New-York daily tribune., 1857-04-17
ANOTHER VOLUNTEER HISTORY.


story Of his experience in the camp OF Walker;
left New Orleans on board the steamship Texas
on the 18th Of December last, in Capt Harris Com
pany, and after passage Of -x days arrived at Runs
Arenas. We reached there in the evening, and were
informed by Col. Loekridge, who took charge Of the
battalion, that We might have fighting to do that
night; that he wanted company who were pro-
yided with rifles having percussion locks 10 20 up the
river TO retake the steamers which the Costa Ricans
had short time previously captured from them.
About forty men were put on board two boats 10 60
up the river for that object The party sent out, how
ever found il too hard work 10 row the boat up the
river against strong current and returned without
accomplishing anything. The balance OF the recruits
were kept on board the steamer all night. In the
morning Mr. Scott, the agent of the hue refused 10
allow any Of the men 10 land at the same spot, and
compelled portion of them TO go about mile above TO
land others allowed 10 land without arms and
small number were finally allowed 10 land with their
arms. The remaining aims and ammunition taken
out on the steamer were put on board some oungoes
and landed above where the first party were set
ashore. Here We remained until almost evening OF
the second day after our arrival. We had too barges
and an iron boat We then went TO work to get the
two barges around 10 Point Arenas-to accomplish
which had to undess and push them along through
the mud close 10 the shore For several DAYS kved
on a biscuit and small piece of baked meat day.
and had To sleep on the sand without covering,
although we had considerable rain. We then occu-
pied ourselves Tor three IN cutting CON-
structing huts for temporary protection, until the
old iron boat, which was being converted into the
steamer Rescue, was completed. In the mean tune
we had little -four given us TO cook, which proved
very acceptable. After delay OF about TIVE weeks
at Point Arenas, a number Of the men be-
cane sick with fever, and others with measles.
While we were here about 80 men were detailed every
morning TO act a. guard for the ensuing tweny-fOur
hours-one portion Of that number relieving the others
at intervals. to get the best rest they could upon bed
of sand with drizzling rain falling upon them. As
soon as the steamer ready We took all the pro-
visions We had in store in an Old hulk On
hoard the Rescue and started off up the river
having in tow the best of our two barges.
On moving off on our expedition, three cheers were
given for Walker, three for Col Lockridge and three
times three for Gen. Wheat, who was great favor
ite among US. We went up the river about three
miles TO Little San JUAN and then found out we could
take the barge with us no further We had on board
two cannons lone taken from on board the steamer
Texas and another from the steamer Ajax, one Of
these was retained board the steamer, 100 men
and two days provisions; the rest were left behind
board the barge Col. Lockridge then made brief
speech TO the hundred men, in which he said that he
had asceIained there was small town up the Little
San Juan River which the greasers las he called the
Costa Ricansl were coming down TO burn, aud he
wanted 10 iall in with them and show hght and as
the water in the river was quite high, the steamer
succ. eded in getting up considerable distance but
finding neither town nor native to shoot at, the
steamer was turned about and Steamed back TO where
they had left the barge and portion OF the force;
but deening the junction of the two rivers not 30 safe
as desirable, the steamer and barge were removed
about d quarter of mile below. Nothing Of interest
happened that night except the capture OF negro,
whom We subsequently set at liberty. ihe ioliow-
ing morning all embarked ON board the Rescue
Except twenty five who were left to protect the
barge) and went up the river for about five miles,
and TELL in with a couple Of men IN bungo but
as they didn't know anything about the greasers ana
had only come up the nyer from Greytown 10 obtain
fruit, they were set at liberty and furnished pass
to enable them 10 go below the barge. Aswe moved
up the river came 70 Il pretty small settlement,
occupied by natives, but obtained no Information
furtIer and was startled by the sound of loud
whistle, whercupon wheeled about and took
pors.ssiop Of the settlement just referred to,
and auartcred ourselves there, for several days.
We thew up all entertainment and called IT Fort
Anderson. We next went up the San Juan River to
within about two miles of Fort Sarapiqu and landed
secretly among the bushes, with plenty OF ammunition
and guns Here some Of the men had blankets given
out TO them for the first time. IL was then arranged
for the steamer to 90 up the river and at a. m to
con mence firing at Font Sarapqui, with view OF di-
yerpg the attention Of the enemy while three hundred
of our men pushed their way through the bushes, and
simultaneously attacked the fort For some time 6ul,
lets ard common balls flew pretty fast but had
only Mississippi rifles, while the enemy were provided
with Mimic rifles. After hating three killed and eight
or nine wounded and finding that our rifles failed to
do any HARM We rercated little and started party
of twenty to attack picket guard Of the enemy, in
which attack Lieut.. Homan, of Capt. Barlngtons
compapy was shot, whereupon We again retreated,
and returned TO where we left the steamer.
The following morning We rtaIted again ON The steamer
to another position, where We were letter protected,
and threw up breastwork which was cristened Fort
Titus and planted guns there ready for an attack
ON the Thursday but the enemy discovered our posi-
ton the previous day, and commenced hfng upon us,
without doing mnch harm however. The following
morning Gen. Wheat paid US visit, and said that the
tolticaton would not dO-that it not built right,
and il was accordingly altered TO meet his views.
The guns were then dragged there, and before day
Col Lockridge and the men Of his command were
there. while Col Tituss men, supplied with Mimic
rife marched 10 another position when the nre
was opened and kept up on both sides tIl evening.
The next morning nothing could be seen OF the enemy,
and believing that they had evacuated Fort Sarapqu,
bungo was sent TO ascertain the fact, which was
found TO be the case; whereupon we took possession
Of it, and sent out scouting parties, without ialing
in with any Of the enemy. Col. Titus then went up
the river IN the steamer with his command to Fort
Ca.tilo and surrounded it, and found out that there
were only twenty-five men there. flag Of truce was
displayed by the enemy and two officers, believed to
be Englishmen, came out and invited Col Titus into
the fort which invitation be accepted Of and, as it is
believed also pertook of their hospallties nothing
else inasmuch as after protracted absence he re-
turn.d to his and said he had agreed TO allow
them twenty-four hours TO surrender. Two hours De-
fol the expiration Of the tine allowed the enemy tncy
received a reinforcement of about 800, attacked us,
killing forty of men, beside woundng many more.
During the fight some of our men captured uie
steamer j. n. Scott but Col. Titus hastily retreaed,
ard is next found on boaid the recaptured steamer
on his way down to Point Arenas: Inc .ear next
day Col Lockrdge went up the river in the Feaea T
Rescue and brought away the arms which Co teo ,eo
had left behind in his fight. Ttuss men, ana aoouI d. w.
Slater, and from thence to Kellys, just below Castillo
Rapids, aud prepared to attack Fort Sas.ioLni .hn,
setting FIRE to Sarapqu On the 9th OF March, ABOUT
md fti6.d our notiop for the night with three guns
Col Lockrdge then ordered the steamer to the opp
site side OF the rver to await further orders. Co ~
next proceeded 10 reconnoiter and make survey VI
Fort Castillo and after doing so, came 10 tue cohc.u