Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-12-22
FROM NICARAGUA.
GEN. WALKERS EXPEDITION.
4 COMPLETE JOURNAL OF EVENTS.
Future Movements and Prospects

| Future Movements and Prospects.
Special Correspondence Of the N. o. Picayans
PUxTA ARENAS, OPPOSITE GuFYTowN,
November "a, 1851
Editors Picayuns:-We landed at this point this
morning about o'clock, being eleven days
! from Mobile Bay. You are doubtless apprised of
the fact that Gen. Walker was detained IN that bay
by the detention of the steamer Fashion, which was
| to carry him and his fellow ''emigrants to this
point This detention was owing to several causes.
First the difficulty to procure hands to man the
| steamer. They were easily engaged, but would not
stay engaged. Those who finally shipped were
only kept board by satonng sentlnels to prevent
them from leaving the vessel. Owing 10 this diff
Guilty the Fashion did not leave New Orleans until
the morning of the 1lth when she was expected to
| leave the night previous After she did leave she
had not proceeded than five or six miles down
| the river before she run into the bank, where
she stuck, until boats could be procured to pull her
| off. When near the mouth, she was run into by
| another vessel. 1t was after night when she got
down to the mouth, and the captain considering 1t
dangerous attempt to go over the bar anchor was
! cast. After crossing the bar, the next morning,
| instead of steering for Mobile Bay she was run of
to the Pensacola lighthouse. Owing to these delays
and accidents, she did not get into the Bay until
about noon on the 18th. Being heavily laden, pro-
visions being on board for four hundred men for
ninety days. it was deemed advisable to relieve her
of part of her cargo. For this purpose both the
Fashion and Keys were run into Catfish Bend,
where several hundred barrels of commissay stores
transferred TO the latter This was not effect
ed until some time in the night, consequently the
Fashion did not leave her anchorage until the morn
ing of the 18th
After getting under way, there was, fortunately,
no more lets or hindrances. The revenue cutter
having spoken the Fashion she came into the Bay,
the day previous, content to let her pass out
without further notice. Ii would have made but
bod he n41 boarded
the Fashion, as her papers all in ship-shape,
barring the 'emgrants." The cutter passed up the
Bay the Fashion passed out.
As soon as the steamer was fairly out to sea, and
beyond the Government vigils, battalion was
formed, composed of four companies, containing
forty three men each, rank and file, Col Thomas
Henry and Lieut.. S. I. Tucker commanding. The
companies were differed follows TO wit: Company
A, S. D. MeChesney, Captain; D. Waters, and 5. !
W. Gilkey, Lieutenants. Company b, II. c. Cook, |
Captain; F. McMullen and W. S. West Lieutenants |
Company C., Dudley T. McMichae, Captain; F.
Belcher and W. II. Hunter, Lieutenants; Company |
D, r. G. Stockely Captain; J. S. Hoskins and G. W.
Carol, Lieutenants.
Col Don Bruno Natzmer is Commissary General, |
Capt B. F. Whittier Acting Quartermaster, Lieut.. |
Col. Swingle Commanding Ordnance, DR.. j. kellum |
Acting Surgeon General; Assistants, Drs. Callaghan
of Philadelphia; NJ. Thum, Louisville, KY, John
Henley, Murfreesboro', Tenn 6 NJ. Holt, Bedford /
county, Tenn; DR. r. d. Greenlee, Lexington, Va,
Jethro jackson, Woodford county, KY; J. Drake
Mcdowell, St. Louis Mo-; J. J. Scott, Augusta, Ga.
Calaghan, Mcdowell and Scott, Ofthe medical staff,
did not accompany the first division of the army of
Nicaragua. 1t is stated that Col. Mcdonald, who
was formerly agent of the Transit Company, Is to
be Minister of Macienda, vice Col W. Ia Rogers, re
signed. The latter gentleman accompanies the ex-
petition Being active energetic business now,
his services cannot well be dispensed with. Brig.
Gen. c. c. Hornsby and Col. Frank Anderson are
with Gen. Walker. The entire force is about two
hundred This may be considered rather small to
effect a landing on hostile shore, but it is more
liable, being mostly good and determined men, than
twice the number would be who had only been led
to join the expedition under excitement. And if
Gen. Walker succeeds in selling any Of the river
boats, the first intelligence you receive of his opera
tons will be that ne has opened the river to the
lake.
