The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-02

frO8rcoSlo8-OA08t0c
feat Of Eight Hundred Government Troops
At Chiche-Dissasisfact With tho Geveru-
PANAMA. June 20, 1871.
The revolution IN this republic continues without
any decisive move either side. Up to the latest
advces, 9th inst the evolutOnists appeared to be
gaining ground not only IN military point OF view.
but also IN the sympathes OF the people. The
arbitrary and bigoted rule of the Church. Jesuit
party, who for years past have ruled the country,
Is daily becoming more dlstasteful TO the masses.
and II we may Judge from the events which have
recently TRANSFERRED 1t would seem that the present
revolution has q much better prospect Of success
than any which has been inaugurated In Guatemala
for MANY years past. The principal events Of the
war since my last communication may be briefly
summed up as foilows:-
About the 10th ult. the revoluttonists. under CON-
mand OF their chief leader, Miguel Garcia GranadOs
attacked and took possession Of the town OF Retail
hulchu. which was garrisoned by some three hun
dred government troops under Colonel Oadenas,
alter sharp fight, in which the loss on each side
was about equal-sOme twenty men EACH among
Or%ey was eensfa under Ma IN
The government forces retired leaving the place In
possession OF Granados. who, In revenge for the
Retalhulchu, set fire to the town and DESTROYED
400 OF the Indian huts Of which 1t was
composed. The revOutiOnists next marched
on MasaJenango, another important town In
| tue Costa Grande, and surrounded by one
occupied 1t without resistance. Then they took up
| their line OF march TO the city OF Antigua, the
tering any oDpositiop. i WAS their Intention to
| enter and occupy this city also, but nndlng the
inhabitants less enthusiastic m his favor than he
expected, and doubling his ability to cope success
fully with the force under Colonel BarrentOs, which
defended the place. Granados abandoned the idea
and continued with his command to the town OF
San Martin, from whence he might successfully
operate against Guatemala city, the capital OF the
republic For several days after the receipt
OF the news that the revoiutionists had
intyencned themselves al san Martin the
most intense excitement existed in the capital and
an attack was hourly expected. The general feel
ing openly and decidedly expressed in favor or
the proposed new rGgfns, and had GranadOs under
taken promptly TO carry out his plans and take the
city the small garrison II contained would have
made but little. II any. resistance, and all woud at
leader apparently ignorant OF the state OF AFFAIRS at
the seat of government delayed, awaiting rein
which he daily expected. In the meantime govern
ment troops were called In from all available points,
der successlul attack on the part OF Granados with
his limited force Impossible. The critical moment
being thus allowed to pass without advantage nav.
ing been taken OF IT, the government decided to act
on the offensive force was organized, under
command OF Colonel Caogne and sent out against
the revOutOnists in San Martin. The latter, hear
ing OF tins movement. and having been disap-
pointed both in the renforCemenls aud supplies ex.
pecteG. abandoned their position and moved IL the
| direction Of Vera Cruz. Colonel CaloQne followed
IN pursuit, and on the 10Th ut succeeded IN over
taking the retreating enemy at the Of Chiche,
In the department OF TOtomlcapan, where a battle
was fought which resulted in the defeat OF the gov
eminent troops, with loss Of ten or twelve Killed
and wounded.
The force under Colonel Calogne, thus disgrace
! fully defeated, numbered 800 men. commanded bv
Lieutenant Colonies Cueras and SalaZar. Private
adyices state that "they fired only one yolley
I in the direction OF the reDels, and then, TO Il
/ man. with many officers. broke ranks, threw away
their arms ana scattered In all dlrecIlonS fTffl
rebel ranEs sao,s afe said to be about one hundred
and eighty Mexicans, picked marksmen. armed with
repeating rifles, who occupy the advance, and 1t
Is to the unerrng aim and deadly nre OF
this handful OF men that the panic
Chche Is attributed From ChIche Granados in-
tended returning to MasaIenanCo. where he purposed
making stand and declaring himself hberatOr OF
the country.
The report previously received that Don Jnan
ma nd had taken possession OF the town OF Gescu-
intia, situated on the main road from the port TO
the capital, turns out to lie incorrect Niteri had
raised about five hundred men, at the head OF whom
he marched to attack the city OF Antigua. His
men demanded the privilege OF sacsng the place
they entered II, but on being denied that
privilege by their commander $50 deserted. The
small army left not being sufficient to act against
Antigua VIleri continued to Tepan where the bal
who proved faithful Disguised with the result Of
| his efforts Vteri when last heard from was, with
the few followers left. on his way to Vera PaZ.
Very heavy rains had iallen on the Pacific slope OF
Guatemala, rendering all communication by roads
almost impossible, and along the coast from Cham
parcO south to La Libertad.
The cultivation OF coffee and sugar continued
To Increase, and that OF indigo attracting q
great deal OF attention.