While char
ging up the street, noticed bottle of ar
qua diente lying in imminent danger Of
beirg smashed, so halted, IN the heat of
the charge, picked i. up and took good
drink.
The battle of Leon was the browning