The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-04

General Sherman had landed her Revolutionary
party. headed by 4. Palaccios, at Utia, Honduras.
The government of Honduras has been overthrown
by them and new one installed.
Palacios and followers were marching on Guate-
mala, and II they succeed in entering that terri
tory two or three days march, they are almost
certain to overthrow the existing government Of
President Barrios and to re-establish that OF the
Jesuit or church party.
History OF the Movement.
The mystery which has recently existed with
reference to the suspicious movements OF the
American nlibustering steamer General Sherman,
In the Spanish Main, Is now cleared away by the
receipt Of the following letter from our correspond
ent at Truxino, in Honduras, who was witness
to the capture OF that city by the combined revO-
lutonary forces OF Guatemala and Honduras,
landed from the deck OF the craft just mentioned,
and under the supreme command OF General
PalacciO, OF the former Republic. The mysterious
sinking OF this vessel at her dock in this city last
year, while loading arms ~ Tor Honduras her
recent capture OF two islands, and her importation
OF mtraileuses into South American warfare, fairly
entite the craft to be considered one Of the most
prominent nibustering vessels which has ever
left Gotham. The letter bringing the following
news came vtd Batabano, In Cuba (where 1t was
duly opened and perused by the Spanish author-
revolutionary forces:-
TRUxrLLo, June II, 1873
The government Of Honduras is represented by
President Arias, who overthrow Medina about y
year ago. The latter Is now O prisoner in the in
terror, where he Is kept in filthy dungeon. and,
rumor hath it. Is being tortured to death by inches
His friends have not been idle in his behalf
although beaten while undertaking hosttties last
year. and have now united with other parties in
Guatemala also unfavorable to the present govern
ment. Thus united the two parties have bought
and fitted up
nun ~ sTuA
for the purpose OF Overthrowing the existing gov
ernments OF Guatemala and honduras. This much
for explanation. The General Sherman left Aspin-
wall on the 22d OF MAY and proceeded to Belize,
where some recruits were awaiting the expedition,
authorities, who wish to preserve in all matters OF
this kind the strictest neutrality. Being oiled at
this point she left for
THE SMALL ISLAND OF UTILIA
belonging to the Republic Of Honduras, and took
summary possession Of it. Water and provisions
were taken in, and it was agreed that the spot
should become rendezvous Tor future operations.
large number OF men under the command OF
man. Some delay occurred here In organizing
the men into companies, appointing OF officers,
PREPARING MUNITIONS OF WAR FOR INSTANT USE.
Genera, Palaccio who is the candidate for the
office OF next President IN Guatemala, was / IL
vested with supreme command OF the expedition.
These matters being satisfactorily arranged the
Sherman steamed away for the island Of Ruatan,
which it captured as easily as 1t did the island OF
Utla-that is, without any resistance at all being
|
| Sunday, June s, the Sherman boldly launched out
/ on the warpath, and stood across for
TRUxILLo, THE MOST IMPORTANT PORT OF
HONDURAS.
| AS soon as the strange steamer was signalled to
the town, from the observatory, the greatest con-
sternation prevailed the news having already been
received from Ctilla Island that the city was to be
bombarded. People expected every moment to see
iron messengers landing IN their midst, and the
OF Truxillo got his forces ready for action, loaded
guns at the fort, &C., to repel any attack which
might be made at that quarter by the nlibusters.
Meanwhile hundreds OF people left their houses
and ned to the mountains, under the belief that
the most sanguinary scenes would ere long be
THE STEAMER STOOD IN FOR TuB LAND
about six miles to the westward OF the town, evil
IDENTITY for the purpose OF landing troops. Several
large canoes were now despatched by the Com
mandant to find out what steamer 1t was and what
was the object OF her visit AS soon as the canoes
reached the steamer they were captured and not
permitted to return to shore. About noon the
steamer hauled into the bay, the authorities still
doubling II it was the much-dreaded General
Sherman. In this state OF incertitude the Com
mandant begged of the Captain OF the
AMERICAN SCHOONER RACKET
to get under way and sail up to the steamer to
learn her name and her mission. The captain,
fear of capture before his eyes, went on his deli
cate mission, and soon ran alongside i the larger
gave the message confded TO him.
THE FIIJBusTERS' REPLY.
"We are loaded with troops and guns ready for
Palaccio. He then said, 1--WE request you to carry
flag OF truce back to TruxillO and will feel obliged
wishes being complied with, a few minutes later
two ofYfcers and four private soldiers
board and handed the Captain communication
for the COmmandant
DEMANDING THE SURRENDER OF THE TOWN
within two hours. and was signed by General Pa
laccio. In addition to the request for the uncOn-
ditional surrender OF the city It was stated that
should the request be refused it would be better
to send all women and children out of the town.
the attack would take place at the end Of the pre-
scribed time.
The confusion in Truxilo now became ten thou
sand times confounded, and remained so until the
commandant. after consulting with the principal
dignitaries OF the city, consented to surrender the
CITY, but pleaded for extension OF time until the
following day. While this answer being
veyed back to the Sherman by the schooner
Rocket the second commanding oficer, Major Tur-
clos declared that he preferred death to dlshonor,
and that If the fbusters were to gain possession
HAVE TO MARCH OVER HIS DEAD BODY.
In proof OF his valoross assertions he caused
Sherman and fired, although she was nearly six
miles of. The only effect OF this extraordinary
she being directly in the range Of his guns carry
ing out the news that the town would surrender
on the following day and sailing under nag OF
truce. After this Major Turcios. with much grand
iIoauent language, started with about eighty SOL
diers to a point abreast OF the American steamer,
in order to fight the nlbusters when they should
BUT DARKNESS now COMING ON,
he finally towards midnight returned to the fort,
dawn OF day the next morning. June the 9th.
communications were again opened BY the
steamer. giving the commandant until ten
O'Clock in the morning to vacate the town. At
half past niue the evacuation took place, the
troops all carrying their arms, and retreated into
the mountains.
TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF THE REVOLUTIONARY FORCES
WITH MITRAILLEUsES.
At eleven O'Clock the Revolutionary forces entered
the town. shouting vivas for the United Republics OF
Guatemala and Honduras, and also uttering loud
vfvas Tor President Medina. A force of about one
hundred men took possession OF the fort, carrying
with them mitraiiieuse the frst ever seen In
this part Of the world. The next proceeding was
to hoist the nags n Ponduras and Guatemala
jointly and. without =aot being fired, the new
government was proclaimed.
DEATH BEFORE DIsH0SoR.
About sunset and without the least warning,
Major Turcios came back again into the city At the
head OF about sixty men (having promised them, n
successful, the right OF pundering the town, and
attacked the enemv's sentinels, bat were, OF
nd w N va N (. liad