As soon as the battalion was formed, Col. Henry
introduced the routine of camp duty such as making
details of men, and posting sentinels at various
points on the steamer. On Monday, 10TH Lieut..
Col Swingle had men detailed and set to work moul-
ding bullets and making cartridges Capt. Whittier,
of the Quartermaster's Department, was equally as
actively employed in fitting the men out with belts,
cartride and cap-boxes On the l8th,-guns-Mis-
sssippi rifles and Mimic rifles were issued to the
companies and after that the Fashion presented the
appearance of floating garrison.
Nothing Of importance occurred up to the morn
ing of the 2Ist when the ller broke, leaving at
the mercy of the wind and waves for several hours.
As there was a pretty stiff breeze blowing at the
time, our situation was somewhat perilous. FOrtu-
nately but few knew the danger to which they were
exposed Many had serious doubts to the safety
of the Fashion on first getting on board but she
has carried US all through so safely, that none who
came out on her would hesitate to embark on her
again. The only objection to her now, is lack of
speed.
All were anxious to get land, and with the hope
of getting sight of Corn Island several remained
up till after Il o'clock the night of the 23d We
passed it about three in the morning. Between eight
and nine on the morning of the oath, we came in
sight of land. Orders then issued for all those
to themselves. This led to the belief
that we were to be taken directly to Greytown. About
halfpas twelve we came in sight of Punta Arenas.
This was evidently unntentiOnal, as we Immediately
changed our course and off to the eastward We
run down the shore TO the mouth of the Colorado |
branch of the San JUAN which we reached little ,
after three. Without anchOring, three boats were ,
lowered, into which Captain McAllhaefs company .
was ordered, under command of Frank Anderson. :
DIR. John Henley went as Surgeon and Capt. J. S.
West Comnissary. The whole command num- ,
Oered forty-fve men, and was sent up to intercept
he river boats if any of them should chance TO be
1t GreyLOWn and attempt to escape, on seeing the
steamer entering that port. During the launching
Of the boats and the embarkatlOn of the men, the
steamer drilled out some distance to Lines
made fast to the boats and they were toWed IN as
near as it was safe for the steamer TO run BY half
]
liver 1t was supposed that they would have to row
about fifteen or eighteen miles but 1t has since been
that the distance is thirty II this
De the case the boats did reach the San Juan IN
ime intercept the courier started here last even
ng But he had no definite information, as it was
,nly supposed that Gen. Walker was on board. As :
oon as the boats were fairly the river, the sea-
ner set out to beat down the shore until II o'clock
It night, when she was to run into Greytown But T
before that hour arrived it became too dark for her
run in, consequently she had 10 beat about until
his morning 25th. As soon as 1t was light enough =
o ascertained our Whereabouts, steered for the
lsrbor Of Greytown {
WEDNESDAY, Nov. %, 1857.
About o'clock this morning the Fashion ran T
long side of the old hulk lying al Punta Arenas. V
apt j. n Scott, former agent OF the Transit 20 n
,a1v was on the hulk and notified the captain of u
he Fashion not to follow out his line, he would
lot be permtted to land. His notification was not q
,eeded Gen. Walker was on the hulk before the
teamer was made fast and met Capt. Scott IN a
ery cordial manner which surprised those acqusnt
d with the Captains course after the COSTA hicans
rot possession of the river the second time.
We had scarcely made fast, before a heute o
anne of from the Saratoga, which vessel we 1ouno
wing in the harbor. The object was evidently TO
Examine the Fashions papers, and ascertain IN n
What capacity she sailing. The lieutenant went !
Jack to his vessel and returned. Capt Scout II
gent off with the officer of the Saratoga and then
vent over to Greytown, doubtless TO consult with
he o. S. Commercial Agent While he was absent i
Zen. Walkers men were all ordered on Shore and \
ook up their quarters in the buildings belonging to
he Transit Company. The steamer was dropped q
Ioncside of a schooner which formerly belonged to :
len. Walker, for the purpose of transferring her
aruo to that vessel. Before she had commenced :
ischarging, an officer came of from the Saratoga,
accompanied by Scott and notified the captain of il
he Fashion not to put any freight on oosru the "
cbooner as she was claimed by Capt. Scott as his
rivate properly, and also notified Gen Walker that
colt had protested against his occupying the prem
SEES formerly belonging to the Transit Company,
or which he claimed to be the agent.
Gen. Walker claimed the schooner as his properly
zhle Sent commanded that be held that vessel by %