The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-03-24

| tanee TO be traversed was over two hundred
miles before San Jose, the capital Of Costa
kica, could BE- reached, the most distrvsliul
conceded that the occupation Of that city by
the ilibusters, could not be delayed longer
than three weeks, whilst others more san
I gune predicted the same result 10 ten days.
/ The departure Of thess troops left Granada
with garrison Of scarce one hundred and
fifty men capable Of bearing arms, but as
there were in the city nearly two hundred
Americans, though unattached to the army,
who would be compelled in self defence TO
arm in the cause Of the fillibusters, 10 the
event OF an nsurrection. II was thought
that this force would be fully sufficient to
hold the city 10 any emergency, until REIN
iorcsments might arrive from Msnaqus,
Leon, and other military posts in the
country.
Ramor, for several days past, had located
! our army OF Chtmoristds 80 called because
OF their adherence to the faith Of Q late Gen
eral named Chimora, who, in life. had been
very prominent seryile leader-in the
neighborhood Of blanche, some forty miles
distant but Of their position, no definite
knowledge could be obtained. Two cour.
isrs had been either. intercepted between
| blanche and Granada, or else ran of and q
spy had met the same fate. so, upon the
withdrawal Of the main army from Granada,
the timed feared and all expected an attack up
on the city. Ia accOn mediation Of this feeling,
the military commander Of Granada, Col.
Piper, redOubed his vigilance, placed
stronger picquets at night for the perambu-
lation OF the streets, alter the evening re-
vele at eight o'clock; and issued an order that
every nhabitant should light the street in
front Of his own house, by suspending Ian.
tern from the door. These salutary precau.
tions, instead Of reassuriog the anxious.
minded portion Of the population, served
only 10 increase their alarm, and heightened
the fever Of excitement to such degree,
that upon meeting company Of three or
four natives, the hand Of the American in
stinctlvely sought his belt, to grasp the pis-
tOl or knife. as q prcservative from the ha-
tired that inilamed the bosoms OF these ma
tives. Every word spoken by one Of that
class. and heard by an American, and not
fully comprehended, was 4" Plot" Every
unusual sound conveyed signal" The
smiles OF the women and the innocent pratt
tie Of children were intrigue" The sword
OF Damocles hung in all its fearful insecurity
over their heads, and the only man in whom
they believed was the power to divert the
fatal stroke was absent from the city.
The signs were ominous of bloodshed. and
terror, nothing could prevent it il was re.
duced TO simple question Of time, to be- &C.
CELEBRATED or retarded by the success that
attended Col. SchlesssDger's expedition
against the Republic Of Costa Rical
II he was victorious, months might
intervene, but if defeated hardly hours
before anarchy would again triumph
over order, and pandsnonium be in
auguratcd in the stead OF peace and quiet.
ness. In this state Of mind the city on the
night of the fftb Of March, sank into an un.
easy sleep after day Of watchfnlness and
anxiety when about two o'clock confused
shouts intermingled with irregular dis
charges Of muskctry, started the citizens
from their unreireshng repose. SpriDging
from our hammock scarcely taking time TO
dress, we rushed into the main plaza, where
already had congregated the greater portion
OF the Americans. besides several hundreds
Of wsmen aud children, whose half naked
persons, garing eyes and streaming hair,
with their agoniziDg schrieks OF despair,
were pitable IN the extreme, and formed y
picture worthy Of the pencil Of Hogarth,
Col Piper was hastily distributing the
troops aud volunteers in the most eligible
positions for defence. On an unwieldy
carriage rested an old s FOUNDER supposed
To have been introduced into the country by
the conquestadors-th this was dragged into a
position TO cover the principal highway 10
the Plaza. In the meantime the firing had
ceased. aud in silence and darkness the
soldiers stood to their arms, awaiting the
onset from their rs yet Invisible foe. This
midnight array was q time To analyze the
courage Il the man. and to detect the base
alloy that was endeavoring to foist itself
into an honorable position. by CONTRIBUTING
the ring Of pure metal In the hour and
excitement OF battle many deeds are per-
Termed that the world misnames valor,
which are nothing more than madness, a
foolhariiness, an offspring Of bravado. and
not bravery. Tie is not actuated by courage
who rushes unwlttiugly iuto danger, and
notwithstanding that brilliant results may
crown his desperation, it Is an injustice to
courage TO award him the honor OF being
brave man. While he alone is brave who
knowing his danger, cool and deliberately
meets It. determined TO do his whole duty
and leave the consequences TO tod. Their,
is something dreadful IN the horrld calmness
that pervad,s the bosom of q human being
while waiting 10 b. shot not knowing
whence CONES the fatal bullet. tina, Is never
experienced even in the face OF batteries.
bcichlng forth streams Of fire and 4, ath upon
all within theirrange, Their stood in ranks,
trembling through agitation, by courtesy
alonc-ior a shorter word would more rearly
eNprss their true enotion--,hoSe who
lew hours since were loudest in their vsun,s
OF herolc deeds, and expression Of desires TO
meet the f0c, Others whose mosicsty bad often
beeu mlscoas,rued into covardce cheerfaly
discussed the probabilities of an engage
rncn, and II not anxious. were willing and